| Posted on May 13, 2002 at 11:10 a.m. BIRMINGHAM, AL — Dr. John R. Durant, who directed the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center for its first 12 years and later headed the UAB medical center, will be named Cancer Fighter of the Year 2002 on May 17 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Orlando, Florida. Durant was selected for his “exemplary leadership” in implementing multidisciplinary treatment, education, research and patient care. Durant was recruited to UAB in 1968 to develop a cancer training program. At first the only cancer specialist on the medical faculty, he soon built a substantial division of hematology-oncology and applied for federal funding for what would become one of the first 11 comprehensive cancer centers in the nation. Durant left UAB in 1982 to head the Fox Chase Comprehensive Cancer Center in Philadelphia, but returned in 1988 to serve as vice president for health affairs and director of the UAB Medical Center. He retired in 1995 but later became executive vice president of ASCO, the world’s largest organization of cancer physician specialists. The award is presented by the National Cancer Fighter of the Year Awards Trust of Pismo Beach, California. |
Durant, Former UAB Leader, Named "National Cancer Fighter of Year"
Dr. John R. Durant, who directed the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center for its first 12 years and later headed the UAB medical center, will be named Cancer Fighter of the Year 2002 on May 17 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Orlando, Florida.