Cheryl L. Willman, MD

Executive Director of Mayo Clinic Cancer Programs and Director of Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center

Dr. Cheryl Willman, Executive Director of Mayo Clinic Cancer Programs (nationally and globally) and Director of the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, is an internationally renowned physician scientist and a pioneer in the field of cancer individualized medicine with a track record of innovation and successful translation of discoveries to clinical trials. She has co-led several key NCI initiatives that are improving the lives of patients with cancer and addressing disparities in cancer care as well as cancer incidence and mortality among diverse and underserved populations. Dr. Willman has served in many leadership roles including NCI’s Board of Scientific Advisors and the Scientific Advisory Board of the NCI Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research. Dr. Willman also has held and currently holds national leadership positions in AACR, ASH, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She was a founder of the field of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, President of the Association of Molecular Pathologists, and is an elected fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. Prior to joining Mayo Clinic, Dr. Willman served as the Director and CEO of the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Willman received her medical degree from Mayo Medical School and completed her residency and postdoctoral training in pathology and cancer research at Mayo Clinic, University of New Mexico, and University of Washington.