September 2018
The VCCC operates in a stimulating eco-system of many stakeholders and an ever-changing medical, technological, social and political environment. Aligned with high-quality research and clinical practice, the success of our alliance is largely dependent on the quality of our leadership.
As Australia’s only fully-fledged comprehensive cancer centre, our distributed leadership model is essential to a community that crosses institutional, organisation and expertise boundaries.
Successful leaders in this environment are those who are focus on the big-picture: they look beyond their own organisation and specialist fields to understand and solve problems. We look for leaders who consult, collaborate and are inclusive of the broader cancer community, including our consumers.
We also mentor and develop leadership expertise; nurturing the next generation of cancer leaders to provide continuity and direction for our critical mass of knowledge and resources.
VCCC leaders deliver a range of roles including our board members, Research & Education Leads, Regional Oncology Leads, steering committee chairs, program champions, consumers, our executive team and many more.
Recently, we announced two essential appointments that will enhance our alliance leadership.
Professor Joe Trapani will lead the new Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy. A joint initiative between VCCC, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the University of Melbourne, including the Doherty Institute, the centre is scheduled to open later this year.
Joe has led the Peter Mac Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program for more than 18 years and is well placed to deliver the new centre’s vision that within five years Victorian patients with all types of advanced cancer will have access to a clinical trial with an appropriate immune-based cancer therapy.
Due to begin in early October, Dr Anna Boltong has accepted the position of Associate Director at the VCCC. Anna joins us from Cancer Council Victoria where she held the role of Head of Strategy and Support Division. Her experience in national and international leadership spans allied health, clinical oncology and supportive care research, public health policy and education.
Anna’s role with the VCCC is newly created; she will work closely with me, our board and executive to oversee delivery of the Strategic Research Plan and develop business objectives to drive the overarching VCCC strategy.
To ensure successful long-term leadership we need to invest training, mentoring, planning and potential and aspiring leaders. I’m therefore delighted to announce the participants in our 2018 VCCC Leadership Development Program, presented by Melbourne Business School. This acclaimed program has been tailored to develop leaders for a collaborative environment, enhancing research and funding collaborations. Congratulations to the confirmed attendees.
Professor Grant McArthur
Executive Director
