Head of Radiation Oncology at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey Selected as President-Elect
of World's Largest Radiation Oncology Society

Somerset County resident Dr. Bruce G. Haffty Prepares to Lead ASTRO
New Brunswick, N.J. – Bruce G. Haffty, MD, who is a professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School and The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ), has been selected as president-elect of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). ASTRO describes itself as the largest radiation oncology society in the world, boasting 10,000 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapy. CINJ is a Center of Excellence of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Dr. Haffty – a Franklin Township resident, who also is the chief of Radiation Oncology at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick – will officially begin four years of service in ASTRO’s top leadership at the Society’s 54th Annual Meeting taking place October 28 through 31 in Boston. Haffty will serve for a year as president-elect, followed by one year as president, one year as chairman of the ASTRO Board of Directors, and the final year as immediate past chairman.

Haffty is internationally recognized for his clinical expertise in breast cancer and his clinical and translational research in radiation oncology. He has served in numerous capacities for ASTRO over the past 20 years, currently serving as the chair of both the Educational Council and Breast Resource Panel. He also sits on ASTRO's Board of Directors and was named an ASTRO fellow in 2008.

"A tireless leader, Dr. Haffty is more than deserving of this new role," noted CINJ Director Robert S. DiPaola, MD, associate dean for oncology programs and professor of medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. "I have no doubt that his expertise will enhance the mission of ASTRO and further solidify the organization as a global leader in radiation oncology policy, research, education and advocacy."

"With the ever-changing healthcare landscape, there are numerous challenges in the radiation oncology field – everything from national policy changes to research funding cuts," said Haffty. "With such challenges, I am committed to further elevating ASTRO as the worldwide leader and voice of radiation oncology regarding all aspects of the field, especially in the area of clinical care where education and safety remain top priorities."

In his role as president-elect, Haffty will help shape the organization's future priorities. They include further development of best practices and guidelines in radiation oncology, emphasis on life-long learning and programs for improvement of practice quality for continuous certification and further development of practice accreditation and facilities guidelines to assure safe and effective clinical care.

Other goals as described by ASTRO include representation of radiation oncology in the federal funding of clinical trials and translational and basic research, action against proposed cuts to Medicare reimbursements for radiation oncology services, evaluation and implementation of new treatment strategies and technology developments in a rapid manner, and prevention of abuse of the physician self-referral law.

In addition to his work with ASTRO, Haffty has served in a number of leadership roles in radiation oncology, having most recently completed his term as president of the American Board of Radiology, the national certification body for radiation oncologists, radiologists and medical physicists. He has served as president of the American Radium Society and as chairman of the Residency Review Committee in Radiation Oncology for the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, and is currently engaged with several panels and committees for the American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Along with being the author of more than 250 articles, editorials and reviews, Haffty has edited and authored numerous book chapters and editorials. He also is a member of the editorial board of several medical journals, which includes his current associate editor position of the prestigious Journal of Clinical Oncology.

About The Cancer Institute of New Jersey
The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (www.cinj.org) is the state's first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center dedicated to improving the detection, treatment and care of patients with cancer, and serving as an education resource for cancer prevention. CINJ’s physician-scientists engage in translational research, transforming their laboratory discoveries into clinical practice, quite literally bringing research to life. To make a tax-deductible gift to support CINJ, call 732-235-8614 or visit www.cinjfoundation.org. CINJ is a Center of Excellence of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheCINJ.

The CINJ Network is comprised of hospitals throughout the state and provides the highest quality cancer care and rapid dissemination of important discoveries into the community. Flagship Hospital: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. System Partner: Meridian Health (Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Ocean Medical Center, Riverview Medical Center, Southern Ocean Medical Center, and Bayshore Community Hospital). Major Clinical Research Affiliate Hospitals: Carol G. Simon Cancer Center at Morristown Medical Center, Carol G. Simon Cancer Center at Overlook Medical Center, and Cooper University Hospital. Affiliate Hospitals: CentraState Healthcare System, JFK Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (CINJ Hamilton), Somerset Medical Center, The University Hospital/UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School*, and University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro. *Academic Affiliate

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