O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Magazine Spring 2019 | страница 2

O’NEAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER AT UAB Director Michael J. Birrer, M.D., Ph.D. FROM THE DIRECTOR Associate Directors Monica Baskin, Ph.D. Smita Bhatia, M.D., MPH Etty Benveniste, Ph.D. Michael Bertram, Ph.D., MBA Mary-Ann Bjornsti, Ph.D. Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, Ph.D., R.D. Richard Myers, Ph.D. Isabel Scarinci, Ph.D., MPH Lalita Shevde-Samant, Ph.D. Richard Whitley, M.D. Director Emeritus and Senior Advisor to the Director Edward E. Partridge, M.D. Senior Advisors Kirby I Bland, M.D. James Bonner, M.D. Herbert Chen, M.D. Mona Fouad, M.D., MPH We are grateful to O’Neal Industries for this visionary gift—the single largest gift in UAB history. This endowment will help further establish the Cancer Center as the preferred destination for cancer care in the Southeast; propel cancer research initiatives; create a stronger clinical trials infrastructure and increase clinical trial access to underserved populations. We will aggressively recruit top physicians and researchers from across the globe and continue to train the next generation of physicians and scientists, creating a robust operation that will propel the Cancer Center to new levels of success. In this issue, you will learn about CAR T-Cell Therapy, a new form of immunotherapy. You will also read about Diane Redington, founder of the GCS Project. After a diagnosis with the rare cancer, Diane’s family and friends continue advocacy and fundraising efforts in her honor. Also, new research findings show that dying cancer cells make glioblastoma cells more aggressive and therapy resistant. You’ll find these stories and much more. 6 Deputy Director Ravi Bhatia, M.D. This year marks an extraordinary milestone in the Cancer Center’s history. O’Neal Industries and its shareholders, well-known in Birmingham and at UAB for their corporate citizenship, have generously given a truly transformational gift that will have a far-reaching impact on cancer research and patient care in our community, state and region. With this substantial gift, the Cancer Center will bear the family name as the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. In this issue of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Magazine, you’ll read more about this transformational naming gift, the effects cancer has had on the O’Neal family and their motivations for this generous support, and the impact I hope the gift will have not only on the Cancer Center, but throughout UAB and in Birmingham. COVER STORY UAB SCHOOL OF MEDICINE Senior Vice President for Medicine and Dean Selwyn M. Vickers, M.D., FACS 16 OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS Senior Director of Development Lisa Roth Thank you for your continued support of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. We promise to continue building on the center’s longstanding foundation of excellence. Together, we are on our way! Michael J. Birrer, M.D., Ph.D. Director and Evalina B. Spencer Chair in Oncology Quick Takes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cover Story: Transforming the Future of 2 6 Communications Director Beena Thannickal Cancer Research and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director of Corporate Development and Special Events Danya Segrest Car T-Cell Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Survivor Profile: Valerie Powell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Marketing Specialist Kendra Carter Communications Coordinator Courtney Bishop 20th Annual Cancer Center Research Retreat .. . . . . . . . . . . . 18 22 Development Coordinator Alex Huffman Giving Hope: Diane Redington’s Legacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Corporate Development and Special Events Coordinator Hilary Murrell 2019 Director’s Circle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 New Board Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 O’NEAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER MAGAZINE Editor Kendra Carter Barbara and Edward Partridge Atrium Dedication . . . . . . . . 25 26 Medical Advisor Michael J. Birrer, M.D., Ph.D. Writers Courtney Bishop Kendra Carter Jake Fuqua Jeff Hansen Emily Henagan Savannah Koplon Adam Pope Bob Shepard Baret Steed Beena Thannickal Lace Up for a Cure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Giving Back. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Mayor Woodfin Visits the Cancer Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 In Memoriam: James Estes and Mike Slive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Art Director Erick Guillen GIVING TO THE CENTER III There are a variety of ways to give to the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law and may be designated for the cancer or research area of your choice. Every dollar stays here in Birmingham and is directly applied to cancer research and treatment. Donations may be made by visiting the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center’s website, uab.edu/cancer, or by calling the Office of Development and Community Relations at [phone]. O ’ N E A L CO M PR EH EN S I V E C A N C ER C EN T ER AT UA B Photographers Nik Layman Dustin Massey Mike Strawn Steve Wood Printing UAB Print Services Produced by the Office of Development and Community Relations. 2018 • VOLU ME X X XIII • NU MBER 3 COMPREHEN CANCER CEN SIVE TER AN NCI-D ESIG N AT E D C O MPREHENS IVE CANCER C ENTER SIN C E 19 71 MEET THE NEW CANCER CENTER DIRECTO R MICHAE L J. BIRRER , M.D., PH.D. # K N O • W U A U B . E A D U B / C C A N C C E C R For a free subscription to the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Magazine, please call [phone] or send an email with your name and address to [email protected]. # K N O W U A B C C C II UAB.EDU/CANCER 1