Winter 2024
By Ellen Berlin
Photography by John Deputy
Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, an esteemed health care executive and renowned immuno-oncologist, stepped down as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute President and CEO on October 1 and assumed the title of President Emerita. Glimcher will continue both her pioneering research and her mentorship of the next generation of physician-scientists at Dana-Farber, along with other special projects.
Since becoming the seventh president of Dana-Farber in October 2016—and the first woman to lead the organization in its 77-year history—Glimcher has maintained a relentless focus on improving outcomes for patients and accelerating cancer drug development. Under Glimcher’s leadership, Dana-Farber is credited for playing a critical role in the development of 51% of all cancer drugs approved by the FDA over the past five years. The Institute expanded regional locations from four to seven, and saw dramatic growth in patient volume and in grant and industry-funded research support. Glimcher spearheaded Dana-Farber’s proposal to build a new 300-bed inpatient hospital dedicated to adult patients with cancer and a new collaboration with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and expanded the Institute’s Cancer Care Equity Program, which is at the forefront of efforts to reduce disparities in cancer outcomes for historically marginalized groups.
“Eight years ago, I began this journey with a deep appreciation for the extraordinary research that emanated from Dana-Farber since its earliest days and the clinical excellence that Dana-Farber provides patients and families,” said Glimcher. “And now, as I reflect on my tenure, I am intensely proud of what we have achieved in providing world-class care for our patients, leading in innovation, and discovering new treatments and cures.”
Glimcher led The Dana-Farber Campaign, the most ambitious fundraising effort in the history of the Institute and one of the largest in the U.S. focused solely on cancer. The Dana-Farber Campaign closed at the end of September far above its original goal and has accelerated the Institute’s strategic priorities supporting revolutionary science and extraordinary care.
“This is the perfect time for me to pass the leadership of this remarkable institution on to the next generation, and return my focus to cancer immunology research,” Glimcher said.
“Laurie Glimcher’s tenure as Dana-Farber’s president has been transformative and impactful for our patients, our physician-scientists, our workforce, and the entire oncology community,” said Josh Bekenstein, Dana-Farber Board Chair. “Dana-Farber has been extremely fortunate to have had a President and CEO of Laurie Glimcher’s scientific stature who has also proven to be a visionary, compassionate, and inclusive leader. Her patient-centered approach helped the Institute continue to improve the great care at Dana-Farber. I am incredibly grateful for her brilliant leadership.”
Benjamin L. Ebert, MD, PhD, a world-renowned medical oncologist and researcher who most recently served as chair of Dana-Farber’s Department of Medical Oncology, was named by the Board of Trustees to succeed Glimcher effective October 1.
“With a very strong foundation built on Laurie’s extremely accomplished and successful tenure and now with Ben’s leadership, Dana-Farber will continue being a world leader in cancer care and research.”
Josh Bekenstein, Chairman, Dana-Farber Board of Trustees
“Ben has been a tremendously effective leader of our Department of Medical Oncology. As we plan for the future of cancer care and discovery, we are confident that he will take on the new challenge as he has all others—with integrity, thoughtfulness, diligence, and compassion,” said Bekenstein. “His leadership and experience will be extremely beneficial as we plan for the proposed new cancer hospital and clinical collaboration.”
As head of Medical Oncology, Ebert oversaw a period of dramatic growth in the number of faculty, clinical volume, and research funding. His initiatives include programs for early career faculty mentorship, faculty well-being, and increased multi-disciplinary collaboration. He leads a research laboratory that focuses on the molecular basis and treatment of hematologic malignancies and their nonmalignant precursor conditions, with a particular focus on myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and clonal hematopoiesis.
“I’m extraordinarily honored to be selected as the next president and CEO of Dana-Farber and to build on the exceptional leadership and accomplishments of Laurie Glimcher,” said Ebert. “Dana-Farber is truly a remarkable organization and a global leader in innovation, and in caring and advocating for cancer patients. Together with our executive leadership team, I will continue to advance a patient-first model as we open this new chapter.”
Ebert is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Society for Clinical Investigation, the Association of American Physicians, and the Academy of the American Association for Cancer Research, and has won numerous prestigious national and international awards.
“With a very strong foundation built on Laurie’s extremely accomplished and successful tenure and now with Ben’s leadership, Dana-Farber will continue being a world leader in cancer care and research,” said Bekenstein.