ASTRO congratulates Monica Bertagnolli, MD, as the Senate has confirmed her as director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). ASTRO joined with more than 50 other partners in the Cancer Leadership Council urging swift Senate action to confirm Dr. Bertagnolli’s nomination.

Dr. Bertagnolli was appointed Director of the National Cancer Institute in October 2022 and has extensive experience as a leader in the cancer community. She has collaborated with a spectrum of stakeholders, making her exceptionally well qualified to lead NIH today and into the future.

The radiation oncology community looks forward to working with Dr. Bertagnolli in her new role at the NIH on efforts to improve American health care, such as initiatives to increase clinical trial diversity and accelerate research toward cancer cures. Given that more than half of people diagnosed with cancer will receive radiation therapy, we are particularly eager to partner to ensure that radiation oncologists contribute meaningfully to achieving President Biden’s goal of reducing cancer mortality by 50% over the next 25 years.