Washington University Installed Dr. Bettina Drake
The cancer epidemiologist has been named the Michael F. Neidorff Professor at WashU Medicine.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Cancer
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Washington University has installed Dr. Bettina Drake as the Michael F. Neidorff Professor. The role recognizes her extensive work in cancer epidemiology at WashU Medicine and the Siteman Cancer Center.
Why it matters
Dr. Drake leads research focused on addressing racial disparities in breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer. Her efforts bridge academic science with community-based interventions to improve outcomes for underserved populations.
Dr. Drake holds a doctorate in epidemiology from the University of South Carolina and completed postdoctoral studies at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Her research includes directing the Confluence Collaborative for Community Engagement.
The players
Bettina Drake
She is a cancer epidemiologist at WashU Medicine and Siteman Cancer Center who focuses on community-based health interventions.
Michael F. Neidorff
He was the former chairman, president, and CEO of Centene who passed away in 2022.
Siteman Cancer Center
This is a comprehensive cancer research and treatment center affiliated with Washington University in St. Louis.
The details
Dr. Drake currently co-leads the Prostate Cancer Community Partnership and manages the Health on the Move program, which coordinates mobile mammography and lung cancer screenings with community health workers. Her research aims to identify and mitigate health disparities throughout the St. Louis region and beyond.
Timeline
Michael F. Neidorff died in 2022.
Dr. Bettina Drake was installed as the professor on Monday, October 5, 2026.
The Big Picture
The appointment of Dr. Drake to lead the Confluence Collaborative for Community Engagement follows a pattern set by Washington University's ongoing commitment to integrating institutional research with community-based interventions.
Residents in the St. Louis area may see enhanced access to screening services through the expanded reach of programs like Health on the Move. This research focus aims to reduce the gap in cancer outcomes for patients experiencing racial disparities in healthcare.
The takeaway
Dr. Drake's work emphasizes that effective cancer care often requires mobile and community-based solutions to reach vulnerable populations. Her new professorship is expected to deepen these partnerships between the medical community and the public.
Further reading
For more information on regional research, visit the St. Louis Cancer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by St. Louis American.
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