Gretchen Vaughan, New CEO at Kidney Cancer
Association, Envisions A New Era in Patient Advocacy
and Supportive Research Initiatives
In this interview, Gretchen Vaughan, recently
named the new CEO of the Kidney Cancer Association,
offers insights on her role with the
KCA and vision for the future of the organization.
In relating her personal commitment to patients,
caregivers and families, she discusses
how the KCA will renew its commitment to finding
a cure for kidney cancer and improve the
quality of life of patients affected by the disease.
Q: Please review your background in health care management
issues and how it relates to your appointment as
CEO of the Kidney Cancer Association.
Ms Vaughan: In 2004, I made a career shift and joined
MD Anderson Cancer Center after a twelve-year career in
financial services. I began first by volunteering at MD Anderson,
and soon thereafter, cancer research immediately
became my life’s passion. During my 13 years at MD Anderson,
I had the opportunity to know and love patients
through tough diagnoses, heart-wrenching scans and
tests, and results that sometimes ended in heartbreak and
sometimes in immense joy. Regardless of the outcome,
one thing was constant through every story – a cure was
waiting.
Then several years ago, I lost two friends to kidney
cancer. They were both in their 30s and had so much life
left to give. It was a life changing experience and a devastating
example of how much work there is to do within
kidney cancer research.
When I was given the opportunity to take this role, I
knew it was a perfect match for me where I could take my
financial and business acumen, my experience at MD Anderson,
and my love for patients and their families to substantially
move the needle to accelerate research in this
field.
I see the potential for the KCA to do something phenomenal
and game changing. I am eager to bring the organization
into a new era and unite us under one goal
and one mission: the elimination of death and suffering
from renal cancers.
Q: What are several plans/strategies you have for introducing
new initiatives with the Association? How do you
balance its role as patient advocate vs its academic focus?
Ms Vaughan: It is a new day at the KCA. Moving forward,
it is our goal, regardless of whether we are interacting
34 Kidney Cancer Journal
with physicians, researchers, or patients, that all the outcomes
are for the benefit of the patient. Previously, the
KCA outlined three focus areas for its work: Education,
Research, and Advocacy. We are currently in the process
of developing a multi-year strategic plan that will lay the
groundwork for the future of the organization. As we do
so, we will be analyzing where we believe the KCA can
create the greatest transformation to improve the lives of
patients. How can we utilize the KCA resources to do
something revolutionary for the cause? What research is
necessary to change the game for the life of a patient?
What resources can we provide that can truly make a difference
for patients and their families as they begin making
medical decisions? These are the types of questions
we are asking as we move into the future.
We are continuing to implement programmatic initiatives
to support our mission¾from the sponsorship of patient
support groups to the giving of significant funds for
research. The KCA recently announced $1 million in new
research funding for two annual $500,000 grant applications,
the Advanced Discovery Awards (ADA) ¾targeting
the early detection and innovative treatments of kidney
cancer. In addition, we have increased our Young Investigator
Award (YIA) from two, $50,000 grants to four,
$75,000 grants. Totaling over $1.3 million, these grants
are just one way in which we are supporting those dedicated
to identifying new treatments and ultimately a cure
for the disease.
Q: Will the KCA launch any new initiatives on the legislative
front to increase government funding of kidney
cancer research? Why doesn’t the federal government do
more for kidney cancer research?
Ms Vaughan: Through thoughtful discussions with our
board and committees during the strategic planning process,
we are examining the options at the state and federal
levels in the United States and across the globe that would
make an honest impact in the lives of patients. In addition,
we are making connections with other organizations
to understand how we might complement their efforts
and to identify any gaps we may be able to fill for the betterment
of patients.
Q: Do you plan any changes in the format and focus of
the International Symposia? Are you satisfied with the attendance?
Ms Vaughan: We are not currently planning to make
INTERVIEW
Gretchen
Vaughan
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