American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Welcomes Three New Members to the National Board of Directors

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) announces three new members and the newly-elected leadership officers to the Board of Directors, with all terms beginning on January 1, 2022.

"ACS CAN is incredibly honored to welcome these distinguished volunteer leaders to our Board of Directors," said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. "Our mission to reduce the cancer burden through public policy advocacy will undoubtedly benefit from the strategic guidance, knowledge and talent that these passionate leaders bring to the table."

The ACS CAN Board of Directors consists of 17 members, including five officers and 12 directors, who lead ACS CAN in partnership with ACS CAN and American Cancer Society CEO Dr. Karen E. Knudsen and ACS CAN President Lisa Lacasse. Joining the Board in 2022 are David Ford, Dr. David O. Garcia and Dr. Omar M. Rashid, each of whom has an established background in the areas of public health, health care and government relations and a commitment to engaging national, state and local elected officials in the fight against cancer.
 

David Ford, Los Angeles, CA – Mr. Ford is Senior Government Relations Manager at Southern California Edison, managing relationships with government municipalities and promoting awareness of a clean energy future. He serves on several strategic and philanthropic boards including with the American Cancer Society West Region Los Angeles, Los Angeles Philharmonic, American Association of Blacks in Energy and Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber Educational Foundation. As an ACS CAN California volunteer advocate, Mr. Ford has experience sharing his personal cancer story with stakeholders to highlight the complex issues many patients and survivors experience and how policymakers can take action to address them.
 

David O. Garcia, PhD, FACSM, Tucson, AZ – Dr. Garcia is an Associate Professor at Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona and has extensive experience in physical activity, diet and weight management. Dr. Garcia also serves as Assistant Director for Community Outreach & Engagement for the University of Arizona Cancer Center, where he examines the burden of obesity-related diseases and cancers in Mexican-Origin adults, expertise that he will leverage when advocating for policymakers to pursue public policies aimed at reducing cancer disparities.
 

Omar M. Rashid, MD, JD, FACS, FSSO, DABS, Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Dr. Rashid specializes in surgical oncology and robotic surgery and is board-certified in Complex General Surgical Oncology and General Surgery. His research team leads initiatives related to cancer care, surgical care, health policy, cancer prevention and survivorship. Dr. Rashid serves as an ACS CAN volunteer advocate in Florida, urging his elected officials to prioritize policies that increase access to health care, reduce the burden of tobacco addiction, and bolster lifesaving cancer research and prevention programs. He is chair of the American Cancer Society Southeast Florida Area Board and serves on the American Cancer Society Broward County Board.

"The ACS CAN Board of Directors is excited to welcome these three outstanding leaders to serve on our team,” said Maureen Mann, incoming Chair of the Board and Vice President at Lynn Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health. “ACS CAN’s mission to better the lives of the millions of cancer patients, survivors and their families is as important as ever, and I am confident the unique perspectives and expertise of Mr. Ford, Dr. Garcia and Dr. Rashid will help accelerate our work.”

The complete 2022 ACS CAN Board of Directors is as follows:

Officers

• Maureen G. Mann, MS, MBA, FACHE (Chair)
• Kimberly L. Jeffries Leonard, PhD (Vice Chair)
• John J. Manna, Jr., Esq. (Secretary)
• Bernard Jackvony, JD (Treasurer)
• Sandra Cassese, MSN, RN, CNS (Immediate Past Chair of the Board)

Directors

• P. Kay Coleman, MS, MBA
• David Ford
• David O. Garcia, PhD, FACSM
• The Honorable Dan Glickman
• Michael T. Marquardt (Chair, American Cancer Society Board)
• Scarlott K. Mueller, MPH, RN, FAAN
• Philip R. O’Brien
• Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH
• Omar M. Rashid, MD, JD, FACS, FSSO, DABS
• Jose R. Ramos, Jr.
• William P. Underriner
• Bruce D. Waldholtz, MD

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About ACS CAN at 20 

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) makes cancer a top priority for policymakers at every level of government. ACS CAN empowers volunteers across the country to make their voices heard to influence evidence-based public policy change that saves lives. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, find, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and made workplaces, including restaurants and bars, smoke-free. As we mark our 20th anniversary, we’re more determined than ever to stand together with our volunteers and save more lives from cancer. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.