NRG Oncology Appoints New Patient Advocate Committee Chair, Dorothy Erlanger

April 15 2020

NRG Oncology is pleased to announce that Dorothy Erlanger is the new Chair of the NRG Oncology Patient Advocate Committee (PAC). Dorothy has been a patient advocate with NRG Oncology since the organization formed, and served as an advocate with the Gynecologic Oncology Group, GOG, prior to NRG.

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Dorothy has worked as a consultant, trainer, and public speaker with over 30 years of experience. Following her diagnosis of ovarian cancer 3C in 2001, Dorothy became a patient advocate with GOG. In her local community, Dorothy is a part of the Survivors Teaching Students program, where she presents on OvCa symptoms, treatment experience, and outcomes to medical students at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. Additionally, Dorothy and her therapy dog, a Newfoundland named Justin, visit the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center regularly.

Prior to her cancer, Dorothy was a non-exerciser; however Dorothy completed her first triathlon following cancer remission at 50 years of age. Since then, she has competed in over 40 triathlons on four continents and has proudly competed as a part of Team USA in international competitions five times (so far!). She is an Ironman® triathlete, having completed the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run event in a single day.

In assuming the role of Chair, Dorothy will join Vice Chairs Pat Halpin-Murphy and Tom Simon in helping the NRG Oncology Patient Advocates support the work of NRG Oncology through providing a patient voice in developing protocols and assisting at various levels within the organization to ensure the patient perspective remains threaded through all of its activities and operations.

When asked to share her perspective on Dorothy’s appointment as Chair, Mary Scroggins commented, “As a longtime, continuing member of the Patient Advocate Committee, I look forward to serving under Dorothy’s leadership as Chair. To the position, she brings years of advocacy experience with GOG Foundation and NRG Oncology and relevant professional skills. With the support of the two dedicated PAC Vice Chairs and the outstanding advocates who make up the PAC, Dorothy will, I am sure, use her considerable experience in organization development, training, and group dynamics to initiate projects and establish procedures that will enhance the PAC profile and value within NRG and, most importantly, enhance its ability to provide benefit to the patients and families it so ably represents and serves.”

Dorothy’s appointment was confirmed by the NRG Oncology Group Chairs in early March and she has already begun work to assume those duties.

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