We are thrilled to celebrate Dr. Laura Esserman, Principal Investigator of the WISDOM Study and Director of the UCSF Breast Care Center, who has been named the 2026 recipient of the AIM-HI Beacon Award for Women Leaders in Oncology. The Beacon Award recognizes outstanding women leaders whose work has made a significant impact on cancer treatment, detection, and diagnosis.
Dr. Esserman was selected unanimously by the award’s Blue Ribbon Selection Committee in recognition of more than two decades of leadership transforming breast cancer research and care. The award highlights her pioneering work across WISDOM, I-SPY, RECAST DCIS, and the Athena Breast Health Network—all advancing a shared vision for more personalized breast cancer screening, prevention, and treatment.
In accepting the honor, Dr. Esserman credited the patients, participants, collaborators, advocates, and trainees who have made this progress possible. We are especially grateful to our WISDOM participants and supporters, whose contributions are helping build the evidence needed to bring personalized screening and prevention into clinical care.
Read the full announcement here.
