| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 661-664 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Gastroenterology |
| Volume | 162 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Dawn was particularly gifted at recognizing and seizing opportunities. For example, when the National Cancer Institute sponsored a cancer outcomes study (CanCORS) based in several population-based registries, Dawn immediately recognized the prospect of offering the same program to veterans. She convinced the VA to provide funding, and in so doing, the CanCORS team of investigators benefitted from Dawn’s expertise and passion and veterans benefitted from cutting edge research. She also recognized the value in developing a biorepository for the CONFIRM study (co-chaired by her mentees Drs Jason Dominitz and Doug Robertson), a separate large comparative-effectiveness study of colonoscopy versus fecal immunochemical testing. As a member of the executive committee for CONFIRM, Dawn was a vocal proponent for obtaining blood specimens from study participants to allow linkage of genetic and serum factors to colorectal neoplasia outcomes. Funding for blood collection was not planned at the study’s inception, so the idea met considerable resistance. But Dawn was tenacious, lobbying the VA leadership and the National Cancer Institute that the resulting resource would be unique and valuable. Dawn was resolute in her quest for funding and ultimately prevailed. There was no drama, just the facts. As the director of an evidence-based center, Dawn always knew the facts would eventually win out. She never quit until they did.
Funding Information:
In recognition of decades of work inspiring multidisciplinary colleagues to pursue research, Dawn received the 2014 AGA Institute Council Clinical Practice Section Research Mentor Award. Dawn generously mentored more than forty students, residents, fellows, and faculty. As Dr Jason Dominitz noted, “What truly impressed me about Dawn was her absolute selflessness in her support of her mentees.” George Jackson, PhD, echoed that sentiment, recalling: “As a world class researcher, clinician, and administrator/leader, Dawn frequently said she was most proud of the many accomplishments of (her) trainees.” Through her efforts, Dawn inspired >20 mentees to become academic researchers, with many attaining full professor, GI division chief, and department of medicine chair positions, global recognition, and ongoing GI research grant support.