Newswise – ARLINGTON, Va., June 1, 2022 – The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) recently hired Chris Neumann as its new vice president of learning and education, and Kirsta Suggs as its first director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).
As head of ASTRO’s education division, Neumann directs the medical society’s educational program, including the nation’s largest. Meet dedicated to radiation oncology and ASTRO Academy, an online library of virtual classes, webinars, and continuing medical education (CME) resources. He also oversees efforts to expand and diversify ASTRO’s educational offerings, such as improving access to learning opportunities by offering more live virtual activities and personalized on-demand content.
Neumann has extensive experience leading educational initiatives for medical societies, including serving as director of education at the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) and the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP). In these roles, he oversaw the development, implementation and evaluation of national medical conferences and online education programs. Prior to that, he served as interim executive director of the American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (now SHAPE America).
“Chris brings to ASTRO a critical understanding of the rapidly changing educational landscape for healthcare professionals,” said Laura Thevenot, CEO of ASTRO. “It has already implemented enhancements for our upcoming annual meeting, such as live streaming every session for virtual attendees and on-demand access to all meeting content with every registration.”
Suggs is ASTRO’s first director dedicated to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In this role, she leads the development and implementation of a range of DEI programs and initiatives across the company, including strategies to engage and retain a diverse membership that better represents patient communities than radios. -oncologists serve, as well as efforts to reduce health equity disparities. for people with cancer and other DEI priority topics that are identified through an upcoming cultural audit. Suggs also oversees ASTRO’s early career development programs, including its Research Fellow and Physician Program, its Minority Summer Fellowship, its Protected Leadership Pipeline, and its Residents’ Committee, and she is the primary staff liaison with ASTRO’s newly created Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council.
Prior to joining ASTRO, Suggs spent two decades as a key contributor to the strategic direction of the Endocrine Society’s DEI efforts, including 15 years focused on establishing career development and DEI initiatives. Suggs developed the company’s flagship leadership development training programs to expand the endocrinology pipeline of underrepresented minority science and physician leaders, and she also developed educational programs around health and education disparities. other IED problems.
“Kirsta brings to ASTRO a wealth of experience in creating pathways to support people from underrepresented minority communities in medicine and science,” said Thevenot. “ASTRO is committed to building a stronger and more diverse specialty. We are thrilled to have Kirsta join us in this important role and to work with her and our volunteers to expand ASTRO’s portfolio of DEI and early career development initiatives.
ABOUT ASTRO
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with nearly 10,000 members who are physicians, nurses, biologists, physicists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists and other healthcare professionals who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapy. For more information on radiation therapy, visit RTAnswers.org. To learn more about ASTRO, visit our website and follow us on social media.
