Welcome to Ireland Cancer Center Update.
Ireland Cancer Center Update is intended to showcase the important research and outstanding recruitments that occur here on a daily basis.
This fall issue highlights the work of our GI malignancy multidisciplinary team. This team of surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and pathologists reviews each case and coordinates the care by establishing care paths for every patient in a prospective manner. I know of no better way to ensure that our patients receive outstanding care than to make certain that every case undergoes rigorous scrutiny and discussion by our multidisciplinary teams of experts. You may wish to contact the team about one of your patients. If you are an oncologist, you are welcome to join the weekly tumor board conference and present your case.
In other important news, Cynthia Owusu MD, MPH, joined the Ireland Cancer Center in July. Dr. Owusu, from Boston University School of Medicine, has strong interests in geriatric oncology and a particular focus on breast cancer in African American women. Her unique practice will benefit an underserved portion of our patient population, and her research – tolerance to chemotherapy and current approaches to improve early diagnosis – has far-reaching implications.
When Dr. Owusu was recruited, we opened a new position in our junior faculty training grant for clinical oncology research (NCI K12). As an article in this issue reports, the K-12 grant offers a fantastic opportunity to give our faculty “protected time” to develop clinical research skills. Clearly, this program is one of the most important investments we can make in our cancer center.
We continue to progress diligently in the final concept stages for our new cancer hospital. When this ambitious project reaches fruition, it will culminate in the opening of the only free-standing cancer hospital in northern Ohio. You can expect more details in our next issue.
Finally, welcome to the Ireland Cancer Center at UH Case Medical Center. As you know, University Hospitals has forged a 50-year primary affiliation with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. By doing so, the Ireland Cancer Center has, for the first time, officially linked its name to the internationally recognized name of the university. We are extremely proud of this distinction.
Sincerely,
Stanton L. Gerson, MD
Director, Ireland Cancer Center
& Case Comprehensive Cancer Center