Wayne Frederick

Background

About Wayne Frederick

Dr. Frederick is the former interim CEO of both the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). In this role and alongside the organization’s Board of Directors, he guided both organizations – and their more than team members and 1.3 million volunteers – toward a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. He is also president emeritus of Howard University, having served as the institution's 17th president from 2014 to 2023. Under his leadership, Howard University made significant strides in student opportunity, academic innovation, public service, and fiscal stability. He was appointed by the Howard University Board of Trustees as the distinguished Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery. During his presidency, Dr. Frederick led numerous reform initiatives, including the expansion of academic offerings, the establishment of innovative programs to support student success, and the modernization of university facilities. His tenure marked a period of considerable growth and transformation for the university. Dr. Frederick graduated from Howard University’s dual B.S./M.D. program at the age of 22. He later earned an MBA from Howard University's Business School in 2011. His academic career began as the Associate Director of the Cancer Center at the University of Connecticut. An accomplished scholar, Dr. Frederick has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, abstracts, and editorials. His medical research focuses on reducing racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in cancer-care outcomes, with a particular emphasis on gastrointestinal cancers. Throughout his career, Dr. Frederick has received numerous recognitions, including the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. In 2021, he was recognized by the Carnegie Corporation of New York as one of 34 naturalized citizens honored for their contributions to strengthening the United States. Dr. Frederick currently serves on the boards of Humana and Insulet. He is an active member of several professional associations, including the American Surgical Association and the American College of Surgeons. Recently, he was appointed Senior Independent Director of Mutual of America and also serves as an advisor for Boston Consulting Group (BCG).