Published on May 13, 2015
Winners recognized at 2015 Dialogue for Action® annual conference on cancer screening
(Baltimore, MD) – The Prevent Cancer Foundation honored leaders in cancer prevention with their annual “Laurels Awards” for national leadership, innovative programs and advocacy. In addition to these awards, the Foundation presented two individuals with special designations for innovation in health technology and leadership in skin cancer prevention. The awards were presented at the 2015 Dialogue for Action® conference on cancer screening in a ceremony hosted by former news anchor Greta Kreuz.
“The exemplary individuals we honored with Laurels are the definition of leaders in cancer prevention and early detection,” said Carolyn Aldigé, President and Founder of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. “We are grateful for their contributions and look forward to working with them as they continue effect change in the health and well-being of our communities.”
Laurel Award for National Leadership – Durado D. Brooks, M.D., M.P.H.
Dr. Brooks has served as the director of prostate and colorectal cancers at the American Cancer Society’s Corporate Center since 2000. He has led a passionate effort to reduce health disparities to low-income populations, promote systematic ways to improve cancer prevention and control in primary care, and become a strategic leader known for connecting like-minded individuals and unifying the effort to increase cancer screening rates.
Laurel Award for Innovative Programs – Lynn F. Butterly, M.D.
Dr. Butterly is the Principal Investigator for the CDC-funded New Hampshire Colorectal Cancer Screening Program, which is working to increase colorectal cancer screening rates to 80% of individuals over age 50, and provides free colonoscopies for low-income, uninsured individuals throughout New Hampshire.
Dr. Butterly is also the Principal Investigator for the New Hampshire Colonoscopy Registry (NHCR). Under her leadership the NHCR has become integral to improving our ability to decrease the incidence and mortality from colorectal cancer.
Laurel Award for Advocacy – Councilmember LaToya Cantrell
Councilmember Cantrell had an intimate understanding of what it would take to get a smoking ordinance passed in New Orleans. Because of her exceptional leadership, the New Orleans City Council voted unanimously to enact an ordinance to provide smoke-free workplaces in bars and casinos.
Special Award for Innovation in Health Technology – Karen B. DeSalvo, M.D., M.P.H., M.Sc.
Dr. Karen DeSalvo has focused her career toward improving access to affordable, high quality care for all people, with a focus on vulnerable populations. As the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, she is leading the nation’s charge to develop an interoperable health IT system that will help to improve the health of consumers no matter where they live, work and play.
Before joining the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, she served as the City of New Orleans Health Commissioner from 2011-2014. While there, she transformed an out-of-date health department into one that has since achieved national accreditation and restored health care to devastated areas of the city, including leading the establishment of a new, state-of-the-art public hospital.
Special Award for Leadership in Skin Cancer Prevention – Rear Admiral Boris D. Lushniak, M.D., M.P.H.
This past year during his tenure as Acting Surgeon General, Dr. Lushniak did something no other surgeon general had done in 143 years. He proclaimed skin cancer as a national health priority and issued the first Call to Action on Skin Cancer Prevention. As a result of his Call to Action and the spotlight he focused on the issue, more people are aware of the dangers of skin cancer—and skin cancer prevention is becoming part of our everyday conversation.
The Laurels Awards are co-sponsored by the National Colorectal Council Roundtable and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
About the Dialogue for Action conference on cancer screening
The Dialogue for Action® is an annual national conference that convenes a diversity of stakeholders committed to realizing the lifesaving potential of cancer screening for all communities. The Dialogue emphasizes evidence-based cancer screening according to guidelines.
Since 2013, the Dialogue for Action® expanded to include the mandated guidelines-driven cancer screenings (colorectal, cervical, breast and now lung cancer screenings) and also covered issues related to other cancer screenings (prostate, oral and skin).
About The Prevent Cancer Foundation
Founded by Carolyn Aldigé in 1985, the Prevent Cancer Foundation is one of the nation’s leading voluntary health organizations and has catapulted cancer prevention to prominence. Since its inception, the Foundation has provided more than $138 million in support of cancer prevention and early detection research, education, outreach and advocacy across the country.
For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.
