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10/31/2025
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Legorreta Cancer Center honors Speaker Shekarchi
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 STATE HOUSE — The Legorreta Cancer Center honored House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi for his support of cancer-related legislation at its annual membership retreat Thursday. Dr. Wafik El-Deiry, director of the Legorreta Cancer Center at Brown University, presented the award to Speaker Shekarchi.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this award from the Legorreta Cancer Center, which I respectfully share with my colleagues in the House of Representatives, who are my partners in advocacy,” said Speaker Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick). “Rhode Island is so fortunate to be home to internationally recognized health care institutions and cutting-edge research. The Legorreta Center’s work is changing lives and giving hope to countless families throughout the Ocean State and beyond. It is a privilege to support efforts that strengthen our state’s role in life-saving discovery and innovation. Thank you to Dr. El-Deiry and the entire team at the Legorreta Center and Brown University for your extraordinary commitment to health care and collaboration.”
Since 2021, when Speaker Shekarchi was first elected House Speaker, the General Assembly has passed laws aiding cancer researchers in Rhode Island, mandating full insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screenings, requiring insurers to cover biomarker testing for cancer treatment, lowering out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for cancer patients, mandating coverage of dense breast tissue screenings and banning toxic chemicals linked to cancer.
"We are lucky to have Speaker Joe Shekarchi as a champion who cares about the well-being of Rhode Islanders, including caring about effective strategies to reduce the burden of cancer in the state," said Dr. El-Deiry. "The Legorreta Cancer Center is committed to the vision of a 'cancer free Rhode Island and beyond' and looks forward to working with the Speaker and his colleagues as we pursue the highest standards of excellence and innovation."
The Legorreta Cancer Center was established in 2018 at Brown University as a world-class hub for cancer research and innovative cancer treatment. Its membership includes Brown University, the Lifespan Cancer Institute and affiliated hospitals, forming an interdisciplinary program that includes the Warren Alpert Medical School and the Schools of Public Health and Engineering at Brown.
IN PHOTO: From left, Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Dr. Wafik El-Deiry.
For more information, contact:
Larry Berman, Communications Director for the Office of the Speaker
State House Room 322
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 447-2655
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