A28 International Journal of Radiation Oncology � Biology � Physics

2014 Gold Medal Award Winner

Mary Gospodarowicz, MD

Tribute by C. Norman Coleman, MD, Richard Hoppe, MD, David A. Jaffray, PhD, Bernard Cummings, MD

Dr. Gospodarowicz is among an elite group of transformational leaders that have influenced radiation oncology overthe last 25 years. She is known worldwide for her contributions to the treatment of lymphoma and genitourinarycancers, her leadership in the Union International for Cancer Control (UICC), and for building one of the topcomprehensive departments of radiation oncology worldwide at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and theUniversity of Toronto.

Mary is a ‘‘clinical oncologist’’ trained in internal medicine, radiation, and medical oncology. As a clinician andresearcher, her rigorous thinking changed paradigms in the treatment of lymphoma and genitourinary cancers. Herapproach has been toward the best treatment, not just the best use of radiation therapy. In clinical settings whereradiation is not necessary, she has led the field based on solid data. Perhaps one of the most interesting changes sheand her colleagues led has been in the treatment of early-stage seminoma where the routine use of abdominal andthoracic radiation has been replaced by observation. The debate to eliminate radiation was controversial but carefulthinking, analysis, and communication in high impact journals supported these important changes.

Mary is indeed one of the visionaries of our field. She not only has a vision for what is needed but also has the abilityto select outstanding faculty and foster their careers. As the Chief of the Princess Margaret Radiation MedicineProgram, she recruited David Jaffray who has developed a stunningly creative and effective research program thatbridges the domains of radiation physics and imaging and created a one-of-a-kind research institute – TECHNA(Institute for the Advancement of Technology for Health). In addition, she enhanced the outstanding radiationbiology program under Dick Hill by recruiting another amazing talent (Brad Wouters) and developed a strongmultidisciplinary program in operations and education that builds the professional and academic role of radiationtherapists. Mary has also encouraged international engagement initiated by Bernard Cummings, and through herpresidency of the UICC, led a Task Force to address the global gap in access to radiation therapy. Importantly, shesustained an environment in which faculty can flourish. She is modest, proud of her faculty and colleagues, andextraordinarily perceptive and supportive of them so that they can progress and accomplish important things in theircareers. Her leadership and organizational skills have led her to become the Medical Director of the PrincessMargaret Cancer Center.

Those of us who have debated and worked with Mary recognize that the discussions require great concentration andcareful listening as she is honest, to the point, a critical thinker, and pushes toward thoughtful action. She is a kind andcompassionate person with a great sense of humor. Because of her vision, she understands howmuch progress there isto be made and the paths to get where a field needs to go – from clinical care to research to policy. Mary’s intensity andcommitment apply equally to her patients, her friends, and her family. She considers her marriage, children, andgrandchildren her biggest life accomplishment. She and her husband, Dr. David Evans, have two perfect children,Margaret and Robert, and three amazing grandchildren that Mary simply cannot resist.

Mary truly is one of the leaders, spokespersons, and thinkers in oncology. She has done much for radiation oncologyin North America and is a force worldwide for improved cancer care. Our 2014 ASTRO Gold Medalist and herdepartment established world-renowned high standards of excellence in clinical care and investigation, physics andradiation biology research, and global cancer care. Fortunately for us, she gives no impression that she is slowingdown!