The 2026 NAACCR Elections will be held January 26 – February 13, 2026. NAACCR recognizes that it is fortunate to have knowledgeable, dedicated, and progressive members who volunteer each year to serve on the Board. The following individuals are running for the NAACCR Board and have submitted information for our annual edition of “Meet the Candidates.” Thank you to all the individuals below who have been nominated for the 2026 NAACCR Board of Directors election. Ballots were sent to all voting delegates on January 26, 2026 to all Voting Delegates. Please contact Charlie Blackburn if you did not receive your ballot.
President-Elect
Kevin Ward
Organization: Georgia Center for Cancer Statistics, Emory University
Number of years working in central/regional cancer registry: 29
Current position and a brief description of duties:
I am the Director of the Georgia Center for Cancer Statistics, a surveillance research center at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. I am also Faculty in the Department of Epidemiology and the current PI of the National Cancer Institute’s Georgia Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Registry. In partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health, my center operates the population-based Georgia Cancer Registry (GCR) and has done so since 1995. Data from my center furthers our understanding of cancer in Georgia and is used to develop strategies for cancer prevention and control in our state. I have worked with this center for almost 30 years and have extensive experience with surveillance systems, registry development, cancer prevention and control activities, population science, registry operations, electronic capture of cancer case data, linkage of registry data to external sources, and uses of the registry for research purposes.
Under my leadership, the Georgia Cancer Registry has a strong track record of collaborating with researchers across the nation to utilize the clinically rich data from the population-based Georgia Cancer Registry as a linkage source or sampling frame for countless research studies. Our recruitment methods employ a rigorous, multi-step protocol designed to maximize response and we consistently meet or exceed recruitment goals. Our team is proficient in all activities surrounding biospecimen and medical record acquisition, including patient consent. We are a leader in using novel methods to maximize the value of all data routinely collected in a population-based cancer registry and can facilitate linkage studies to harness the power of combined datasets.
Thoughts regarding the direction NAACCR should be moving towards and the goals the organization should be striving to attain:
NAACCR position(s):
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Strategic Planning and Alliances
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Board of Directors, Treasurer
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Board of Directors, Representative-At-Large
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Data Evaluation and Certification Committee
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Case Completeness Task Force
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Research and Data Use Steering Committee
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Professional Development Steering Committee
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Program Committee
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Survival Analysis Workgroup
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Short Course Instructor
Representative-at-Large
Megsys Herna, BA, ODS
Organization: Florida Cancer Data System
Number of years working in central/regional cancer registry: 38
Current position and a brief description of duties:
Sr. Manager of Data Acquisition, Education and Training Program, and Quality Control/Tumor Consolidation Systems.
For nearly four decades, I have led statewide cancer data collection, data quality, and education programs at the Florida Cancer Data System (FCDS). In my current role, I oversee operations across hundreds of reporting facilities, direct the Statewide Data Quality and Education & Training Programs, manage annual audits, and guide transitions to new record layouts and standards. These responsibilities have given me a deep, practical understanding of registry operations from data acquisition and validation to training, compliance, and stakeholder engagement.
Thoughts regarding the direction NAACCR should be moving towards and the goals the organization should be striving to attain:
NAACCR position(s):
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Member, NAACCR ICD-O-3 Implementation Task Force (2022–Present)
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Member, NAACCR Edits Workgroup (2006–Present)
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Member, NAACCR Uniform Data Standards Committee (2004–Present)
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Member, NAACCR Discharge and Claims Data Task Force (2021–2023)
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Member, Collaborative Staging Version 2 Work Group (2008–2009)
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Co-chair, NAACCR Planning Committee Annual Conference and Workshops
Jamie Musco, MA, ODS
Organization: New York State Cancer Registry
Number of years working in central/regional cancer registry: 16
Current position and a brief description of duties:
NAACCR position(s):
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I have not held a position on the NAACCR board of directors; however, I have actively participated in various NAACCR workgroups, both in the past and currently. For a comprehensive list of the workgroups and taskforces I have been involved with, please refer to my resume.
Jessica Link Reeve, DrPH, MPH, MCHES
Organization: Wisconsin Cancer Reporting System
Number of years working in central/regional cancer registry: 4
Current position and a brief description of duties:
As the Director of the Wisconsin Cancer Reporting System, I lead the strategic planning, development, and implementation of the state’s cancer registry to ensure comprehensive data coordination. In this role, I direct annual work plans and evaluations while managing all fiscal aspects of our grants and contracts. I am responsible for directing and supervising all registry staff performing surveillance, data analysis, data modernization, quality assurance and information systems administration functions critical to cancer surveillance. Beyond operational oversight, I serve as the primary liaison for the registry by providing expert consultation to the legislature, media, and research organizations.
For the past 15 years, I have worked in chronic disease and registry work, previously directing the Wisconsin Trauma Registry and Wisconsin Coverdell Stroke Registry. I am passionate about advocating for funding, educating decision makers on the role of the registry, and making sure we are training the next generation. I facilitate monthly conversations with a group of small but mighty registries that rely mostly on CDC grant funds and have small teams. We all have our own unique strengths, and I would love to see our small registries highlighted more at the national level.
Thoughts regarding the direction NAACCR should be moving towards and the goals the organization should be striving to attain:
Effective advocacy for policy and funding at federal and state levels must remain a priority to protect and enhance cancer registry functions, ensuring that the vital role of cancer surveillance in research, public health, and cancer control is understood and supported by decision-makers. By focusing on inclusivity, practical funding solutions, and strengthening the collective voice of all registries within the NAACCR framework, I will work to move the organization forward in ways that are strategic, equitable, and sustainable.
I strongly believe NAACCR should continue to build on its core strategic pillars while strengthening support for registries operating with limited resources. I want to advocate for opportunities that help registries innovate and sustain high-quality operations. As someone who wears multiple hats at the registry, I initially found it hard to see where I belonged and where I could have the most impact. I want to make sure everyone sees a spot for themselves at NAACCR and finds a way to get involved.
NAACCR is at a pivotal point as cancer surveillance rapidly adapts to new technologies, data ecosystems, and workforce realities. The initiatives in the strategic plan reinforce NAACCR’s core mission of ensuring high-quality, timely, and actionable population-based cancer data across North America while preparing for the future of cancer surveillance. The strategic plan combined with inclusivity and practical funding solutions will strengthen the collective voice of all the registries within NAACCR.
NAACCR position(s):
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NAACCR Upkeep Workgroup 2025-present
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NAACCR Central Registry Mentee 2023-2024
