May 2021 – Gouri Shankar Bhattacharyya
SIOG records with great regret the passing of Prof Gouri Shankar Bhattacharyya. A senior member of SIOG with a special interest in palliative care and geriatric oncology, he was a well-respected doctor in India who took pride in serving older cancer patients across various states of India. He passed away on Saturday May 1st, after unfortunately contracting COVID-19.
SIOG remembers Prof. Bhattacharyya for his generosity, brilliant mind and boundless energy. He was a mentor and a close friend to many at SIOG. He was a member of the SIOG Board of Directors (2015-2018), Chairman of the SIOG Publication Committee (2015-2018), and Member of the Journal of Geriatric Oncology Editorial Board (2015-2021).
He was a member of the Task Force for Management of Cancer at the Indian Council for Medical Research, Government of India as well as a member of the Planning Committee of the National Cancer Control Program. He was the founder member of Indian Cooperative Oncology Network (ICON), Molecular Oncology Society, Indian Association of Cancer Research.
He was awarded Certificate of Recognition for Promotion and Development of Palliative Care in the World in 2013, by International Association for Hospice & Palliative Care (IAHPC). He published more than 200 papers and was an Investigator for more than 50 Phase II and III Clinical Trials, including Translational Research. He was also the holder of Orphan Drug status with FDA for Hepato-cellular carcinoma and Pancreatic Cancer based on Investigator initiated trials. On top of all the above responsibilities, he always found time to focus on the care of older adults with cancer. He dedicated much of his time in nurturing and educating many generations of medical oncologists in India. He was also generous with his time with SIOG, contributing his knowledge and experience in geriatric oncology and mentoring many within the society.
Prof. Bhattacharyya will be sorely missed by the SIOG Community.
December 2020 – Bruno Castagneto
Our hearts are with Dr. Castagneto’s family, his patients and colleagues. He will be profoundly missed at SIOG.
April 2020 – Rosemary Yancik
Dr. Yancik was instrumental in the formation of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) in 2000. In recognition for her contribution in geriatric oncology, she received the Paul Calabresi Award from SIOG in 2004.
Read the ASCO Post tribute
Read the JGO tribute from Lodovico Balducci and Silvio Monfardini