President-Elect
Dr. Zon currently practices as Physician Emeritus at Michiana Hematology Oncology in Mishawaka, IN, where she served as Past- President. She formerly served as Medical Director of Oncology Research at Memorial Hospital and NCI CCOP Associate and then Principal Investigator until 2013 for the Northern Indiana Cancer Research Consortium, the only NCI designated Community Cancer Oncology Program in the state of Indiana. Dr. Zon is an active volunteer for ASCO, most recently being awarded ASCO’s Advocate of the Year for her significant advocacy work on behalf of individuals living with cancer and their cancer care teams and was the recipient of ASCO’s Distinguished Achievement Award. Dr. Zon is a Past Chair of ASCO’s Government Relations Committee, where she provided distinguished leadership in the society’s advocacy efforts. She also served on the Board of Directors from 2010 to 2013, along with participating in many other ASCO-related responsibilities.
Why do you want to serve as the ASCO President?
As these exceptional times endure, our Society must continue to embrace ongoing disruptions and distractions as an opportunity to enhance the delivery of advancing cancer care in an equitable manner. I want to be ASCO President to lead the membership in the Society’s enduring mission of improving patient-centered care while supporting ASCO, its members, and patient beneficiaries, as they continue to address equity and diversity by emboldening our voices and our actions in the areas of research, clinical practice, and advocacy/policy, both domestically and globally. As President, I will mobilize my vast ASCO volunteer experiences and relationships, while leveraging skills attained as an independent community oncologist, researcher, patient advocate, and business leader in the industry and oncology practice space. Acknowledging and continuing to support our members in facing the escalating challenges of our profession, irrespective of geography or site of service, is essential. This would include assisting members with managing the successes of transforming cancer into a cured or chronic disease while enhancing quality of care in an efficient, equitable, scalable, and sustainable manner. Furthermore, I fully support the goals set by ASCO in the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan and understand the importance of escalating the five-year outcome and progressing the strategy beyond 2023. Having actively participated with ASCO and my many colleagues worldwide in addressing the needs of our members, I look forward to assisting the Society in guiding the modernization of the oncology field and addressing healthcare reform, health inequities, and the long-term effects and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. I will remain mindful of the ongoing stresses and well-being of the oncology workforce, including the practice-changing events and struggles our patients face trying to access cancer care. I would be honored to serve as ASCO President, fully devoted to confidently championing the Society’s mission as we march onward to a brilliant future.