WASHINGTON (October 3, 2011)—The Katzen Cancer Research Center is pleased to announce that Leo Schargorodski has joined the Center as its inaugural executive director. Previously, Mr. Shargorodski served as the executive director of the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the executive director and chief development officer at the American Nurses Foundation, the founding executive director of the American Diabetes Association Research Foundation and as the national vice president for development at the American Diabetes Association.
“Leo’s background in the nonprofit health sector as well as his forward-looking approach will help us pursue the dream of Dr. Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen of building a diverse research portfolio and creating innovative approaches to battling cancer,” said Dr. Robert S. Siegel, director of the Katzen Cancer Research Center.
Mr. Schargorodski’s work focuses on collaborating with the Katzen Center’s board of directors and GW faculty members to create a strategic plan that will include an aggressive development agenda which will provide support for the Center’s researchers to initiate new clinical research and find new approaches to cancer treatment.
In an effort to showcase the successes of the Katzen Cancer Research Center in pioneering scientific research and treatment, Mr. Schargorodski will focus on improving the Center’s brand awareness through enhanced internal and external outreach by implementing social media and other tactics to promote the Center’s initiatives.
Mr. Schargorodski has already initiated a Patient Assistance Fund, securing staff to build a research-staff infrastructure for the Center, pursued foundation grants for fundraising, and is submitting a grant request to the Katzen Board for a High-Risk Breast/Ovarian Cancer Clinic as well as a Multiple Myeloma Basic Research grant in conjunction with the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
About the Katzen Cancer Research Center:
Established in 2009 through a generous gift from Dr. Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen, the Katzen Cancer Research Center is committed to fostering pioneering scientific research, superior clinical care, and advanced education in order to improve the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cancer.
