Robert A. Winn
Winn in 2021
Alma materUniversity of Notre Dame
University of Michigan
Rush University Medical Center
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Scientific career
InstitutionsUniversity of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
Virginia Commonwealth University

Robert A. Winn is an American oncologist who is the Director and Lipman Chair in Oncology at the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center. His research considers the cellular mechanisms that drive the development of lung cancer. He has also investigated health disparities in cancer treatment and the development of strategies to eliminate mistrust amongst African-American communities.

Early life and education

Winn was born and raised in Buffalo, New York.[1][2] He was the first member of his family to attend college. He started studying psychology at the University of Notre Dame, where he was supported by a football scholarship.[3][4] He was encouraged to train as a physician, and completed a bachelor's degree in medicine at the University of Michigan.[1][4] At Michigan, he was taught by Francis Collins, who inspired him to combine clinical practice and academic research.[1] He specialized in internal medicine, and completed an internship and residency at Rush University Medical Center. Winn was then a fellow in pulmonary medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. He became interested in lung cancer. At the time, the only treatments available were based on cisplatin, and the outcomes were not good.[1]

Research and career

Winn joined the faculty at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, where he held various positions including Associate Dean.[5] He researched cellular mechanisms that drive the development of lung cancer, and looked for the development of new diagnostic strategies.[1] He campaigned to improve access to high-quality, low-density CT scans amongst underserved populations.[6] He moved to the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System and in 2015 was appointed Director of the University of Illinois Cancer Centre.

In 2019, Winn was appointed Director of the Virginia Commonwealth University Cancer Center.[7] At the time, he was the only African-American to serve as director of a National Cancer Institute cancer center.[8][9] Alongside his research, Winn is committed to improving equity and inclusion in oncology.[2] He has looked to improve trust amongst people who have previously been disenfranchised by their interactions with the medical sector.[10] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Winn established "Facts & Faith Fridays", a conversation series that provided a forum for discussion between faith leaders, scientists and community members.[1][11]

In partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb, Winn established a $100 million Clinical Trials Award Program, which aims to increase diversity in clinical trials.[12][13][14] The program supports physicians to engage historically marginalized communities and provides medicial students with a 6-week summer 'externship' on community-based clinical research placements.[12][15]

Winn is president elect of the Association of American Cancer Institutes, and serves on the Board of the American Cancer Society and LUNGevity.[16][6]

Awards and honors

Selected publications

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Piana, Ronald (25 October 2021). "An Atypical Road to a Career in Medicine and Leading a Cancer Center for Robert A. Winn - The ASCO Post". ascopost.com. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  2. 1 2 Tupponce, Joan (16 February 2020). "A Head Start in Life". richmondmagazine.com. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  3. ↑ "For Massey Cancer Director Dr. Robert Winn, helping people with cancer is personal". CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Breaking Barriers in Cancer Care and Community-Building // We Are ND // University of Notre Dame". We Are ND. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  5. ↑ "28 Days of Black Excellence: Robert Winn | UIC Today". today.uic.edu. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  6. 1 2 "VUMC Cancer Center Director, Robert Winn, MD, Joins LUNGevity Foundation's Board of Directors". www.lungevity.org. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  7. ↑ "Robert A. Winn, MD". www.aaci-cancer.org. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  8. ↑ "'Stop Talking and Do Something': Keynote Lecturer Dr. Robert Winn Urges Action in Addressing Health Disparities". 20 March 2020.
  9. ↑ "Robert Winn Named Director of the Massey Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University". The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. 28 October 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  10. ↑ Chen, Angus (3 August 2022). "The trust-builder: a cancer center director's try-it-all strategy for breaking the barriers between research and Black patients". STAT. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  11. ↑ "Facts & Faith Fridays". www.masseycancercenter.org. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  12. 1 2 "ROBERT A. WINN DIVERSITY IN CLINICAL TRIALS AWARD PROGRAM".
  13. ↑ "Massey director honored with $100 million fellowship in his name: The Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials Award Program | VCU Health". www.vcuhealth.org. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  14. ↑ Harris, Annie; Belden, Blake. "VCU to lead $114 million Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials Award Program established by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation". VCU News. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  15. ↑ "Yahoo is part of the Yahoo family of brands". consent.yahoo.com. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  16. ↑ "Robert Winn | American Cancer Society | Board of Directors". www.cancer.org. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  17. ↑ "National Cancer Institute recognizes cancer center director | UIC Today". today.uic.edu. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  18. ↑ "Cancer Health Equity Award | Association of American Cancer Institutes". www.aaci-cancer.org. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
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