Press Releases Press Release – September 10, 2014 – SMAB Chair-Elect Steven Leach, MD

Press Release – September 10, 2014 – SMAB Chair-Elect Steven Leach, MD

by Staff — Sep 10, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK WELCOMES STEVEN LEACH, MD, AS CHAIR-ELECT OF THE SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD

Manhattan Beach, CA (September 10, 2014) The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is pleased to announce Steven Leach, MD, as chair-elect of the organization’s Scientific and Medical Advisory Board (SMAB). Dr. Leach is currently a member of the organization’s SMAB and serves as chair of its Research Committee.

Dr. Leach is the director of the new David M. Rubenstein Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, where he is also an attending physician. Prior to his role as director, he was the Paul K. Neumann Professor in Pancreatic Cancer at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Leach’s laboratory has a long track record of research productivity in the field of pancreatic cancer biology and is known for establishing important links between pancreatic development and pancreatic cancer.

“I am excited and honored to be named the chair-elect for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s Scientific and Medical Advisory Board,” commented Dr. Leach. “The board is composed of a vibrant group of scientists and clinicians from across the country who bring a multidisciplinary approach to the fight against pancreatic cancer. I look forward to working with the organization and its passionate supporters to make progress against this disease.”

The current chair of the SMAB is Vincent Picozzi, MD, a practicing physician at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Picozzi is board certified in internal medicine, with subspecialties in hematology and medical oncology. Dr. Leach will become the new SMAB chair on July 1, 2015.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization is leading the way to increase survival for people diagnosed with this devastating disease through a bold initiative — The Vision of Progress: Double Pancreatic Cancer Survival by 2020. Together, we can know, fight and end pancreatic cancer by intensifying our efforts to heighten awareness, raise funds for comprehensive private research, and advocate for dedicated federal research to advance early diagnostics, better treatments and increase chances of survival.

To learn more about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, visit www.pancan.org.

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MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY CONTACT:
Jennifer Rosen
Senior Manager, Public Relations
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Direct: 310-706-3362
jrosen@pancan.org

ALL OTHER INQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL THE PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK AT 877-272-6226 OR EMAIL INFO@PANCAN.ORG.