OncLive® and The Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers announce recipients of the 2026 Luminary Awards in GI Cancers.

This award program recognizes individuals whose contributions to GI cancer research and patient care have made a lasting impact in their field.

CRANBURY, N.J., Sept. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OncLive^®, the nation’s leading multimedia resource for oncology professionals, and Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers are honored to announce the winners of the 2026 Luminary Awards in GI Cancers.

The Luminary Awards in GI Cancers celebrate individuals who have furthered research and improved outcomes for those affected by gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Through their leadership and commitment to excellence, these honorees have left a lasting impact on health care.

The 2026 honorees are:

H. Richard Alexander Jr., M.D., FACS
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Al B. Benson III, M.D., FACP, FACCC, FASCO
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center

Elizabeth Jaffee, M.D., FAACR, FACP, FAAAS, FAIO
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Lynn M. Matrisian, Ph.D., MBA
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

Louis M. Weiner, M.D.
Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center

An awards ceremony recognizing the honorees will take place on Nov. 19, 2026, in the Riggs Library at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., during the 17th Annual Ruesch Center Symposium.

“We chose the title “Luminary” for good reason — these are individuals who were inspired to shine light into the darkness so that others could see the way forward,” said John L. Marshall, M.D., director of the Ruesch Center.

The Ruesch Center is a global leader in the fight against GI cancers, offering a unique, personalized approach to treatment. The Ruesch Center focuses exclusively on GI cancers, driving innovative research, clinical trials and individualized therapies. With over 50 active clinical trials and a biorepository of tissue and blood samples, it is at the forefront of advancing science.

OncLive is proud to partner with the Ruesch Center each year to honor outstanding individuals with this award.

“This year’s honorees represent every angle of the fight against gastrointestinal cancers, from the operating room to the research lab to patient advocacy, and each has given a career, not a moment, to moving the field forward,” said Robert M. Goldsmith, senior vice president of corporate development at MJH Life Sciences^®.

For registration information and to purchase tickets, please visit the registration page.

About OncLive

The leading digital platform and multichannel resource for practicing oncologists, OncLive offers oncology professionals peer-to-peer insights, news and practical information they can use to provide the best patient care. OncLive is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service health care engagement network in North America, dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels.

About The Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers

The Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers is part of Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. It focuses on personalized patient care and the fight against gastrointestinal cancers. The Ruesch Center provides the highest standard of care and individualized cures through clinical trials and research, education and advocacy, and regional and global alliances.

About MJH Life Sciences

MJH Life Sciences is the largest privately held, independent, full-service health care engagement network in North America dedicated to delivering trusted health care news, education and data-informed insights to over 7 million health care decision-makers across multiple channels. With a diverse portfolio of leading brands, events and multimedia solutions, we connect health care professionals with the latest advancements and expert perspectives. Committed to driving meaningful change in health care, we strive to make an impact through innovation and excellence. For more information about MJH, visit https://www.mjhlifesciences.com/.

Media Contacts:
Robert M. Goldsmith
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development
MJH Life Sciences
rgoldsmith@mjhlifesciences.com

Kristin Sneegas, M.S.
Deputy Director
The Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center
kristin.sneegas@georgetown.edu

Helen Varvatsoulis
Marketing Coordinator
MJH Life Sciences
hvarvatsoulis@mjhlifesciences.com