ASCO Post Features Bloomfield Among Foremost Leaders in Oncology
Clara D. Bloomfield, MD, a Distinguished University Professor who also serves as cancer scholar and senior adviser to the OSUCCC – James, was featured in a special anniversary issue supplement of The ASCO Post as one of 10 prominent leaders in oncology and hematology. Titled “Narratives in Oncology,” the supplement (June 10, 2013, Vol. 4, Issue 9, Supplement 1) profiles leaders in cancer care and research “who have taught, inspired and helped lead the way in oncology research and clinical care of patients with cancer.” Bloomfield’s profile can be read online at Distinguished Researcher Changed the Face of Hematologic Malignancies.
Clinton Appointed to National Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
Steven K. Clinton, MD, PhD, professor of Medical Oncology at Ohio State and leader of the Molecular Carcinogenesis and Chemo-prevention Program at the OSUCCC – James, is one of 15 nationally recognized experts appointed to serve on the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. The appointments were announced by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who said the Committee’s recommendations will serve as a basis for the eighth edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans – the foundation for national nutrition programs, standards and education.
Byrd Receives Freireich Award for Clinical Cancer Research
John C. Byrd, MD, a nationally renowned leukemia specialist and researcher at the OSUCCC – James, received the Emil J. Freireich Award for Clinical Cancer Research. This award goes to candidates 55 and younger who have made outstanding contributions to clinical research. Byrd, who directs the Division of Hematology at Ohio State and is co-director of the Leukemia Research Program at the OSUCCC – James, was selected from a range of candidates within the areas of clinical research in hematology and solid tumors. The award is presented annually during the MD Anderson-sponsored Foundations of Clinical Cancer Research event in March.
Croce Wins National & International Awards for Cancer Contributions
Carlo Croce, MD, director of Human Cancer Genetics at Ohio State, was elected to the first class of the Fellows of the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Academy. The class was inducted at the 2013 AACR Annual Meeting. The AACR Academy recognizes scientists whose contributions have propelled significant innovation and progress against cancer. Croce also received the seventh annual Princess Takamatsu Memorial Lectureship at the AACR Annual Meeting, where he presented “Causes and Consequences of microRNA Dysregulation in Cancer.” In addition, the InBev-Baillet Latour Fund awarded its 2013 Health Prize to Croce for outstanding contributions to the field of cancer. The prize was awarded in Brussels, Belgium.
Caligiuri Chosen to Serve on AACR Board of Directors
OSUCCC Director and James CEO Michael A. Caligiuri, MD, is one of five distinguished scientists elected by members of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) to serve on the AACR Board of Directors for the 2013- 16 term. The board members were introduced at the AACR Annual Meeting. The AACR is the world’s first and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure cancer. It marshals the full spectrum of expertise of the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, biology, diagnosis and treatment of cancer by annually convening more than 20 conferences and workshops.
Carbone Gains Landon Foundation - AACR Innovator Award
David Carbone, MD, PhD, who leads the thoracic oncology center at the OSUCCC – James, received the Sixth Annual Landon Foundation – AACR INNOVATOR Award for International Collaboration in Cancer Research. Presented by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and the Kirk A. and Dorothy P. Landon Foundation, the award supports an international cancer research collaboration by supplementing existing funding and providing the means to facilitate travel, train in new techniques and disseminate knowledge gained from the collaboration. Carbone’s project, “Molecular Profile of Lung Adenocarcinoma in Brazil,” is part of a collaboration between American-and Brazilian-based laboratories to better understand the molecular profile of lung cancer in the Brazilian population. Carbone is also serving a two-year term (2013-15) as president-elect of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer.
Porcu Elected President of National Lymphoma Consortium
Pierluigi Porcu, MD, associate professor in the Division of Hematology at Ohio State and a member of the Viral Oncology Program at the OSUCCC – James, was elected to a three-year term as president of the United States Cutaneous Lymphoma Consortium (USCLC), a multidisciplinary society of physicians who collaborate in research and education to improve the quality of life and prognosis of patients with cutaneous lymphoma. Porcu previously served as secretary-treasurer of the USCLC, which is based in Deerfield, Ill. He will continue to serve as chair of the Medical Affairs Committee of the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation.
Pollock Co-Chains SFA Medical Advisory Board
Raphael E. Pollock, MD, PhD, professor and director of the Division of Surgical Oncology at Ohio State, was named co-chair of the Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) Medical Advisory Board. The SFA, the largest sarcoma patient advocacy group in the nation, raises funds to support basic research focused on developing therapies for this disease, a rare cancer in adults but rather prevalent in children. The SFA seeks grant proposals each October and accepts applications until Jan. 31. The Medical Advisory Board reviews and approves all SFA grant recipients. Pollock’s clinical practice and laboratory research focus on soft tissue sarcoma.
OSUCCC – James Achieves Prestigious Magnet® Designation
After countless hours of work by nurses, faculty and staff over the past few years, the OSUCCC – James achieved the highly prestigious Magnet® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Only 392 hospitals out of more than 6,000 across the United States have earned Magnet status. The Magnet Recognition Program® recognizes health care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. The James applied for Magnet Recognition® in February 2011 and submitted an application of approximately 3,100 pages in February 2013. After the application scored in the “excellence” range, the hospital earned a Magnet site visit in July. OSUCCC – James nursing leaders and staff received official word of the designation on Sept. 19.
Pelotonia Revenue Tops $61 Million in Just 5 Years
Riders, virtual riders and donors in Pelotonia 13, the annual grassroots bicycle tour that generates money for cancer research at the OSUCCC – James, raised a record $19,007,104 and brought the five-year fundraising total for Pelotonia to more than $61 million. Pelotonia 13, which unfolded Aug. 9-11 between Columbus and Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, drew a record 6,723 riders from 41 states and nine countries. It also attracted 3,451 virtual riders and 2,445 volunteers. Among the participants were 1,899 members of Team Buckeye, the official super-peloton (riding group) of Ohio State. Thanks to Pelotonia’s generous sponsors, every cent raised by riders, virtual riders and donors goes to cancer research at the OSUCCC – James.
New Cancer Hospital Nearing Completion
Leveraging its academic depth and breadth, The Ohio State University is transforming the way cancer is prevented, detected, treated and cured by creating the model 21st century cancer hospital. Opening in late 2014, the new James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute will combine the discoveries of more than 300 cancer researchers from 12 of the University’s 14 colleges with the expertise of more than 200 cancer subspecialists to deliver more effective ways to prevent and treat individual cancers. Ohio State has demonstrated that there is no routine cancer and that each cancer is unique, driven by molecules and markers in each person that enable his or her malignancy to survive, grow and move. The new James promises the discovery and delivery of the world’s most targeted cancer preventions and treatments, leading to more options, faster responses, fewer side effects and improved outcomes.