It is with much anticipation we await the release of the Victorian government’s cancer plan, which is due to be launched this month. The Victorian Cancer Plan presents an opportunity for the Alliance to work closely with government and our partners on the implementation of its plan, given our statewide reach, collaborative ways of working, and leadership on equity of cancer care for all. I look forward to learning more about the detailed content of the plan and how all of our members and partners, can contribute together towards all the pillars as we look to the future for better outcomes for people at risk of cancer, and those diagnosed with cancer.
We were honoured and humbled to meet with Master of Cancer Sciences graduate from the Solomon Islands, Dr Andrew Soma, this month. Dr Soma is the only oncologist in the Solomons, gaining this accreditation after completing the Master of Cancer Sciences completely online in the face of considerable challenges! We’re proud to have developed the masters in conjunction with the University of Melbourne, and what a great outcome for Dr Soma. I hope you enjoy reading more about him.
Professor Grant McArthur AO with Dr Andrew Soma at his graduation ceremony.
Also in this edition, we look ahead to the launch of the Cancer Equity Framework developed by our Health Equity program, which promises to set the agenda for embedding equity into cancer control organisations. And don’t miss reading our excellent profile piece on Professor Hui Gan, our Research and Education Lead for Central Nervous System and Brain Cancers.
It is with a huge amount of gratitude that I wish our Head of Research, Dr Mark Buzza all the best as he prepares to move on from the VCCC Alliance at the end of September and into a new leadership role in the healthcare sector. Mark joined the Alliance more than four years ago after nine years with Movember in a global leadership position
Mark’s outstanding contributions leading the research portfolio in the SPP 2020-2024 include successfully transitioning our clinical trial program from the previous Strategic Research Plan to the new programs in the SPP, creating a new model for the Research and Education Lead program, overseeing delivery of a precision oncology roadmap in collaboration with MPCCC, moving the VCCC Alliance into implementation science and value-based care for the first time, and developing more sophisticated research impact metrics to highlight the Alliance’s incredible outputs.
I thank Mark for his contributions to the Senior Leadership team, his diligent approach to our research activities and commitment to seeing the SPP through to its completion.
I was thrilled the Buchanan Medal for distinguished contributions to the biomedical sciences by the Royal Society was awarded to Jane and Geoff for their discoveries around breast stem and progenitor cells and using this knowledge to discover new approaches to breast cancer treatment and prevention. Previous winners are some of the greatest cancer scientists of our times including Stephen Jackson (DNA-damage-responses), Chris Marshall (oncogenes and cell signalling), Gillian Griffiths (cytotoxic T-cell killing) and David Lane (discovery of p53).
I am pleased to inform you Dr Simonne Neil will become the new Senior Manager of Research in a role that will sit on the VCCC Alliance Leadership Team. Simonne has been with VCCC Alliance for more than two years in a Senior Manager position.
Dr Vijaya Joshi has been appointed Director of Strategic Programs, part of the new Executive Team. Vijaya is currently the Head of Quality and Strategic Initiatives and has been with VCCC Alliance for more than three years.
We wish Simonne and Vijaya all the very best in their new roles.
Prof Grant McArthur AO
Chief Executive Officer
