Monica L. Baskin, Ph.D., will be fifth director of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center since its NCI designation in 1975. (Photo Credit: VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center) Women by Selena Hill Dr. Monica Baskin Named 1st Black Woman To Lead NCI-Designated Cancer Center The nationally recognized health equity researcher will lead VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. The nationally recognized researcher and health equity advocate has been named director of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, making her the first Black woman to lead a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. In addition, Baskin has also become the first woman to lead Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of only 73 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the nation. “It is an honor to be named as the next director at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center,” Baskin said in a statement.