Karmanos president & CEO elected to Association of

DETROIT, Oct. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , has been elected to serve a three-year term on the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) Board of Directors, effective October 15.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...af73b46e02

AACI comprises 97 leading cancer research centers in North America and is dedicated to reducing the burden of cancer by enhancing the impact of these leading academic cancer centers.

“I am honored and pleased to be elected to the AACI Board of Directors that represents elite cancer centers across the country,” Dr. Bepler said. “I look forward to collaborating with fellow board members to help cancer experts advance this nation’s cancer care.”

In addition to leading the Karmanos Cancer Institute headquartered in Detroit, Dr. Bepler is a world-renowned thoracic oncologist who has spent his career researching risks, progression, treatments and outcomes related to lung cancer, with a special focus on non-small cell lung cancer. 

He is credited with creating the Karmanos Cancer Network, Michigan’s largest cancer care and research network, with 14 locations throughout the state. Since joining Karmanos in 2010, institutional funding from research grants and contracts has increased from $65 to $80 million annually. Karmanos is one of only 49 National Cancer Institute-designated, comprehensive cancer centers in the United States.

Dr. Bepler also serves as chair of the Department of Oncology at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit and is principal investigator of the NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center Support Grant. Dr. Bepler is a member of the Women’s Choice Healthcare Advisory Board with WomenCertified Inc. (2014-present) and was nominated and elected in 2012 to the internationally prestigious Fleischner Society for Thoracic Imaging and Diagnosis.

AACI includes National Cancer Institute-designated centers and academic-based cancer research programs that receive NCI support. An element of AACI's mission is to assist the centers in keeping pace with the changing landscape in science, technology and health care. AACI does this by gathering and sharing best practices among cancer centers; providing a forum for members to address common challenges and explore new opportunities; and supporting initiatives that engage the membership in developing specific recommendations.

About the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute Karmanos Cancer Institute is headquartered in Detroit, with 14 locations throughout Michigan. As part of McLaren, Karmanos is the largest cancer care and research network in the state. It is among the nation’s best cancer centers as one of the National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States and the only one located in metro Detroit. Karmanos cancer experts focus solely on cancer to prevent, detect and treat as well as eradicate all forms of cancer. Its long-term partnership with the Wayne State University School of Medicine enhances the collaboration of critical research and academics related to cancer care. For more information, call 1-800-KARMANOS (800-527-6266) or visit www.karmanos.org . Follow Karmanos on Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .