Four Weill Cornell Medicine investigators received the Ritu Banga Healthcare Disparities Research Awards, recognizing innovative research that will help close care gaps in clinical settings. Endowed through a generous $5 million gift from Board of Fellows member Ritu Banga and her husband, Ajay Banga, each $50,000 award supports projects aimed at improving health outcomes for populations that have historically faced systemic barriers to care.
“It is an honor to help bring to life the Bangas' vision of a health care system where everyone can experience high-quality care,” said Dr. Lola Brown, associate dean of research and assistant professor of research education in anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine. “This year’s awardees are making important contributions to improve the health of all.”
Three of the awardees are tackling disparities in cancer care, which is critical considering more than 2 million new casesof cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year alone. “The Meyer Cancer Center was pleased to provide supplemental funding to these important awards, which further our mission of expanding research-driven clinical care to all patients,” said Dr. Julie Boyer, executive director of administration and strategy at the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center and associate research professor of molecular biology in medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine.