Elizabeth Mittendorf, MD, PhD, MHCM, is preparing to bring a unique surgical oncology perspective to her role as the 2026-2027 President-Elect of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), with plans to advance multidisciplinary collaboration, expand clinical trial access, and strengthen support for the oncology workforce.
As the Robert and Karen Hale Distinguished Chair in Surgical Oncology and vice chair for Research in the Department of Surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Mittendorf will be only the fourth surgeon to serve as ASCO president. She also serves as director of the Breast Immuno-Oncology Program, co-leader of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and co-leader of the Breast Program for the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center.
Strategic Priorities for ASCO Leadership
Mittendorf outlined ASCO's three strategic priority areas that will guide her presidency: improving access, advancing the profession, and enhancing knowledge. "Our work is evidence based and reflects the full scope of challenges in cancer care, and we are committed to addressing the needs of our patients—as well as the needs of our members who provide that care," she emphasized.
The organization serves over 50,000 professionals from more than 170 countries, with a mission to conquer cancer and a vision of "a world where cancer is prevented or cured and every survivor is healthy."
Advancing Multidisciplinary Cancer Care
Drawing on her surgical background, Mittendorf plans to emphasize the importance of team-based cancer care that extends beyond the traditional oncology disciplines. "It's critical that we work together across different disciplines—more broadly than [medical oncology, surgical oncology, and radiation oncology]—I mean the entire team, to achieve optimal patient outcomes," she explained.
This multidisciplinary approach will include strengthening ASCO's engagement with advanced practice providers, who are recognized as critical to patient care delivery. Mittendorf sees an opportunity to define what optimal oncology teams should look like, which she believes will impact efficiency, quality, and access to care.
Workforce Well-being and Technology Integration
Addressing workforce challenges represents another key priority for Mittendorf's presidency. In 2021, ASCO outlined a roadmap for institutional changes that highlighted the importance of clarifying issues like workload and research support to continue supporting oncology professionals.
Artificial intelligence presents both an opportunity and a priority area for her leadership. "AI is advancing at a rapid pace, and particularly in oncology, it presents an opportunity to improve patient outcomes efficiently. It also provides an opportunity to support the workforce," Mittendorf noted. She plans to focus on how ASCO can support its members in integrating AI technologies into clinical practice to enhance efficiency and improve patient care.
Clinical Trials and Research Access
ASCO's commitment to ensuring patient access to clinical trials remains central to the organization's mission. "To conquer cancer, we need to ensure all patients have access to high-quality cancer care. For many patients, and in many diseases, the best care is access to clinical trials," Mittendorf stated.
The organization has made efforts to ensure appropriate funding is maintained for trial conduct, particularly in the current climate of funding challenges. All organizational work is conducted in compliance with anti-discrimination laws and aligns with best available knowledge in cancer care.
Supporting Early-Career Professionals
Workforce development and retention, particularly for early-career professionals, represents a critical focus area. Mittendorf highlighted the threat to U.S. preeminence in biomedical research due to drastic cuts in National Institutes of Health funding, which particularly affects junior investigators at a critical time in their careers.
ASCO has supported young investigators through grants for decades, including Young Investigator Awards and Career Development Awards led by the Conquer Cancer Foundation. The organization also published guidance for hospital and cancer center leaders on better supporting faculty, including junior faculty, to enable meaningful careers that may include research participation.
Personal Commitment to Mentorship
Mittendorf's approach to leadership is informed by her own experience with multiple mentors throughout her career. She cited Kelly K. Hunt, MD, FACS, FSSO, of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center as a clinical mentor, George Peoples, MD, FACS, of LumaBridge as a mentor for clinical trial design and conduct, and Jeffrey Joel Molldrem, MD, also of MD Anderson, as her PhD and lab-based mentor.
"I've tried to adopt the attitude I need to pay that [mentorship] forward," she explained. In her current practice, she maintains several mentees and has established mentoring committees for faculty members to help navigate early-career challenges.
Mittendorf emphasizes the distinction between mentorship and sponsorship, viewing both as important opportunities in her various roles, including through ASCO, to support talented young oncology professionals seeking career advancement and increased involvement in the field.
Global Impact and Future Directions
Continuing the work of previous ASCO presidents, Mittendorf plans to expand the organization's global impact. With members spanning more than 170 countries, ASCO is committed to working with its global network to ensure high-quality care in the United States while supporting optimal care delivery worldwide.
As she prepares to begin her presidency, Mittendorf's vision encompasses leveraging her surgical oncology perspective to advance multidisciplinary care, integrate emerging technologies, support workforce well-being, and maintain ASCO's commitment to research advocacy and global engagement in the fight against cancer.
