Press Release

Knudsen to Step Down as AACI President

AACI President Karen E. Knudsen, MBA, PhD, announced that she is resigning from Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health. She will step down as AACI president and begin a new role as chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society on June 1. Vice President/President-elect Caryn Lerman, PhD, director of USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, will begin her term as AACI president in June. 

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AACI Statement

Racism is a Public Health Crisis

AACI condemns racism, discrimination, and gun violence, and urges policymakers and other stakeholders to confront these issues as public health crises. Prompted by recent acts of violence against the Asian-American community, AACI continues to promote health equity and stand against systemic racism.

Read the Updated Statement

New Dates Announced

2021 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting

The 2021 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting will take place October 19-21 in a virtual format. The meeting was previously scheduled for October 17-19 at the InterContinental Kansas City.

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Register Today

AACI/AACR Hill Day

The 2021 AACI/AACR Hill Day will take place June 9 in a virtual format.

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Register Today

13th Annual AACI CRI Meeting

Registration is now open for the 13th Annual AACI CRI Annual Meeting, which will take place July 13-15 in a virtual format.

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Latest News

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May 2021

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April 2021

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Our Mission

Working Together to Find a Cure

The Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) comprises 102 premier academic and freestanding cancer centers in the United States and Canada. AACI is accelerating progress against cancer by empowering North America's leading cancer centers in their shared mission to alleviate suffering.

CRI

Clinical
Research

Acting as a network for research leaders, Clinical Research Innovation (CRI) promotes the efficient operation of clinical research facilities at AACI cancer centers.

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Public Policy

Public
Policy

The AACI Government Relations Forum facilitates an improved understanding of policy issues as they pertain to cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship.

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Meetings & Events

Meetings & Events

AACI meetings bring cancer centers together to discover solutions to common challenges. AACI also shares event announcements as a benefit to members.
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CRI Keynote Spotlight: Mary 'Dicey' Jackson Scroggins

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Reps. Higgins, Bilirakis to Receive Cancer Research Ally Award

Reps. Higgins, Bilirakis to Receive Cancer Research Ally Award

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Holcombe Named Director of UVMCC

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Meet the President

Karen E. Knudsen, MBA, PhD, is enterprise director of Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (SKCC) at Jefferson Health in Philadelphia. 

Under Dr. Knudsen’s leadership, SKCC was evaluated as “Outstanding” in its most recent National Cancer Institute (NCI) renewal, and was one of only four cancer centers to be ranked “Exceptional” in Community Outreach and Engagement. 

Dr. Knudsen’s own research centers on advanced prostate cancer, with a focus on successful conversion of translational discoveries into clinical interventions. She maintains an actively funded research program, and serves on the Board of the American Association of Cancer Research, and on the NCI's Board of Scientific Advisors. She serves as an editor for several leading oncology journals and has received numerous awards for her accomplishments.

A member of AACI's Board of Directors since 2016, Dr. Knudsen began her term as president in October 2020. For her presidential initiative, Dr. Knudsen will  leverage the expertise of North America's 102 leading cancer institutes to understand and mitigate cancer health disparities.

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Presidential Initiative

The AACI Presidential Initiative allows the president of AACI's Board of Directors to formalize a special project of broad interest and value to AACI members during their two-year term. 

For her presidential initiative, Karen E. Knudsen, MBA, PhD, will leverage the expertise of North America’s 102 leading cancer institutes to address health disparities. Using a two-staged approach, the initiative aims to convert understanding of cancer disparities across AACI centers into meaningful, measurable actions to improve the lives of patients with cancer.

 

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