About the Panel Members
The President’s Cancer Panel was established in 1971 by the National Cancer Act (P.L. 92-218). Members are appointed by the President of the United States and charged with monitoring the progress of the National Cancer Program. The following members of the President’s Cancer Panel planned and executed a series of workshops in 2016-2017 to examine the impact of rising cancer drug prices in the United States. In March 2018, a report was submitted to the White House with findings and recommendations to promote value, affordability, and innovation in cancer drug treatment.
For information on current members and activities, visit the President’s Cancer Panel’s website.
Barbara K. Rimer, DrPH
Dean and Alumni Distinguished Professor
Gillings School of Global Public Health
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
Dr. Rimer's work in the cancer field has guided national research, practice, and policy for more than 20 years. Her research has contributed to the evidence base in several cancer-related areas, including informed decision making, long-term maintenance of behavior changes, adherence to cancer prevention and early detection practices, and dissemination and implementation of evidence-based interventions. She was the first woman and behavioral scientist to chair the National Cancer Institute’s National Cancer Advisory Board, a presidential appointment. She has received numerous awards, including the Healthtrac Foundation Award for Health Education in 2004 and the American Cancer Society's Medal of Honor in 2013. She is a member of the National Academy of Medicine.
Dr. Rimer received a BA and an MPH from the University of Michigan and a DrPH from the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health.
President Barack Obama appointed Dr. Rimer to the President's Cancer Panel in 2011.
Hill Harper, JD
Author, Actor, and Philanthropist
Hollywood, CA
Mr. Harper is a best-selling author, award-winning actor, and philanthropist. His acting portfolio includes starring roles in television, film, and theatre. He is the author of four New York Times bestsellers, including The Wealth Cure: Putting Money in Its Place, which chronicles his journey after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2010. He founded the Manifest Your Destiny Foundation, which is dedicated to empowering underserved youth through mentorship, scholarship, and grant programs.
Mr. Harper received a BA from Brown University, an MPA from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and a JD from Harvard Law School. He has received honorary doctorate degrees from several colleges and universities.
President Barack Obama appointed Mr. Harper to the President's Cancer Panel in 2012.
Owen N. Witte, MD
University Professor
University of California
Director
Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Dr. Witte has made significant scientific contributions to the understanding of human leukemias, immune disorders, and epithelial cancers. His discoveries in these areas have led to targeted therapies that have transformed treatment for some forms of leukemia and lymphoma. His more recent work with stem cells has helped define potential new therapies for an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
Dr. Witte received a BS from Cornell University and an MD from Stanford University. He completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His many honors include the Milken Foundation Award, the Rosenthal Award, and the Alpert Foundation Prize. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
President Barack Obama appointed Dr. Witte to the President's Cancer Panel in 2011.
