Gerald L. Woolam, MD, of Lubbock, Texas, was elected president. Dr. Woolam is director of surgical oncology, Joe Arrington Cancer Research and Treatment Center, and clinical professor of surgery at the Texas Tech University School of Medicine. Dr. Woolam received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, and did his internship at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas followed by a residency in surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

His work in cancer control over the past thirty years has included activities in various local, state and national organizations. He has served as chairman of cancer committees of three local hospitals, and as a liaison physician for the American College of Surgeons/Commission on Cancer. He was chairman of the Texas Medical Association's Committee on Cancer from 1987 to 1990 and he was a member of the Texas Cancer Council, chairing its Task Force on Treatment in developing the Texas Cancer Plan in 1990-91.

At the American Cancer Society, Dr. Woolam is a member of the National Board of Directors as well as the National Assembly. He has been a member of the Lubbock Unit Board since 1969, serving as president in 1972-73. He has been a member of the Texas Division Board since 1972, and was president in 1978-79. Dr. Woolam received the American Cancer Society's St. George Medal 1981 in recognition of outstanding contributions to the control of cancer.

Dr. Woolam succeeds Charles J. McDonald, MD, professor of Medical Science and Chairman of the Brown University Department of Dermatology, and Physician-in-Chief of the Department of Dermatology at Rhode Island Hospital. Dr. McDonald becomes the Society's immediate past-president.

John R. Kelly, PhD, director of the Navy Family Service Center at Gulfport, MS was elected chairman of the board. Dr. Kelly has been an American Cancer Society volunteer for 21 years, having served at the Unit, Division, and National levels. He currently serves as National Chairman of the Research Committee. In addition to his extensive involvement with the American Cancer Society, Dr. Kelly serves as vice chairman of the Board for the Gulf Coast Medical Center.

Dr. Kelly received his Bachelor of Science Degree from ALCORN State University. He received a Master of Science degree from Wayne State University's European Campus while serving as an Educational Officer with the U.S. Army in Frankfurt, Germany. He also holds a doctorate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he is an adjunct professor.

Dr. Kelly is president of Resources Management Inc., a research and consulting firm that has done extensive work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Tenet Hospital System, and the Southern Company. He has received outstanding performance awards from the Department of the Navy every year for the past 15 years.

He succeeds Francis L. Coolidge, a partner with Ropes & Gray, Attorneys at Law in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Coolidge is the Society's immediate past-chairman of the board.

Elected president-elect is Dileep G. Bal, MD, MS, MPH, of Fair Oaks, California. Dr. Bal serves as the Chief of the Cancer Control Branch in the Department of Health Services of the State of California and is Clinical Professor at the medical school of the University of California at Davis.

John C. Baity, Esq., was elected chairman-elect. Mr. Baity is a senior partner in the New York-based international law firm of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy. Mr. Baity has been an active volunteer with the American Cancer Society for more than 30 years. He is also chairman of the Finance Committee of the Union International Contre le Cancer (UICC) and a member of its Executive Committee and Council, as well as director of both the Walt & Lilly Disney Foundation and the Walt Disney Family Educational Foundation.

H. Fred Mickelson, of Newberg, Oregon, was elected vice chairman. Mr. Mickelson is president of Coral Creek Consultants, Inc., which focuses on management consulting and coaching at the senior executive level. He is a member of the American Cancer Society Board of Directors.

Robert C. Young, MD, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was elected first vice-president. Dr. Young is president of Fox Chase Cancer Center. He is internationally known for his work in the treatment of lymphoma and ovarian cancer, and is president of the International Gynecologic Society and past president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Recently, Dr. Young was appointed by the Institute of Medicine and Commission of Life Sciences to the National Cancer Policy Board.

Andrew C. von Eschenbach, MD, was elected second vice-president. Dr. von Eschenbach is director, Program Center - Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

Lay officers include treasurer David M. Zacks, Esq, of Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP in Atlanta, and secretary Sally West Brooks, RN, MA of Palm Springs, California. The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service. For information about cancer, call toll free anytime 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the American Cancer Society web site at www.cancer.org.



Joann Schellenbach
National Director Media Relations
American Cancer Society
212-382-2169
jschelle@cancer.org