Publications
A Letter From the President
Annual Report - 1998-1999
This has been a year of great progress and success, both in science and in service. Planning the future direction of M. D. Anderson has been a high priority as new leadership and many new programs have put down their roots.
In early 1997, five major institutional priorities were introduced to help M. D. Anderson prosper in an ever-changing healthcare environment and achieve its mission of eradicating cancer.
Working with our faculty and staff, we now have a new strategic plan that is closely pegged to our new vision statement, which you will find inside. This year’s annual report highlights achievements already being made in six principle areas of the plan. The issue also presents more information about our “vital statistics” and includes a complete listing of our academic divisions and departments.
This has been a year of great growth in patient care, as well as physical and human resources. We opened the new Clinical Research Building and made final preparations for moving into the new Albert B. and Margaret M. Alkek Hospital.
The expansion of our clinical activities in the past four years has necessitated planning for expanding the Jesse H. Jones Rotary House International for patients and their families, as well as building a new faculty office facility.
As our research accomplishments and opportunities continue to grow, we also initiated planning for additional research laboratories. Our plans for a new Basic Science Research Building are taking shape. This facility will enable us to obtain new knowledge about the abnormally functioning genes that cause cancer and the biochemical controls that regulate cell growth and proliferation.
Research into the basic mechanisms of cancer and new forms of detection and treatment underpin the outstanding patient care we provide. We continue to remember our dual objectives of treating the cancer and caring for the patient.
I am truly proud of the individuals who make M. D. Anderson one of the premier cancer centers in the world. Together, we look forward to a time when cancer is no longer a threat to humanity. We are dedicated to Making Cancer History.
John Mendelsohn, M.D.
President
Vision
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center will be acknowledged as the premier cancer center in the world. We will attract and nurture outstanding faculty, staff and volunteers, who will cary out our mission and live by our values.
Patient Care
We will set and continually advance the world's standard for the diagnosis and management of cancer. Our standard will be defined by clinical outcomes, quality of care and service, and compassion and respect for patients and their families.
We will maintain leadership in the medical care marketplace and strive to make our standard of care available in Texas, the nation and the world.
Research
Through scientific research, we will foster advances in understanding cellular, molecular and genetic processes; the fundamental nature of cancer; and the body's response to cancer. We will apply this knowledge to translational and clinical research on the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer.
Education
We will educate future leaders in all of the scientific, medical and allied disciplines necessary to reduce the burden of cancer. We will educate patients, community professionals and the public with accurate and helpful information concerning cancer prevention, treatment and recovery.
Prevention
We will further the science and application of cancer prevention and cancer screening through research, service and education.
Continuous Improvement
Through a philosophy of continuous improvement, we will effectively manage the human, financial and physical resources, the information system, and the key internal processes needed to support each of our mission areas.