Better Together: Health Equity Work Across the Prostate Cancer Community

Bridge Builder. Rainmaker. Change Agent. World traveling, baseball mom-ing, cancer survivor and caregiver passionate about driving systemic progress in public health to save lives.

Adrian Backus has more than thirty years of experience as an executive in educational and religious institutions, international assistance programs, and industry. He currently serves as director for partnership development and outreach for the Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN).

Charles J. Ryan, MD is an internationally recognized genitourinary (GU) oncologist with expertise in the biology and treatment of advanced disease as well as the supportive care of all men with prostate cancer. He was most recently the Director of the Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation Division in the Department of Medicine at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. He also served as the Associate Director for Clinical Research in the Masonic Cancer Center and held the B.J. Kennedy Chair in Clinical Medical Oncology.

Dr. Ryan earned a BA in Philosophy, magna cum laude, from Marquette University and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Medical School. He trained at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, serving as Chief Resident, and at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Prior to moving to the University of Minnesota, he was on the faculty of the University of California, San Francisco, where he served as Program Leader for Genitourinary Medical Oncology and held the title of Thomas Perkins Distinguished Professor in Cancer Research. He has published over 200 articles and chapters in the world’s leading medical journals. He is the author of the book The Virility Paradox: The Vast Influence of Testosterone on Our Bodies, Minds, and the World We Live In, released in February 2018. Dr. Ryan is also the Leader of the Advanced Prostate Cancer Cadre in the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, a national clinical trials group, and past Chair of the NCI GU Steering Committee’s Prostate Cancer Task Force.

Dr. Ryan, who goes by the name Chuck, is a native of Appleton, Wisconsin. He has three children with his wife, Jessica: identical twin daughters Cate and Elise, and a son, Patrick.

William L. Dahut, MD, is chief scientific officer of the American Cancer Society. In this role, he oversees the strategic direction of both intramural and extramural research for the largest nonprofit funder of cancer research.

Dr. Dahut manages all pieces of ACS’ Discovery Pillar, including surveillance and health equity science, population science, cancer screening guidelines, and extramural discovery science. He serves as the scientific voice of the organization, advises key discovery positions, and manages more than $400 million in research funding.

Dr. Dahut guides efforts to enhance and focus the American Cancer Society’s research program, concentrating priorities where they will be most effective and working with key partners and supporters to further progress.

Shonta Chambers is a seasoned non-profit executive and public health professional whose career spans more than 25 years of experience in chronic disease prevention, health promotion, community engagement, and women’s health.