Association of Community Cancer Centers to Honor Healthcare Advocate Paula Kim at Annual National Meeting

ROCKVILLE, Md. – For founding and leading several organizations designed to promote cross-collaboration and cooperation across the global cancer community, Paula Kim will be honored with the Association of Community Cancer Centers’ (ACCC) Annual Achievement Award for excellence in advocacy, dedication, and commitment to the care and treatment of patients with cancer. Kim will accept the award on April 1 during the  ACCC 40th Annual Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, Va. Kim’s commitment to cancer advocacy, advancing research, and helping patients and families spans more than two decades.

She is the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Translating Research Across Communities (TRAC), an organization dedicated to cross-sector strategies and initiatives aimed at strengthening communication, leadership, capacity, relationships, and improving outcomes for cancer patients and their families.

She also is a Senior Research Fellow at George Mason University's Center for Health and Risk Communication where she is co-director of the first international Global Advocacy Leadership Academy (GALA). Kim's role at GALA is to accelerate the growth and development of nonprofit and advocacy healthcare organizations and their leadership worldwide.

"Paula is recognized on the grassroots, national, and international levels for her consumer-focused leadership and innovation in communication and outreach for business, healthcare and advocacy strategies particularly as they affect the cancer community," said ACCC President Virginia T. Vaitones, MSW, OSW-C. "She helps bridge the gap between the various sectors in cancer care and those with whom they must collaborate to accomplish their respective goals. ACCC is delighted to honor her accomplishments with this award."

Kim's advocacy efforts stem from a personal connection. In 1998, her father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died 75 days later. Kim went on to co-found the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) in 1999, serving as its Chairman of the Board, and as volunteer CEO.

"I am proud that my work in bringing cancer communities together to improve the experience for cancer caregivers as well as patients and their families is being recognized by ACCC," said Kim. "In tribute to my dad, I will continue to work tirelessly to improve outcomes for all patients and their families across the globe coping with cancer."