Our Mission
We are excited to announce the launch of the Penn Center for Global Oncology (CGO). Cancer burden continues to rise globally with disproportionately higher number of deaths in low- and middle-income countries. CGO will lead Penn Medicine’s response to this urgent need, building strategically on Penn’s existing strengths in global oncology by leveraging our considerable fundamental expertise in both oncology and global health.
CGO will be led by co-directors, Dr. Surbhi Grover, MD, MPH and Dr. Larry Shulman, MD and will report within the Center for Global Health (CGH). Dr. Grover and Dr. Shulman have extensive experience working on and leading global cancer programs that span each of our mission areas, and we are delighted that they have agreed to accept this responsibility.
CGO will focus on obtaining measurable and meaningful improvement in cancer outcomes globally through research, education, and strategic international partnerships that create targeted improvement in health systems strengthening and improved patient outcomes. These initiatives will be addressed through a multi-pronged approach including dedicated support for trainees and faculty in the following areas:
- Healthcare delivery infrastructure
- Research pilot grants
- Focused educational opportunities for students, residents, clinical and research fellows, and faculty
- Symposiums, workshops and other career and community support mechanisms
In achieving its mission, CGO will work seamlessly with the Abramson Cancer Center, the Department of Medicine/Division of Hematology and Oncology, and the Department of Radiation Oncology and will accelerate partnerships with faculty from Penn’s many centers, institutes and departments. CGO will also engage with other global oncology programs in the US, and with international bodies and NGOs, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Health Organization, the Union for International Cancer Control, and Partners In Health. We look to all members of the Penn Medicine community to engage with and support this effort.
CGH scholars will automatically receive updates on all CGO activities and newsletters. For those who are not currently CGH Scholars please sign up here. Otherwise, in advance of specific CGO program calls, please feel free to reach out directly to Dr. Grover, Dr. Shulman, or the CGO project manager Ms. Kierstyn Claycomb for further details and information.