This #WorldCancerDay, we are celebrating the legacy of pioneering colorectal cancer surgeon Dr. Kenneth A. Forde. In 1959, Forde graduated from Columbia's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons as the only Black student in his class. Soon after, he joined the faculty at ColumbiaMed, where he became an early advocate for colorectal cancer screening. In 2000, Dr. Forde appeared as Katie Couric’s doctor during a segment on the TodayShow, documenting her first-ever colonoscopy. The now-famous story is credited with boosting public awareness of the procedure and its importance. Dr. Forde is remembered at Columbia as a mentor and early champion of diversity in medicine, whose legacy continues through the Kenneth A. Forde Diversity Alliance. Established in 2014, the group brings together underrepresented medical students, residents, faculty, and researchers for networking, leadership development, and community service opportunities. To learn more about Dr. Forde and his legacy, visit t...