William B. Fisher, MD, has dedicated his life to improving the lives of patients with cancer. As a practicing oncologist for more than 40 years, he has been a mentor to generations of residents and fellows at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Ind.

In 1984, Fisher co-founded Hoosier Oncology Group (now Hoosier Cancer Research Network), and served as vice chair of the organization until 2000. He has remained a strong supporter of the vision to bring together academic and community physicians to expand patient access to clinical trials throughout the state of Indiana.

Fisher and his wife, Terri, are financial supporters of cancer research, as well, through the George and Sarah Jane Fisher Fund. He established the fund in the mid 1990s in memory of his mother, Sarah Jane, and brother, George, both of whom died of cancer within the span of three years.

Fisher has created two awards through the fund:

• The Sandra Turner Award for Clinical Excellence honors the life of Hoosier Cancer Research Network’s first executive director, Sandra Turner, who lost her own battle with lung cancer. The award recognizes nurses, data managers, and clinical research coordinators from HCRN member institutions who demonstrate sustained professional commitment, contribution to the progress of oncology care, and an unflinching touch of compassion.
• The George and Sarah Jane Fisher Young Investigator Award, named in honor of Fisher’s mother and brother, recognizes Indiana University oncology fellows and faculty who have made significant contributions to clinical or basic science research, by providing support for research conducted in collaboration with Hoosier Cancer Research Network.

Fisher’s interest in medicine began in childhood. His father was an internist in New Castle, Ind., and his older brother George also chose a career in medicine. Fisher studied pre-med at Wittenberg University. He attended medical school at the University of Pennsylvania, where his interest in oncology was sparked by Peter Nowell, MD, one of the co-discoverers of the Philadelphia chromosome, an abnormality associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Fisher pursued a residency and fellowship at Case Western Reserve University where many of his mentors, including George Bernier, MD, were hematologists. Following his fellowship, Fisher entered the military and served for three years at Fort Carson in Colorado, where he practiced hematology/oncology. He strongly considered a career in the military, but his desire to return to the Midwest and establish roots in community practice led him to Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Ind., in 1976, where he continues to practice today.

Over the years, Fisher has witnessed a transformation in cancer treatment. In the early years of his practice, drugs were developed and administered with little or no understanding of what led to the growth of cancer cells. “Of course, now we’ve evolved to the point where we know so much more about the growth and proliferation of a cancer cell, and the key driver mutations in some cancers,” he says. “We’re beginning to see that the future is going to be bright.”

Fisher believes strongly in the role individual contributors can play in furthering advances in research. Even small monetary gifts, he says, when joined together can make a tremendous impact in the fight against cancer.

Hoosier Cancer Research Network gratefully acknowledges the generous contributions Dr. Fisher has made to cancer research through the George and Sarah Jane Fisher Fund and through his leadership in oncology practice in Indiana.