A New Face of Leadership

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute recently welcomed Karen Moran Saunders from Clarks Summit as its new executive leader.  She replaces former longtime President, Robert Durkin, who resigned in August 2013, to become President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.

A former marketing manager at Northeastern Pennsylvania Imaging Center, Ms. Moran Saunders formerly served on the Cancer Institute’s Board of Directors and has volunteered at institute fundraisers.  She also serves on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Manager’s NEPA Chapter.

Following Mr. Durkin’s resignation, the Cancer Institute’s executive committee, comprised of both former and current Board members, along with a search firm, worked to identify the most-qualified candidate to serve as the new leader of the Cancer Institute.

Mr. Peter Danchak, Chairman of the Cancer Institute’s Board of Directors, says Ms. Moran Saunders was the ideal candidate.  “She brings much strength to the position, including her experience in the health care industry and her years of involvement with the Cancer Institute as a volunteer and advocate in which she demonstrated her dedication to its mission of easing the burden of cancer in Northeastern Pennsylvania.”

Ms. Moran Saunders is a graduate of Scranton Prep High School.  She later attended the University of Scranton, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing.

As president of the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Ms. Moran Saunders will be responsible for the development and management of annual and long-term operations plans, community and business partnerships, legislative relationships, organizational marketing and outreach, and fund/resource development.

Ms. Moran Saunders says as President of the Cancer Institute she plans to “maintain an entrepreneurial culture with shared visions and achieve the long term goal of meeting the evolving needs of the community NRCI serves.”