Providence Oncologist Named Honorary Co-Chair of the 2009 Komen Portland Race for the Cure

July 23, 2009

PORTLAND, Ore. — Providence Cancer Center’s Ali Conlin, M.D., has been named an honorary co-chair of the 2009 Komen Portland Race for the Cure. Dr. Conlin is a board-certified medical oncologist and a cancer researcher with interests in early and advanced-stage breast cancer, and the development and incorporation of new drugs for breast cancer patients.

Since 1991, when Providence employee Chris Mulder and two other breast cancer survivors brought the Race for the Cure to Oregon as the founding volunteers of the local Komen organization, Providence has been a partner with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure to improve breast care for women. For several years running, Providence has cultivated the largest team of participants in Oregon and ranks as the second largest team nationwide.

As honorary co-chair, Dr. Conlin will take part in a variety of activities including The Portland Beavers “Strike Out Breast Cancer” event at PGE Park on Sunday, Aug. 2, benefiting the local Komen Affiliate. Conlin and a breast cancer survivor will throw out the first pitch of the game in which the Beavers play the Sacramento River Cats at 1:55 p.m.

“Komen Race for the Cure is one of the largest networks of breast cancer survivors and activists,” said Conlin. “I’m excited to be part of the event and to help spread the word about new developments in breast cancer research.”

As a medical oncologist, Dr. Conlin sees patients at Providence Portland and Providence St. Vincent Medical Centers. As a researcher, she’s part of a team of scientists at the Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center in the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute at Providence Cancer Center where lab discoveries can directly benefit people with cancer.

Dr. Conlin is also involved in the creation of a breast cancer registry and is interested in survivorship issues and breast health. Dr. Conlin received her undergraduate degree in biology from Cornell University and earned her medical degree at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y. She completed her internship and residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York, N.Y. She completed her medical oncology/ hematology fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, N.Y., with a focus on breast medicine. 

The 2009 Komen Portland Race for the Cure is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 20.