Joann Sweasy named director of Cancer Center

Joann Sweasy named director of Cancer Center

By University of Arizona Cancer Center
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Joann Sweasy
Joann Sweasy
University of Arizona Cancer Center
University of Arizona Cancer Center

Joann Sweasy has been named director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center and the inaugural holder of the Nancy C. and Craig M. Berge Endowed Chair for the director of the Cancer Center.

In her new role, Sweasy will set its vision, priorities and strategies, as well as provide leadership in continuing to build its international, national, regional and local impact, visibility and reputation, according to an announcement on the center's website.

Sweasy – who led the center as interim director for the past nine months – also will serve as the University's chief adviser on cancer-related matters and will serve as principal investigator of the Cancer Center Support Grant from the National Cancer Institute.

"Dr. Sweasy has demonstrated exceptional leadership as the interim director for the center," said Michael D. Dake, senior vice president for University of Arizona Health Sciences and  professor of medical imaging, medicine and surgery. "I look forward to Dr. Sweasy's continued leadership in training the next generation of researchers and clinicians, collaborating across disciplines, departments, colleges and clinical partners, and reducing health disparities across the state."

Sweasy said she was honored to be named director and to become the inaugural holder of the Nancy C. and Craig M. Berge Endowed Chair for the Director of the Cancer Center.

"The Cancer Center can realize its vision because the leaders of the University, Health Sciences and the center are all enthusiastically invested in our mission to prevent and cure cancer," she said. "I am thrilled about our future and the engagement of the community and civic leaders, the excitement of the researchers, and the vital service we provide to patients across Arizona as the only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center based in Arizona."

Sweasy joined the Cancer Center in June 2019 as associate director for basic sciences and was appointed to faculty positions at the College of Medicine – Tucson in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and the Department of Radiation Oncology. As associate director, Sweasy developed and promoted research for the growth in cancer basic sciences. She also worked closely with the Cancer Center research programs, ensuring basic science was integrated across the four established programs: cancer biology, therapeutic development, cancer imaging, and cancer prevention and control.

Her appointment as director began June 22. She succeeds William Cance, who was interim director before accepting a position with the American Cancer Society.

A version of this story originally appeared on the University of Arizona Cancer Center website.

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