Read Time: 2 minutes
Neeraj Agarwal, MD, is now a distinguished member of the . This distinction recognizes his extraordinary volunteer service, engagement, and commitment to the (ASCO) and most importantly, the patients he serves. ASCO is one of the world’s largest professional organizations for those who care for people with cancer.
“I feel very privileged and honored to receive this award,” says Agarwal. “My personal mission is similar to ASCO’s—to conquer cancer through research, education, and quality patient care.”
Since joining Huntsman Cancer Institute more than 15 years ago, Agarwal has been honored with many awards and distinctions, such as the Presidential Endowed Chair of Cancer Research, the SWOG Young Investigator Award, the William D. Odell Young Investigator Award, and a National Cancer Institute Cancer Clinical Investigator Team Leadership Award.
He has also served as a professor of medicine, director of the and the Center of Investigational Therapeutics, and senior director for clinical research innovation.
“Dr. Agarwal is a passionate, devoted, and skilled physician and innovator,” says , executive director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute. “He is internationally recognized for his leadership in clinical trials and for bringing teams together to pursue the joint mission of curing cancer. His commitment to his patients shows through numerous accolades. He is an incredible example of ASCO’s mission, which is rooted in dedicating your time and talent to those affected by cancer.”
For Agarwal, this distinction reflects back on more than 10 years of ASCO membership, and hundreds of hours in volunteer work, research, and education. While titles and distinctions are an honor, Agarwal insists that his mission, and ASCO’s, is improving patient care.
“The bottom line is, how can I improve caring for my patients? How can I make a difference?” says Agarwal.
One of the ways Agarwal continues to make a difference is through his research and clinical trials. Many of them are in their final phases.
“Research helps us, as physicians, improve the quality of life for our patients,” says Agarwal. “I want my patients to be able to enjoy a full life. One of the most impactful ways to do that is to invest my time into research and clinical trials."
Media Contact
Heather Simonsen
Public Affairs Senior Manager
Huntsman Cancer Institute
801 581-3194
public.affairs@hci.utah.edu
About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the is the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. With a legacy of innovative cancer research, groundbreaking discoveries, and world-class patient care, we are transforming the way cancer is understood, prevented, diagnosed, treated, and survived. Huntsman Cancer Institute focuses on delivering the most advanced cancer healing and prevention through scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge technology to advance cancer treatments of the future beyond the standard of care today. We have more than 300 open clinical trials and 250 research teams studying cancer. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman Cancer Institute than at any other cancer center. Our scientists are world-renowned for understanding how cancer begins and using that knowledge to develop innovative approaches to treat each patient’s unique disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.