From the SARC Board Chair: Dr. Ernest “Chappie” Conrad III

Dear Sarcoma Partners and Advocates,

The Sarcoma Alliance for Research Through Collaboration (SARC) was founded in 2003 with a mission of providing a collaborative infrastructure to make progress in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sarcomas. Since that time, progress in molecular mechanisms, imaging, and targeted therapies has been realized and is highlighted in the 2020 SARC Progress Report. These achievements over the last decade are impressive; however, we must continue to strengthen our research programs and their fiscal foundation, in an increasingly complex clinical and research environment.

Much of the work completed at SARC over the last decade has been driven by our current President and CEO, Denise Reinke. Her consistent and effective leadership has provided essential support for SARC’s science and clinical programs. As of October 1, 2020, Denise has chosen to change her role at SARC to Past President, in support of our leadership transition. Denise will continue with SARC in 2021 as a Research Manager. Her recent work assisting Dr. Larry Baker with the SARC Leiomyosarcoma SPORE grant submission is just one example of her exceptional work ethic at SARC over the past 17 years.

After a competitive national search, Mr. Steven Young has been appointed to assume the role of president and CEO of SARC beginning October 1, 2020. Steven’s early career began with administrative positions at the Mount Sinai Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medicine. His career in oncology research includes 25 years of leadership with several national cancer research consortiums (Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium and the Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute). Steven brings to SARC an impressive and diverse record of administration and financial experience in varied oncology research environments.

Steven will begin initial SARC orientation and onboarding with the support and guidance of Denise and the Board of Directors on October 1, 2020. The SARC Board of Directors expects that this new leadership team will provide continued exceptional administrative support for our collaborative research environment and a strong financial foundation for all of our sarcoma partners and scientists into the future.

Please join me in congratulating Denise on a truly remarkable career and in thanking her for her leadership of SARC. Additionally, I want to congratulate Steven on his appointment as SARC’s new president and CEO. We expect that Denise and Steven will make a powerful team, supporting our efforts as we continue to build the SARC collaborative research program. Please contact Denise or Steven or me, if you would like to discuss your interest in supporting one of our SARC programs.

Regards,

Ernest U. Conrad III, MD, FACS
Chair, SARC Board of Directors