Dr. Clifford Hudis is a distinguished medical oncologist and visionary leader in cancer research and clinical care. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and Executive Vice Chair of its foundation, Conquer Cancer, overseeing a global organization with more than 50,000 members across 170 countries. After receiving his medical degree from The Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1983 through a combined BA-MD program with Lehigh University, he completed his residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in medical oncology and hematology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Prior to assuming his leadership role at ASCO in 2016, Dr. Hudis served for nearly two decades as Chief of the Breast Cancer Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and was a Professor of Medicine at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
Dr. Hudis has made seminal contributions to advancing breast cancer treatment through the development of novel therapeutic regimens that have become global standards of care. His research team identified critical risk factors for cancer linked to inflammation and obesity, while pioneering the development and clinical application of breakthrough therapies including taxanes and anti-HER2 agents that significantly improved patient outcomes across all stages of breast cancer. His work integrating targeted biologics and small-molecule inhibitors established widely used standard adjuvant regimens for high-risk and HER2-positive disease, transforming clinical practice worldwide. Dr. Hudis's research has directly influenced clinical guidelines and treatment protocols used by oncologists globally, demonstrating his profound impact on translating scientific discoveries into tangible patient benefits.
As CEO of ASCO, Dr. Hudis has expanded the organization's global impact through its annual meeting, high-impact publications including the Journal of Clinical Oncology, and initiatives to define optimal quality of care worldwide. He previously served as President of ASCO during its 50th anniversary year (2013-14), championing efforts to improve professional education, cancer policy, and equitable patient care. Dr. Hudis remains committed to advancing ASCO's mission of conquering cancer through research, education, and promotion of high-quality care, with increasing emphasis on international collaboration to address global cancer disparities. His leadership continues to shape oncology's future by fostering innovation, supporting early career researchers through Conquer Cancer's funding programs, and advocating for policies that improve access to high-quality cancer care for patients worldwide.
