Summary
In this episode, Dr. Yolanda Sanchez, Director and CEO of the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, shares her journey from childhood to leading a major cancer research institution. She discusses the science of DNA damage, the future of cancer treatment, and the importance of community and collaboration in the fight against cancer.
Powerful Sound Bites
- “Tumor cells have a lot of damage and inherently they have to lower the threshold of this alert system.”
- “The biggest privilege is seeing something that is going to help people live longer.”
- “Patients look to us for hope, not just data.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Yoli Sanchez and her journey
Chapters
- 02:05 Her role as CEO and director of the cancer center
- 02:41 Yoli’s hobbies and personal passions
- 03:33 Her dreams for cancer treatment and access 05:00 Her background in science and early career
- 07:16 The moment that sparked her interest in biomedical research
- 10:48 The importance of DNA damage in cancer biology
- 13:34 Preventing cancer through early intervention and vaccines
- 15:12 Understanding the complexity of cancer as many diseases
- 21:28 The journey from discovery to patient treatment
- 24:34 The emotional impact of breakthroughs in cancer research 26:24 Leadership in a large cancer center
- 30:31 Yoli’s significance as the first Hispanic woman leading an NCI center
- 32:54 Addressing geographic and healthcare disparities in New Mexico
- 36:29 The ‘We Can’ campaign and its message of hope
- 37:08 The human side of cancer care and patient experience
- 39:53 The role of compassion and community in healing
- 44:11 The importance of collaboration across cancer centers
- 48:41 Yoli’s one thing: advancing cancer research and care
- 49:49 Changing perceptions of cancer as a beginning, not an end
Who Is Yolanda Sanchez, PhD?
Director and CEO, The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center Professor of Molecular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine The Maurice and Marguerite Liberman Distinguished Chair in Cancer Research
Dr. Yolanda (Yoli) Sanchez is the first Latina/Hispanic woman to lead a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Sanchez is an international expert in DNA damage response pathways. Her research also focused on early drug discovery. Prior to joining The University of New Mexico, Dr. Sanchez served as the Associate Director of Basic Sciences at Dartmouth Cancer Center, another NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. She was also tenured faculty at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, where she was named a PEW Scholar in 2001.
As Director and CEO of the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center (UNMCCC), Dr. Sanchez oversees all cancer research and cancer clinical programs at The University of New Mexico, covering all schools, colleges, departments, and facilities including ambulatory and inpatient cancer clinical services. Dr. Sanchez collaborates with leadership at UNM, the UNM Health Sciences Center and UNM Health, as well as the New Mexico state legislature and Governor to bring the latest cancer prevention, diagnostics, and therapeutics to New Mexicans. Dr. Sanchez is committed to broadening the makeup of the leadership at UNMCCC and at other NCI-designated cancer centers in the nation.