Omar M. Rashid, M.D., JD, FACS, FSSO, DABS, has been named to the Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the advocacy affiliate for the American Cancer Society (ACS). As a member of the Board, Dr. Rashid will provide leadership and guidance for ACS CAN, which pursues evidence-based public policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem nationwide.

Early on, Dr. Rashid recognized the important role public health policy plays in improving outcomes for cancer patients, completing a dual MD-JD degree at Duke University Schools of Medicine and Law. He then completed General Surgery residency at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System and Massey Comprehensive National Cancer Institute while at the same time completing a legislative fellowship in the Virginia General Assembly working with staff on complex health policy issues.

During this time, Dr. Rashid received multiple awards for his cancer-related health policy research and recognition including being appointed as the Administrative Chief General Surgery Resident at VCU Health System as well as an appointed official to serve Gov. Tim Kaine (D) and later his successor Gov. Bob McDonnel (R). He completed his Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute in Tampa and was appointed as an Administrative Co-Fellow, serving as a clinical instructor in surgery. While at the Tampa-based institute, he was awarded multiple awards for his research focusing on cancer, robotic surgery and health policy before returning home to South Florida.