The James’ 30th Anniversary

On July 9, 2020, the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute reached another milestone in its history for it was on this date three decades ago that Arthur G. James, MD, escorted the first patient into the original James and opened a new era of research-based and compassionate cancer care for the residents of central Ohio and beyond.

The hospital had only 17 inpatients on its first day, but that date marked the fulfillment of Dr. James’ longtime dream of establishing a freestanding cancer hospital at Ohio State — a dream that represented a huge step toward realizing his ultimate vision of a world without cancer.

Although much has changed at The James in the past 30 years, including the December 2014 opening of a much larger hospital that more closely integrates our mission of research, education and patient care, our shared vision of creating a cancer-free world remains unaltered.

Midway through construction of the original cancer hospital, Dr. James — a surgical oncologist who joined Ohio State’s medical staff in 1947 — wrote that, during early-morning patient rounds, he often passed a large window that offered a great view of the construction site. “On a morning when the sun is just beginning to rise,” he observed, “the hospital makes a very impressive picture. It is obvious that a new day is dawning.”

Thanks to continuing research and technological advances that translate to ever-improving cancer care we can be certain that new days still dawn at The James.

We encourage you to review the materials below for a measure of historical perspective.