Renowned physician and researcher, Gita Suneja, MD, MS, has been named the senior director of Programs to Enhance Diversity (PED). Suneja, a radiation oncologist at Huntsman Cancer Institute and associate professor of radiation oncology at the (the U), is tasked with improving workforce diversity and increasing equitable access to cancer research.
Funded by the (CCSG), PED enhances Huntsman Cancer Institute鈥檚 ability to promote the best research discoveries and provide the highest level of care to every patient. As an NCI-designated Cancer Center, Huntsman Cancer Institute meets the highest federal standards for advancing cancer research. This work cannot be accomplished without a diverse scientific workforce and patients willing to participate in clinical trials.
Huntsman Cancer Institute serves the largest region in the United States, encompassing different demographics, that include rural and underserved populations. Embracing differences ensures that research findings serve all patients, regardless of background or circumstance.
鈥淚f we aren鈥檛 intentional about who we include in clinical trials, we miss the opportunity to best serve our patients and weaken the impact of our findings. We want to make sure that our science is rooted in the communities we are committed to serving,鈥 says Suneja.
鈥淓veryone鈥檚 journey is unique...We thrive when we listen to as many perspectives as possible.鈥
鈥擥ita Suneja, MD, MS
In her new role as director, Suneja will oversee all aspects related to the CCSG鈥檚 PED requirement, while reducing barriers for patients attempting to access Huntsman Cancer Institute鈥檚 world-renowned clinical trials. An expert in gynecologic and HIV-related cancers, Suneja has witnessed the impact that cancer has on many people, and the various outcomes for those who can鈥檛 access the highest levels of care.
Suneja will also be charged with promoting belonging among staff and looking for opportunities to expand Huntsman Cancer Institute鈥檚 reach.
鈥淓veryone鈥檚 journey is unique. That is why I feel so strongly about diversity and inclusion,鈥 says Suneja. 鈥淲e thrive when we listen to as many perspectives as possible, and perspective comes from different experiences and backgrounds.鈥
Suneja brings vast experience to the role, including national leadership in equity, and being a member of The Society of Huntsman Translational Scholars, a Huntsman Cancer Foundation Innovation Award winner, and a recipient of the 91麻豆天美直播 Award for Leadership in Inclusive Excellence for Research.
鈥淲e want to make sure that our science is rooted in the communities we are committed to serving.鈥
鈥擥ita Suneja, MD, MS
鈥淒r. Suneja鈥檚 leadership will help us towards our quest to end cancer as we know it,鈥 says , executive director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute and Jon M. and Karen Huntsman Presidential Professor in Cancer Research at the U. 鈥淗er experience and dedication will ensure that Huntsman Cancer Institute thrives, benefitting from the many talents of our diverse workforce and leadership, that our current and next generation of cancer researchers feel supported, and that all of our patients across the Mountain West have access to state-of-the-art cancer research and care.鈥
Media Contact
Heather Simonsen
Public Affairs Senior Manager
Huntsman Cancer Institute
801 581-3194
public.affairs@hci.utah.edu
About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the is the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. With a legacy of innovative cancer research, groundbreaking discoveries, and world-class patient care, we are transforming the way cancer is understood, prevented, diagnosed, treated, and survived. Huntsman Cancer Institute focuses on delivering the most advanced cancer healing and prevention through scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge technology to advance cancer treatments of the future beyond the standard of care today. We have more than 300 open clinical trials and 250 research teams studying cancer. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman Cancer Institute than at any other cancer center. Our scientists are world-renowned for understanding how cancer begins and using that knowledge to develop innovative approaches to treat each patient鈥檚 unique disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.