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AN eNEWSLETTER FOR UC DAVIS COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER MEMBERS & STAFF
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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR:
 | | Ralph de Vere White |
Happy Holidays to all of our staff and faculty! I look forward to seeing you at our annual holiday party on December 12. Also, as most of you know, the cancer center now manages the Breast Health Center. I am thrilled to report that patients no longer have to wait for routine mammograms. Congratulations to the Department of Radiology and the rest of breast health team for vastly improving mammography services for our patients. These efforts are a great example of how we are providing patient-centered care and breaking barriers to beat cancer.
Ralph de Vere White |
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De Vere White receives lifetime achievement award
 | | Ralph de Vere White |
Cancer Center Director Ralph de Vere White has received the Society of Urologic Oncology's Huggins Medal Award in recognition of lifetime achievements in research and clinical practice, which have contributed to the progress in the treatment for patients with genitourinary tumors. De Vere White delivered the keynote address at the society's 14th annual winter meeting held Dec. 4-6 in Bethesda, MD, where he also was formally presented the award. Congratulations to our leader!
Recognition for community service
 | | Phlebotomist Carlton Matthews (left) with event coordinator Kim Garrett |
On Oct. 20, the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Carlton Matthews were recognized by California Assembly representatives for their efforts with the Sacramento Community Cancer Coalition. The department partners with the Cancer Center and student-run clinics each year to provide a health fair and workshop for families who don't have access to routine health exams. Matthews was presented with a Community Service Award for his five years of dedication and partnership. Congratulations, Carlton and the department for representing our community so well!
Khatri named editor-in-chief of surgical oncology journal  | |
Vijay Khatri
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Dr. Vijay P. Khatri, professor in the Department of Surgery and a cancer center surgical oncologist, has been named editor-in-chief of Surgical Oncology, an international academic peer-reviewed journal, which has headquarters in England. He has also been on the editorial boards of the Journal of Clinical Oncology and Annals of Surgical Oncology and is a member of the American College of Surgeons and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. Congratulations, Dr. Khatri! Athena breast-health risk assessments
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Lauren Massa
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The Athena Program at UC Davis Medical Center has completed breast-health risk assessments on more than 4,800 women during mammography-screening visits. Program staff members have found nearly 350 women who are at an elevated lifetime risk for breast cancer. Each patient identified receives an individual consultation with the Athena breast-health specialist to inform her of her risk, program options and what her care team can do for her in the future. Athena Program manager Lauren Massa said additional screening sites will be added in the near future.
Joke book for kids with cancer now available
The Department of Radiation Oncology purchased three copies of a joke book for children with cancer; all are located at the nursing unit and waiting room. The book, "Make 'Em Laugh" was written by a young boy, Jack, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. For more information about the author and his inspiration, read his story HERE >>
Cooreman secures social assistance funding for cancer patients  | |
Jena Cooreman
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At the prompting of cancer center social worker Jena Cooreman, $25,000 has been secured from the Farrah Fawcett Foundation to launch a fund to assist cancer patients. This fund will provide help for people who struggle to make it to appointments because of incidental costs such as travel, hotel stays and food. The foundation's intention is to provide a similar amount every year. Thank you, Jena! New technology for radiation dose exposure  | |
Matthew Coleman
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Dr. Matthew Coleman of the cancer center and colleagues from UC Davis School of Medicine, Berkeley Lab, Stanford University, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute and Methodist Hospital Research Institute's Center for Biostatistics have developed technology that may produce a hand-held device to provide notifications if an individual needs medical attention from an adverse radiation event. The technology requires only a drop of blood to measure the radiation dose and can provide results up to one week after exposure. His work was recently published in the Journal of Scientific Reports. Congratulations, Dr. Coleman! Stem cell researcher publishes insider's guide  Congratulations to stem cell researcher Paul Knoepfler on the publication of his book, "Stem Cells: An Insider's Guide." The book takes readers inside the world of stem cells and tackles the exciting and hotly debated area of stem cell treatments that are capturing the public's imagination. The book has received excellent reviews; one calling it "a fine, understandable guide for anybody considering a stem cell treatment."
Revolutionary new approach to lung cancer drug testing launched
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David Gandara
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Dr. David Gandara's work on a revolutionary new approach to testing promising lung cancer drugs was featured in The Cancer Letter recently. The "master protocol" will assign patients to therapy based on molecular characteristics of their disease. It is being launched by a coalition of government agencies, including the NCI, NIH and FDA, Foundation Medicine and Friends of Cancer Research. Gandara is chair of the SWOG lung cancer committee and the cancer center's thoracic oncology program director. Gandara also is featured in the current issue of UC Davis Magazine for his role in this and other efforts. You can read the profile online HERE >>
Kizer gives keynote address
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Kenneth Kizer
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Dr. Kenneth W. Kizer, distinguished professor and director of the health system's Institute for Population Health Improvement, gave the opening keynote address at the Hawaii Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting in Honolulu on Nov. 16. Dr. Kizer provided a historical context for current efforts to improve the quality of health care and cancer care specifically. He concluded by focusing on the need to develop a high-quality delivery system such as the one detailed in the recently released Institute of Medicine (IOM) report titled Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care - Charting a New Course for a System in Crisis. Dr. Kizer also was one of 17 experts asked to critique the IOM report, before its release. The new report characterizes it as a "system in crisis" because of rising costs, fragmented and variability in care, insufficient use of health information and lack of patient and family engagement in decisions. The report calls for urgent action to improve quality.
Izumiya awarded prestigious scholar grant from ACS
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Yoshihiro Izumiya
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Dr. Yoshihiro Izumiya, associate professor in the Department of Dermatology, is the recipient of the American Cancer Society (ACS) Research Scholar Grant to support his research in oncogenic pathways of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). The four-year, $718,000 award will fund an investigation into how a single KSHV protein can silence tumor suppressor gene expression in cells infected with KSHV, inhibit cancer cell death and promote tumor cell proliferation.
Carvajal-Carmona wins V Foundation grant
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Luis Carvajal-Carmona
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Dr. Luis Carvajal-Carmona, assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and a scientific member of the Cancer Center, has received a two-year, $200,000 grant from The V Foundation. Carvajal-Carmona was one of 18 researchers selected for 2013 scholar awards, and his project aims to identify novel breast cancer genes in isolated populations using exome sequencing.
Chen gives distinguished lecture on cancer health disparities
 | | Moon Chen |
In November, Professor Moon Chen was invited to speak as a distinguished visiting scholar for the University of Minnesota Medical School's Program in Health Disparities Research, Center for Health Equity, and Minnesota Center for Cancer Collaborations. Dr. Chen gave two talks: the first highlighted his own path to involvement in community-based health disparities research; the second described the progress of and prognosis for reducing cancer health disparities in Asian-American populations.
100 Black Men of America leader visits
 | | Marc Dall'Era, Rosemary Cress, Kurt Snipes, Susan Stewart, Mark Alexander |
Moon Chen recently hosted a visit with Dr. Mark Alexander, the National Chair of the health and wellness committee of 100 Black Men of America. Chen and Alexander are exploring prostate cancer research collaborations with the cancer center, the California Cancer Registry and the American Cancer Society's California Division.
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 | | Michael Campbell |
We are pleased to welcome Sacramento's first fellowship-trained endocrine surgeon, Dr. Michael Campbell, to our team. Board certified in general surgery, Dr. Campbell specializes in treating patients with thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and pancreas disorders, and is an expert in minimally invasive parathyroid and thyroid surgery, as well as complex laparoscopic adrenal surgery. Dr. Campbell completed medical school at UC Davis, his general surgery training at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle and he finished his Endocrine Surgery fellowship at UCSF. Welcome Dr. Campbell!
 | | Flora Stondell |
The Division of Hematology and Oncology welcomed two new nurse practitioners in October. Flora Stondell, RN, MSN, FNP-C, is a 2010 graduate Samuel Merritt University in Sacramento. She specializes in bone marrow transplant (BMT) and is very excited to join the BMT team. She will work closely with Drs. Richman, Tuscano and Abedi to provide care for their patients. Welcome Flora!
Also new to the division is Wilfrengerard "Wilfren" Esposo, RN, MSN, FNP-C, a 2011 graduate of Samuel Merritt University in Sacramento.
 | | Wilfren Esposo |
He also specializes in BMT and in benign hematology and is very excited to join the Hematology and Oncology team. He will be assigned to the infusion center, where his primary role will be to assess and manage adverse events for oncology patients in the infusion center. Welcome, Wilfren!
Jennifer Bale joined the Department of Radiation Oncology in mid-October as the contracts and grants analyst, and brings with her a keen interest in clinical trials and research coordination.
 | | Jennifer Bale |
Jennifer came to UC Davis from CSU Sacramento, where, since 2008, she worked as a sponsored research officer providing support to principal investigators with budgets and progress reports, with the IRB with protocol submissions, and preparing contracts and agreements. Welcome, Jennifer!
Radiation Oncology welcomes research coordinator-regulatory, Kristy Lundahl. Kristy has worked in many areas of research, but most notably she spent from 2009 to 2013 at the University of Colorado, Denver, with the Colorado Multiple Institutional Board (COMIRB) and at the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. She was responsible for assisting investigators with submissions of regulatory applications, processing expedited continuing review submissions, and assisting with protocol amendments and initial submissions. Kristy started on Sept. 30. Welcome, Kristy!
 | | Ber Kue |
Ber Kue joined Radiation Oncology Sept. 16 as a medical assistant, per diem. He comes to us from the Central California Faculty Medical Group in Fresno. He has extensive ambulatory care experience in ENT, oncology, urology orthopedic, plastics, dialysis and neurology. He has been a certified medical assistant since 2009. So glad to have you, Ber!
Laura Westbrook, a licensed genetic counselor, joined the Cancer Center team as a breast health specialist
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Laura Westbrook
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for the Athena Breast Health Network, a collaborative program in the UC system to help personalize breast cancer prevention, screening and treatment. In her role she will help identify women who may benefit from increased cancer surveillance and risk-reducing methods. Laura is also a cancer survivor. Welcome, Laura!
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NEWS FROM HEALTH SCIENCES DEVELOPMENT
Happy Holidays from Health Sciences Development
 As 2013 comes to a close, all of us at Health Sciences Development would like to thank the Cancer Center faculty and staff. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with you to raise much needed funds for the building, programs, research and patient care. We all share a common goal of breaking barriers to beat cancer. Our partnership is so important to developing relationships in our community to continue our tradition of excellence as we focus on reducing cancer disparities, building our Phase 1 clinical trial program and tracking and reducing long-term side effects in our pediatric patients. As this year ends, we are looking forward to the start of the next with renewed enthusiasm. Happy holidays to you and your families. An Update on Your Fundraising Team As of November 18, 2013, Jeffrey Fischer-Smith, senior director of development with Health Sciences Development, is on leave. Should you have questions about year-end giving or ongoing fundraising efforts, please contact a member of our team. We would be happy to assist you in any way possible.
- Sunny Mason, director of development. Sunny can be reached via e-mail or at 916-734-9675.
- Laurie MacIntosh, director of development. Laurie can be reached via e-mail or at 916-734-9408.
- Michele Steiner, associate director of development. Michele can be reached via e-mail or at 916-734-9116.
- Krista Rindell, development assistant. Krista can be reached via e-mail or at 916-734-9433 .
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UC DAVIS COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER IN THE NEWS
This story also appeared in Yahoo.net.
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CALENDAR & EVENTS
DEC 9
Yoga Classes for Cancer
Patients & Survivors
DEC 12
Cancer Biology Seminars: Role of RON Kinase Signaling in Breast Cancer Metastasis - Alana Welm
DEC 12
Annual Cancer Center Holiday Gathering
DEC 16
Yoga Classes for Cancer
Patients & Survivors
DEC 19
Lung Cancer Chat Room: Am I at Risk with Lung Cancer Surveillance Imaging? - Friedrich Knollman
JAN 23
2014 Benjamin Highman Lecture: Meaningful IT Innovation to Enhance the Pathology Value Proposition - Paul J. Chang
TUESDAYS, WEEKLY
Biostatistics Workshop
WEDNESDAYS, WEEKLY
THROUGH OCT 30
Writing as Healing Workshop
EVERY 1st WEDNESDAY, MONTHLY
Leukemia & Lymphoma Support Group
EVERY 1st WEDNESDAY, MONTHLY
Lymphedema Prevention & Care Class
EVERY 1st THURSDAY, MONTHLY
Brain Tumor Support Group
EVERY 2nd FRIDAY, MONTHLY
Smoke-Free Support Group
EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, MONTHLY
Lung Cancer Chat Room
EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, MONTHLY
Prostate Cancer Support Group
EVERY 4th MONDAY, MONTHLY
Look Good, Feel Better
EVERY OTHER TUESDAY, MONTHLY
WeCARE! Caregiver Support Group
Teleconference
SEE ALL:
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SPECIAL EVENT:
HOLIDAY GATHERING
DECEMBER 12
5 - 7:30 pm
Join us at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center's annual faculty and staff holiday gathering, Dec. 12 in the north building lobby!
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FEATURED VIDEOS
Staff and faculty at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center congratulate Ralph de Vere White on receiving a lifetime achievement award
 Volunteer Karen Dunn adds holiday spirit in the cancer center lobby |
FEATURED PHOTOS
Kuderer receives UC Davis Excellence Award
Congratulations to Valerie Kuderer, tireless thoracic oncology nurse and patient navigator, for earning a UC Davis Excellence Award.
WeCARE! Cancer Peer Navigator Program Annual Recognition Ceremony
The WeCARE! Cancer Peer Navigator Program recognized their dedicated volunteers for guiding newly diagnosed patients through their cancer journey.
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Our Outreach Research & Education Program staff (left to right), Marcie Ellis, Ruben Gonzalez, Marlene von Friederichs-Fitzwater, Jack Sanders and Patti Robinson
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Kathie Vaughn and Rollie Swingle, WeCARE! Cancer Peer Navigators
MORE PHOTOS >>
Celebrating the End
of Treatment
A joyful day for 18-year-old Renee Marshall upon completion treatment for embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma
MORE PHOTOS >>
6-year-old Alyssa celebrates her end of treatment day with her family
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WE NEED YOU!
Have an announcement, event
or news for us? The deadline
for the next issue is
January 18, 2014.
Contact Dorsey Griffith at
916-734-9118 or email her
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