Dr. Sana Al-Sukhun
Dr. Al Sukhun is a Consultant in Medical Oncology/Hematology, president of the Jordanian Society of American Medical Graduates, and immediate past president of the Jordanian Oncology Society- the first woman oncologist elected president of the oncology society in the region. She is actively involved in numerous professional organizations, including ESMO & ASCO, where she served on several committees; currently Co-Chair of Metastatic Breast Cancer Resource Stratified Guideline Committee of ASCO, she served as Chair of International Affairs Committee of ASCO, Co-Chair of the Resource Stratified Guideline Advisory Group of ASCO - first Arab woman oncologist to chair both committees, member of the International Education Steering Group of ASCO, member of the Global Policy Committee of ESMO, member of the NCCN- Middle East & North Africa (MENA) committee, member of breast cancer core faculty of the European School of Oncology, member EUTROC and many other regional and international societies.
Dr. Sana Al Sukhun earned her medical degree from the University of Jordan with honors. She pursued a Master of Science, majoring in cancer biology, from Wayne State University (WSU) in Michigan. She completed her internal medicine residency at Detroit Medical Centre, followed by postdoctoral research at WSU, while pursuing her fellowship in Medical Oncology and hematology at Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute at WSU. She is American board-certified in internal medicine, medical Oncology & hematology. She is the first oncologist in the region to hold those boards with a primary science degree addressing cancer biology (molecular oncology).
Dr. Al-Sukhun served as Director of Breast and Gynecology Services at King Hussein Cancer Centre and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Jordan. She has helped establish the National Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Program in Jordan, contributed to the MENA edition of the NCCN breast cancer guidelines, contributed to the 2014 UICC Review of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Model List of Essential Medicines for Cancer, and participated in reviewing National Cancer Control Plans submitted to WHO.
She organized & chaired the first conference on Breast Cancer in Jordan, mainly focusing on the concept of "Neoadjuvant therapy" in 2004, introducing the idea in the region, and organized and chaired many other national and regional meetings. She is the recipient of multiple national and regional awards, including "The Distinguished Woman Physician Leader" award from SIGI under the patronage of HIVOS & Ministry of Affairs in the Netherlands, May 20, 2017, and "The Arab Medical Association Against Cancer -AMAAC Recognition Award," for supporting oncology education and cancer awareness in the Arab region, Beirut, April 2014. "Women in Oncology- MENA" for pioneering oncology work in the area, from Emirates Oncology Society, Sep. 2020. In June of 2023, she was awarded Fellow of ASCO for volunteering service and dedication to improving patient outcomes around the globe- the first Arab oncologist awarded this fellowship in appreciation of work from the region.
Dr. Al Sukhun is mainly interested in translational research, particularly tailoring biologic and immune-based therapies according to predictors of response/ resistance to systemic treatment targeting breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and other solid tumors. In addition, her work focuses on advocating for greater awareness of cancer, its regional impact, and the importance of research to overcome cancer and improve access to proper health care.
