Dr. Catheryn Yashar President-elect of ASTRO

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has elected Dr. Catheryn M. Yashar, MD, FASTRO, as its next President. She will begin her term as President-elect on September 30 at ASTRO’s 67th Annual Meeting in San Francisco and assume the presidency in September 2026.

Other newly elected officers include Jonathan Strauss, MD, MBA, as Secretary/Treasurer-elect; Anita Mahajan, MD, FASTRO, as Health Policy Council Vice Chair; and David J. Carlson, PhD, FASTRO, as Science Council Vice Chair.

Dr. Yashar is a professor of radiation medicine and applied sciences at the University of California, San Diego, where she serves as Chief Medical Officer and Associate Dean for UCSD Health. A national leader in brachytherapy and cancer care, she also chairs ASTRO’s Health Policy Council and has held leadership roles with the American Brachytherapy Society and the American Board of Radiology.

Her priorities as ASTRO President include advancing fair reimbursement models such as the Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Act, expanding collaboration with other specialties, and raising awareness of radiation therapy’s role in both cancer and non-cancer treatments.

“Radiation oncology is an essential pillar of modern cancer care, defined by precision, compassion and a commitment to care that is both cutting-edge and deeply personal,” said Dr. Yashar. “Each year, we cure more cancers with fewer complications — delivering safe, life-changing care.”

“As ASTRO President, I intend to amplify our specialty’s unique voice. By deepening collaboration with other disciplines, supporting research that transforms our field and advocating for policies that reflect the true worth of our care, we can ensure radiation oncology remains at the forefront of patient-centered, outcome-driven medicine.”