ACS Honors Frankfort Resident for distinguished volunteer service

Dr. Kathleen H. Goss was presented with the American Cancer Society St. George National Award, one of the Society’s most prestigious volunteer honors.

Dr. Goss is one of 23 inspirational individuals from across the country who received the award for outstanding service to the community in support of the Society’s mission to save lives from cancer. Recipients were chosen based on their continuous leadership, commitment, and dedication to key initiatives in more than one area of fundraising, mission delivery, patient support, legislative advocacy, and special event engagement.

“Recognizing the outstanding work that Kathy has done for the Society is long overdue,” said Vice President, Regional Cancer Control of the American Cancer Society Carolyn Bruzdzinski. “From her professional time to her unwavering advocacy in Springfield and Washington to the effort she puts in at Relay For Life events, we thank Kathy for her dedication to fighting cancer at every angle with us.”

Dr. Goss is senior science writer and director for strategic partnerships at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, and has been a volunteer and advocate for ACS for more than 15 years. As an ACS-funded cancer researcher, she served as scientific grant reviewer at the Division and National levels and as a mentor and applicant reviewer for the Illinois Division High School Summer Research Program. She is an advocacy volunteer and longtime ACS CAN member, having served as a Legislative Ambassador for the former Ohio Division and is a current ACS CAN ACT Lead for the Lakeshore 1st Congressional District of Illinois. Dr. Goss is a longtime Relay For Life volunteer and is currently the RFL of Frankfort-Mokena Committee Chair. She was a former member of the Southwest Ohio Unit Advisory Board, Lakeshore Division Board and is currently a member and the advocacy lead for the Chicago Regional Leadership Board.

Since it was conceived in 1949 by Dr. Charles S. Cameron, former Society medical and scientific director, the St. George National Award has been presented annually to Society volunteers nationwide. To be nominated, a volunteer must have served as a leader in the Society’s community initiatives for a minimum of six continuous years and must have made a significant impact on the Society’s strategic goals and mission-driven programs. Nominations are made by local staff and approved by the St. George National Award Task Force.

“These extraordinary volunteers deserve to be recognized for their dedicated leadership and time to eliminate cancer as a major health problem,” said Arnold M. Baskies, MD, FACS, chair of the American Cancer Society Board of Directors. “Their commitment to and passion for our mission is remarkable.”

In addition to Dr. Goss, the Society also honored:

• Josephine "Josie" Abboud, RN, BSN, MBA, FACHE
• Daniel S. Anderson, MD, FACP
• Steve Bangert
• Pat Bruce
• James B. Conway
• Víctor Delgado Colón, MD
• Karen Durham
• Grant Freeman
• Patrick J. Geraghty
• David W. Glidden
• Carmen E. Guerra, MD, MSCE, FACP
• Cindy Lombardo
• Maureen G. Mann, MS, MBA, FACHE
• Michael Marquardt
• Elizabeth Martin
• Rick Q. Ngo, MD, FACS
• Lenora Pate
• Rhonda Pour
• T.J. Ryan
• Robianne Schultz
• Rebecca “Becki” Ward
• Jeanetta Wilson