Finesha Colton-Lee, Kimberly Kerstann, Dana Ray, Marina Martin, Jeff Mills, and Susannah Conroy.
Winship Cancer Institute earned comprehensive cancer center designation from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a result of years of hard work and commitment by many people.
The NCI’s Cancer Center Support Grant is a rigorous evaluation process and the basis for determining whether a center meets the criteria for comprehensive status. A core grant team led by Kimberly Kerstann, PhD, Winship’s senior director for cancer research administration, was responsible for the planning and submission of a nearly 1,600 page written application as well as the coordination of a formal NCI site visit. The team’s contributions – ranging from project management to data analysis to grant writing – ensured that Winship’s scientific and organizational productivity were well articulated to the NCI’s review panel.
Management of Winship’s Cancer Center Support Grant is an ongoing process, with annual progress reports and another competitive renewal application due every five years. The team is busy working on new administrative initiatives to continue to advance the scientific impact and community-focused priorities of a comprehensive cancer center.
