UM/Sylvester Executive Named Chair of National Cancer Development Organization

Marilyn Stern Emas, M.Ed., executive director of development at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, has been named chair of the National Association of NCI-Supported Cancer Centers Development Officers (NACCDO). The organization works in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute’s Public Affairs and Marketing Network (PAN) for the purpose of sharing information and resources among the development, public affairs and marketing programs of cancer centers; enhancing the public understanding of the nation’s cancer-research efforts.

Emas was formally introduced as the chair at NACCDO’s annual conference. Emas has been on the national steering committee of NACCDO for the last two years, and has chaired the cancer centers benchmarking survey. “NACCDO is the most focused and important organization for academic cancer center development professionals and to be able to lead it and work alongside other cancer center officers is an honor. I don’t think there’s another organization like it,” says Emas. “This is a testament to UM/Sylvester’s reputation and accomplishments among the nation’s top academic cancer center.”

W. Jarrard Goodwin, M.D., director of the cancer center, says he is very proud of Emas and the team she’s built. Dr. Goodwin describes the work of the development team as “absolutely critical to the cancer center’s mission.” “This national recognition of Marilyn’s leadership and drive shows the work being done at Sylvester is acknowledged by our peers across the nation.”