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Hall named a 2021 Women of Achievement honoree for health advocacy

By Madeline Brophy |

Lannis E. Hall, MD, MPH, director of radiation oncology at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital, has been selected as a 2021 Women of Achievement honoree. The recognition is for her commitment to improving access to cancer prevention, treatment and education – and to outcomes – in underserved communities.

Established in 1955, the St. Louis Women of Achievement Award recognizes the volunteer service and leadership of women from across the region. Hall is one of 10 volunteers recently honored at the 66th Women of Achievement Awards Celebration.

“It’s humbling,” she said. “I’m so honored the amazing ladies who comprise the Women of Achievement thought I was deserving of this extraordinary recognition.”

Hall, who treats patients at Siteman-St. Peters, also is an associate professor of clinical radiation oncology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. At Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital, she is chair of the Cancer Oncology Conference and treasurer of the Medical Executive Committee.

Hall has dedicated her life to reducing cancer disparities and promoting health and wellness, both in and outside the clinic. She is a leader of Siteman’s Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities (PECaD), co-founded the Prostate Cancer Coalition support group, has served on the board of The Breakfast Club support group for breast cancer patients and survivors, and works with more than 100 churches to promote the prevention and early detection of cancer.

Hall also encourages patients and their loved ones to become health advocates and to promote wellness in their families and communities.

“Unless you’re living on an island, it’s impossible to avoid the suffering confronted too often by family, friends and loved ones facing a cancer diagnosis,” she said. “I try to convey an urgent and powerful message about prevention. The goal is to keep our families and our neighborhoods healthy. There are so many outstanding community cancer advocacy groups in our region. I encourage everyone to get involved because we’re all in this together.”

For Hall, preventing cancer and improving outcomes hits close to home too.

“I lost three grandparents to preventable malignancies,” she said. “Many people believe that cancer is something you have no control over, but early detection and prevention are important keys.  With all the incredible advances in technology and treatments, for many, cancer is no longer an inescapable confrontation with misery and pain.”