2025 Board of Directors Candidates

Position: North America Board Representative 
Specialty: Gynecologic Oncology

Personal Statement:

As a candidate for the IGCS Board of Directors, I am deeply committed to fostering a globally connected, collaborative, and inclusive community united by the shared goal of improving outcomes for all women affected by gynecologic cancers. I believe IGCS is uniquely positioned to lead transformative change through visionary leadership, strategic partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to health equity. If elected, I will prioritize three core pillars: global health equity, professional development, and innovation.  

First, I am passionate about expanding access to high-quality gynecologic care in underserved and low-resource settings. I will advocate for sustainable, locally driven programs that build clinical capacity, empower regional leadership, and close disparities in cancer care and outcomes. Every woman—regardless of geography, economic status, or healthcare infrastructure—deserves timely diagnosis, compassionate care, and access to the latest advances in treatment.  

Second, I am committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders in gynecologic oncology. Our future depends on a vibrant, diverse pipeline of skilled clinicians and researchers. I will support initiatives that enhance mentorship, expand educational resources, and promote interdisciplinary training, ensuring that trainees and early-career professionals find their voice, their purpose, and a home within the IGCS community.  

Third, I believe innovation must remain central to our mission. Whether through collaborative research networks, digital technology, or novel care delivery models, we must embrace bold ideas that accelerate progress and bridge the gap between discovery and implementation. I will champion efforts that foster global data sharing, enhance cross-border research, and elevate patient-centered, precision medicine approaches.   

I bring to this role extensive experience in academic medicine, translational research, and international collaboration. Throughout my career, I have led multidisciplinary teams, built impactful programs, and advocated for equitable cancer care across diverse settings. More importantly, I bring a deep respect for the power of global collaboration and the shared humanity that binds our work. Together, we can ensure that IGCS continues to serve as a beacon of excellence, inclusivity, and innovation in gynecologic oncology. I am honored to be considered and, if elected, will bring energy, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to advancing our collective mission.

Position: Radiation Oncology Board Representative 
Specialty: Radiation Oncology   

Personal Statement:

Building on the contributions of preceding Radiation Oncology representatives to the IGCS Board, I would like to cement these as core values for the future of IGCS. We need to build a program where Radiation Oncologists feel valued and included in the future of gynae-oncology. It is not only key to bring them to the Annual Meeting to see the value of IGCS, but to make sure that their presence remains vital to the multidisciplinary care of patients, and that they continue to offer their expertise in developing the future goals of IGCS.    

To ensure the longevity of such a program we need to develop a dedicated Radiation Oncology Committee within IGCS. The Executive members of this committee should be constituted from the immediate past IGCS Rad Onc Board Director, the current Rad Onc Board Director and a Vice Chair. This committee would consist of key radiation oncologists across the IGCS membership with no more than 10 persons at any one time. Each member should serve for 4 years and the executive for 6. This committee should be charged with bringing together key stakeholders in the development and delivery of global Radiation Oncology services. Each member would be tasked with a project within areas such as Industry, Global Public Health (IAEA and WHO), Education and Society partnerships, including our medical, nursing, allied health colleagues, but especially our Radiation Therapists and Medical Physicists. To achieve these goals, we must revisit the importance of radiotherapy in management: promoting Radiation Oncology within IGCS as a key specialty. 

Developing focused Radiation Oncology session/s at the Annual Meeting is another way of increasing the interest of Radiation Oncologists of HIC. Over 10 years ago I was tasked with a similar brief for ANZGOG. I developed a specific Radiation Oncology workshop for their Annual Meeting. The interactive nature of the workshops was critical. They remain well attended, not just by Radiation Oncologists but also Gynae Oncologists, and occasionally Medical Oncologists. These sessions now focus on exploring areas of contention with collaborative debate. Within IGCS, this type of interaction presents a unique opportunity for further research collaboration, with the potential for developing new pragmatic trials applicable to LMIC.  

Understanding the limitations of, and the difficulties involved to increase resources provides an opportunity for IGCS Radiation Oncologists to consider advocating for/assisting our colleagues in LMIC in changing the landscape to improve outcomes for the women. This could include working with the IGCS Rad Onc Fellowship team to provide graduates with opportunities to remain involved in IGCS, e.g. assisting in maintenance of CPD requirements. 

Thank you for your consideration of this vision. The opportunity to establish a Radiation Oncology Committee within IGCS would allow me to continue the work commenced by Dr. Dave Gaffney and others, as well as laying the foundation for further development by those who come after me.