Although there are no bricks and mortar as yet, plenty is happening on the new Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.
Mike Boyer has been hired as director of global relations.
He will provide leadership and coordination of international relationships, alliances and partnerships for the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, while developing a strategic plan for implementing programs that strengthen the global reach of UNMC as an internationally renowned public academic health sciences center.
“It’s a tremendous privilege to be working with so many dedicated and outstanding colleagues at this exciting time for UNMC and the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center,” Boyer said.
He comes to the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center from Humanity United, a private grant-making foundation working to promote global peace and security issues.
As vice president for strategic communications at the San Francisco-based organization, Boyer oversaw a multidisciplinary team engaged in policy advocacy, public education and corporate communications. He also negotiated numerous international joint ventures for the foundation.
Prior to Humanity United, Boyer had a decade-long career as a journalist covering foreign policy. His professional experiences have taken him to more than 30 countries around the world.
With expertise in international relations, Boyer will help to expand worldwide recognition of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center as a leader in patient care and cancer research.
“Given his extensive background in communications and international studies, Mike is an outstanding addition to the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center to help promote our international reputation in multidisciplinary cancer research and cancer care,” said Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.
As the only National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center in Nebraska, the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center provides the best in science and clinical practice, Dr. Cowan said. Its goal is to become a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center – the top designation shared by only 41 cancer centers in the U.S.
One of Boyer’s first tasks as director of global relations is to research, vet and recruit an international advisory board for the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. Dr. Cowan said this will aide in achieving Comprehensive Cancer Center designation.