Fairfax, Va., July 29, 2010 - The American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is pleased to announce promotions in the Government Relations, Communications and Education departments.

Dave Adler will become the new director of government relations. Adler joined ASTRO in December 2006 and has held positions as government relations representative and assistant director of government relations, where he was responsible for representing ASTRO and the interests of radiation oncology on Capitol Hill. As director he will be responsible for developing and managing activities of the department in areas such as federal legislation, federal agency relations and state government relations. He will also oversee ASTRO PAC, ASTRO's political action committee, and ASTRO's annual Advocacy Day.

Beth Bukata has been promoted to director of communications. She has been with ASTRO for seven years, serving as assistant director for five of those years. Bukata will be responsible for expanding media relations and press programs at ASTRO meetings, overseeing all Society communications and managing ASTRO's award winning public awareness campaign. She will also continue to work on RT Answers, ASTRO's patient website and oversee ASTRO's Survivor Circle program.

Janet Mitchell has been promoted to assistant director of the Annual Meeting after serving as education manager and will be responsible for overseeing and managing the scientific program for ASTRO's Annual Meeting, which attracts approximately 12,000 members of the radiation oncology treatment team every year. Mitchell will also continue to be the liaison for ASTRO's International Education Subcommittee and the International Outreach Program.

"ASTRO's decision to promote Dave, Beth and Janet was an easy one. Their leadership skills, extensive knowledge of their respective departments and energy they devote to their jobs have not gone unnoticed," Laura Thevenot, ASTRO CEO, said. "I have confidence they will be key leaders of ASTRO."

ASTRO is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with more than 10,000 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. As the leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and physics, the Society is dedicated to improving patient care through education, clinical practice, advancement of science and advocacy. For more information on radiation therapy, visit www.rtanswers.org. To learn more about ASTRO, visit www.astro.org.

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