Biden Appoints ONS Member and Oncology Nurse to National Cancer Advisory Board

October 11, 2021 by Alec Stone MA, MPA, Former ONS Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy

ONS member Christopher R. Friese, PhD, RN, AOCN®, FAAN, oncology nurse researcher and professor at the School of Nursing in the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, was named one of seven researchers and clinicians that President Joe Biden appointed (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/09/15/president-biden-appoints-members-to-national-cancer-advisory-board/) to the National Cancer Advisory Board on September 15, 2021.

The board contributes (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/09/15/president-biden-appoints-members-to-national-cancer-advisory-board/) to the Biden-Harris administration’s priority to invest in research and development that will advance breakthroughs to prevent, detect, and treat diseases like cancer, according to a statement (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/09/15/president-biden-appoints-members-to-national-cancer-advisory-board/) from the White House. The board also supports (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/09/15/president-biden-appoints-members-to-national-cancer-advisory-board/) the administration’s work to “build on the spirit and learnings of the Cancer Moonshot (https://www.cancer.gov/research/key-initiatives/moonshot-cancer-initiative)” and help guide the National Cancer Institute director.

According to the University of Michigan, Friese is a “national expert (https://nursing.umich.edu/about/news-portal/202109-professor-christopher-friese-named-national-cancer-advisory-board) in the analyses of claims data to study care quality and has executed large surveys of ambulatory oncology nurses.” In 2021, Friese was the recipient of ONS’s Distinguished Researcher Award (https://www.ons.org/make-a-difference/celebrate/awards/distinguished/researcher), which recognizes members who conduct or promote research that enhances the science and practice of oncology nursing.

“I am deeply honored that President Biden has nominated me for the National Cancer Advisory Board,” Friese said (https://sph.umich.edu/news/2021posts/christopher-friese-appointed-to-national-cancer-advisory-board.html) in a University of Michigan press release. “As a nurse science and educator, I hope to bring my expertise and insights to advance cutting edge research that will reduce the societal burden of cancer.”

Friese joins noted cancer clinicians and researchers across a variety of disciplines on the National Cancer Advisory Board, including fellow ONS member Deborah Watkins Bruner, RN, PhD, FAAN, and will serve (https://nursing.umich.edu/about/news-portal/202109-professor-christopher-friese-named-national-cancer-advisory-board) a six-year term.

Health policy is a marathon, not a sprint. Decision makers and policyholders are taking note that oncology nurses serve as valuable partners in promoting patient-centered care. Join ONS in the fight for advocating for patients and nurses across the United States and learn about policy priorities (https://www.ons.org/make-difference/ons-center-advocacy-and-health-policy/policy-priorities) with the ONS Center for Advocacy and Health Policy (https://www.ons.org/make-difference/ons-center-advocacy-and-health-policy).


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