action: UTHSCADean, issue: 0510
The Path to a Cancer-Free Texas
Cancer Therapy and Research Center - Choosing Life Over Cancer
Last years renewal of our National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation for the Cancer Therapy & Research Center (CTRC) was another great step in the CTRC's path of being a comprehensive resource for patients and physicians dealing with cancer in Central and South Texas. The CTRC became a part of the School of Medicine a little over two years ago and continues to be a source of pride and recognition for the School and the entire Health Science Center. Running an academic cancer center and building a line of integrated, multi-disciplinary clinical services, with extensive research and academic missions, is no small task and has not been without challenges. It also has not been without triumphs, including our NCI designation and other key events such as last year's CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Conference [AACR - American Association for Cancer Research]. The conference is the world's largest for the disease; and in a year when most conferences saw sharp declines in attendance, ours held steady with 8,493 total attendees representing 93 different countries. It is truly a global conference with 56 percent of attendees coming from outside the US. There were a total of 1,127 papers presented, including 47 oral platform presentations. It also continues to hold the distinction as San Antonio's largest conference/convention each year.
More recent news was the appointment of Ian Thompson, MD, as the permanent Executive Director of the CTRC after a five-month term as interim Executive Director. Dr. Thompson brings a broad range of experience, as not only a nationally-recognized cancer researcher with many landmark publications, several major grants from the National Institute of Health (NIH), and a history of leading major national organizations, but also as a busy surgeon and clinician whose dedication to patient care is second to none. He also comes to us as the Chair of the Department of Urology, where his leadership skills have helped make his department one of the nation's most influential in urologic treatment options. This breadth of experience in the spheres of patient care, research and leadership makes him an ideal choice for the CTRC where our mission involves delivering the best care possible for patients, training physicians and conducting critical research into the prevention, detection and cure of cancer.
Dr. Thompson's vision is founded in building a complete line of world-class multi-disciplinary cancer clinics while enhancing and expanding its already broad research division that is typically running from 50 to 100 clinical trials at any given time. Considering all that is going on at the CTRC, he accurately describes it as getting on a "rocket sled" and guiding it carefully to hit the marks.
More immediately, this includes building upon the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Center grant, attracting talented new faculty, and the continuous expansion and improvement of the clinical departments, as well as expanding and strengthening our military, community, and regional affiliations. CTRC's strength lies in its breadth which is created through a number of partnerships, including the Institute for Drug Development (IDD) at the CTRC; our partner on campus, the Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI); as well as our off-campus partners such as CHRISTUS Santa Rosa, the Audie L. Murphy Veterans Administration Hospital (VA), Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), University Health System (UHS), and UT Medicine San Antonio.
We are also celebrating the recent return of Dr. Peter Ravdin to lead the CTRC comprehensive breast cancer clinic which will include medical, radiation, surgical and psychosocial oncology clinics, as well as breast radiology/mammography and prevention efforts. Dr. Ravdin originally worked at the CTRC in 1997-98, and later taught at the School of Medicine from 2003-2006. In the interim, he was on the faculty at UT MD Anderson. He is acknowledged as one of the most influential breast cancer oncologists in the world. Dr. Ravdin's extensive experience in breast cancer research and clinical care brings a new level of depth to the CTRC, adding another exciting step on the CTRC's path.
Another fundamental asset to the CTRC is its supporting organizations. The CTRC Foundation Board, Board of Governors, and Cabinet, as well as the Cancer Center Council, which has more than 600 volunteer members and celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year, are responsible for generating millions of dollars that have gone directly to research or to support patients. We continue to thank them for their enduring energy and support within the community.
The CTRC is helping patients and their families "choose life over cancer" each and every day. With the leadership of Dr. Ian Thompson, our faculty, staff and community support, we continue to integrate translational research and comprehensive clinical care as we move down the path to a cancer-free Texas. For more information on our clinics, clinical trials, events and other programs, visit www.CTRC.net.
Glenn A. Halff, MD wears many hats at the UTHSCSA: the Interim Dean of the School of Medicine, the Deilmann Chair in Transplant Sciences, and a Professor of Surgery. Dr. Halff is a BCMS member board certified in both Surgery and Critical Care Surgery.
