Presented for outstanding contributions to surgical oncology through service to SSO, research, or enhancing clinical care or health policy. This is the successor to the Society of Surgical Oncology Heritage Award and 2018 marks the first year of this award with the new name “The Charles M. Balch, MD, Distinguished Service Award.” Charles M. Balch, MD has dedicated more than 30 years of service to the SSO, demonstrating leadership on multiple fronts and serving as SSO President in 1991. His passion for the Society and for the field of surgical oncology is evidenced by 25 years of service to the Annals of Surgical Oncology, in which his actions as Founding Editor-in-Chief has led to the worldwide growth and prominence of the journal.
Purpose
The Charles M. Balch, MD, Distinguished Service Award highlights those who have accomplished a great deal in the field of surgical oncology while exemplifying the values of the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO): Professionalism, Quality, Lifelong Learning, Leadership, and Discovery.
The award is presented to physicians, scientists, or physician-scientists for outstanding contributions to surgical oncology through service to SSO, research, training the next generation of surgical oncologists, or enhancing clinical care or health policy. This is the successor to the Society of Surgical Oncology Heritage Award.
Awardee Criteria
Awardees are chosen based on a proven history of significant contributions to surgical oncology through a variety of activities, including, but not limited to:
- Service to the SSO through committee service, dedication to education, program development, or other means; and/or
- Leadership in the field of surgical oncology; and/or
- Achievements such as impactful research or exceptional advancements in basic science knowledge; and/or
- Dedication to optimizing clinical cancer care (at the national or global levels), reduction of cancer burden at the national or global levels, or achievements in cancer-related health care policy.
Awardees must meet the following criteria and commit to the following obligations:
- Cannot have served the SSO as President or have been elected to a position that is in the ascension line for President.
- Cannot be a current member of the Nominating Committee or Board of Directors who selects the awardee.
- Must be able to attend the meeting at which the award will be presented.
- There may be extenuating circumstances where an awardee will be allowed to provide a video acceptance speech (i.e. high-profile awardees or health considerations making travel impossible).
- Willing to participate in other activities at the meeting which may include a reception to meet and mingle with SSO members or speak at a session developed by the Scientific Program Committee or President.
Award Details
The awardee receives:
- A dedicated award presentation session at the SSO annual meeting;
- Complimentary meeting registration;
- One (1) night hotel and travel expenses;
- An invitation to the President’s Dinner and Fundraiser event;
- A plaque in recognition of their achievement.
The Charles M. Balch, MD, Distinguished Service Award
Recipients
| Peter WT Pisters, MD, MHCM | 2026 |
| Heidi Nelson, MD, FACS | 2025 |
| Monica M. Bertagnolli, MD | 2024 |
| Steven A. Rosenberg, MD, PhD | 2023 |
| Monica Morrow, MD | 2022 |
| Selwyn M. Vickers, MD | 2021 |
| Masaki Mori, MD, PhD | 2020 |
| John L. Cameron, MD | 2019 |
| Norman Wolmark, MD and Bernard Fisher, MD | 2018 |
Distinguished Service Award Recipients
| Fabrizio Michelassi, MD | 2017 |
| Mark S. Roh, MD | 2016 |
| Leslie H. Blumgart, MD | 2015 |
| Stanley J. Dudrick, MD | 2014 |
| David P. Winchester Sr., MD | 2013 |
Society of Surgical Oncology Heritage Award Recipients
| William C. Wood, MD | 2012 |
| Kirby I. Bland, MD | 2011 |
| Murray F. Brennan, MD | 2010 |
| John E. Niederhuber, MD | 2009 |
| Glenn D. Steele, Jr., MD, PhD | 2008 |
| Edward M. Copeland III, MD | 2007 |
| Charles M. Balch, MD | 2006 |
| Samuel A. Wells, Jr., MD | 2005 |
| Blake Cady, MD | 2004 |
| Donald L. Morton, MD | 2003 |
| Walter Lawrence Jr., MD | 2002 |
| LaSalle D. Leffal Jr., MD | 2001 |