Advancement of Cancer Knowledge

1998-1999

The diverse educational programs offered to cancer specialists, scientists, allied health professionals, patients and the public provide the glue that ties patient care, research and cancer prevention into M. D. Anderson’s new strategic plan.

Several leadership appointments during the past year have strengthened the academic activities, which range from advanced training in clinical and basic science disciplines to an array of informational services aimed at helping individuals reduce their risk for cancer.

Advancement of cancer knowledge is the theme that amalgamates the educational programs.

Reflecting on accomplishments during his year as executive vice president and chief academic officer, Dr. Andrew C. von Eschenbach says, “Now that the specter of oblivion due to managed care is behind us, there is a reigniting of the passion and commitment that have made M. D. Anderson the leader in conquering cancer. We have the opportunity to define innovative integrative changes that will lead our world-class programs into the 21st century.”

Dr. Margaret L. Kripke, newly appointed senior vice president and chief academic officer, has assumed broadened responsibilities for working with the faculty on graduate training, continuing education accreditation, expanded faculty development opportunities and academic support services. She also serves as the primary liaison to The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and various academic agencies.

An important addition to her staff is Dr. Stephen P. Tomasovic, associate vice president for educational programs, whose duties include overseeing undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate research trainees, clinical fellows, medical residents and allied health students.

Last year, 2,113 men and women were enrolled in programs at M. D. Anderson. They included:

• 573 residents and fellows in clinical training offered in 27 disciplines.
• 768 pre- and post-doctoral research fellows.
• 323 nursing and enterostomal therapy students.
• 144 special trainees, ranging from chaplaincy fellows to veterinary students.
• 230 medical, college and high school students and secondary school science teachers.
• 75 trainees in such allied health programs as pharmacy, social work, medical dosimetry and cytotechnology.

Dr. Kripke believes planning for a new physician-scientist program was “an important new initiative.” It will provide three to five years of intensive training in laboratory research for assistant professor level faculty already at M. D. Anderson or who are recruited for the program.

Another highlight was establishing the Faculty Scholar Awards, designed to honor assistant and associate professors for outstanding scholarly contributions early in their careers. The first three recipients selected are Dr. Gary L. Clayman from the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Li Mao in the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology and Dr. Sharon Y. Roth in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

In recognition of their dedication to excellence, 11 of M. D. Anderson’s senior faculty leaders had their endowed chairs renamed as distinguished chairs. Another 21 faculty leaders occupied endowed chairs while 35 faculty held endowed professorships at the close of the last fiscal year.

“Advancing cancer knowledge is what our educational programs are all about. These programs permeate all parts of M. D. Anderson, where our faculty are our most important asset. Expanding career development for all levels of our faculty is a high priority,” notes Dr. Kripke, who holds the Vivian L. Smith Distinguished Chair in Immunology.

In the continuing education area, about 40 major professional conferences and symposia were conducted for faculty and staff plus practicing and allied cancer professionals from around the world. Regular teleconferences were held for faculty at M. D. Anderson’s Science Park-Research Division in Smithville, Texas, as well as provided to colleagues in programs already affiliated or considering partnerships with M. D. Anderson in several communities, including Orlando, Florida, and as far away as Spain.

Among the highlights of public and patient education programs last year are:

• “From Your Home to Ours: A Breast Cancer Education Campaign” reached 958 women who attended informal presentations in eight private homes and seven community sites during fall 1997. The Nellie B. Connally Breast Cancer Fund sponsored the program, which concluded with about 300 women coming to M. D. Anderson for interactive learning about breast care and other health topics.
• The Cancer Information Service at M. D. Anderson marked a milestone of helping its 400,000th caller, who was among 19,734 individuals using the toll-free telephone number (1-800-4-CANCER) during the year.
• More than 42,000 individuals learned about cancer through health fairs, exhibits and special presentations to worksites, school groups and civic organizations.
• Almost 200,000 printed patient education materials were distributed while 8,582 patients and family members attended classes to help them understand and participate more fully in their cancer experiences.
• In excess of 17,000 people visited The Learning Center in the Charles A. LeMaistre Clinic and the Rotary House Learning Center.
• The Anderson Network Patient Services reached more than 700 attendants at the annual “Living Fully with Cancer” conference, shared information with more than 40,000 individuals who contacted the Anderson Network or The M. D. Anderson Information Line, and served 21,770 visitors in the Anderson Network Hospitality Room.

As productive as the past year was, Dr. Kripke anticipates accelerating progress in the intertwined patient care, research, education and prevention programs. She says the overriding goal of the senior management team is to provide the resources for the collective faculty and staff “to be the best we can be for all of our constituents.”