Comprehensive Cancer Control: Past, Present and Future

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

9 AM to 3 PM
New Haven Lawn Club
New Haven, CT

Keynote Speaker: Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH

Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH is the Director of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He is responsible for providing leadership and direction for all scientific, policy and programmatic issues related to four national programs: the Colorectal Cancer Control Program, the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, the National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program and the National Program of Cancer Registries. He oversees a well-developed research agenda that includes the National Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network.

Before taking on his role at CDC, Dr. Plescia served for six years as Chronic Disease Director at the North Carolina Division of Public Health. He directed the program policy, planning, and evaluation efforts for 12 public health programs and the State Center for Health Statistics. Under his leadership, the North Carolina cancer screening programs were expanded to reach more underserved adults. Public-health focused legislation on tobacco, cancer, and obesity was passed, including a state law banning smoking in all restaurants and bars.

Dr. Plescia recently published an interesting editorial in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians titled New Roles for Public Health in Cancer Screening.