Baskin will oversee a large, multidisciplinary cancer center comprising 250 scientists and clinical investigators. She will be the fifth director since Massey received its National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation in 1975—an inflection point that underscores how the center’s priorities are evolving alongside national expectations for translational impact and equity-focused outreach.

Her career has centered on a community-to-bench model of cancer care. Rather than treating engagement as an afterthought, Baskin’s approach integrates behavioral, social, and environmental determinants into the design of prevention, screening, treatment, and survivorship strategies. This framework supports technical pathways that connect real-world constraints—access, trust, and context—with measurable clinical and behavioral outcomes.

A major emphasis in her work involves lifestyle interventions aimed at improving cancer-related behaviors and health outcomes, including diet, physical activity, and obesity risk. Such outcomes are particularly relevant for rural populations and communities that have historically faced barriers to cancer prevention and care. By targeting modifiable behaviors, her research translates population-level risk factors into intervention-ready programs.

VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., highlighted Baskin’s publication record and community-centered research as central to her readiness for the role. He also noted her recent performance as Massey’s deputy director, describing her as a driver of cutting-edge research with direct impact for the center’s catchment area.

Since joining Massey in February 2025, Baskin has strengthened the center’s influence across central, southern, and eastern Virginia. She has also elevated Massey’s national profile through leadership in academic societies, including former presidency of the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) and board service roles connected to academic medical centers and community outreach and education.

Baskin’s motivation is personal as well as scientific. Raised in Atlanta, she lost her father to colorectal cancer during her senior year of high school, and later experienced additional family losses to cancer. Those events guided her training in psychology and her focus on cancer prevention, early detection, and mental health.

With more than $70 million in National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant involvement as a principal investigator or team leader, Baskin has also contributed to Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) review panels. That experience positions her to lead Massey through renewal of its CCSG and comprehensive-designated status, which the center earned for the first time in 2023.

Beyond directing Massey, she serves as associate dean for cancer innovation in the VCU School of Medicine and holds professor appointments spanning internal medicine and social and behavioral sciences. Her appointment is expected to reinforce a data-driven, equity-forward translation engine—one that aims to reduce cancer burden through both science and community partnership.

Subject of Research: Community-to-bench cancer prevention and lifestyle interventions (behavioral, social, and environmental determinants)
Article Title: Monica L. Baskin to Become Next Director of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
News Publication Date:
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Image Credits: VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
Keywords: VCU Massey, Monica L. Baskin, cancer center director, community-to-bench model, NCI-designated, cancer prevention, screening, lifestyle interventions, health equity, rural health

As the former 17th director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) from December 2023 to January 2025, Dr. Rathmell’s tenure was marked by initiatives that profoundly realigned cancer research priorities to meet emergent clinical challenges. Her leadership was underscored by the launch of the Early-Onset Cancer Initiative, a program designed to decode the molecular underpinnings and epidemiology of cancers presenting in younger populations. This initiative not only amplified precision medicine approaches but also tackled the pervasive issue of disparate access to quality care. Her focus on health equity culminated in the formation of specialized advisory groups at the NCI, tasked with crafting strategic recommendations aimed at dismantling systemic barriers to cancer care delivery in underserved and rural communities nationwide.

Dr. Rathmell’s academic and clinical pedigree is as formidable as her administrative acumen. Before stepping into national prominence at the NCI, she distinguished herself at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she held the Hugh Jackson Morgan Endowed Professorship in Medicine and served as physician-in-chief and chair of the Department of Medicine. Her leadership at Vanderbilt championed integrated approaches combining clinical trials with translational research, particularly within the realm of kidney cancer. Her research programs at previous appointments, including those at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, were pioneering in the utilization of integrated genomics and functional imaging to refine pre-operative therapies, thus advancing personalized oncology protocols.

The significance of Dr. Rathmell’s appointment to OSUCCC – James extends beyond administrative oversight; it symbolizes a strategic investment in the confluence of molecular oncology, translational medicine, and innovative clinical care delivery. Charged with operational leadership over both the James Cancer Hospital and the Comprehensive Cancer Center, she will harness her vast experience to spearhead initiatives aimed at intensifying research impact while simultaneously expanding patient access and treatment outcomes. This dual mandate highlights Ohio State’s commitment to pioneering a future where cancer morbidity and mortality are dramatically reduced through data-driven clinical innovation and community engagement.

Notably, Dr. Rathmell will also hold the inaugural Jeri B. Block and Robert H. Schottenstein Distinguished Chair in Cancer, a newly endowed position valued at $10 million — the largest chair ever established at Ohio State. This endowment underscores the university’s dedication to sustained investment in cancer research leadership, supporting Dr. Rathmell’s ambitions to fortify Ohio State’s presence on the global oncology stage.

Peers and leaders in academic medicine and public health have lauded Dr. Rathmell’s extensive credentials. John J. Warner, MD, CEO of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, remarked on her reputation as a nationally recognized physician-scientist and renal cancer expert whose leadership is expected to elevate Ohio State’s cancer program internationally. The expectation is that her strategic vision will leverage Ohio State’s multidisciplinary strengths, fostering translational breakthroughs that merge basic science discoveries with clinical application, ultimately reshaping treatment paradigms for cancers with substantial unmet needs.

Dr. Rathmell’s scientific contributions, particularly in nephrology-oncology, reflect a sophisticated understanding of tumor biology and systemic factors underpinning cancer progression. Her membership in the National Academy of Medicine and election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, coupled with her fellowship with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, affirm her standing at the apex of biomedical science. Her accolades, including the prestigious American Cancer Society Medal of Honor, further attest to her impact in advancing both cancer science and patient care.

At the heart of Dr. Rathmell’s vision lies a commitment to bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and real-world application. Her prior roles have emphasized the importance of clinical trials designed to harness genomic data and novel imaging technologies, enhancing the granularity of cancer diagnosis and therapeutic response monitoring. This approach aims to tailor interventions that not only improve survival but also patient quality of life, aligning with evolving models of precision oncology.

Moreover, her advocacy for health equity inaugurates a critical paradigm whereby cancer research agendas are infused with considerations about social determinants of health. By integrating equity frameworks into the core mission of OSUCCC – James, Dr. Rathmell seeks to ensure that advancements in cancer biology translate into accessible solutions for populations historically excluded from cutting-edge care. This inclusive vision is vital for confronting persistent disparities, particularly in rural and marginalized communities.

Dr. Rathmell’s trajectory also exemplifies the merging of scientific rigor and administrative leadership in medicine. Her advanced training spans a PhD in biophysics and an MD from Stanford University, medical residency at the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Management in Health Care from Vanderbilt University, reflecting a multidisciplinary preparation for contemporary challenges in academic medicine. This broad expertise equips her to navigate complex healthcare ecosystems, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and catalyze effective translational research frameworks.

In sum, Dr. Rathmell’s appointment heralds a transformative chapter for the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, one poised to harness emergent scientific methodologies, foster inclusive care practices, and elevate the institution’s research portfolio. Her stewardship is anticipated to accelerate progress toward Ohio State’s ambitious vision of a cancer-free world, championing bold biomedical breakthroughs that catalyze hope and healing on a global scale.

Subject of Research: Cancer research, Kidney cancer, Translational medicine, Health equity
Article Title: Dr. W. Kimryn Rathmell Takes Helm as CEO of Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center – A Vision for Precision Oncology and Health Equity
News Publication Date: Pending (appointment effective May 27, 2025)
Web References: https://cancer.osu.edu/, https://president.osu.edu/meet-president-carter, https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/about-us/our-people/john-warner