Caroline Richburg, MD, a general surgery research resident, has received the 2026 Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award for Veteran Cancer from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The award recognizes early-career researchers whose work may help improve cancer care and outcomes.
Richburg received the award for her project, Evaluating the Impact of Sociobehavioral Comorbidities and Resource Referral on Surgical Outcomes in Veterans with Cancer. The project examines how social and behavioral health factors influence surgical outcomes for veterans and investigates approaches to enhance care through targeted support and referrals.
Her mentor, Ira Leeds, MD, MBA, ScM, emphasized the significance of the achievement and said, “That Dr. Richburg achieved this as a surgical trainee in a pan-cancer forum highlights both her strengths and the field’s desire for unique, diverse perspectives.”