Welcome to the 2017 Accomplishments Report of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James).
2017 marked the end of an era for Ohio State’s cancer program as our longtime OSUCCC Director and James CEO, Michael A. Caligiuri, MD, stepped down in November to embark on a new career opportunity in California. Our senior executive director and COO, Jeff Walker, has also left our program for another opportunity. While we are saddened by their departures, we also are honored to have been chosen to guide the cancer program with the knowledge that our exemplary faculty and staff remain steadfast in pursuing our shared vision of a cancer-free world.
And we have a superb base for continued growth. Under our departed leaders, the OSUCCC – James enjoyed record financial performance, earned the highest possible descriptor of “exceptional” during our two most recent National Cancer Institute (NCI) site visits, received patient satisfaction scores that rank among the nation’s highest and gained a reputation as one of the most translational cancer hospitals in the country as we convert discoveries into innovative cancer care and prevention strategies.
Our more than 340 cancer researchers, who collectively represent 11 of the 15 colleges at Ohio State, generate $90 million in research funding each year, including $54 million in NCI funding. Our researchers annually produce about 1,000 publications in prestigious scientific journals, and 89 percent of those involve collaborative studies.
This report highlights our many achievements of 2017, including: peer-reviewed research studies that have furthered global knowledge of cancer; large grants we received for cancer research; success in recruiting brilliant scientists to our cancer program; prominent awards we received; far-reaching initiatives and projects that we launched and are leading; and the continuing success of Pelotonia, an annual grassroots cycling event that raises millions of dollars for cancer research at Ohio State.
Buoyed by the realization that there is no routine cancer because each case is biologically unique, our dedicated faculty, staff and volunteers will continue to help the OSUCCC – James evolve as a transformational cancer hospital that provides research-based and compassionate care for all who turn to us for help.
William Farrar, MD
Interim CEO, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
Raphael Pollock, MD, PhD
Director, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center