Dr. Karen Winkfield is a radiation oncologist specializing in the treatment of hematologic and breast malignancies. As the executive director of the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance, she leverages her expertise as an implementation scientist to focus on improving health outcomes for underserved populations through community-engaged research and community-based initiatives; designed to improve access to healthcare including clinical trials.

Dr. Winkfield obtained her MD and PhD degrees at Duke University and completed residency at Harvard. Her leadership roles have focused on developing bi-directional communication between researchers and the community to ensure equitable access to care regardless of race/ethnicity, geographic location, or socioeconomic status. She is a thought leader espousing the importance of workforce diversity to improve health equity.

Dr. Winkfield was recently appointed by President Biden to the National Cancer Advisory Board in addition to being elected to ASCO Board.