Israel Cancer Research Fund announces the appointment of Dr. Arnold Baskies as its new chair of the international board of trustees. Baskies, a renowned cancer surgeon and leader in the field of oncology, succeeds Bryna Goldberg, who remains on the executive committee as vice chair.
Baskies, who has served on the executive committee for the past five years and on the board for six, brings a wealth of experience to guide ICRF, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
He demonstrates a deep commitment to advancing cancer research and patient care. As former chair of the American Cancer Society, combined with his extensive background in surgical oncology, he has dedicated his career to improving cancer outcomes and supporting groundbreaking scientific advancements.
“I am honored to accept this leadership role at such a critical time. There is an immense need for both accelerated cancer research and deeper support of Israel’s scientific ecosystem,” he said. “For 50 years, ICRF has been a vital force in the global fight against cancer while ensuring Israel remains a steadfast leader in science and a beacon of hope. I look forward to working with our dedicated board, researchers, staff and partners to continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in cancer detection, treatment and prevention.”
Breakthroughs made by ICRF-funded scientists led to the development of FDA-approved treatments Gleevec, Doxil and Velcade, as well as advancements in areas such as BRCA, the p52 gene, DNA methylation and the RAD51 gene. More recently, ICRF-funded researchers have made discoveries related to drug delivery, imaging and metastasis.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Baskies as our new chair,” said Alan Herman, ICRF’s executive director. “His knowledge, experience, leadership and vision are invaluable as we continue our work to support Israel’s cancer research, which transforms lives across the globe, and ensures Israel continues its leadership in science and innovation. His combination of clinical expertise and passion for advancing medical science will propel ICRF into our next 50 years of impact and beyond.”
About Dr. Arnold Baskies:
He is the past chairman of the national board of directors of the American Cancer Society and chairman of the New Jersey Governor’s Task Force on Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment. He has also served on the executive committees of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. He has published more than 30 papers on cancer treatment and received prestigious awards from the Society of Surgical Oncology, American Cancer Society and more.
Baskies completed a fellowship in surgical oncology and tumor immunology at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and trained with prominent leaders in cancer surgery and immunotherapy agents at NCI. He worked on the first clinical trial that showed promise for immune therapy and pioneered early immunotherapy treatments for brain cancer. As a physician practicing in the Philadelphia area since 1982, he focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of breast, gastrointestinal, thyroid, melanoma and parathyroid cancers. He received the Mastery of Breast Surgery Certificate and “Top Doc” honor five times.
Media contact: Gayle Peck, director of communications, Israel Cancer Research Fund, gayle.peck@icrfonline.org.