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Joan H. Schiller, MD Chair, Steering Committee |
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Dr. Joan H. Schiller is a widely published medical oncologist who is internationally recognized for her work in lung cancer clinical research. She is also passionate about climate change and its impact on health. She is the Co-Founder and Chair of the Steering Committee of Oncologists United for Climate and Health (OUCH-I), a non-profit organization whose goal is to educate cancer health professionals and organizations about the impact climate change has on cancer care, and to advance awareness, actions, and policies that mitigate these effects.
Dr. Schiller has published numerous articles, editorials, and opinion pieces on the effects of climate change on health in such journals as JAMA Oncology; JCO Oncology Practice; Cancer Letter, IASLC Lung Cancer News, and Journal of Thoracic Oncology. She has given multiple talks and webinars on the effects of climate change on health, including for the European Society of Medical Oncology; American Thoracic Society, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, University of Wisconsin, Houston Methodist Hospital, and the Canadian Global Oncology Workshop, among others.
Before serving as the Deputy Director of Clinical Investigation for the Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Fairfax, Virginia, and Chief of Hematology/Oncology, she was the division chief of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center and Deputy Director of the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center in Dallas, where she held the Andrea L. Simmons Distinguished Chair in Cancer Research.
Dr. Schiller’s research has generated well over 200 publications that she has authored or co-authored, including articles, abstracts, book chapters, books, reviews and invited manuscripts.
Dr. Schiller is also the founder and President of Free to Breathe, a national advocacy organization aimed at raising awareness and funding for lung cancer, which has recently merged with Lung Cancer Research Foundation.
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Eric Bernicker, MD Vice-Chair, Steering Committee |
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Eric Bernicker is a thoracic medical oncologist who currently serves as the Enterprise Medical Director, Medical Oncology for the Mountain region of CommonSpirit Health. Prior to that he was the director of Thoracic Medical oncology at Houston Methodist Hospital. He has a long-standing interest in the intersection of cancer medicine and public health; he has edited two text books for Springer on “ Cancer and Society” and most recently “Environmental Oncology: Theory and Impact”. Dr Bernicker was the chair of the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Climate Change Task force that published ASCO’s policy paper on Climate Change and Cancer Care.
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Ed Balaban, DO Treasurer |
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My career as a hematologist and medical oncologist has been a dynamic blend of community-based clinical care and academic engagement, spanning both urban and rural settings. I have long been committed to healthcare advocacy, serving in various capacities as a medical society member, delegate or committee chair to the AMA, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Pennsylvania (PA) Medical Society, and the PA Society of Oncology and Hematology. All of these positions have primarily focused on legislative healthcare policy concerns.
Throughout my professional journey, I have held academic appointments at institutions such as Univ. of Texas Southwestern, Penn State University and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, practiced in suburban and rural communities, and served in administrative roles including medical director of a cancer clinic. These experiences have provided me with a broad perspective on the healthcare challenges faced across different levels of care and have fueled my passion for addressing key legislative issues.
My advocacy efforts have included speaking out and acting on policies related to women's reproductive health, pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) and prior authorization reform, non-compete agreements, speaking to the effects of climate change on healthcare, the importance of telemedicine, as well as many other issues. I have worked at both the state and federal levels, engaging in frequent legislative visits, receiving invitations to speak before Congress on pressing health policy matters, and representing medical oncology at the AMA and the PA Medical Society.
These experiences have underscored the critical importance of sustained, active advocacy by all healthcare professionals.
Throughout my professional journey, I have held academic appointments at institutions such as Univ. of Texas Southwestern, Penn State University and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, practiced in suburban and rural communities, and served in administrative roles including medical director of a cancer clinic. These experiences have provided me with a broad perspective on the healthcare challenges faced across different levels of care and have fueled my passion for addressing key legislative issues.
My advocacy efforts have included speaking out and acting on policies related to women's reproductive health, pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) and prior authorization reform, non-compete agreements, speaking to the effects of climate change on healthcare, the importance of telemedicine, as well as many other issues. I have worked at both the state and federal levels, engaging in frequent legislative visits, receiving invitations to speak before Congress on pressing health policy matters, and representing medical oncology at the AMA and the PA Medical Society.
These experiences have underscored the critical importance of sustained, active advocacy by all healthcare professionals.
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Ilit Turgeman, MD Secretary, Steering Committee |
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Dr. Ilit Turgeman is a medical oncologist, specializing in lung and other thoracic cancers. She graduated from Hebrew University Medical School in Israel in 2015, completed her medical oncology residency in Rambam Health Care Campus, and then undertook a fellowship in clinical trials at Sarah Cannon Research Institute in the United Kingdom.
In her current position, Dr. Turgeman leads the Thoracic Oncology Division in Emek Medical Center and is the Founder and Director of the Young Onset Cancer Service. She is involved in the development of a new comprehensive cancer center, including the establishment of a clinical trials platform and satellite clinics in peripheral regions of the country.
As a principal investigator in numerous industry and investigator- initiated trials, her passion and research interests lie in oncogene-driven lung cancer, impact of air pollution on cancer, and care equity. She has given talks and published her research in peer-reviewed journals as articles, abstracts, reviews and invited manuscripts.
Dr. Turgeman was a selected participant in the 2022 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) Academy and is an active member of international cancer associations.
In her current position, Dr. Turgeman leads the Thoracic Oncology Division in Emek Medical Center and is the Founder and Director of the Young Onset Cancer Service. She is involved in the development of a new comprehensive cancer center, including the establishment of a clinical trials platform and satellite clinics in peripheral regions of the country.
As a principal investigator in numerous industry and investigator- initiated trials, her passion and research interests lie in oncogene-driven lung cancer, impact of air pollution on cancer, and care equity. She has given talks and published her research in peer-reviewed journals as articles, abstracts, reviews and invited manuscripts.
Dr. Turgeman was a selected participant in the 2022 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) Academy and is an active member of international cancer associations.
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Susannah Stanway, MBChB MSc FRCP MD Global Interactions, Steering Committee |
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Dr. Susannah Stanway is a consultant medical oncologist in London, specializing in breast cancer. She founded and chaired the steering group of the “Cancer control in low- and middle- income countries” conference held annually since November 2016 that in 2019 became London Global Cancer Week. She has co-founded the UK and Ireland Global Cancer Network. She teaches in the UK on global oncology (for example on the Institute of Cancer Research MSc Course, UCL Global Health MSc and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on the Diploma of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Course) and internationally. She has received three awards from the Global Challenges Research Fund to collaboratively contribute to research projects in sub-Saharan Africa. She sits on the ECO inequalities network and has historically been on the ESMO global policy committee. She is currently working with colleagues in several conflict affected low-and middle- income countries and countries to contribute to capacity building. She has recently studied Public Policy Analysis at the London School of Economics. Alongside reducing between-country cancer outcome inequalities she has interest in reducing within-country inequalities in the UK for example sitting on Breast Cancer Now Inequalities Funding Committee, contributing to the recently published Health Policy Partnership toolkit (Inclusion by design: building equity in clinical trials through the lens of metastatic breast cancer) and advocating. She sits on the Development Board of Breast Cancer Now.
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Sarah Briggs, MD Steering Committee |
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Dr Sarah Briggs is a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Oxford, and a Research Fellow in Environmental Change at Reuben College, Oxford. Her research focuses on environmental sustainability in healthcare, with interests spanning environmental sustainability, planetary health, bioethics, and health policy. She teaches and supervises students on environmental sustainability and climate and health. Dr Briggs also works as a medical oncologist within the NHS, having trained in Oxford and London.
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Roselle De Guzman, MD Steering Committee |
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Roselle is a medical oncologist that brings a profound depth of expertise in global cancer care. She has particular interests in breast, thoracic, and head and neck malignancies. She has a special focus on global oncology, access to quality care in resource-limited settings, and the intersection of cancer and climate change. Roselle takes opportunities to advance her work and interests through participation in international programs, educational opportunities, and professional development. She has served in various roles in international oncology organizations including the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC).
With over a decade of global engagement, Roselle has held leadership and advisory roles across national, regional, and international oncology organizations. She had served as chair of ASCO's Asia Pacific Regional Council which supported strategic initiatives to improve cancer care across the region. Roselle is committed to health leadership. She has mentored and coached emerging oncology leaders in Asia Pacific through ASCO's Leadership Development Program, and through the ongoing Leadership Program for Women in Oncology by the City Cancer Challenge Foundation, in collaboration with ASCO.
Her expertise further spans areas that are of critical global importance. Roselle has been invited to deliver talks, lectures, and has written about issues such as the vulnerability of cancer patients to environmental challenges, including climate change and natural hazards.
With over a decade of global engagement, Roselle has held leadership and advisory roles across national, regional, and international oncology organizations. She had served as chair of ASCO's Asia Pacific Regional Council which supported strategic initiatives to improve cancer care across the region. Roselle is committed to health leadership. She has mentored and coached emerging oncology leaders in Asia Pacific through ASCO's Leadership Development Program, and through the ongoing Leadership Program for Women in Oncology by the City Cancer Challenge Foundation, in collaboration with ASCO.
Her expertise further spans areas that are of critical global importance. Roselle has been invited to deliver talks, lectures, and has written about issues such as the vulnerability of cancer patients to environmental challenges, including climate change and natural hazards.
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Ken Kobayashi, MD Steering Committee |
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Dr. Kobayashi is an accomplished oncologist, clinical pharmacologist, and senior global life sciences executive. He has a deep background as a clinician scientist, regulator, scientific diplomat and drug developer across the US, Europe, Latin America, and Japan/Asia. As a senior executive in top-tier pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer, Daiichi Sankyo, AstraZeneca, Janssen, and Novartis, he has successfully overseen the introduction of more than 28 investigational agents and been directly involved with 60 programs, including in the areas of signal transduction inhibitors, epigenetic modifiers, and inflammation/immunotherapy. His experience also includes roles at the National Cancer Institute and the Food and Drug Administration. He is active in the climate change advocacy space, especially as it intersects with cancer outcomes.
He is currently studying for a Master’s degree in Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. He received his AB from Washington University, St. Louis, MO. his MD from Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL, and trained in internal medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and in medical oncology at the University of Chicago, Chicago IL. He now works in the biotech space and is President of Small Woods Biopharma Consulting, LLC.
He is currently studying for a Master’s degree in Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. He received his AB from Washington University, St. Louis, MO. his MD from Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL, and trained in internal medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and in medical oncology at the University of Chicago, Chicago IL. He now works in the biotech space and is President of Small Woods Biopharma Consulting, LLC.
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Vandana Mahajan Steering Committee |
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Vandana Mahajan is a palliative care counsellor and cancer care advocate based in India. She works closely with cancer patients and families, offering emotional, psychosocial, and end-of-life support, and volunteers as the lead counselor with Lung Connect India Foundation, an NGO dedicated to advocacy for lung cancer patients and their families in India. A cancer survivor herself, she brings lived experience, empathy, and compassion to her work in palliative care and patient advocacy. She was felicitated by the President of India for her work in cancer care.
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Monica Malik, MD, DNB, FASCO Steering Committee |
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Dr. Monica Malik is a Radiation Oncologist and currently serves as Professor and Head of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad, India. She completed her undergraduate medical education at the prestigious Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, and received her postgraduate residency and fellowship training at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
Dr. Malik has extensive experience in clinical oncology, academic leadership, and global cancer education. She is a recipient of the ASCO IDEA Award in Palliative Care and is an alumna of the ASCO Leadership Development Program (2013-2014). Her international leadership roles include serving as Chair of the ASCO International Affairs Committee (2024-2027), and Chair of the ASCO International Education and Study Group (2022-2025), contributing to global oncology capacity building and educational initiatives.
In addition to her academic and clinical work, Dr. Malik is a strong advocate for addressing the intersection of climate change and cancer care. She has published scholarly work on the impact of climate change and natural disasters on cancer incidence, access to treatment, and health system resilience. Her research and advocacy efforts aim to increase awareness of the health consequences of climate change and promote mitigation strategies within oncology and healthcare systems.
Dr. Malik has extensive experience in clinical oncology, academic leadership, and global cancer education. She is a recipient of the ASCO IDEA Award in Palliative Care and is an alumna of the ASCO Leadership Development Program (2013-2014). Her international leadership roles include serving as Chair of the ASCO International Affairs Committee (2024-2027), and Chair of the ASCO International Education and Study Group (2022-2025), contributing to global oncology capacity building and educational initiatives.
In addition to her academic and clinical work, Dr. Malik is a strong advocate for addressing the intersection of climate change and cancer care. She has published scholarly work on the impact of climate change and natural disasters on cancer incidence, access to treatment, and health system resilience. Her research and advocacy efforts aim to increase awareness of the health consequences of climate change and promote mitigation strategies within oncology and healthcare systems.
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Kurt Oettel, MD Steering Committee |
Dr. Oettel is Medical Director of Cancer Services, (Hematology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology & Infusion Services) at Emplify Health, Gundersen ClinicLaCrosse, WI
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Seamus O'Reilly, BSc, MD, PhD, FRCPI Steering Committee |
Dr. O'Reilly is a Consultant Medical Oncologist and Hon Associate Professor at Cork University Hospital and University College Cork.
He is also Clinical Lead, Cancer Trials Ireland, Deputy Editor, BJC Reports, and Executive Board Member, Breast International Group. Dr. O'Reilly is a member of theESMO Climate Change Task Force
He is also Clinical Lead, Cancer Trials Ireland, Deputy Editor, BJC Reports, and Executive Board Member, Breast International Group. Dr. O'Reilly is a member of theESMO Climate Change Task Force
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Navneet Singh, MD, DM, FRCP, FASCO Steering Committee Dr. Singh is Professor of Pulmonary Medicine, Thoracic Medical Oncologist, Faculty-in-charge Lung Cancer Clinic and Convenor, Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Group of PGIMER, Chandigarh, India - an apex referral centre. Dr. Singh is interested in management of lung cancer in resource constrained settings with special focus on accurate staging, biomarker testing and precision therapy. Another interest is the need to tackle climate change in the background of noticeable increase in lung adenocarcinoma amongst younger individuals with minimal/no tobacco smoking exposure (majority presenting in advanced and metastatic stage) and thus with concerns that the disease is attributable to environmental exposures |