2009 Gold Medal Tribute

Article Outline

 

William U. Shipley, M.D., FASTRO

Tribute by J. Frank Wilson, M.D., FASTRO

The ASTRO Gold Medal symbolizes the highest esteem of the Society. It is a prestigious recognition reserved for those individuals whose outstanding contributions have brought great credit to the Society and to our profession, as well as to themselves. William U. Shipley is a most deserving recipient of the 2009 Gold Medal award.

Dr. Shipley was born in Hartford, Connecticut and attended Yale University prior to medical studies at Harvard Medical School. During clinical and research training in surgery, he spent two years working in Mort Elkinds radiation biology laboratory at NCI and then undertook radiation oncology residency training(1971-1973) at the Harvard Joint Center for Radiation Therapy. There he excelled and was awarded an opportunity to pursue further studies in the U.K. with Gordon Steele at the Royal Marsden Hospital and the Institute for Cancer Research. In 1974, he was recruited by Herman Suit to the Harvard radiation oncology faculty, Massachusetts General Hospital, where Dr. Shipley has remained, rising to the rank of Professor and occupant of the Andres Soriano Professorship of Radiation Oncology.

Bill and I met very briefly as we transitioned at the NCI nearly 40 years ago. I was a bit intimidated by his energetic aura and his trademark “papillon” left an indelible impression. Little did I realize that our paths would continue to intersect over time leading up to this opportunity to reflect upon his remarkable career and achievements.

Bill Shipley is a pioneering force of nature in radiation oncology and has deservedly earned national and international acclaim as a radiation oncologist of the first rank. As a clinical scientist and educator par excellence, he represents radiation oncology and ASTRO in a truly outstanding manner at every level. His worldwide reputation as a thought leader relative to the management of genitourinary cancer over many years is indisputable. Innovative well organized clinical research, conceptualized and performed under his leadership, defined the basis for many of the modern clinical treatment paradigms for genitourinary cancer, particularly bladder cancer. Because of his vigorous leadership over time, the central role of radiation therapy in the successful management of genitourinary cancer became widely established at a critical time and has since been maintained.

Dr. Shipley has long been at the forefront of clinical research efforts related to genitourinary cancer. He served as chairman of the RTOG Genitourinary Committee from 1987 to 1997, raising its stature to an unprecedented level of success and recognition. Jim Cox, former RTOG PI, has stated, “there is little doubt that he was a major contributor to the success of RTOG during that period and to its continued success”. Furthermore, over the last 20 years he has ably represented radiation oncology on national and international consensus and policy development panels related to genitourinary cancer, too numerous to inventory. In addition, he served a vitally important role on the NIH Study Section. In 1996, he led the ASTRO Prostate Cancer Failure Definition Symposium that formulated the first definition of biochemical failure after treatment and laid the groundwork for a systematic approach to the use of an intermediate endpoint for this typically protracted disease. As Howard Thames has remarked, “Bill Shipley initiated and led the changes that ultimately resulted in significant improvements not only in how we treat prostate cancer, but also in how we analyze the results of those treatments”. These extensive professional involvements, demonstrate the value broadly placed upon Dr Shipley's expertise and leadership; attributes that have also been recognized with Fellowship in both ASTRO and the ACR.

Bill Shipley pioneered bladder radiation and later chemo-radiation combined with trans-urethral resection as a means of achieving bladder conservation for muscle-invading cancer in an era when total cystectomy was almost universally practiced. As Ted Lawrence recently observed, “Bill is one of the very few people in our field to develop a concept from the ground floor and to have seen it move from their own institution to a national and international setting”. Dr. Shipley is almost certainly in the singular with regard to having the resultant chemo-radiation treatment regimen become labeled with his own surname, i.e. “The Shipley Regimen”.

Dr. Shipley's extensive contributions to medical literature, including more than 300 scientific papers, chapters, books, and other materials, have significantly influenced practice patterns for genitourinary cancer. These publications stand as a coherent body of work focused almost entirely, since 1979, upon his major disease interests. He serves on the editorial boards or as associate editor of the leading scientific journals related to his fields of study.

In service to the Society, Bill has served on the ASTRO board of directors and numerous committees and task forces. He is a constant presence at the annual scientific meeting where his refresher course is arguably the longest running component of the educational program. He has also passionately enhanced ASTRO's international position and educational mission. He has energized and assisted with ASTRO sponsored educational programs in developing countries, personally providing courses in India, Chile, and Mexico. Finally, he coordinated ground breaking collaborative educational activities with the Philippine Radiation Oncology Society and the IAEA Asian Regional Training Program held in Manila in 2006. This program involved other ASTRO travelling faculty, nearly all Philippine radiation oncologists, and delegates from 12 other Asian countries. International goodwill that ASTRO has derived from providing such far reaching educational benefits is highly significant and has promoted the worldwide influence of the Society.

At a personal level, Bill is a warm, generous, and charming individual. Possessed of extraordinary commitment to the advancement of radiation oncology and of ASTRO, he has a genuine concern for his colleagues and their work. He is impeccably honest as a clinical scientist and as a physician and by his example and actions, Bill has inspired countless students, residents, and practicing physicians. He has mentored and supported a next generation of expert leaders, many already notable in their own right, who revere him, and will continue the work that he began so well. With his beloved wife, Jenzie a delightful companion at his side, they have served in an excellent manner as warm and welcoming ambassadors of ASTRO dedicated to enlarging the global reach and impact of the Society.