Deb Schrag, MD, MPH, Chair of the Department of Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Named President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology

Deb Schrag, MD, MPH, FASCO, gastrointestinal medical oncologist and George J. Bosl Chair of the Department of Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), has been elected 2027-28 President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the world's leading professional organization for physicians and oncology professionals caring for people with cancer. Dr. Schrag will take office as President-Elect following the conclusion of the ASCO Annual Business Meeting in Chicago on June 1, 2026.

In her role, Dr. Schrag will lead and collaborate with more than 50,000 oncology professionals worldwide, advancing ASCO's mission to drive progress through research, education, and the promotion of high-quality patient care.

"ASCO sets the standard for cancer care," said Dr. Schrag. "I am honored to be elected to guide the organization over the next two years and look forward to working together to accelerate progress for patients worldwide. By fostering collaboration, advancing research and championing equity, we can ensure that every patient benefits from the latest innovations and highest quality care."

Dr. Schrag is a distinguished healthcare leader, clinician, researcher, and expert in public health and population science. She has led clinical trials that not only extended survival for cancer patients but also enhanced their quality of life. Notably, her leadership in the landmark PROSPECT trial, presented at the 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting and published in The New England Journal of Medicine and Journal of Clinical Oncology, demonstrated that patients with chemotherapy-responsive locally advanced rectal cancer can safely forgo preoperative radiation, reducing treatment-related side effects without compromising survival outcomes. Beyond her research, Dr. Schrag has partnered with local, state and federal agencies to design cancer control plans to advance population health and advocate for fiscal policies supporting patients and cancer-focused clinicians. She is also an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine.

"We congratulate Dr. Schrag on her election as President of ASCO 2027-28," said Selwyn M. Vickers, MD, FACS, President and CEO of MSK. "Dr. Schrag's leadership and vision have profoundly shaped cancer care at MSK, driven by her commitment to improving quality, effectiveness, and the patient experience. I am confident that, as ASCO President, she will continue to advance its mission of leveraging knowledge to conquer cancer."

As a long-time ASCO member, Dr. Schrag has served in a variety of volunteer leadership roles within the organization. She was on the ASCO Board of Directors from 2008 to 2012 and chaired the Health Services Committee. She has contributed to numerous other committees and task forces, including the Annual Meeting Scientific Program Committee, Quality and Practice Guidelines Committee, and the Joint Special Awards Selection Committee. Dr. Schrag has also served as a mentor for the Leadership Development Program, highlighting her commitment to advancing the oncology community.

Dr. Schrag attended Medical School at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, trained in Internal Medicine at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, and completed her fellowship at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. She has additional training from the Harvard School of Public Health and the Harvard Business School. Prior to MSK, she served as Chief of the Division of Population Sciences at Dana Farber and as Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.