Winter 2008 - Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Transcription

Winter 2008
Quest
The Magazine of the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
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Table of Contents
1 Message from the Director
2 S t o r y o f h o p e
Pastry chef and cancer survivor Darleen Fenster shares her inspirational journey
with cancer. Fenster was the first patient seen at UM/Sylvester in 1992.
5
e v e ry d ay h e r o
After losing his father to cancer, Harcourt Sylvester Jr. vowed to fight back and
chose Miami as the place to bring his vision of a cancer center to fruition.
9 M I L ESTONES
A review of memorable moments and milestones that took place since the cancer center opened its doors 15 years ago.
11 O n t h e F r o n t L i n e
Message from the Associate Directors; CoQ10 and skin cancer; Advances in skin
cancer treatments; A better use of biopsies; A novel biological therapeutic agent
shows promise; Catching melanoma early with dermoscopy; Primary Nursing
Program improves patient safety; Advancing technology through UM Innovation; New recruits complement UM/Sylvester’s translational research efforts.
20 I n t h e N e w s
Survey reveals disparities in skin cancer knowledge among high school students;
A pain pioneer joins the Miller School of Medicine; ACS Institutional Research
Grant awardees are announced; UM/Sylvester researcher receives prestigious appointment; Investigators are awarded a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Award;
Wolfson elected to board of renowned gynecologic oncology group; UM/Sylvester
physician-scientist finds an inhibitor may prove beneficial in breast cancer therapy;
Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at UM/Sylvester announces grant awardees.
23 M a k i n g a D i f f e r e n c e
Message from the Board Chair; Cancer survivors/advocates play the role of recruiters; Celebrations luncheon is reason to celebrate; Partygoers shopped for a cause at
Key to the Cure; Firm finds synergy when partnering with UM/Sylvester; “Sunday
Supper” takes philanthropy to a personal level; Four Seasons joins UM/Sylvester’s
lifesaving mission; “Spot Out Cancer” event gains momentum; Pap Journal.
On the cover:
The cancer center’s namesake,
Harcourt Sylvester Jr.
34 F a c t s a n d F i g u r e s
UM/Sylvester’s financial and clinical profiles set new records.
Our Mission
We seek to reduce the human burden from cancer and other serious illnesses through research,
education, prevention, and the delivery of quality patient care.
Our Vision
UM/Sylvester will become a fully integrated program of patient care, education, and research with
an international reputation for excellence.
UM/Sylvester will provide new hope for cancer patients in our extended community, which
includes South Florida, the southeastern United States, the Caribbean, and South America.
UM/Sylvester will promote efficient, community responsive health care, and generate resources to
sustain and enhance innovative cancer programs.
Our Values
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T h e M a g a z i n e o f t h eExcellence
U n i v e r s i•t Compassion
y o f M i a m i • SRespect
y l v e s t e•rDiscovery
Comprehensive Cancer Center
Message From The Director
M
W. Jarrard Goodwin, M.D., F.A.C.S.
“Mr. Sylvester and his family’s
generosity continues to make a
profound difference in our
community. To date, the family
foundation has committed more
than $50 million to cancer programs
at the University of Miami Leonard
M. Miller School of Medicine,
including many breakthrough
initiatives at the cancer center.”
ay 12, 2007 marked the 15th anniversary of the University of
Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. UM/Sylvester’s
record of achievement in research, education, and patient care has
transformed cancer efforts in South Florida and beyond. All of this would not
have been possible without the generous and visionary leadership of Harcourt
Sylvester Jr., who passed away in August just a few months shy of our 15th
anniversary celebration. Mr. Sylvester was an inspirational human being and a
devoted philanthropist, and we miss him greatly.
In 1986, under Mr. Sylvester’s leadership, the Harcourt M. and Virginia W.
Sylvester Foundation committed $27.5 million to the University of Miami—
the largest donation to the University at that time—to create South Florida’s
only university-based cancer center. Six years later, UM/Sylvester officially
opened its doors.
Today, more than 200 physicians and scientists work together to realize Mr. Sylvester’s vision of a comprehensive cancer center, and thousands
of patients each year receive lifesaving cancer care at locations in Miami and
Deerfield Beach.
Mr. Sylvester and his family’s generosity continues to make a profound
difference in our community. To date, the family foundation has committed
more than $50 million to support cancer programs at the University of Miami
Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, including many breakthrough initiatives at the cancer center. In this special annual report edition of Quest, we pay
tribute to Mr. Sylvester and his family. This issue also contains news and updates on some of the exciting research taking place at the cancer center in melanoma and related skin cancers, one of 15 site disease groups at UM/Sylvester.
In September, we submitted a cancer center support grant to the National
Cancer Institute (NCI). If successful, this grant will provide approximately $1 million annually in support of our research infrastructure. Perhaps even
more important, it would bring the NCI stamp of approval as an NCI designated cancer center. The standards for this review are very high. Success
is not a given, but I am optimistic.
In the Summer 2007 Quest, I also talked about the prospects of acquiring Cedars Medical Center. I am pleased to report that the University closed
the deal December 1. Cedars has become the University of Miami Hospital.
This is an immense opportunity for UM/Sylvester, and I could not be more
enthusiastic about our future.
Sincerely,
Sylvester Professor of Otolaryngology
Director, UM/Sylvester
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STOR y OF h o p e
Friendships Forged:
One Survivor’s
Bittersweet Journey
Darleen Fenster is a pastry chef, which might explain why she has such a
sweet outlook on life, despite her cancer diagnosis 33 years ago. Fenster,
in fact, would become the first patient to be seen at the University of Miami
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her success story is truly inspirational.
I
n the spring of 1974, when Darleen Fenster was pregnant with her first son, she noticed a mole on the upper
part of her right arm. “Strange things happen when
you’re pregnant,” she thought. Not overly concerned,
Fenster’s obstetrician removed the mole after the birth of
her first son and reported back that it was benign. Then
during her second pregnancy two years later, a new mole,
a little larger than the size of a pencil eraser, grew through
the scar. Fenster’s new obstetrician insisted she see a dermatologist.
“I thought to myself, ‘I’ll go when I have time.’ I had a
toddler and a brand new baby so it was difficult for me to
take time away from them to go see a doctor,” she recalls.
Months later, when visiting her child’s pediatrician, he
too, noticed the growth, and asked her, “What’s that on
your arm?” He urged her to get it checked out. So Fenster
went to see a local dermatologist who removed the growth.
The doctor called the next morning, and Fenster went to
see him that same day. He told her it was melanoma and
advised her to see a specialist to make sure the cancer had
not spread.
Without delay, her husband, Sandy, started making
phone calls to find the best doctor to treat his wife. That
person turned out to be Alfred Ketcham, M.D., who would
later become chief of surgical oncology at UM/Sylvester.
Ketcham, who was a faculty member at the University of
Darleen Fenster visits with Dr. Fred Moffat
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Left: Darleen Fenster is examined by Dr. Ketcham. Right: Nurse Barbara Sans (left)
presents Fenster’s documents to fellow nurse Pam Carey (to left of Fenster) on the first
day UM/Sylvester opened on May 12, 1992.
This year, it is estimated that more than 8,000 people will die from melanoma, according to the
American Cancer Society. The good news is, if diagnosed and treated early, melanoma is curable.
Miami since 1974, first treated Fenster at Jackson Memorial Hospital. After examining the microscopic slide
prepared from her biopsied tissue, reviewing her history,
and checking the wound, Ketcham told her a wider area of
the scar and skin had to be re-excised in order to remove
any cancer cells that may have remained. “His motto was,
‘When in doubt, take it out’—when dealing with cancer,”
recalls Fenster. When Ketcham reviewed the original microscopic slide from her first mole, he discovered she had
been misdiagnosed the first time; it was indeed cancer.
Ketcham’s supportive demeanor helped ease the young
mother’s fears. “He treated me like his daughter. I was 28
and really scared; I was a brand new mom dealing with
cancer,” she says.
K
etcham, who at 83 has been retired for ten years,
vividly remembers the visit of this alarmed and
anxious young couple. “Having had a history of this
cancer growing back in the same area suggested she may
have ‘fingers’ and ‘feelers’ of cancer cells extending into
the tissue around the scar,” says Ketcham. He therefore
re-operated and removed an area of tissue and underlying
muscle and used a skin graft to cover the baseball-sized area
on the arm. In addition to the surgery on her arm, lymph
nodes from her armpit were surgically removed to ensure
the cancer hadn’t spread through her bloodstream. It hadn’t.
“She had minimal invasion, but we got the cancer before
it became a problem.”
Quest
This year, it is estimated that more than 8,000 people
will die from melanoma, according to the American Cancer
Society. The good news is, if diagnosed and treated early,
melanoma is curable. Fenster is one of those success stories.
She says Ketcham was very compassionate with her. “He
always walked in telling a joke and was never rushed. He’s
such a wonderful man.”
At the time Fenster was treated, UM/Sylvester hadn’t
been built yet, but Fenster saw Ketcham at Jackson for
follow-up visits weekly, then monthly, and then every
three months, followed by every six months, and finally
once a year. During those visits, Ketcham would run
blood tests and examine her from head to toe, looking for
anything suspicious. “I followed her carefully, and when
the cancer center was ready to open its doors [in 1992],
I asked her to be the first patient seen at UM/Sylvester,”
says Ketcham. F
enster still visits UM/Sylvester for her yearly checkups with Frederick L. Moffat Jr., M.D., professor of
surgical oncology in the DeWitt Daughtry Family
Department of Surgery at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, and a member of the
Melanoma and Related Skin Cancers Site Disease Group at
UM/Sylvester. Moffat had been one of Ketcham’s surgical
fellows, undergoing several years of extra training in order
to become a cancer specialist.
During the time Ketcham treated Fenster, the two
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STOR y OF h o p e
became fast friends, staying in touch throughout the years.
Darleen and Sandy would join Ketcham and his wife for
dinner, frequent the theater, and even go out on family boat
trips together. In fact, Ketcham attended both of Fenster’s
sons’ bar mitzvahs—Brian, who is 33 today, in 1987, and
Adam, who is 31, in 1989. Three years ago, Darleen and
Sandy attended Ketcham’s 80th birthday party.
Many surgical advances have been made at UM/Sylvester since Fenster was first treated. “We now have better
management of how much tissue from around the area to
take,” Moffat says. “We also have the option of a sentinel
lymph node (SLN) biopsy, a new procedure that can be
used on patients with early stage melanoma to find out if
observation of the lymph nodes were the only options
available.”
A
nother advance is immune stimulation, which in-
volves administering a vaccine to “immunize” against
cancer. This type of therapy holds special promise
for melanoma patients. Researchers are experimenting with
synthetic vaccines that when administered have been shown
to evoke an immune response in some patients.
Since treating Fenster, UM/Sylvester has witnessed
phenomenal growth due to its ongoing recruitment effort. Fenster is proud to be part of that. In February 2006,
she and Sandy hosted “A Sweet Celebration in Search
Since treating Fenster, UM/Sylvester has witnessed phenomenal growth due to its ongoing recruitment effort
and has contributed many pivotal scientific discoveries.
for a Cure” in their home, which attracted more than 80
guests and netted $20,000 for surgical oncology research
at UM/Sylvester.
For Fenster, finding a cancer cure has been a very personal mission. Sadly, Sandy battled esophageal cancer for
four years, losing his fight earlier this year. “It’s a fallacy
that only old people get cancer,” she says. “Life is short;
every day is a gift. You have to enjoy every moment and
make the most out of every single year. My husband and
I lived that way every day of our lives.” It’s a motto she
hopes others will follow. “That’s what having cancer at 28
does to you. You realize life is not a dress rehearsal. Enjoy
it while you’re here!”
F
Fenster, right, visits Dr. Alfred Ketcham and his wife, Jane, in Sodus Point, New York.
it has spread to the nodes.” Cancer usually spreads from
the tumor to the SLN before invading the other lymph
nodes. Through a SLN biopsy, doctors remove the SLN
and analyze it to see if cancer cells are present.
“This is a major change,” says Moffat. “When Mrs.
Fenster was treated [in the late 1970s], we didn’t have
this technique. Radical lymph node surgery or simple
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enster currently is pursuing her passion for cooking
and has set her sights on traveling abroad. She recently
spent one week in the Tuscany region of Italy to attend
culinary classes. “Baking is my passion—what you do in
life has to be your passion,” she says. Her job as a pastry
chef, along with her sweet culinary creations, allows her
to share happiness with others. “There’s no better feeling
than making others happy on joyous occasions by creating
something that tastes as good as it looks.”
Today, Fenster is glad to be healthy and is thankful to
UM/Sylvester, a place where she developed strong bonds
over the years. She just celebrated her 59th birthday with
her beautiful family: her son Brian and his wife Shelevah;
their daughters Telem and Keren; and her son Adam and
his wife Goldie. “I love birthdays. I’m just so happy to be
here,” she says.
Building
a Legacy
After losing his father to cancer in the 1980s, Harcourt Sylvester Jr. vowed to fight the disease.
He dreamed of a university-based cancer center and pledged millions of dollars to launch the
University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, which opened in 1992. He
remained active with the organization for 15 years, until his death in August 2007. His pledge
became a family mission, and now his daughters and grandchildren will continue his legacy.
For
Harcourt Sylvester Jr.,
ucts. Mr. Sylvester joined the fam-
cancer hit extremely close to home.
ily business after graduating from
His father, Harcourt M. Sylvester
Florida Southern College. Eventu-
Sr., battled lung cancer, succumb-
ally, he became president and CEO.
ing to the disease in 1980. After his
The company was sold in 1980.
As a South Florida resident, it
father’s death, the Harcourt M. and
was only natural that he chose Miami
Virginia W. Sylvester Foundation
was established.
The Sylvester family, originally from Rochester,
as the place to bring his vision of a
cancer center to fruition. Mr. Sylvester admired the
New York, relocated their family business, Fasco Indus-
University of Miami School of Medicine’s reputation,
tries, to Boca Raton, Florida in 1974. The company
so in 1986, after a few phone calls, he decided to lend
designed, manufactured, and sold a variety of electri-
his support, overseeing the Foundation’s commitment
cal products such as fractional horse power motors for
of $27.5 million to build South Florida’s sole university-
use by manufacturers in consumer and business prod-
based cancer center. It was the largest gift to the Univer-
Quest
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sity of Miami at the time.
M.D., F.A.C.C., senior vice president
In addition to lending financial
support, Mr. Sylvester was committed to being hands on with the
for medical affairs and dean of the
Miller School of Medicine.
On May 12, 1992, the com-
building of UM/Sylvester, attending
prehensive cancer center became a
meetings with architects and con-
reality, opening its doors to patients
tributing to the design of the center.
in need of specialized cancer care.
“He studied everything to ensure
Fifteen years later, the cancer cen-
the patient experience would be as
ter continues to pioneer efforts in
soothing as humanly possible,” re-
cancer research, diagnosis, and treat-
calls Bernard J. Fogel, M.D., dean
ment. Today, more
emeritus of the University of Miami
than 200 physi-
Leonard M. Miller School of Medi-
cians and scientists
cine. He was deeply devoted not only
work at the cancer
to creating a state-of-the-art cancer
center, which sees
center, but also one that kept the
3,400 new can-
patients’ needs in mind. “He was pas-
cer cases annually
sionate both about finding cures for
and reports close
cancers and about the comfort of the
to 200,000 outpatient visits. “We’re
Top: Harcourt Sylvester Jr. speaking on the day of the
patients,” says Pascal J. Goldschmidt,
making great strides in research and
dedication in 1992. Middle: From left to right: Dean
bringing that research to the bed-
Emeritus Dr. Bernard J. Fogel, Laura S. Cameron, Jayne S.
side,” says Jayne Malfitano, daughter
Malfitano, former University of Miami President Edward
of the late philanthropist.
T. Foote II, Harcourt Sylvester Jr., and Jose Cancela.
UM/Sylvester Director W. Jar-
Below: A view of UM/Sylvester from the courtyard.
rard Goodwin, M.D., F.A.C.S.,
says Mr. Sylvester never asked
man, and he did extraordinary things
for anything, just that the
but never lost the common touch,
cancer center leadership do
and he cared about all people. I assure
their best. He adds that Mr.
you, we are resolute in our promise to
Sylvester’s dignity and passion
carry out his vision,” says Goodwin.
for bringing hope to cancer
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Loved ones recall how he would
patients was inspirational.
tell them how inspired he was by in-
“Court was an important
teracting with those at UM/Sylvester.
In addition to lending financial support, Mr. Sylvester was committed to being hands on
with the building of UM/Sylvester, attending meetings with architects
and contributing to the design of the center.
thank him for his lifesav-
the creation of a cancer research floor
ing efforts, yet he always
in the University of Miami’s Batchelor
remained humble. “He
Children’s Research Institute, which
was shy and a private was dedicated in 2001. In 2003, Mr.
person, but Dad loved to
Sylvester, joined by his daughters Jayne
go there [UM/Sylvester],”
Malfitano and Laura Cameron, com-
says Malfitano.
memorated the opening of UM/Sylves-
In 1996, Mr. Sylvester,
in collaboration with the United Way
of Palm Beach County and Children
ter at Deerfield Beach, which currently
is expanding to double its size.
Both Malfitano and Cameron are
Services Council, established the Syl-
actively involved with UM/Sylvester
vester HIV/AIDS Prevention Fund. In
and continue to carry the torch for
addition to its contributions to fight
their father. Malfitano serves on the
cancer, the Sylvester Foundation was
UM/Sylvester Board of Governors and
the first million-dollar donor to the
also sits on its marketing and board
United Way of Palm Beach County.
services committees. She also is active
Top: From left to right: Edward T. Foote II, former
Numerous organizations benefited
on the University of Miami Board of
president of the University of Miami, Laura S. Cameron,
from Mr. Sylvester’s generosity. They
Trustees. Both sisters serve as directors
Harcourt Sylvester Jr., Jayne S. Malfitano, and Dean
include: the Children’s Place at Home
of the family’s foundation which to
Emeritus Dr. Bernard J. Fogel, presenting the portrait
Safe, Drug Free America, The Gulf
date has contributed or pledged more
of Harcourt Sylvester’s mother, Virginia W. Sylvester,
Stream School, the Juvenile Diabe-
than $50 million to Miller School of
currently displayed at UM/Sylvester.
tes Research Foundation, the Lord’s
Medicine programs. “We have such
Bottom: Harcourt Sylvester Jr., (left) and Charles
Place/Café Joshua, and the National
respect for the cancer center and are
Gordon Zubrod, M.D., (right) former director and chair-
Parkinson Foundation.
so proud of it. For Laura and I, it’s
man of the Department of Oncology at UM/Sylvester
Throughout his life, he remained
second nature. How can we not be in-
steadfast in his generosity. When
volved?” says Malfitano. Mr. Sylves-
Yet he, too, was a source of inspira-
touched by cancer yet again when one
ter’s grandson, 20-year-old Jeffrey, is
tion. Fogel remembers him being
of his grandchildren was diagnosed, Mr.
a member of the fundraising group,
overwhelmed by patients who would
Sylvester was moved to action, funding
Young Philanthropists for Sylvester,
Quest
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“If we love, if we hope, if we help one another, if we help the less fortunate…
we will exceed our fondest expectations. May hope run eternal in us all.”
—Harcourt Sylvester Jr.
and granddaughter Jena, a University
Achievement Award, and the Univer-
of Miami graduate, used to accompa-
sity of Miami Dean’s Award.
ny her mom, Laura, and grandfather
Harcourt Sylvester Jr. was born
to the galas, where she often served as
in 1927, and passed away on August
his date. “He loved that and got a big
10, 2007 at age 80. He is preceded in
kick out of it,” says Cameron. “Each
death by his son, Steven, and is sur-
of the grandkids is finding their way
vived by his two daughters, Jayne and
to give back.”
Mr. Sylvester served as a trustee
Award, the Sun-Sentinel Publisher’s
Laura, ten grandchildren, and two
Award for exemplary service and lead-
great grandchildren.
emeritus of the University of Miami
ership, and the United Way of Palm
and received numerous awards in his
Beach County’s Alexis de Tocqueville
one another, if we help the less fortu-
lifetime, including Café Joshua’s Edna
Society Leadership Award. Others
nate… we will exceed our fondest ex-
Hibel Award for commitment to end
included the Countess de Hoernle
pectations,” said Mr. Sylvester when
homelessness in Palm Beach County,
Humanitarian Award, the Palm Beach
UM/Sylvester first opened its doors.
the JC Penney Volunteer of the Year
Chamber of Commerce Charitable
“May hope run eternal in us all.”
“If we love, if we hope, if we help
Survivors’ Day 2007 Takes on Special Meaning
U
M/Sylvester welcomed nearly 600 guests, including more than 260 cancer survivors,
along with their loved ones, in an unforgettable evening of celebration and tribute
in early November. Not only were these brave individuals honored for their courage and
strength, but a heartfelt tribute also went out to Harcourt Sylvester Jr., whose lifesaving
vision led to the creation of the cancer center 15 years ago.
In fact, 2007 marks the 15-year anniversary of UM/Sylvester,
South Florida’s only university-based cancer center, where
world-class physicians and researchers work diligently every
day to treat cancer patients and find a cure for the devastating
disease. The special night of celebration included a reception, dinner, stories of survival, and anniversary mementos.
Also on hand was cancer survivor Darleen Fenster, who
was the first patient seen at UM/Sylvester in 1992, as well
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as Willowstine Lawson, a representative from the office of
Darleen Fenster (center), with her son Adam Fenster
the Honorable U.S. Senator Bill Nelson.
(left), and Dr. Jerry Goodwin (right)
Milestones
UM/Sylvester Celebrates 15 Years
S
ince opening its doors in 1992, the University
of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer
During the past 15 years, UM/Sylvester has earned
the respect of the international cancer community and
Center has enjoyed a
has emerged as a magnet for
number of memorable moments
today’s leading cancer experts.
and milestones, including the
Now, this diverse team of cancer center’s 15th anniversary. physician-scientists works to
This special milestone was made
develop cancer breakthroughs all the more poignant by the
in the laboratory and apply
news in August of the death of
the center’s namesake, Harcourt Sylvester Jr., whose generosity and
those breakthroughs to save From left to right: Dr. Jerry Goodwin; Dr. Luis Glaser,
former provost of the University of Miami; Harcourt
patients’ lives every day. Sylvester Jr.; and Dr. Bernard Fogel, dean emeritus
drive founded the center.
1992 The Sylvester
ship to the hospital.
dia industry, becomes chair
Comprehensive Cancer
The hospital’s
of the Board of Governors.
Center, made possible
Board of Governors
by a $27.5 million dona-
is strengthened
2001 Joseph D. Rosen-
tion by Harcourt Sylvester Jr. on behalf of
by the addition of community leaders inter-
the Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester
ested in cancer.
Foundation, opens its doors. At the time, the
1995 The Courtelis Center
117,500 square-foot center was the largest
outpatient cancer treatment facility in the
southeastern United States.
blatt, M.D., is recruited to
UM/Sylvester. Rosenblatt
serves as associate director of clinical and transla-
for Research and Treatment
tional research and chief
in Psychosocial Oncology is
of the Division of Hematol-
founded. University of Miami
ogy-Oncology.
Jay Weiss becomes chair of the UM/Sylves-
Board of Trustees member
ter Board of Governors. Known for his com-
and cancer patient Alec
passion and generosity, Weiss helped raise
Courtelis and Sharlene Weiss, Ph.D., a volun-
more than $150 million for the University of
tary faculty member in UM/Sylvester’s Biobe-
Miami and led UM/Sylvester during some of
havioral Oncology and Cancer Epidemiology
its most challenging years. He passed away
Program, provide the inspiration
in January 2004.
and lead fundraising efforts.
Joyce M. Slingerland, M.D.,
1993 W. Jarrard Goodwin, M.D., F.A.C.S.,
2000 Joaquin F. Blaya, recog-
Ph.D., F.R.C.P.(C), is recruited
and David Stansberry, former hospital ad-
nized as one of the most influen-
ministrator at UM/Sylvester, are recruited to
tial Hispanic businessmen in the
provide faculty and administrative leader-
country and a legend in the me-
Quest
2002 Miami Beach
philanthropists Irma and Norman Braman
announce a $5 million gift to help establish
the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute
at UM/Sylvester.
to direct the Braman Family
Breast Cancer Institute at
UM/Sylvester. In 2006 she
receives a five-year $1.5 mil-
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Milestones
lion Doris Duke Distinguished Clinical Scien-
Selevan Fromberg in memory of her step-
Department of Medicine at
tist Award to support her work investigating
daughter Jill Selevan, who passed away
Duke University Medical
how estrogen affects p27, a vital tumor cell
from cancer in her late 30s. The non-denomi-
Center.
regulator.
national chapel offers an inviting place for
2003 UM/Sylvester at Deerfield Beach, a
prayer, reflection, and services.
2007 Joan Scheiner becomes chair of the Board
10,000-square-foot facility designed to bet-
of Governors. Scheiner, a
ter meet the needs of residents of Broward
cancer survivor herself,
and Palm Beach Counties, opens. Deerfield
also is a Grand Founder of
Beach offers appoint-
UM/Sylvester, a member
ments with physicians
of the Founders Society,
from 12 of UM/Sylvester’s
chair of the Development
15 site disease groups,
Committee, and co-chair
complementary therapies
of the $137 million capital
from the Courtelis Center,
campaign.
and education and outreach events.
2004 UM/Sylvester
launches a $137 million
capital campaign as part of the University
of Miami’s $1 billion Momentum Campaign.
The University of Miami School of Medicine
receives a $100 million gift from the family
David Stansberry retires
2006 UM/Sylvester and the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation jointly receive a
$35.6 million gift from the estate of the late
Eugenia J. Dodson. The gift creates two endowed Dodson Chairs in Cancer Research
at UM/Sylvester.
after serving 15 years at
the University of Miami
and UM/Sylvester. As
hospital administrator, he
was responsible for many
dramatic improvements at
UM/Sylvester. Stansberry
of the late Leonard M. Miller, a longtime
is succeeded by Michael
South Florida businessman and philanthro-
Gittelman.
pist. In recognition of
Michael Gittelman is
the gift, the School of
named administrator for
Medicine is renamed
Specialty Hospitals, which
Leonard M. Miller School
include UMHC and Bascom
of Medicine.
Palmer/Anne Bates Leach
2005 Ground is broken
Eye Hospital, where he has
served as administrator
on the new Clinical Research Building, which
today stands 16 stories tall and houses various research and clinical departments on
the Miller School of Medicine campus.
The Jill Selevan
Chapel, just off
the UMHC lobby,
is dedicated.
Funding for the
project was
graciously donated by Doree
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The Papanicolaou Corps for Cancer Research announces a record-breaking gift
of $3.325 million to fund cancer research at
UM/Sylvester. The gift brings the total raised
by the Pap Corps over the past four years to
since 2004.
passes away at the age
of 80.
nearly $11 million, which exceeds their initial
University leadership
five-year pledge made in 2003 of $10 million.
purchases Cedars Medical
Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., F.A.C.C., becomes senior vice president for medical
affairs and dean of the Miller School of
Medicine. He is the former chairman of the
Center, which will provide
560 additional beds, full service hospital capabilities, and private rooms
for all patients. It becomes the University of
Miami Hospital.
On The Front Line
M e s s a g e f r o m t h e A s s o c i at e D i r e c t o r s
T
hanks to growing support from the National Cancer Institute (NCI),
the South Florida community, and the State of Florida, the University
of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s cancer center
support grant was submitted as scheduled to the NCI in September. The grant
describes the exciting growth we are experiencing such as the many newly
recruited cancer-focused physicians and scientists now on board. It also describes the expansion of research and clinical facilities at the medical campus
as well as at our regional satellites and collaborating institutions. In addition,
Glen N. Barber, Ph.D.
Associate Director
Basic Science
the grant details UM/Sylvester’s unique extended community and its importance to the nation’s cancer research efforts. Since much of the United States is
expected to gradually resemble South Florida’s population mix, UM/Sylvester’s
environment represents an important “population laboratory” for the nation’s
cancer research efforts. UM/Sylvester’s cancer focus is most evident in the structure and accomplishments of its multidisciplinary research programs. Two of these programs,
Viral Oncology and Biobehavorial Oncology and Cancer Epidemiology, were
developed to address the unique medical needs of our diverse community. The
Jennifer J. Hu, Ph.D.
Associate Director
Cancer Prevention and Control
two remaining programs, Tumor Immunobiology and Immunotherapy and
Molecular Targets and Developmental Therapeutics, have developed around
long-standing institutional strengths. All four programs are translational in
nature—which means that UM/Sylvester physicians have the unique ability
to apply research breakthroughs from the laboratory to the patient’s bedside.
In this environment, physicians are able to closely evaluate the effectiveness of
new treatments and share clinical insights with laboratory investigators, which
leads to improvements in patient care. Translation has been further assisted by
the launch of the Phase I Drug Development Program, which was created to
Robert S. Powell, M.Ed.
Associate Director
Administration
better bridge the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and clinical applications in the form of improved access to new cancer treatment approaches. This
Continued on next page
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On The Front Line
is the only Phase I Drug Development Program in the region. UM/Sylvester
investigators also are developing an extensive portfolio of research projects
aimed at understanding cancer disparities in Miami-Dade County and addressing these disparities as they are identified by our researchers.
Our world-class multidisciplinary efforts in lymphoma, breast cancer, Joseph D. Rosenblatt, M.D.
gastrointestinal cancer, lung cancer, and head and neck cancer highlight our
pivotal development and integration of new biologic agents into the medical
Associate Director
Clinical and Translational
arsenal. These include agents developed at UM/Sylvester such as gene therapy,
Research
antibody fusion proteins, viral therapies, new antibodies, as well as drugs and
drug combinations pioneered here. We also continue to recruit physicians and
scientists in many key areas, including radiation oncology and pathology.
We are excited about the initiatives already in place and the enormous opportunities that lie ahead in the areas of prevention and treatment of cancer.
The last 15 years have brought great promise in the area of cancer research, and
today UM/Sylvester is the preeminent cancer center in this community, in South
Florida and beyond, and a resource for the Caribbean basin and Latin America.
Sean P. Scully, M.D., Ph.D.
We salute the efforts of our physician-scientists, board members, generous sup-
Associate Director
Education and Training
porters, and patients in our mission to provide world-class cancer care.
Sincerely,
Glen N. Barber, Ph.D.
Jennifer J. Hu, Ph.D.
Robert S. Powell, M.Ed
Joseph D. Rosenblatt, M.D.
Sean P. Scully, M.D., Ph.D. 10
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Novel Biological Therapeutic
Agent Shows Promise
S
cientists at UM/Sylvester are leading efforts in skin cancer research to
look for better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat non-melanoma
and melanoma cancers. Among their current focuses: an exciting new
targeted therapy aimed at saving the lives of melanoma patients.
UM/Sylvester researchers conducting a Phase II trial are seeing early, but
very promising results from treating
melanoma patients with ADI-PEG, a
novel biological therapeutic agent.
“ADI-PEG is an anti-cancer enzyme that depletes the amino acid
arginine from the blood. While normal human cells are able to synthesize
arginine, some cancer cells, such as
melanoma, are deficient in the necessary enzymatic pathway for arginine
synthesis,” says the study’s principal
investigator Lynn G. Feun, M.D.,
co-leader of the Melanoma and Related Skin Cancers Site Disease Group
at UM/Sylvester and professor of
medicine at the University of Miami
Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. “Therefore, depleting arginine
from the blood can control tumor
growth and even eliminate argininerequiring cancers without damage to
normal cells.”
UM/Sylvester’s promising ADIPEG melanoma trial results are prompting other major cancer research centers
to look into the role of this therapeutic
agent. “Memorial Sloan Kettering and
New York University are starting clinical trials in melanoma to confirm our
data,” Feun says.
Although this National Institutes
of Health-funded trial is ongoing,
Feun says that he has observed “major”
responses in patients with advanced
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melanoma—even among those who
have not responded to other therapies.
He adds that UM/Sylvester researchers are working on this drug in the
laboratory to discover which melanoma
patients may benefit from and how best
to use the drug in combination with
other cancer treatments.
“This trial is important because
melanoma is an increasing problem.
ADI-PEG is a targeted therapy that
can spare normal tissue and does not
have the side effects of chemotherapy
and other less targeted adjuvant treatments,” he says.
Lynn G. Feun, M.D.
CoQ10 cream to mice with melanoma tumors, they could reduce
tumor mass by more than half. In
fact, these laboratory animal studies
suggested that topical CoQ10 could
induce apoptosis, which is the normal programmed cell death that goes
awry in cancer.
Armed with this promising research, UM/Sylvester has taken a
leading role in CoQ10 with studies
aimed at understanding the mechaCoQ10 and skin Cancer
nisms of how CoQ10 works; underreliminary data from UM/Syl- standing whether the full molecule
vester research suggest that the or any individual component is
antioxidant coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) responsible for the observed effects;
might play an important role in skin optimizing the delivery of CoQ10
cancer treatment and prevention, ac- treatment; and studying the usefulcording to Robert S. Kirsner, M.D., ness of this medication in a variety
Ph.D., a member of the Biobehavioral of cancers, says Kirsner. CoQ10 was
Oncology and Cancer
developed by Kirsner’s
Epidemiology Procolleagues S.L. Hsia,
gram at UM/Sylvester
Ph.D., Niven Narand professor and vice
ian, and Indushekar
chair in the DepartPersaud. Both Narian
ment of Dermatoland Persaud continue
ogy and Cutaneous
to work on it.
Surgery at the Miller
K i r s n e r, w h o
School of Medicine.
is super vising the
UM/Sylvester reCoQ10 research,
searchers have found
s a y s t h a t w h i l e
that when applying Robert S. Kirsner, M.D., Ph.D.
U M / Sy l v e s t e r re -
P
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On The Front Line
searchers are not yet
ready to report their
results, the hope is that
CoQ10 will be a therapeutic advance for the
millions of Americans
who suffer from skin
cancer. “We also hope that
a better understanding
of CoQ10 and its role Keyvan Nouri, M.D.
in cell growth will provide insight into new treatment options
for all kinds of skin conditions, including skin cancer,” Kirsner says.
UM/Sylvester has proprietary
rights to a delivery system for CoQ10,
which the University has licensed to
a company interested in pursuing
CoQ10 as a potential treatment. “This
collaboration has put the cancer center
in a position to further study and make
unique insights into CoQ10 and cancer treatment,” says Kirsner.
Advances in
Skin Cancer
Treatments
he gold standard
treatments for nonmelanoma skin cancers
remain simple excision
and Mohs micrographic
surgery,” says Keyvan
Nouri, M.D., a member
of the Melanoma and
Related Skin Cancers
Site Disease Group at UM/Sylvester and
professor of dermatology and director
of dermatologic surgery at the Miller
School of Medicine.
The Mohs procedure involves
removing skin cancer one layer at a
time and examining these layers under
a microscope. Mohs surgeons keep
removing tissue until the margins are
cancer free. The approach, Nouri says,
allows surgeons to remove the whole
tumor to cure the cancer but leave as
T
little a cosmetic scar as possible.
Today, however, there are many
other options, including studies looking at alternative treatments, such as
light sources and topical creams that
boost the immune system.
While laser treatments have not
been shown to be
particularly successful in removing skin cancers,
light therapy, specifically photodynamic therapy
(PDT), does have
a place in skin
cancer treatment,
Nouri says.
Melanoma as seen
“ P D T i n - through a dermoscope.
volves using a
photosensitizer, called aminolevulinic
acid (ALA) in combination with a
blue, red, or other light source,” Nouri
says. “We apply the photosensitizer to
Understanding Skin Cancer
C
ancer that forms in tissues of the skin accounts for
on the body, including areas that are not sun-exposed, such
nearly half of all cancers in the United States, accord-
as on the bottom of the feet. Other less common skin cancer
ing to the American Cancer Society. In fact, with more
types include:
than one million skin cancers diagnosed each year, the number
Kaposi’s sarcoma, which most often develops in associa-
surpasses diagnoses for prostate, breast, lung, colon, uterine,
tion with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and
ovarian, and pancreatic cancers combined.
the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This type
There are many different types of skin cancer. The most
of cancer typically results in tumors developing in the tissues
common are non-melanoma basal cell and squamous cell
below the skin’s surface or in the mucous membranes of the
carcinomas. Basal cell skin cancer forms in the basal cells,
mouth, nose, or anus. Kaposi’s sarcoma, which is usually not
or the small, round cells in the base of the outer layer of skin.
deadly but can be disfiguring, has become far less common
Squamous cell carcinoma occurs in squamous cells, the flat
thanks to new and better treatments for AIDS and HIV.
cells that form on the skin’s surface. Both of these skin can-
Paget’s disease is a form of breast cancer where the
cers are sun-related, most often occurring on sun-exposed
tumor grows from ducts beneath the nipple onto the surface
areas of the body.
of the nipple. This type of cancer also can affect other skin
Melanoma, the most deadly of skin cancers, forms in
cells that make pigment. Caught early, melanoma is highly
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areas, such as the perianal area and vulva. (Paget’s disease
of the bone is a different disease.)
curable. However, once the cancer thickens, it is much more
Merkel cell cancer is a rare skin cancer developing in the
difficult to treat successfully. Melanoma can occur anywhere
skin’s hormone-producing cells. Merkel cell cancer usually oc-
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the skin and leave it on for a few hours
for the cancer cells to absorb. We then
shine the light source on the area to
activate the porphyrin (an organic
compound that binds metals), which
destroys the cancer cells.”
Other options in the treatment
of less aggressive basal cell carcinoma
include in-office procedures such
as scraping, burning, or freezing.
For some squamous cell lesions,
surgical excision is a less invasive
alternative to Mohs. New treatments
for these two non-melanoma skin
cancers include the use of a topical
cream, called Aldara
(imiquimod), an immune modulator that
stimulates the body’s
immune system to get
rid of the cancer.
“Aldara has been FDA-approved
for pre-cancers, called actinic keratosis, and superficial forms of basal cell
carcinoma,” he says.
“The approaches for melanoma,
the deadliest of skin cancers, are not so
clear cut,” says Nouri. “The problem
is that often the cancer is not diagnosed in its earliest, most treatable,
stages,” he says. “Melanoma can be
cured if detected early.”
Catching Melanoma
Early with
Dermoscopy
lthough widely
used in Europe,
UM/Sylvester is one of
just a few U.S. cancer
centers using dermos-
A
Johr also uses the Molemax
A dermoscope used to diagnose
machine, right, to view detailed
melanoma.
microscopic images of moles.
curs in sun-exposed areas
ingly, Sun Belt states, including Florida and California, report
and is often more aggressive
the highest incidences of melanoma in the United States.
than basal cell and squamous
And the more sunlight in the day, the greater the incidence of
cell carcinomas. Merkel cell
the non-melanoma skin cancers, so Arizona, Texas, and Florida—
skin cancer can return after
states closer to the equator—have higher rates of these other
treatment—even spreading
skin cancers, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
to the internal organs.
Cutaneous T-cell lym-
Typical melanoma
copy and digital dermoscopy, technology that helps physicians diagnose
melanoma early.
According to recent research
published in the Archives of Dermatology, digital dermoscopy has been
shown to be a lifesaving technology
for melanoma patients, says Robert
Johr, M.D., director of UM/Sylvester’s Pigmented Lesion Clinic and
clinical professor of dermatology at the Miller
School of Medicine.
“The researchers in
this study, from Vienna
and Australia, took
digital dermoscopic
images of subjects’
moles and they followed
them over time to see
if the moles changed.
They did 499 comparisons of baseline digital
dermoscopic images
Although skin cancers are most prevalent among adults
who have had accumulated sun exposure, melanoma can oc-
phoma is the most common
cur among children. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation,
type of primary cutaneous
children under the age of six months should not be exposed
lymphoma, which is a type
to the sun at all.
of lymphoma that appears to
start predominately or entirely in the skin.
The key with skin cancer, as with other cancers, is to
catch it early, when it is highly curable. In addition to using
sun-protection, see a dermatologist once a year for a full-body
What You Can Do
T
skin exam. Get to know your skin and any moles or lesions you
he sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays are thought to be the most
might have. Examine your skin monthly for any changes. These
responsible for skin cancers although recent research
changes include new moles or spots, as well as areas that may
suggests that UVA rays also might be to blame. Not surpris-
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have changed in texture, shape, color, or size.
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On The Front Line
and follow-up images and found
changes in many lesions. Ninety
melanomas were found this way; half
of the melanomas were 100 percent
curable and the other half were found
early enough for a good chance for
cure,” Johr says.
One of the important observations of this study, according to Johr,
was that many of the melanomas
that were removed did not look like
melanomas, clinically, or with dermoscopy. Only because the lesions
were found to change over time, excisions were performed and the melanomas were diagnosed. This same
technology is used at UM/Sylvester’s
Pigmented Lesion Clinic.
The next step toward improving
melanoma diagnosis is pending FDA
approval. Johr is keeping an eye on a
handheld device called MelaFind®
that uses visible and infrared light
to capture images of suspicious ogy reported that only 25 percent of
pigmented skin lesions and diagnose dermatologists use dermoscopy and
them automatically. The ability of very few use digital dermoscopy.
MelaFind® to accurately diagnose
“For a cutting edge skin exmelanoma better than experienced amination, dermoscopy should
dermatologists looks
be used not only to
promising.
examine suspicious
“For now, the best
skin lesions but also
way to detect melanoones that might look
ma and other forms of
okay, because up to
skin cancer is by havten percent of melaing an annual headnomas do not look
to-toe skin exam with
like melanoma. They
your dermatologist.
are called melanoma
Eighty percent of melincognito and are esanomas are on areas George W. Elgart, M.D.
pecially hard to diagof the body that are
nose,” Johr says.
covered by clothes, so it is essential
to find a doctor who does total body Better Use of Biopsies
skin examinations. Unfortunately, a
M/Sylvester’s George W. Elgart,
significant number do not,” he says.
M.D., co-leader of the MelaAccording to Johr, the Journal of noma and Related Skin Cancers Site
the American Academy of Dermatol- Disease Group and professor and vice
chair of the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the
Miller School of Medicine, is workPrimary Nursing Program improves patient safety
ing on several methods to extract
he UM/Sylvester Head and Neck Clinic is piloting a Primary Nursing Program
usable information from melanoma
designed to improve the quality and safety of patient care.
biopsy specimens. When physicians
Launched in April, the program pairs individual nurses and physicians with
biopsy a lesion to determine if it is
patients so that they see and interact with the same nurse at every visit. Over the
melanoma, he explains, they do not
course of treatment that nurse remains the primary contact for the patient.
always take the entire lesion on the
“With this program, patients always communicate with the same nurse,” says
original biopsy.
Elizabeth Smith, R.N., B.P.S., director of nursing services at UM/Sylvester, who serves
“Since tumor depth directly
as director of the program and helped develop the curriculum.
affects staging of the disease, it is
“The program provides for increased continuity of care and improved patient
important to handle those ‘incomsafety and outcomes. Compliance with treatment protocols may be enhanced with
plete’ specimens carefully to obtain
better communication between patient and caregiver,” adds Smith. “This has been
the most information possible from
a joint effort among the nursing leadership, and we are excited to see it come to
the specimen,” Elgart says. “We are
fruition.”
studying our cases with the hope of
“So far the program has been a great success,” notes Penny Fisher, M.S., R.N.,
finding new ways to get useful inforC.O.R.L.N., advanced practice nurse and clinical instructor of otolaryngology at the
mation from them. This could help
Miller School of Medicine. Fisher serves as a teacher and mentor for the program.
in the staging of cases of melanoma
To date, four primary nurses are managing the care of the patients of seven
and may help to guide clinicians to
physicians. The program will be expanded to other clinics and units throughout the
make the best decisions for patients
cancer center in the near future.
with this disease.”
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Advancing Technology
Through Innovation
U
M Innovation is the home of technology advancement at the
University of Miami and serves to integrate the University of
Miami’s vibrant and comprehensive research initiatives. As a
focal point for technology development and commercialization opportunities, UM Innovation serves as a bridge between faculty physicians
and scientists seeking to commercially
Above: Norma Kenyon, M.D.,
translate their research efforts and cor-
director of the Wallace H. Coulter
Center for Translational Research;
porate entities interested in accessing
Gary Margules, Sc.D., assistant
and advancing innovative technologies. By working with UM/Sylvester
in managing the intellectual property process and commercialization
of its discoveries, UM Innovation may
help UM/Sylvester to generate income
through royalty and/or licensing
revenue. Such translation successes may generate philanthropic and
industry support and augment faculty
recruitment.
“This is a prime example of why it
is so valuable for UM/Sylvester to be an
integral part of a dynamic research university,” says W. Jarrard Goodwin, M.D.,
F.A.C.S., UM/Sylvester’s Director.
UM Innovation integrates the
University’s Office of Technology
Transfer, the Wallace H. Coulter
Center for Translational Research, the
future University of Miami Life Science
Park, and the Patent and Copyright
Committee. As such, UM Innovation
provides a convenient, efficient, and
user-friendly thruway for corporations seeking to license basic research,
applied research, and patents, and
provides for collaborative opportunities with University faculty scientists.
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vice provost and director, Office
of Technology Transfer (OTT); and
Keith Rubin, M.D., deputy director
of special programs in bioscience
and assistant professor of clinical
medicine. Left: From left to right:
Bart Chernow; Gary Margules, Sc.D.;
Bin Yan, Ph.D., LL.B., director of
business development, Coulter
Center; and Keith Rubin, M.D.
Within the University community,
faculty, staff, and student entrepreneurs
can access UM Innovation to frame
their scientific and business goals,
write business plans, raise capital, and
interface with an experienced and
ready, willing, and able team, led by
Bart Chernow, M.D., M.A.C.P., vice
provost of technology advancement
for the University of Miami.
To expand the pioneering research
initiatives across the University, UM
Innovation also has been conceiving
and developing plans for a University of
Miami Life Science Park where future
basic science, applied research, and
commercial collaboration will intersect.
The Life Science Park will extend the
University’s rigorous quest for knowl-
edge to find new ways to understand,
diagnose, and treat disease, and also will
welcome all aspects of the life sciences.
With up to 1.4 million square feet of
space and situated on approximately
seven acres adjacent to the Miller School
of Medicine, the University of Miami
Life Science Park will become a collaborative community for research and
innovation, not only for the University’s
current diverse research initiatives, but
also for collaborations with corporate
entities and investigators from other
regions and countries. In short, UM Innovation aspires to embrace and nurture
the vibrant research initiatives of today’s
University of Miami community and
provides a foundation for the discoveries
of tomorrow.
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On The Front Line
Fueling the Research Powerhouse
L
ured by the prospect of conducting breakthrough translational research—the ability
to translate research conducted in the laboratory into better and faster treatment
options for patients—many new physician-scientists have joined the cancer center
in recent months eager to complement UM/Sylvester’s investigative efforts in this area.
Ronald Benveniste, M.D., Ph.D. Center in Houston, Benveniste rempressed by UM/Sylvester’s high ceived his B.S. in microbiology and
clinical volume and potential for immunology from the University of
strong clinical research, Ronald Miami and his M.D./Ph.D. degree Benveniste, M.D., Ph.D., recently from Washington University in St.
joined UM/Sylvester’s ranks as Louis, Missouri. He completed his inclinical assistant professor of neu- ternship and neurosurgery residency
rological surgery. In this position, at Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Benveniste plans to develop a neu- in New York in 2006 and finished his
rosurgical oncology practice (in fellowship in July 2007.
close collaboration with
the Miami VA Hospital)
as well as introduce clinical research protocols for
brain tumor patients at
UM/Sylvester.
“ The neurosurgical
faculty is very skilled and
respected, and I am excited
about working with them
and learning from them,”
Jennifer Clarke, Ph.D.
says Benveniste, a member Ronald Benveniste, M.D., Ph.D.
of the Neurological Cancer
Site Disease Group.
Jennifer Clarke, Ph.D.
One of Benveniste’s main research
ennifer Clarke, Ph.D., joined
goals is to establish a research program
UM/Sylvester in September as an
focused on determining how cancers assistant professor in the Department
spread to the brain so that better of Epidemiology and Public Health
protocols for detecting and preventing at the Miller School of Medicine.
brain metastasis can be developed. His Clarke received her Ph.D. in statistics
clinical interests include brain tumor from Pennsylvania State University
surgery, particularly brain metastases, and completed a post-doctoral felgliomas (tumors that arise from the lowship at the National Institute
support cells of the brain), and pitu- of Statistical Sciences in Research
itary tumors.
Triangle Park, North Carolina, before
A past neurosurgical oncology joining Duke University as an assisfellow at the M.D. Anderson Cancer tant research professor in 2001.
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Clarke’s decision to come to Miami
was based upon the abundance of top
notch researchers in genetics/genomics,
including those in the new Miami Institute for Human Genomics (MIHG)
at the Miller School of Medicine. She
is looking forward to working with her
colleagues in MIHG and in cardiology
and oncology who have recently moved
to Miami from Duke University.
“My primary research
area is statistical methodology for high dimensional
data of multiple types, specifically ‘omics’ data—genomics, metabolomics, and
proteomics,” says Clarke.
“I develop and apply these
methodologies in several
application areas including
oncology and cardiology.”
Clarke received undergraduate degrees from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs,
New York and holds a master’s degree
from Carnegie Mellon University in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Catherine Jones, M.D.
atherine Jones, M.D., recently
joined UM/Sylvester as a clinical instructor in the Department of
Medicine, Division of HematologyOncology. She comes to the cancer
center from Vanderbilt University
in Nashville, Tennessee, where she
recently completed a fellowship in
C
general thoracic surgery component novel signaling pathways that lead to
of the Division of Cardiothoracic cell transformation and tumorigenisis. Specifically, he and his team are
Surgery.
Nguyen received his medical de- investigating the signaling pathways
gree from McGill University Medical involving a candidate tumor suppressor, Disabled-2
School in Montreal,
(Dab2) and GATA
Canada. He completed a two-year clinical
transcription factors,
and research fellowin the development
ship in thoracic oncolof ovarian cancer.
ogy at the University
Additional interests
of Texas, M.D. Anof the research team
Dao Nguyen, M.D.
derson Cancer Center
include the biology
ao Nguyen, M.D., joined UM/Syl- in Houston, Texas,
of menopause and
vester in September 2007, as an before being recruited
embryonic stem cells
associate professor of surgery and to the NCI.
in early mammalian
chief of the Thoracic Surgery Section,
embryonic developCatherine Jones, M.D.
ment.
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery in Xiangxi Xu, Ph.D.
iangxi (Michael)
Xu comes from
the DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery at the Miller School
Xu, Ph.D., joined
the Fox Chase Cancer
of Medicine.
UM/Sylvester in OcCenter in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Nguyen was recruited to UM/Syl- tober as professor of
vester from the National Cancer medicine and chief
“I am very enthusiastic about the exciting
Institute (NCI) of the National In- of ovarian cancer restitutes of Health, where he served search, where he will
new environment, and
as a principal investigator for more be charged with deI am highly optimistic
than nine years. “I decided to come veloping an ovarian
about the potential for
to UM/Sylvester because of the cancer research prous to succeed and contribute to the research
tremendous opportunity for transla- gram. Xu holds joint Dao Nguyen, M.D.
tional research and clinical activity in appointments in the
and academic achievement at the University
general thoracic surgery, particularly Departments of Mediof Miami,” he says.
thoracic oncology, my chosen field of cine and Obstetrics
and Gynecology. His
Xu received his
expertise,” says Nguyen.
undergraduate deThe focus of Nguyen’s research research interests lie
gree from Zhongis to selectively stimulate the death- primarily in ovarian
shan University in
promoting signal transduction path- cancer.
way in cancer cells while sparing
Xu and his reGuangzhou, China,
the normal cells using recombinant search team will transand his Ph.D. from
protein or viral vectors. “I am also fer three NCI and
Emory University in
interested in using drugs to inhibit Department of DeAtlanta, Georgia. He
growth-promoting signal transduc- fense funded research Xiangxi (Michael) Xu, Ph.D.
completed postdoction pathways in cancer cells to projects to UM/Syltoral training at Coturn off their malignant behaviors,” vester. All of these projects are on lumbia University Medical Center
says Nguyen. He plans to con- the study of ovarian cancer biology in New York and St. Jude Children’s
tinue his research efforts at UM/Syl- and etiology, to better understand the Research Hospital in Memphis,
vester with the goal to strengthen the molecular alterations of known and Tennessee.
hematology-oncology.
At UM/Sylvester, Jones will focus
her efforts on gastrointestinal oncology where she will concentrate on
some of her main research interests,
including Phase I drug development
and health disparities research.
Jones holds an M.D. degree and a
Master’s of Science in Clinical Investigation from Michigan State University
in East Lansing, Michigan.
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in the news
Survey Reveals Disparities
in Skin Cancer Knowledge
Among High School Students
esearchers from the University of
Miami Sylvester Comprehensive
Cancer Center surveyed students at
a Miami-Dade County public high
school and found white Hispanic
teens were more likely to use tanning
beds and less likely to consider themselves at risk for skin cancer or protect
themselves from the sun than white
non-Hispanic teens.
Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet
(UV) rays is a major risk factor for
melanoma and non-melanoma skin
cancers, and the majority of lifetime
exposure occurs by age 18, according to
a study led by Robert S. Kirsner, M.D.,
Ph.D., professor and vice chair of the
Department of Dermatology and Cu-
R
taneous Surgery and a member of the
Melanoma and Related Skin Cancers
Site Disease Group at UM/Sylvester.
White Hispanics have a lower rate of
skin cancer than white non-Hispanics,
but are more likely to be diagnosed at
a later stage.
The findings were published in the
August 2007 issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA Archives of Dermatology journals. In 2006, Kirsner and
his colleagues published another study
that found melanoma is diagnosed later
among blacks and Hispanics compared
to white patients, which suggests a lack
of awareness among minorities about
their melanoma risk. When melanoma
is caught at an early stage before it has
spread, the five-year survival rate is 98
percent. If the cancer isn’t caught until
it has metastasized, or spread far from
UM/Sylvester Physician-Scientist Wins Prestigious
Award to Support Research on Viruses and Cancer
J
uan Carlos Ramos, M.D., assistant professor of clinical medicine in the Divi-
sion of Hematology-Oncology at the Miller School of Medicine, was one of
only five researchers in the nation to receive a Damon Runyon
Clinical Investigator Award. The prestigious award provides
$450,000 in research funding and specifically recognizes promising “translational” research (translating research findings
into new and better means of cancer prevention, diagnosis,
and treatment) and investigator support over three years. The
award will support his groundbreaking work on the role of an
oncogenic protein in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL).
ATLL is caused by the human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV-I)
Juan Carlos
and is endemic in southern Japan, in certain regions of Brazil,
Ramos, M.D.
as well as in western Africa. It is a relatively rare diagnosis
in the United States, affecting fewer than 1,000 people. But
because the disease also is prevalent in the Caribbean islands, which are largely
populated by African descendants, like Haiti and Jamaica, South Florida has the
highest incidence rate in the country. The disease carries a dismal prognosis.
Ramos’ work promises to help predict which patients will respond to interferonbased therapy so that all ATLL patients receive the most effective treatment
soon after diagnosis.
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where it began, survival dwindles to
16 percent. “Even after controlling for
skin cancer risk factors, white Hispanic
students had differences in knowledge
and behavior related to skin cancer protection. This suggests delayed diagnosis
and the rise of skin cancer in Hispanics may be due to lack of knowledge,”
explains Kirsner. “This provides opportunities for intervention.”
Pain Pioneer Joins
School of Medicine
elvin C. Gitlin, M.D., F.A.C.P.M.,
knows a lot about pain. In fact,
he’s a noted pain expert. His pioneering work includes a virtual blueprint
for treating chronic pain with opioids,
guidelines he first drafted in 1997 for
a World Congress of Neurologists
symposium.
After many years of work in
medical institutions across the country—including more than a decade in
New Orleans (where, after Hurricane
Katrina, he used a cell phone to hold
a hospital’s anesthesiology department
together)—Gitlin has brought his
intricate and specialized knowledge to
the Miller School of Medicine.
In his new role as professor and
vice chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, Gitlin plans to maximize
the potential of the department to provide optimal care to patients locally,
regionally, and internationally. Gitlin
also will be charged with enhancing
the Department of Anesthesiology’s
multidisciplinary pain management
facility that provides state-of-the-art
pain relief treatment and education
to patients from around world. Researchers at the center also conduct
cutting-edge research to discover
new treatments for refractory pain
conditions.
M
Pain management is essential for many cancer patients and is a key component
of their treatment. As a result,
Gitlin will work closely with
patients and staff at UM/Sylvester, where physicians who
are board-certified in pain
management provide cutting-edge pain management
services.
From left to right: Stanley Thornton, board member,
Miami-Dade/Monroe ACS; Dr. Joseph D. Rosenblatt;
ACS Institutional Research
Grant Award Ceremony
icking off a formal award ceremony
in August, UM/Sylvester’s Associate
Director for Clinical and Translational
Research, Joseph D. Rosenblatt, M.D.,
introduced the 2006 and 2007 UM/Sylvester recipients of the American Cancer
Society’s (ASC) Institutional Research
Grant Award. The 2007 grant recipients
are Noella Dietz, Ph.D., Maria-Elena
Jockovich, Ph.D., and Norito Takenaka,
Ph.D. The 2006 awardees were Amjad
Farooq, Ph.D., and Khaled Tolba,
M.D. The grant provides funding for
meritorious cancer research that cannot be readily supported through other
funding mechanisms.
The primary objective of the ACS
grant is to provide seed money of up
to $45,000 to young investigators who
have no current national peer-reviewed
grant support, thus encouraging
junior investigators to participate in
cancer research. Rosenblatt serves as
the principal investigator of the ACS
research grant.
K
Dr. Khaled Tolba; Lilliam S. Machado, board chair,
Miami-Dade/Monroe ACS; and Berta Rios, Ph.D.,
other significant scientific
activities, achievements, and
honors.
“Service on a study section also requires mature judgment and objectivity as well as
the ability to work effectively
in a group, qualities we believe
Dr. Lokeshwar will bring to
this important task,” stated
Toni Scarpa, M.D., Ph.D.,
director, Center for Scientific Review,
Department of Health and Human
Services.
area executive director, Miami-Dade/Monroe ACS
urology and cell biology and anatomy
at the Miller School of Medicine, recently was invited by the Department of
Health and Human Services to serve as a
member of the Development Therapeutics Study Section, Center for Scientific
Review. Her new term of service began
on July 1, 2007 and ends June 20, 2011.
Members for this appointment are selected on the basis of their demonstrated
competence and achievement in their
scientific discipline as evidenced by the
quality of research accomplishments,
publications in scientific journals, and
Wolfson Elected to
Board of Nationally
Recognized Gynecologic
Oncology Group
M/Sylvester radiation oncologist
Aaron H. Wolfson, M.D., UM/
Jackson Cancer Committee Chair,
and professor and vice chair of the
Department of Radiation Oncology
at the Miller School of Medicine, has
been elected to serve on the board of
directors of the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG). The GOG, which
receives support from the National
Institutes of Health, promotes excel-
U
Researchers Awarded a Leukemia and Lymphoma
Society Award
J
oseph D. Rosenblatt, M.D., associate director of clinical and translational re-
search at UM/Sylvester, and Seung-Uon Shin, M.D., research associate professor
at the Miller School of Medicine, recently were awarded a three-year Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society Award in the amount of $600,000. The goal of this Translational
Research Award Program is to encourage and provide early-stage support for clinical research in leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, which is intended to develop
Researcher Receives
Prestigious Appointment
inata B. Lokeshwar, Ph.D., a member of UM/Sylvester’s Molecular
Targets and Developmental Therapeutics Program, and associate professor of
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innovative approaches to treatment, diagnosis, and prevention. Rosenblatt and
Shin’s research will focus on the anti-CD20 antibody Rituximab, which is used to
treat non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. Rituximab activity depends, in part, upon its ability
to activate immune cells called Natural Killer (NK) cells and cause them to attack
lymphoma cells.
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in the news
lence and quality in clinical and basic
scientific research in the field of gynecologic cancer.
Wolfson has worked in the field
for many years to find treatments for
cervical cancer and has a long history
with the GOG. He has been attending GOG meetings since 1991, when
he first arrived in Miami. Since 1992,
Wolfson has served on the Radiation
Oncology Committee. As part of that
committee, he works to advance quality control and monitoring for women
receiveing radiation.
UM/Sylvester Researcher
Finds Inhibitors that
May Prove Beneficial in
Breast Cancer Therapy
ew research from UM/Sylvester
suggests a role for the oncogene
Src in ERα-negative breast cancers.
N
(An oncogene is a gene that controls
cell growth.) ERα-negative cancers
are more aggressive, have a worse
prognosis than ERα-positive breast
cancers, and have been thought to be
estrogen dependent. Joyce M. Slingerland, M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.P.(C),
director of the Braman Family Breast
Cancer Institute at UM/Sylvester,
and colleagues studied 250 primary
breast cancers and found that estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-negative primary breast cancers and cell
lines showed increased levels and/or
activity of the protein Src, which
cooperates with estrogen to activate
ERα breakdown. Findings from the
Slingerland lab provide hope for
some women with ERα-negative
breast cancers, who may benefit
from the use of Src inhibitor drugs.
The work was published in the
FLORIDA CANCER CONFERENCE
A
mong the many UM/Sylvester faculty and staff at this year’s Florida Cancer
Conference (formerly the Joint Cancer Conference) at the Breakers in Palm
Beach were Ana R. Espinosa, R.N., B.S.N., O.C.N., manager, site disease group;
Ricki D. Meadvin, R.N., O.C.N., manager, quality and standards and employee
health; Joyce Rios, R.N., B.S.N., O.C.N., surgical oncology clinic nurse manager;
and Jacqueline Cereijo, R.N., B.S.N., neuro-oncology nurse coordinator.
The varied presentations given at the conference were designed for all health
care providers involved with cancer care—from primary care physicians to general surgeons and
medical oncologists,
as well as oncology
nurses and researchers, with a special
focus on fellows.
From left to right: Ana
Espinosa, Ricki Meadvin,
Joyce Rios, and
Jacqueline Cereijo
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August 2007 issue of the Journal of
Clinical Investigation.
Slingerland’s research career
has been devoted to the translation of mechanistic aspects of cell
cycle and hormonal regulation
of breast cancer. She has received
numerous awards including the
Doris Duke Distinguished Clinical
Scientist Award. Her research has
been funded by the National Cancer
Institute, Department of Defense
Breast Cancer Research Program,
and the Breast Cancer Research
Foundation.
Braman Family Breast
Cancer Institute at
UM/Sylvester Announces
grant Awardees
he Office of Research Administration recently announced
the Braman Family Breast Cancer
Institute at UM/Sylvester 2007
developmental grants awardees.
These one-year grants to qualified
researchers provide $50,000 for
operating expenses, equipment, and
laboratory needs to support promising research in breast cancer. These
developmental grants are intended
to encourage and support promising
new basic, translational, and clinical
research in breast cancer. This year, a
total of 14 investigators applied.
The four awardees are: Gennaro
D’Urso, Ph.D., from the Department of Molecular and Cellular
Pharmacology; Mary Lou King,
Ph.D., in the Department of Cell
Biology and Anatomy; Jaime Merchán, M.D., a hematologist-oncologist in the Department of Medicine;
and Keith Webster, Ph.D., from the
Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology.
T
M AKING A D IFFERENCE
Message from the board chair
UM/Sylvester
Board of Governors
Fiscal Year 2007 (Through May 31, 2007)
Joan Scheiner, Chair
Joaquin F. Blaya, Chair Emeritus
Rose Ellen Greene, Vice Chair
Thomas B. Levinson, Vice Chair
Jon Alexiou, Ph.D.
Sheldon T. Anderson
Cynthia L. Augustyn, J.D.
Jose P. Bared
Gloria Berkowitz
Norman L. Braman
Minette Brown
Michele Chulick
William Donelan
Denny Feinsilver
Michael B. Fernandez
Thomas J. Fitzpatrick
Bernard J. Fogel, M.D.
David Fuente
Gail Gidney
Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., F.A.C.C.
Mark Halpern
Peggy Hollander
Elsie Sterling Howard
Donald E. Kubit, J.D.
Alan S. Livingstone, M.D.
Jayne S. Malfitano
George Mencio, Jr., J.D.
Joseph Natoli
Steve Nuell, J.D.
William O’Neill, M.D.
Marvin O’ Quinn
Dennis J. Patin, M.D.
Nilda P. Peragallo, Dr.P.H., F.A.A.N.
Barbara Pessel
Joseph D. Rosenblatt, M.D.
John Schulte
H. Allan Shore, J.D.
Anne C. Smith, R.N., M.B.A.
David Stansberry
Richard Spring
Barbara Weintraub
Joined the board since the beginning
of fiscal year 2008
Michael Gittelman replaces
David L. Stansberry, M.S.
Jorge J. Guerra Jr., M.D.
Marc E. Lippman, M.D.
Aaron H. Wolfson, M.D., replaces
Dennis J. Patin, M.D.
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W
hen I first walked through the doors of the University of Miami
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center ten years ago, I had been
diagnosed with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma and was coming to
meet my oncologist Pasquale Benedetto, M.D., for the first time. I knew at
that moment that my future rested in the hands of the well-trained physicianscientists, nurses, and support staff that make up UM/Sylvester, and it was an
awesome realization.
My prognosis back then was not good. In fact, it was anticipated that I
would live approximately 18 months. But with the care and guidance of my
UM/Sylvester team, it has been an amazing ten years.
Having experienced UM/Sylvester as a patient, I
witnessed the cancer center from a completely different
perspective. It was, and still is, a jewel of an institution—
a complete healing facility. I also now know that small
improvements made possible through research—such as
changes that dramatically reduce the time it takes to perform a scanning procedure, for example—are tremendous
strides for patients. We’re all focused on curing cancer, but
when you’re a patient, every little step along the way is huge. Joan Scheiner
After this life-changing experience, I have attempted to
use my strength of spirit to accomplish good things. So it seemed only logical
that I give back to the institution that made such a huge impact on my life
and the lives of countless others. In 2001, I made a meaningful donation to
UM/Sylvester and offered to help raise money to realize the endless possibilities that were out there for those faced with a cancer diagnosis. I became a
member of the Founders Society, chair of UM/Sylvester’s Development Committee, co-chair of the cancer center’s five-year, $137 million capital
campaign, and later a Grand Founder of UM/Sylvester.
Today, as chair of the UM/Sylvester Board of Governors, I am working
to develop an infrastructure that will ensure the success of future fundraising
initiatives so that the funds raised continue to fuel the lifesaving research being conducted at UM/Sylvester. More importantly, I feel privileged to lead a
board of committed, caring, and compassionate individuals all with the same
mission in mind—to eradicate cancer, and while working to do so, improve
the quality of life for all who deal with this dreaded disease. It is a goal that is
achievable with your ongoing support.
Joan Scheiner
Chair, Board of Governors
UM/Sylvester
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Cancer Survivors/Advocates Play the Role of Recruiters
They’re not “head hunters” nor do they work for an executive
search firm. But Jon and Shirley Alexiou, longtime patients and
avid supporters of UM/Sylvester, skillfully recruited a physicianscientist to the cancer center when yet another cancer scare
landed them at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Bethesda,
Maryland in 2006.
T
hat’s where Shirley would undergo
surgery for a melanoma metastasis that developed in one of her
lungs—this almost four years after she
had successfully beaten melanoma on
her scalp. In 2001, the first time she was Jon and Shirley Alexiou
diagnosed, Shirley underwent surgery
and subsequent treatment, including at UM/Sylvester. She later participated
immunotherapy—vaccines to stimulate in a NCI trial for an anti-melanoma
the immune system to fight cancer— vaccine, which ended in 2003.
Celebrations Luncheon is Reason to Celebrate
A
record number of more than 500 guests attended the Cancer
community. Joyce M. Slingerland, M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.P.(C), director
Link luncheon and auction to raise awareness and funds
of the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at UM/Sylvester,
for breast cancer research. The Cancer Link Celebrations lun-
spoke about the advances being made in breast cancer research
cheon and fashion extravaganza, featuring the Mayda Cisneros
at the Institute. Victoria Cummock made a surprise generous
Couture Collection, was held on October 10 at Jungle Island.
donation in honor of celebrant Althea Peck. Sponsors included
Marlene Berg, luncheon chair, along with co-chairs Barbara
BNY Mellon Wealth Management and the Armando Codina
Berg, Ana Britti, Mayda Cisneros, Heather Davis, Liliana Dones,
Family. Michael Alexander and his mother Carmen Alexander
Cindy Eisaman, Cheryl Ettelman, Renee Gross, Susan Kaufman,
Printup were crowned the King and Queen along with the court
Bonnie Sepe, Harriet Shapiro, and current officers Micki Lewis,
of celebrants Norma Jean Abraham, Bradford Tonic, Inc., Betty
Wayne Haltiwanger, and Merri Grace McLeroy raised nearly
Brandt, Dr. Barry Burak, Diane Madden, and Connie Russell.
$117,000 for UM/Sylvester as they brought together the Miami
Cancer Link is an organization dedicated to finding a cure for
breast cancer by creating community awareness, educating
the public, and holding special events that
raise much-needed dollars for breast cancer
research at UM/Sylvester.
From left to right: Fashion designer Mayda Cisneros,
Dr. Joyce Slingerland, Marlene Berg, and Micki Lewis,
current Cancer Link president. Smaller photo, from left
to right: Victoria Cummock and Althea Peck
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24
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Eerily reminiscent of her previous
bout with cancer, Shirley and Jon packed
their bags and headed back to the NCI in
late 2006 to undergo surgery to remove
a tiny lesion in her lung.
Dao M. Nguyen, M.D., a tenure-track principal investigator in the
Section of Thoracic Oncology of the
Surgery Branch at the NCI, was assigned to her surgery.
“He came into the exam room, and
asked, ‘How do you like Miami?’” recalls
Jon, himself a cancer survivor, who was
diagnosed with squamous cell cancer at
the base of the tongue in 1999. He was
subsequently treated at UM/Sylvester
and his cancer was eradicated.
“Dr. Nguyen was very forthcoming, and said he was being recruited by
UM/Sylvester as a thoracic surgeon,”
adds Jon. He emailed UM/Sylvester
Director W. Jarrard Goodwin, M.D.,
F.A.C.S., that same day. “Yes we are
recruiting him. Bring that surgeon back
with you,” Goodwin said. Meanwhile,
the Alexious started talking to Nguyen
about Miami.
Goodwin is very pleased the recruitment effort was successful and that
Jon and Shirley served as advocates for
UM/Sylvester. “Jon and Shirley are two
of our biggest supporters (both serve
on the board of Friends for Sylvester,
and recently became Grand Friends for
Sylvester. Jon also sits on the Board of
Governors). They’re so enthusiastic,”
says Goodwin. “They essentially became
recruiters for us.” Nguyen removed the nodule from
Shirley’s lung through video-assisted
thoracoscopy, a minimally invasive
procedure that involves inserting an endoscope with a camera through a small
incision. Shirley received three such
incisions, an amazing feat compared to
thoracotomy, which requires opening
Quest
the chest cavity with a large incision. The
less invasive surgery allowed Shirley to be
released within just two days. Nguyen
informed the Alexious he’d be in Miami
one week later for a second job interview
at UM/Sylvester. The couple told him to
give them a call once he was in town.
When he arrived, the Alexious
were waiting at Goodwin’s office.
Nguyen recalls the encounter. “The
Alexious are very nice people and
extremely supportive of the cancer
center,” says Nguyen, who joined
UM/Sylvester in September. “They
impacted my decision of moving to
Miami.” (See page 19 for more information on Nguyen.)
As for the Alexiou’s, they are thrilled
this talented physician-scientist has
joined UM/Sylvester’s ranks.
“UM/Sylvester has been extraordinarily important in our lives,” say the
Alexious, “so giving back to the cancer
center is the least we can do.”
Shop ‘Till you Drop
with Key to the Cure
he term “shopping” is music to the
ears of many. And that’s exactly
what took place at the kick-off party
for the Saks Fifth Avenue-Bal Harbour
Key to the Cure annual fundraiser and
awareness campaign for women’s cancer research on October 18.
“Saks Fifth Avenue-Bal Harbour
is proud to support the University of
Miami Sylvester Comphrensive Cancer
Center through our annual charitable
initiative, Key to the Cure. This incredible event is so much fun and has
T
Firm Finds Synergy When Partnering with UM/Sylvester
W
hen employees of Rachlin Cohen & Holtz LLP, a tax and business services
agency that serves the tri-county area, met recently to decide which charitable
organizations to support, they looked no further than their own backyard.
Through its Rachlin Foundation, an employee contribution and corporate matching program that raises funds for charitable causes in the local community, the firm
selected UM/Sylvester as one of the organizations to partner with due to its regional
reach and its steadfast mission of finding a cure for cancer. UM/Sylvester is among
four local charities chosen by the Rachlin Foundation to support in 2007.
The foundation holds events throughout the year to raise money for numerous
organizations, matching all contributions dollar for dollar. Last summer, the Rachlin
Foundation announced its pledge of $18,500 to UM/Sylvester and presented its
first installment of that pledge at a luncheon in Fort Lauderdale’s Riverside Hotel
in August.
From left to right: Suzie
Ormento, executive
director, Rachlin Foundation; Marilyn Emas,
UM/Sylvester Executive
Director of Development; and Lawrence H.
Blum, managing partner
for Rachlin Cohen
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gained the reputation as the kick-off
party of the season. It’s a wonderful
way to support such a great cause,”
says Deborah Slack, general manager
of Saks Fifth Avenue-Bal Harbour.
“UM/Sylvester is such a leader.
We value our partnership and the
positive impact that we can have together in our community.”
Together with the Entertainment
Industry Foundation (EIF), Saks Fifth
Avenue-Bal Harbour partnered
with UM/Sylvester to host the
Key to the Cure, a charity shopping weekend that took place
October 18 through October 21.
A percentage of the weekend’s
sales benefited UM/Sylvester
through EIF’s Women’s Cancer
Research Fund. Nationwide,
Saks stores and saks.com donated
two percent of sales while Saks Fifth Av-
From left to right: Alan Randolph, co-chair Saks Key to
Cure; Deborah Slack, general manager of Saks Bal Harbour; UM/Sylvester’s Dr. Jerry Goodwin with Kim Wood
and Jeff Peck, co chairs of Saks Key to the Cure
“It’s not just about philanthropy… it’s personal”
C
ommunity leaders, Denny and Paul Feinsilver, along with their children Corey and
Zack, shared their UM/Sylvester story and Sunday Supper in October with more
than 100 friends. The Feinsilver Sunday Supper, an annual event, is the kick-off to the
fundraising season and an event not to be missed. Former UM/Sylvester Board of
Governor’s Chair Joaquin Blaya flew in from Frying Pan, Colorado to join the festivities. While Blaya may have traveled the longest distance, it was the Feinsilver’s and
current Board chair, Joan Scheiner’s personal journeys from patients to survivors and
now to cancer center advocates, that inspired new Friends for Sylvester, Founders,
and Grand Founders to join them in their mission as builders of South Florida’s only
university-based academic cancer center.
Joining UM/Sylvester Director W. Jarrard Goodwin, M.D., F.A.C.S., and his
wife Sharon, were Nancie Sturges, Lauren Sturges and fiancée Charles Fernandez,
Nelly and Mike Farra, Terry O’Grady, and Shelly Woolf. Also in attendance were
the 2008 In the Garden gala chair Lily Serviansky and her husband David, Barbara
Havenick, Joni and Stanley Tate, Joy and Matt Zucker, Jennifer Stearns Buttrick,
Florence Mufson, Helen and Sy Somerstein, and Suzie Ormento, representing the
Rachlin Foundation.
From left to right: Paul and Denny Feinsilver, Joaquin Blaya and daughter Monika, Sharon and
Dr. Jerry Goodwin, and Joan and David Scheiner
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26
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enue Outlet stores donated one percent
of sales up to $1 million to local and
national women’s cancer charities.
More than 800 guests attended
the event. Each guest paid $30, which
went directly to UM/Sylvester to
support cancer research. Partygoers
enjoyed live music and food from A
Joy Wallace Catering Production and
Design Team, Social Miami at The
Sagamore, China Grill, Tuscan Steak,
Blue Door at the Delano, Mena Catering, La Marea at the Tides, Touch
Catering, and Table 8, among others.
Along with EIF, Ocean Drive and
Grey Goose were Saks national charity
partners for this event.
“Our hope is that someday breast
cancer will be treated more effectively
so that every patient will be given
increased quality of life,” says Irma
Braman, honorary chair of the event.
“That would be a real breakthrough
and a source of great personal satisfaction for us.” This is the fifth year Braman has chaired Saks Fifth Avenue-Bal
Harbor Key to the Cure. She was joined
by co-chairs, Kim Wood, Jeff Peck, and
Alan Randolph, who have co-chaired
the event for two years. Special thanks
also went to Mercedes Benz-USA for
underwriting the event.
Four Seasons Joins
UM/Sylvester’s Lifesaving
Mission
ommitted to helping those who have
been affected by cancer, the five-star
Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach has
partnered with UM/Sylvester. “As a
company, Four Seasons is dedicated to
finding a cure for cancer and raising
awareness of this disease that touches all
of our lives,” says Four Seasons Resort
Manager Kathleen Horrigan. “Since
2005, Four Seasons has been pleased
to partner with UM/Sylvester, one of
the country’s leading cancer facilities,
which shares our commitment in helping those who have been affected by this
devastating disease.”
In 2006, former Four Seasons
Resort Palm Beach General Manager,
Jamie Yarrow, kicked off a year of fundraising when he climbed Wyoming’s
legendary Grand Teton in tribute to
the Four Seasons employees who live
and work with cancer every day. He
also carried to the mountain’s summit
the Flag of Hope—signed by Four
C
Seasons employees honoring the names
of friends, co-workers, and loved ones
affected by cancer. In addition to
Yarrow’s climb, the hotel hosted a silent
charity auction, a Thanksgiving Bake
Sale, and a holiday breakfast with resort
executives raising $27,000 for cancer
research at UM/Sylvester.
In 2007, the resort also hosted a
celebrity bartender event at Amici in
Palm Beach as part of their ongoing
commitment to fund cancer research.
“Spot Out Cancer” Event
Gains Momentum
early ten years ago Austin Gaines’
mother, Joan, was diagnosed
with breast cancer. Instead of moping
around, the life-altering event sprung
the young Gaines into philanthropic
action. Since that day, Gaines has
proudly raised more than $200,000 for
breast cancer research at UM/Sylvester.
(Joan is a cancer survivor.)
More recently, the young, tenacious, and charismatic philanthropist
(at 22, Gaines is considered one of the
N
Friends For Sylvester Wall Dedication
L
youngest members of the Founders’
Society at UM/Sylvester) organized
the seventh annual “Spot Out Cancer”
fundraiser and silent auction in October, attracting more than 350 guests and
raising nearly $40,000 in the process.
By all accounts, the affair was a
night to remember. Held at Saks Fifth
Avenue-Dadeland and part of the national, week-long Saks Key to the Cure
event, two percent of the sales from
the weekend benefited breast cancer
research at the Braman Family Breast
Cancer Institute at UM/Sylvester.
Event sponsors included Sandy
Baker, Daryl Blinski M.D., Robert
and Brenda Castellano, Christina Party
Rentals, Eliza and Hugh Culverhouse,
Harold Gaines, Joan and Louis Gaines,
Tamara and Steve Gordon, Horne
Plumbing, Magic City Poker Room at
Flagler, Allen and Diane de Olazarra,
R.E.T.C., Inc., R&S Windows, Schwarz-
bach Family Foundation, Mark and
Marie Siegel, and Sammi Siegel.
Nineteen food and beverage sponsors also participated including Bacardi,
Caramelo Restaurant, Fleming’s Prime
Steakhouse, Jake’s Bar and Grill, and
Whip n’ Dip, among others.
ast September, members of the donor society Friends for Sylvester gathered in
the foyer of UM/Sylvester for a wall dedication to welcome new Friends members.
These individuals have either signed a ten-year, $10,000 pledge; have pledged $25,000
over ten years to become Grand Friends; or over time have donated between $10,000
and $25,000. Friends for Sylvester began in 1998 and since then has raised more than $3
million for cancer research. This year, the society, which has more than 300 members,
added 46 new members to its roster.
Pictured from left are: Rick Morgan,
Friends for Sylvester board member;
Dr. Jerry Goodwin, UM/Sylvester
Director; Scott Notowitz, Grand
Friend for Sylvester and board member; and Dr. Jorge Guerra, associate
vice president for clinical affairs,
From left to right: Austin Gaines, Joan Gaines, and Juan
University of Miami Medical Group
Lopez, general manager, Saks Fifth Avenue-Dadeland
Quest
10
27
P a p
J o u r n a l
Papanicolaou Corps Celebrates 55th
Anniversary with Generous Gift to
UM/Sylvester
I
Ph.D., research assistant professor in the Department of
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; and Frank Penedo,
Ph.D., associate professor of psychology.
n celebration of its 55th
anniversary in May, the
cer Research announced a
New Pap Corps Web
Site is Launched
generous gift of $3.15 million
he Pap Corps recently
Papanicolaou Corps for Can-
T
to fund cancer research at
launched a new web site
at www.papcorps.org. De-
UM/Sylvester. The presentation, made at the annual
signed to be informative and
donor luncheon at the Wes-
user friendly, the site includes
tin Diplomat Resort and Spa
general information on the
in Hollywood, puts the Pap
all-volunteer grassroots or-
Corps closer to reaching its
ganization, including all of the
six-year, $14 million pledge
From left to right: Pap Corps Treasurer Deborah Steiner, Pap Corps President
vital programs it supports. The
a year early. The Pap Corps,
Barbara Pessel, UM/Sylvester Director Dr. Jerry Goodwin, UM/Sylvester
web site is divided into nine
founded in 1952, has more than
Board of Governors Chair Joan Scheiner, and Dr. Pascal J. Goldschmidt,
categories. Highlights from
17,000 members in Miami-
senior vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Miller School
the site include:
Dade, Broward, and Palm
of Medicine
Home page—details
the Pap Corps mission
Beach counties who support
cancer research at UM/Sylvester.
statement and latest news.
Our Members—lists the names of all Pap Corps units
and includes a membership form for those interested in
Pap Corps Announces Cancer Health
Disparities Grant Awardees
U
Pap Dollars at Work—includes a pie chart outlining
M/Sylvester and the Pap Corps recently announced
how the 2007 UM/Sylvester gift of $3.15 million is being
this year’s UM/Sylvester Pap Corps Cancer Health
allocated.
Disparities Grant Awardees. These
Contributions/Opportunities—offers a description of
one-year developmental grants, which
all ongoing Pap Corps’ fundraising
are funded by the Pap Corps’ $3.15 mil-
opportunities.
lion gift, provide $50,000 for operating
expenses, equipment, and laboratory
Breaking News—provides
frequent updates on important in-
needs to support promising research
formation and breakthroughs from
in studies targeting cancer health
UM/Sylvester.
disparities. The three awardees for
From the Beginning—
2007 are Erin Kobetz, Ph.D., M.P.H.,
provides background and a brief his-
assistant professor in the Department
tory of the evolution of the Pap Corps.
of Epidemiology and Public Health
10
28
joining the organization.
To learn more about the Pap Corps
and research scientist at the Bra-
and to become acquainted with its
man Family Breast Cancer Institute
newly redesigned web site, go to
at UM/Sylvester; Suzanne Lechner,
www.papcorps.org.
Quest
Supp o r t R e a c h e s Ne w He i g h t s
P
reflect commitments
achieve its lifesaving mission by reducing the burden of cancer for patients and their that were received
families in South Florida.
by May 31, 2007.
Millennium
Society
The Harcourt M. and
Virginia W. Sylvester
Foundation, Inc.
corporations, and foundations make to positively impact the lives of others. In the case of the hundreds of names listed below, they are helping UM/Sylvester
Donors listed here
UM/Sylvester
Giving
Societies
hilanthropy doesn’t just happen. It’s a commitment that generous individuals,
Women’s Cancer League
and Partners
Gail and Jeff Gidney
Joan and J. David Scheiner
Dr. Sonja Eiteljorg
Sharon and Dr. W. Jarrard
Goodwin
Estate of Bernice
Schneider
David Etter and
Steven Etter
Ibis Society
Muriel and Sherman Simon
Nelly and Miguel Farra
Florence Mufson
Robert and Gertrude Barnett
Family Foundation
Rose Ellen and Gerald
Greene
Jill and Allen Greenwald
Emanuelle and Allan Slaight
Ferne and Jonathan Fels
Teresa and Carlos Musibay
Cancer Link
Francine and Mel Harris
Don Soffer
The Rose and Irving Fien
Philanthropic Fund
Sandy and Stephen Muss
Cynthia Davis Carr
Carol Hesser
Peggy Hollander
Estate of Sherlock Hibbs
Miami Society
Joan Levy Cancer
Foundation
Lois and Sandy Hildebrandt
Estate of Eugenia Dodson
R. Kirk Landon
Huizenga Family
Foundation, Inc.
Papanicolaou Corps for
Cancer Research, Inc.
Ryder System, Inc.
Gloria and Bob Kolikof
Jeanne and Richard Spring
Gables Society
United States Surgical
Corporation
Robert M. Kramer Trustee/
Richard H. Simons
Charitable Trust
Irma and Norman Braman
Estate of Rose Zimmerman
George E. Merrick
Society
B. and Donald Carlin*
Estate of Dolores
Chambreau
Estate of Will Hudson
Jan and Dan Lewis
Peacock Foundation, Inc.
Estelle and George
Rosenfield
Judy H. and John K. Schulte
Woldenberg Foundation
Woman’s Cancer
Association of the
University of Miami
Susen and Herbert Grossman
Health Foundation of
South Florida
Knight-Ridder, Inc.
Estate of Audrey Renault
H. Allan Shore
* Donated $2.5 Million
Nancy and Robert Frehling
Niety and Gary Gerson
Renee Varas
Raquel and Jaime Gilinski
Barbara and Michael
Weintraub
Jessica and Dean Goldfine
Margaret and Melvin Good
Renee and Jay Weiss
Gloria and Jesse Gottlieb
Family Foundation
Weiss Family Foundation
New Blank Family
Foundation
Carol and Al Novak
The Nuell Family
Ocean Bank
Office Depot
The Orchid Ball
Committee, Inc.
Sandra and Thomas
Levinson
Clara and Harvey Young
Shirley H. and Benjamin Z.
Gould Family Foundation
Jan Lewis
Founders
Louis Grossman
Honey and Al Pallot
Blossom Leibowitz
Susan and John Adams
Wendy and Steven Gurowitz
Potamkin Family
Foundation
In memory of
G. Calvin Harris
OSF America, Inc.
Sheila and Michael Ashkin
Lourdes and Joe Arriola
AVINA Foundation
Macy’s Fund of the
Federated Foundation
Cara and Bobby Balogh
Estate of Rolande Meyers
Susan and Leonard Miller
The Bauer Bisgeier
Foundation, Inc.
Gordon R. Miller
In memory of Anne Bennett
Stuart Miller
Marilyn and Fred Berens
Isabel and Joaquin Blaya
Barbara Nelson
Bemnet Berhane
Doree and Sy Bloom
In memory of Edith K.
Newman
Marsha and Brian Bilzin
Blank Family Foundation
Northern Trust
Tati and Ezra Katz
Emeline and Wayne Boich
Terrence M. O’Grady
Deborah and Bruce Kaye
Eileen and Robert Breier
Frieda and Yair Oren
Barry Kieselstein-Cord
Susan and Arthur Brown
Kit and William G. Pannill
Diane and James Klotz
Carls Furniture Inc.
Irene and Bill Panoff/Porthole Cruise Magazine
Amy Dean and Alan Kluger
Katika and Jack Carmel
Eileen and Donald Kramer
Trudy and Paul Cejas
Daughters of Penelope
Dorothy and Aaron Podhurst
Family Foundation
Chasen Family Fund
Estate of Florence and
Gilbert Kulick
In memory of Edward J.
Schack and Elsa
Herrera
Denny and Paul Feinsilver
Steven Posner
Barbara and John Cirino
Carole and William Landa
Scharlin Family Foundation
Linda and Terry Fenner
Maria and Jose Recio
James J. Colt Foundation
Jonathan Laskin Fund
Suzanne and Bert Schild
Constance and Miguel B.
Fernandez
Harry M. Ringel
Memorial Fund
Wileen Coyne
Lautenberg Foundation
Lily and David Serviansky
William L. Culbert, Jr.
Ruth Levkoff
Paula and Joel Friedland
Dorothy and George Barrie
Arvi and Leo Berger
Dorothy and Jules
Besserman
Jane and Saul Bialilew
Adam E. Carlin
Roberta and Harvey Chaplin
Chaplin Family Foundation
Colson Hicks Eidson, P.A.
Arlyn and Stephen Cypen
Steven Dwoskin-Dwoskin
Family Foundation
Jane Mary Trau
Neiman MarcusBal Harbour
Peggy and Joe Armaly
Fredi and Robert Consolo
Bowman
Foster Ashe
Society
Jennifer Spring
Jeanette and Ted Fine
Suzie and Scott Lustgarden
Miriam and Jose Bared
Sheila and David Fuente
Daniel H. Spring
Marion and Peter Mosheim
J. Quin Machamer
Grand Founders
The Applebaum
Foundation, Inc.
Quest
Marty and Barbara Zweig
Foundation
Jill and Adam Spring
Jimmie and Eugene
Montoya
Lea and Sam Barr
Barbara and Fred Havenick
JoAnn and Mark Hildebrandt
Lillian Hollywood
Elsie and Eugene Howard
Roslyn and Elmer Hurwitz
Jefferson Lee Memorial
Foundation
Kate Obstgarten Private
Foundation
Benton and Ronnie
Pumpian
Qualified Leverage
Providers
In memory of
Samuel J. Rabin
Marilyn and Neil Ramo
Linda Richman
Jo-Anne Rifkind
Susan and Mark Rodack
Dorothy Levinson Rubin
Consuelo and P. Nelson
Rodriguez
Zoveyda Rodriguez Fund
for Lymphoma Research
Carole and Robert Saland
Joan and Jerry Robins
Hazel and Irving Cypen
Y. S. Liedman Families
Barbara and Michael
Sherman
Doree and Malcolm
Fromberg
Eva and Leon Rubach
Zita and Stuart Danoff
Rita Lipton
Roni and Harry Shier
Barbara and Herbert Saks
The Dayton Foundation
Saks Fifth Avenue-Bal
Harbour
Jodi and Bob Dickinson
Jayne and Christopher
Malfitano
Susan and Peter Sibley
Austin Gaines-Joan G.
Gaines Breast Cancer
Fund
Carol and Eli Ehrlich
Rosalie Sidle
Nancy and Al Malnik
Amy and Todd Martin
Italicized names—deceased
10
29
Sheila and Robert Slewett
Gonzalo Parodi
Beatrice and Carlos Burns
Slotnick Foundation
Ruth Pfeffer
Joan and Edward Butera
Edward W. Smith Jr.
Foundation
Premier Parking
Management
Dana and Paul Caan
Mercy and Robert
Glowacki
Alice and Alan Lash
Phyllis Glukstad
Terri and Dr. Stephen
Lazarus
Goldman and Haber Families/Officers of Dollar
Star and Warehouse 99
Ruth Snyder
Lillian Rosen
Leandra and Richard
Candia
Jean and William Soman
Estate of Seymour
Rosenberg
Anthony Carrillo, in memory
of Sue B. Carrillo
Lily and Dr. Joseph
Rosenblatt
The Casamayor Family of
Cosmyk Images, Inc.
Dorothy and Sam Rubin
Peter Cassileth and R.
Judith Ratzan
Steven Gordon
Helen and Sy Somerstein
In loving memory of
Dr. Stanley Sutnick
Susan and David Strauss
Sandra and Marvin Rubin
Vanneck Bailey Foundation
Dana Robin Goldman
Reuben and Mollie Gordon
Foundation
Carol and Arthur Green
Stuart Cauff
Green Family Foundation
Stephanie and David
Schwartz
Claire and Dr. Cesar Ceballos
Elsa Greenberg
Ellen and Jon Channing
Lynn Griffin
Arlene and Wayne Chaplin
Dr. William Whelan
Ellen and Stephen Shapiro,
Marc, Stephanie, Brian
and Ann Daniels
Wien Family Foundation
Joni and Bob Sheetz
Williams Island,
The Florida Riviera
Robert Shenkman
Norma and Allan Wilson
Donna and C. Thomas Tew
Harold Commings/In memory of Alice Commings
Bruce Weber
Philip Robert Consolo III
Katherine Wachtel Zander
Paul Zarcadoolas
Joy and Matt Zucker
The Rydz Family
Dr. Diane Walder
Ruth G. Wagner
Waltman and Cohen
Barton G. Weiss
Janie and James D. Tate
Estate of Richard Wolsten
Jerome A. Yavitz
Jerome A. Yavitz
Charitable Foundation
Eileen and Philip Youtie
Janet and Richard Yulman
Friends for
Sylvester
Iris and Martin Zeitler
The Zubizarreta Family
Carl Zwerner
* One Founder wishes to
remain anonymous.
Grand Friends for
Sylvester
Shirley and Jon Alexiou
Julia Anderson
Lilia and Jose M. Fernandez
Five Millers Family
Foundation
Muriel S. Freund
Mildred and Irving Goldberg
Gene Gomberg – The
Continental Group, Ltd.
Mary Graham
Dorothea and Steven
Green
Robert Guterman
Himmel Foundation
Lawrence Hoff
Barbara Lefcourt
Laurence W. Levine
Foundation, Inc.
Jordan A. Linn
Denise and Ruben Lujo
Bernadette and
Richard Marks
John Mcguire
Rita and Gilbert Michel, Jr.
Shari and Scott Notowitz
10
30
Stefanie and Evan Reed
Deborah and Robert Cohen
Amy Reiter
Susan Gutman
Sheldon Lowe
Mark and Honey Revitz
Susan Hally and
Michael Comras
Ruth and Joseph Lucci
Ann and Bruce Rhodes
Reva and Michael Hanzman
Mary Ellen Lynch and
Leo I. George
Valerie and Charles Riback
Shirley and Bo Crane
J. Ira and Nicki Harris
Foundation
Mackey Health Institute, Inc.
Myrna and Norman Ricken
Michele and Michael Criden
Susan and Paul Herman
Michelle and Glenn Cutler
Thomas F. Hewitt
Diane and Arthur Cohen
Alicia M. Dahling
Mary and Dwight Hill
William E. Davis
Barbara and Walter
Hinterkopf
Karyn and Dean Dekker
Ruth Diamond
Gina and Howard Berlin
Mirta and Ramiro Betancourt
Karen and Thomas Bezold
Nancy and Jerry Blair
Wayne Blikre
Elaine and Rick Donoff
Estate of Louis Ducoff
Adele and Leonard Dublin
Cassandra and William
George Earle
Marilyn and Kevin Emas
Freda Epstien
Beth and David Ertel
Mary Claire and Alex
Espenkotter
FDP Corp.
Colleen and Richard Fain
Judy and Victor Farkas
Elena and Oscar
Feldenkreis
Janet and James Field
Barbara and Paul Finizio
Todd Eric Fleischman
William Fox Jr. Foundation
Elisabeth and Stephen Frank
Jackie and Burt Bloom
Nirit and Warren Freistat
Michael and Corina
Browanik
Eugene Friedlander
Jill and Harold Gaffin
Barbara and Irving Brown
Barbara and Richard
Garrett
Jacquelyn and Bruce
Brown
Jeffrey Brown
Jodi and Scott Brown
Alden and Robert Burlington
Quest
Marilyn and Herbert Potash
Joyce and Albie Lichtman
Florence and Sheldon
Anderson
Yolanda Cecilia and Jeffrey
Berkowitz
Suzanne and Mark Levitats
Sheldon Guren
Leslie and Peter Diamond
Robert R. Bellamy
Memorial Foundation
George, Beverly, Glenn and
Tracy Porter
Lisa and Stephen Levine
Arthur N. Queler
Bonnie and Jonathan Aibel
Pat and Gary Becker
Mary and Lester Pokorne
Kathy and Allen Levi
Marilyn and Richard Lewis
Marianne and John Devine
Jose A. Bechara
Podhurst Orseck, P.A.
Kathy and Richard Lesser
Martin Guiry
Ernesto J. D’Escoubet II
Susan and Joel Barnett
Myrna Picken
City First Mortgage Corp./
Fiske Family
Sari and Arthur Agatston
Antoinette and Gail Byron
Baldwin
Deborah and Daniel Finkle
Lehman Dealership
Enterprises, Inc.
Lisa and Michael Puder
Betty and John Abstein
Lisa and Anthony Askowitz
Erin and Richard Pfenniger
Andrea and David Grossman
John Deo, M.D.
Bonnie and Gerald Askowitz
Terry Cardwell
Jean and Joel Perwin
Sidney Lefcourt
Sylvia and Robert Powell
Homero de la Torre
Bowen A. Arnold
Carol and Mark Brooks
Michael Pernick
Bruce Levy,
The Emerald Companies
Diane and Michael Abrams
Randi and Michael
Applebaum
Geraldine and Donald
Bohning
Rita and Hal Leeds
Wayne M. Pathman –
Phillips, Eisinger,
Pathman
Carol and Meron Levitats
Federico Abascal
Gail and Stewart Appelrouth
JoAnn and Roni Laskin
Ilene and Henry Gayer
The Marilyn Gaylord
Charitable Foundation
Mathilda Glasser
Glassman Development
Hite Foundation
Jacqueline and
Lawrence Hoff
Rita and Benjamin Holloway
Fana and Abel Holtz
Toni and Daniel M. Holtz
William E. Hutton III
Barbara and Jerry Isan
Judith and Richard Jacobs
Pam and Gil Jacobson
Bernard Janis
Ruth and Bernard Madoff
Penny and H. Larry Mager
Jeff Mandell
Leana and Steven Marks
Alexandra Mastriana-Solal
and F. Ronald Mastriana
Linda and Charles McIntyre
Theresa A. Meerbott
Janet Risi
Teddi and Harvey Robbins
Ophelia and Juan Roca
Nancy and Ted Rogenski
Victoria J. Rogers/In memory
of Alvin E. Rogers
Becky and
David Rosenbaum
Arlene and Laurans
Mendelson
Donna C. Ross
Lisa and Victor Mendelson
Dora and Steven Rubin
Jane and Robert Meyerhoff
Richard P. Millard,
President and CEO,
Tecton Hospitality
Alison Miller and
Joseph Bolton
Edgar Miller
Andrew D. Jubelt/
In recognition of my
father, Paul Jubelt
Mary and Mark Mills
Ana and Manuel Kadre
Amy and Ricky Mittelberg
Lori and Marc Kahn
Martin Kalb
Renu Mody and Kevin
Fitzmaurice
Jennifer and Scott Kaplan
Tracy and David Moret
Jodie and Sy Kaplan
Patti and Rick Morgan
Missy Kardonski
Denise and James Morris
Arden and Jack Karson
Melvin Morse
Jane and Gerald Katcher
Yiska and Peter Moser
Steven and Hillary Kates
Kristen and Wirth Munroe
Kathy Kaufler
Deirdre and Craig Nash
Lois and Eugene Kessler
Nemiroff and Auslander, P.A.
Linda and Kenneth Keyes
Gina and Jonathan New
Leah Kleman
Monica and Robert New
The Konrad Family/
In memory of
Stephan Foreman
Debbie and Jim Nolan
Kotel Foundation
Sherry and Rudy Kranys
Alexandra and
Rafael Ordonez
David Kraslow
Mirtha Orue Muller
Betsy Ann Lambert-King
Fund/Justin Jones
Joe Pallant
Susan and Richard Lampen
Alan Richardson
Lynn and Fernando Miranda
Larry Orbach and
Philip Epstein
Suzanne Pallot and
Larry Major
Tobi and Mark Rousso
Stephanie and David
Schwartz
Jeff Safchik
Douglas J. Sanders
Sylvia and Rowland
Schaefer
Sonya Schattman
Monica and Rick Schatz
Daniel Shapiro
Scheck Family Foundation
Audrey Schneiderman/In
honor of Mr. and Mrs.
Maynard Goldberg
Marcia and Larry
Schuffman
Ida and Robert Schwartz/In
memory of
Sarita Kaufman
Gail and Joseph Serota
Cotten Shephard
Ellen and Craig Sherman
Dorothy F. Sibley
Lois H. Siegel
Susan and Scott Silver
Marlene K. Silverman –
Greenberg Traurig
Barbara Silverman
Steve Silverman
Jacqueline and Sydney I.
Silverman
Alan M. Slewett
Patricia and Alan Sokol
LaReine Fedor Sparrer
In memory of Vera
Goldfenkoff, love Rachel
Golden Koff, love Rachel
United Automobile
Insurance Company
Kim and Tom Wood
Peter Andolina
Ray Ellen and Allan Yarkin
Charmettes, Inc. Dade
Country Chapter
Fitness For Women
Management
Carmen and Manuel
Villamanan
Jane Yudell
Anna Miller Circle of
Homestead
Murray Chermak
Fleming and Fleming, PLLC
Eric Zeitlin
Art of Possibilities
Donna Chiozzi
Susan and Richard Zinn
Arthur J. Gallagher
Foundation
Camille Cilli
Florida International
Bankers Association
Asthma and Allergy
Associates of Florida
Coconut Grove Bank
David Sporn – Coldwell
Banker Real Estate
Alexandra Villoch
Claudia and Jeffrey
Springer
Cheryl S. Waters
Linda and David Stansberry
Jeanette Wax, in honor of
my family
Stearns, Weaver, Miller,
Weissler, Alhadeff, and
Sitterson, P.A.
Dr. Susan and Rocky Stein
Lucienne and Bill Steinberg
Felicia and Blair Walker
Sharon and Marc Watson
Helene and Stephen
Weicholz
Randi and Daniel Weinbach
Robert Zuckerman
* Five Friends for Sylvester members wish to
remain anonymous.
Avon US Beauty
Bank of America
Young
Philanthopists
for Sylvester
Bank United
Louise and Daniel Barclay
Deborah and Scott Barkow
Christine and Michael
Weinberg
Lorel Bacon
Monika Blaya
Barnard Construction
Co. Inc
Patti and Alan Weinstein
Amy and Rob Boyers
Isaac Bassan
Rochelle and Steven
Weinstein
Loana Cervantes
Anne M. and James A.
Stevenson
Judy and Sherwood
Weiser
Corey Feinsilver
Carolyn and Bernard
Baumel
Zack Feinsilver
Barbara Bear
Marijo and James Stewart
Lynda and Douglas Weiser
Katie and Michael Gilden
Julie and William Beckham
Barbara and Barry
Sugerman
Warren Weiser
Amanda Goodwin
Jeffrey Bercow
Barbara and Pedro Bermann
Jack Taffer
Shelley and Eric Weiss
Ann Kaufman Gomez and
Dr. Jorge Gomez
Dr. Erin Kobetz and Dr.
Joshua Diem
Bienenfeld, Lasek and
Starr, LLC
Matt and Orietta Levinson
Ursula Billie
Jennifer and Steve Medwin
Gabriel Birger
Lizzi Nuell and Ryan
Rosalsky
Helen Blauvelt
Jennifer Olmedo-Rodriguez
and Alex R. Rodriquez
Diane and Robert Bok
Sterling Financial
Corporation
Hana and Tibor Stern
Victor Stern
Dr. Sally and R. Joel Weiss
Betty and Maury Terkel
Robin and Roger Terrone
Nina Williams
Linda and Denis Trupkin
Dorothy and Melvin Wolff/
In memory of
Dr. Theodore M. Wolff
Alina and Harry N. Turk
Elinor B. Wolff
Christiane and Christopher
Tyson
Wollowick Family
Foundation
Paula and Peter Trematerra
Dekla and Matty Oren
Melissa and Gil Oren
DONOR RECOGNITION SOCIETIES
(cumulative giving levels)
M i ll e n i u m S o c i e t y
$50 million and above
M IA M I S o c i e t y
Gables Society
G e o r g e E . M ERRICK S o c i e t y
B o wm a n F o s t e r ASHE S o c i e t y
$500,000-$999,999
IBIS S o c i e t y
$250,000-$499,999
Morgan Ostrow
Tiffany Scaparotti
Diana and Patrick
Schmedeman
Samantha and Mason
Sharpe
Monica and Nelson
Taracido
Donors
who gave
$250 or more
Gifts received during fiscal
year June 1, 2006 - May 31,
2007 of $250 or more,
alphabetically listed.
Acolite and Claude United
Sign Company Inc.
Jayusia and Alan Bernstein
Jill and David Bockorny
Muki Bolton
Bombardier
Ronald Book
Braka Philanthropic
Foundation
Betty Brandt
Natalie and Charles
Brecker
Tamara and Cesar Clavero
Patricia and Dan Cohen
Rita and Joel Cohen
Esther and Owen Colliflower
Community Redevelopment
Agency of Delray Beach
Conese Foundation, Inc.
Frank Garcia
Nancy Copperthwaite
Evelyn Gargano
Coral Gables Bail Bonds
Garner Foundation, Inc.
Robert Corirossi
Millicent and Herbert Geist
Corpus Christi Greyhound
Racing Association
Lynn and James Gelsomin
Cindy Cossin
Melissa and Thomas
Genesio
Susan and Joseph Coulter
James Gillis
Creative Marketing Partners
Ginger Spirits Marketing
Geraldine Dana
Nancy and Daniel Ginsberg
Edwidge Danticat
Dauer Family Foundation, Inc.
Denise and Marshall
Glasser
David Kosh and Ruth Kosh
Foundation
Gilbert Glen
Bernard Goldstein
Dears Foundation, Inc.
Frank Gomez
Delaware North Companies
Virgina and Richard M.
Gonzalez
Diane Delella
Leslie Delman
Aileen and Stuart Disick
Kathleen Downey
Marilyn Drescher
Dunwody, White, and
Landon, P.A.
John Caldwell
Jose Calvo
Rhona Fromberg
Ina and Elliot Gant
Brad Buchanan
Calder Race Course
Carol and Mark Fried
Jerome Cooper
Susan and Sidney Dulman
CAH Palm Beach
Friebert, Finerty and
St. John S.C.
Dora Gallart
Melissa DuBose
Digno Caballero
Simon Freakley
Michelle and Thomas
Conroy
Brown Charity
Foundation, Inc.
C and F Electric, Inc.
Juan Fra
Paula Fruchtman
Edith Duarte Viera
Florencio Busot
Shari and Glenn Fox
Stuart Connor
Joyce and Bruce Brodbeck
Lori Buchbinder
Dolores and Lloyd Foley
Joe Edell
Michael Edelman
Andrea and Aaron Edelstein
Caryl and Murray Eisen
Hala and Sami ElhabashiMnaymneh
Benjamin Essien
Grad Foundation
Patricia and William
Graham
Sue and Alan Graubert
Anne Green
Greenburg-May Foundation
Greenway Women’s Golf
Association
Ted Grossman
Brenda and Donald Hagan
Diane and Ernest Halpryn
Robert Harrison
Linda Hartnett
Amy and Bruce Hausman
William Hayes
Marcia and Richard
Hendler
GRAN D FOUN D ERS
$100,000-$249,999
Wilda and Alfonso Adderly
Matthew Calvo
Leon Alexander
Camner Family Foundation
Ethel and W. George
Kennedy Family
Foundation, Inc.
FOUN D ERS
$50,000-$99,999
Patty Allen
Camp Lenny Foundation Inc.
Excelsior Designs Inc.
Robert Hertzberg
Ruth and Myron Altschuler
Capital Rental Agency Inc.
Fima Falic
Jill Hertzberg
GRAN D FRIEN D s f o r S y l v e s t e r
$25,000-$49,999
Lisette Alvarez
Carmen and Gerardo Capo
Mary Beth and Dan Fasano
Joseph Himmelstein
Am Tote
Gisela and Richard
Cardonne Ely
Thomas Fedoration
Paul Himmerlrich
Vicki and David Carver
Carla Feilbach
Helene and Philip Hixon
Beatrice and Harry Feldman
Hobbs Foundation Corp.
Maximilian Feldstein
Marcia Hochberg
Darleen Fenster
Jeffrey Horowitz
Joseph Feshbach
Steven Horton
FRIEN D S FOR SY L VESTER
$10,000-$24,999
Young Philanthropists
FOR SY L VESTER
$2,000
Isabelle Amdur
American Airlines
American Gem
Associates, Inc.
American Italian
Association
Issolthe Andino
Quest
Thomas Cash
Merryl and Kenneth
Chaitman
Brenda and Benton
Chambliss
Patricia Allan Herbert
Nyria and Manuel Herran
Michael Fischer
10
31
Bob Hover
Paula Levine
Lynne and Gary Penrith
Michael Silva
West 84 Corp.
Enid and David Howell
David Levine
Raquel Silverstein
William Wickman
JMH Financial Corporation
Peggy Hudson
Robert Levine
Perlman Family
Supporting Fdn.
George Wilson
Kamp Partners
Levine, Busch,
Schnepper and Stein
Janet and Stanley
Perlmeter
Kathleen and Robert Slater
Angie Hughes
Stacie and David Smith
Sidney Workman
Kaye & Associates P.A.
Peggy and Stanley Smith
Maria Jose and
Fredrick Wright
Kiene, Hand &
Company, P.A.
Lillian and Louis Yagoda
Kluger, Peretz, Kaplan &
Berlin P.l.
H. Scott Huizenga
Marilyn and Garry Hurewitz
Andrea and William
Hutchinson
Juliano Ibarra
Images by Jda
John Irwin
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.
Marian and Robert Israel
Iza and Sons, Inc.
Robert Jablow
Sondra and David Jackowitz
Myrtle and James Jackson
Saul Levy
Barbara and David Lipman
Littman Family
Foundation, Inc
Virginia and Edwin Lively
Lois B. Victor Foundation
Francine and Norry Luria
Bernard Madoff
Maier Foundation, Inc.
Raymond Marks
J. Peter Martin
Michael Maura
Jacksonville Greyhound
Racing, Inc.
Doris and Allan McLeod
Gilbert and Joan Jacobs
Peter Meckler
Lambert Jacobs
Joseph Merback
Robert Jaffe
Meridian International
Group
Jampro Demolition, Inc.
Anthony Japour
Elsa Johnson
Everett Jones
Christine and John Jordan
Carrie McQuire Otto
David Merson
Metro Bank
George Meyer
Marian and Marc Milgram
Tasha Joseph
Joseph and Sherrie
Garfield Charitable
Foundation, Inc.
Susan Miller
Caryl and Abram Kaplan
Jane Kass
Katcher Family
Foundation, Inc.
Peggy Katz
Shulamit and Chaim
Katzman
Kaufman Foundation,Inc.
King’s Knights Lodge
Knights of Pythias
Eric Kline
Patrick Pfeffer
Nikos Pharasles
Phoenix Realty
Advisors, Inc.
Pioneer Shipping Inc.
Phyllis and Stephen Platt
Aida and Victor Politano
Bruce Polozker
Kirk Pond
Lezlie Poyastro
Protravel International Inc.
Lawrence Puckett
Guillermo Puente-Duany
Pyska, Blackmon, Ley,
Mowers and Kelley
Mary and William
Quesenberry
Deborah and Paul
Ragsdale
Xiomara Ramos
Macky and Jerry Milgram
Joan Kaminski
Ronnie Pertnoy
Gail and Robert Milhous
Jo Ann Rauch
Red Sail, LTD. Inc.
Lillian Redlich
Sylvie and Michael Reed
Susan and Dennis Richard
David Miller
Roberts Communications
Network
Milne, LTD.
Lawrence and Patricia
Paretta Foundation
Isabel and Marvin Leibowitz
Diane and Jean Lejeune
Sandra and Stanton Levin
Sidney Levin
10
32
Linda and Peter Steckley
Norman Stein
Priscilla Stein
Helen and Martin Stein
Step Steam It Corp.
Stuzin Family Partnership
LLTD Pitzel Foundation
Joanne Summer
Eileen and Paul Swaye
Susan and Mark Rubin
Nebarda Enterprises, Inc.
Leslie and Steve Saiontz
Judith and Robert Newman
Carrie and David Schulman
Robin and Carlos
Palomares
Lorraine and Robert
Schustak
Patricia Papper
Parent Services, Inc.
Bernice and Harry
Schwenke
Keith Parker
Tracy and Paul Shelowitz
Katherine and Joel Parks
Shoffner Consulting Corp.
Robert Parks
Rosalie Sidle
Parsons
Lois Siegel
Linda Pelletier
Rose Sierra
Quest
We would like to take this
opportunity to thank
our corporate partners
whose support is deeply
appreciated. We look
forward to our continued
partnership.
Mark E. Fried Professional
Association
Luminaire Inc.
Macy’s Florida Stores
Miami Overseas Chinese
Assoc. Inc.
Miami Parking Authority
Park West Parking
Mary Nash
Palm Beach Kennel Club.
Lexus of Kendall
BJA Real Estate
Holdings Inc.
Nancy and Robert Sturges
Tom Thumb Food
Stores Inc.
Susan Owen
Corporate
Partners
Palm Bay Imports, Inc.
Elaine A. Stuebner
Myron Roth
Isabelle and Charles
Schuette
Lewis B. Freeman &
Partners, Inc.
Stuart Newman Associates
Elizabeth and Arthur
Murphy
Willa and Martin Oren
Levinson’s Jewelers
Oceania Cruises
Joseph Muraskin
James Schoonmaker
Candy and Steve
Zuckerman
Bet Miami Greyhound
Partnership
Sondra Title
Sue Ellen and Robert
Schneider
Jackie Zucker
Lehman Dealership
Enterprises
American Wholesalers, Inc.
Donna Tillery
Orange Bowl
Foundation, Inc.
Amy Zakarin
Law Offices of Brandon A.
Rotbart
Blair and John Strickroot
Roy Rotella
David Schaecter
Burton Young
Morrison, Brown, Argiz
& Farra
Alan Rosenthal
Kim and Martin Rubin
Shannon and James
Yarrow
Akerman Senterfitt
Steubenville Kennell W
Virging Corporation
Patricia Moss
Audrey Schanfald
Nidia and Enrique Lavernia
Diana and Eugene Stearns
Miriam Morejon
Elizabeth and Francisco
Olazabal
Lauren Foundation
State Services Systems, Inc.
Robert Thomas
Pauline and James
O’Donnell
Lynda and Steven Latner
Stamps Family Charitable
Foundation, Inc.
Beard Rosenblatt
Jacqueline and Irwin Kott
Agnes and Richard
Larimore
St. Hugh School
Moody Electric, Inc.
Marlim and David Sandri
Chyna LaMonte
Larry Spring
Karen Tharp
Susana Sanchez-Armengol
Judith and Barry Kutun
Ellen Spitzer
Cathy Rooney
Peter O’Brien
Sarah Kupchik
South Miami Corporation
Moody Bible Institute
Lisa and Geoffrey Newman
Anna and Lester Kreider
Richard Sorgini
Cynthia Swol
Barbara and Joel
Kopelman
Jena Krieger
Carol and Richard Songer
Martha and Francisco
Robles
Isaac Moinester
Samuel E. and Mary W.
Thatcher Foundation Inc.
Ted Konover
Sokaogon Chippewa
Community
Foundation, Inc.
Lucille Talianoff
Thomas Torbert
Total Managed Care
Services, Inc.
Thomas G. Travis
Triangle Community
Foundation
Bloomingdale’s Inc.
Bluestein, Wayne &
Weintraub, P.A.
Boca Raton Community
Hospital Foundation, Inc.
Buchanan Ingersoll &
Ronney
Business Centers
International
CareerXchange
Caribbean Resources Inc.
Carls Furniture, Inc.
Chase Music &
Entertainment
City National Bank of
Florida
Commercial Bank of
Kendall
Pamsco, Inc.
Pharmed Group Corp.
Physicians Health Center
Premier Parking
Management
Rafferty Capital Markets
Regent South Beach
S. Danoff USA Ltd.
Sabia Communications, Inc.
Saks Fifth Avenue/
Bal Harbour
Salomon Construction &
Roofing Corp.
Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
Smith Barney
Somerstein Land
South Beach Insurance
Agency Inc.
Cypen & Cypen
South Florida Business
Journal
Department of Off-Street
Parking
Southern Wine & Spirits of
America, Inc.
Entertainment Industry
Foundation
State Services Systems, Inc.
Beatriz Vasquez
Federated Department
Stores
U.S. Grounds
Haydee and Omar Vazquez
Florida Tropiculture, Inc.
Margarita and Clemente
Vazquez-Bello
Fmsbonds, Inc.
Wachovia Wealth
Management
Andres Vega
Four Seasons
Palm Beach Resort
Waltman & Cohen
Paul Wattenberg
Fowler White Burnett P.A.
Weinstein Mitzvah
Foundation, Inc.
Winslow-Rubin
Communications, Inc.
Gerstle, Rosen &
Goldenberg, P.A.
Eleanor and Norman Weiss
Women’s Cancer League of
Miami Beach
Global Software, Inc.
Serena and Richard
Werber
Image.com
Zubi Advertising Services,
Inc.
Joan and Morton Trilling
Tunu Puri Charitable FDN
Rita Ullman
Norma and Alejandro
Varas
Werner Family Foundation
Tate Enterprises
Victoria & Associates
J & D Financial Corporation
Jerome A. Yavitz Charitable
Papanicolaou Corps for Cancer Research
(As of FY 2007)
Named in honor of cancer research pioneer, Dr. George N. Papanicolaou, developer/
founder of the Pap Smear test for cervical cancer, the Pap Corps is a volunteer organization
with more than 17,000 members across three South Florida counties that has supported
cancer research at the University of Miami for 55 years. Below are the cancer research
units currently active.
Papanicolaou Corps for Cancer Research
Giving Societies
Pap Corps Founders
The following Founders Society members have contributed $50,000 to $99,999 to the Pap Corps
for Cancer Research:
Gloria Levine
Pap Corps Grand Friends
Addison
Hunters Run
Sonia Mae Gallo
Bellaggio
Huntington Lakes
South Dade
Boca Century
Ibis
Sunshine
The following Grand Friends members have contributed $25,000 to $49,999 to the Pap Corps for
Cancer Research:
Boca Friends
Indian Spring
Three Islands/Aquarius
Royce and Joel Merzon
Boca Lago
Majestic Isles
Township
Boca Pointe
Mizner Country Club
Triangle
Pap Corps Friends
Boca West
Northwest
Valencia Falls
Cascades
Palm Chase Lakes
Valencia Isles
Palm Isles
Valencia Lakes
Dorothy Adler/In memory of
Abraham Schein
Eleanor Kalvin
Cascade Lakes
Coral Lakes
Pointe
Valencia Shores
Gloria and Ronald Berkowitz
Ponte Vecchio
Ferne and Stan Emas
Marjorie Kaye
Eagles
Venetian Isles
Goldcoast
Ponte Vecchio West
Villa Borghese
Joy Goldstein
* One Pap Grand Friend wishes to remain anonymous.
The following Friends for Sylvester members have contributed $10,000 to $24,999 to the
Pap Corps for Cancer Research:
Greater Boca
St. Demetrios
Woodfield
Cindy and Monty Grant
Greater Boynton
Scott Linett
Wycliffe
Gail and Steven Harris
Hellenic
Shelly Rubin
Andrea Ioannides/In memory
of George Ioannides
Henry Lemonik
Barbara and Marvin Kushnick
Joyce and Hal Levin
Mary Pechewlys
Eileen and James Penta
Sandra Ribolow
Genie and Dick Rosenfeld/
In memory of their
daughter Julie Remin
Marise and Joseph Rudnick
Mollie and Sam Rudt
Dorothy and Stanley Saft
Debbie and Lou Steiner
Janice and Stanley Sussman
Eunice and Dr. Sydney Taylor
Circle of Promise
M
embers of the Circle of Promise belong to a select and unique group of individuals, distinguished by their generosity and determination
to eradicate cancer. The Circle of Promise: helping more people in South Florida survive cancer.
Susan Adin
Stuart Connor
Barbara Greco
Irene Luckmann
Terry Rabinor
Judy Tomita
Apolonia Aguiar
Sandra and
J. Harmon Cook
Margaret Grell
Barbara and Julio Luis
Frank Toppino
Carmen and Rosendo
Costero
William Grimmer
Phyllis Markel
Linda and Stephen
Rathkopf
Barbara and Ronald
Grudberg
J. Peter Martin
Howard Rau
Marta Torroella-Kouri
William Reap
Jim Trimble
Ruth and Omar Rivero
Norma and Alejandro Varas
Ileana Rosen
Eric Wadsworth
Frank Rosenblatt
Jay Rossin
Frances and George
Weinberg
Myron Roth
Eleanor and Paul Weiner
Susan and Mark Rubin
Virginia and Williard
Wheeler
Joel Altman
Nieves and Ricardo Alvarez
Silvia and Jose Arguelles
Fay Aronson
Cynthia and Thomas
De Lessio
Jan Atlas
Peggy Behrens
Michael Dezertzov
John Bennett
Margarete Dingeldein
Roslyn Bethel
Aileen and Stuart Disick
Nanci Beyer
Paula Drinkut
Jeffrey Bloom
Jil and David Bockorny
Victoria M. Borges
Nancy Faga
Carol and Paul Fass
Carla Feilbach
Brad Buchanan
Elsie and Newton Burnett
Cora and Antonio Calleja
Clarence Cameron
Carmen and Gerardo Capo
Frances and Chester
Casanave
Dorothy and Francis
Cesarano
Richard Chervony
Richard Childress
Katherine Chouinard
Frances and Alfred Cianelli
Marjorie and Bruce Cohen
Patricia and Dan Cohen
Quest
Lidia Escobar
Rena and Lewis Fagen
Elizabeth and
Edward Brown
Carolyn Coleman
Nancy and Walter Counts
Sanford Feinman
Maximilian Feldstein
T. Fennell Jr.
Ana and Alexander
Fonseca
Agnes Frank
Veldrin Freemon
Carol and Mark Fried
Dora and Jose
Gallart
Evelyn Gargano
Lois Goldberg
Clara Z. Gomez
Lisa and David Goodman
Jonathan Goodman
Brenda and Donald Hagan
Charlotte Held
Beth Hermelee
Marinela Hernandez
Nyria and Manuel Herran
Jose Hidalgo
Paul Himmerlrich
Sonia Himmlestein
Juliano Ibarra
Richard Ingham
Myrtle and James Jackson
Margaret and Michael
Jarsky
Elsa Johnson
G. Ellen Jordan
Lois and Barry Katz
Anita and Stanley Kessel
Daniel Keyes
Florence Kranitz
Beatrice and Robert Krantz
Frances and Bernard
Laterman
Isabel and Marvin
Leibowitz
Robert Levine
Virginia and Edwin Lively
Florence and David Lovitz
Joyce Masso
Isabel May
Isidra and Jose Mecsery
Ignacio Melero
Mari and Kyle Meyer
David Miller
Jill Monash
Miriam Morejon
Ruby and Winston Nees
Justin Niles
Bobbi Ocean
Helen Olafson
Susan Owen
Katherine and Joel Parks
Esther and Sergio Pereira
Nancy and Alberto Perez
Cynthia and Andres Perez
Patrick Pfeffer
John Phillips
Deirdra and Joseph Piegari
Jorgelina and Jose M.
Pinto
Sigmund Pockros
Martha Popper
Carmen and Juan Prieto
Mary and William
Quesenberry
Jane and Edwin Saiontz
Leticia Tornes
Ana Maria Sanchez
Anthony Wise
Dolores and Robert
Sanchez
Mercedes and Juan Yanes
James E. Yost
Charlotte and Seymour
Schwartz
Roy Young
Gregory Schweitzer
Edythe Zowarder
Francis Searle
Stephen Zuckerman
Denise Zitz
Ruth Seitlin
Leah and Arthur Sekoff
Sharon Silver
O. Smith
Ruth Solly
Richard Steinberg
Maxine and Eschol Sutton
Stanley Tate
Gretchen Tatelman
Lenna Taylor
Allison and Evan Teisch
Leslie and Andrew Tell
We have made our
best effort
to make sure all
donors were listed
for 2006-2007. If we
have accidentally
omitted anyone,
please accept our
sincere apology.
Karen Tharp
10
33
Facts and Figures
Setting New Records
U
M/Sylvester’s financial and clinical profiles reveal a cancer center that is fiscally sound and growing. Of particular note are growth in net patient revenue (at 46 percent since FY2005), institutional support
that funds research, philanthropy (see figure 5, page 35), and outpatient visits and surgical cases. Both facilities in Miami and Deerfield Beach are expanding to meet the needs of increasing patient volume and interest in clinical trials.
FINANCIA L PROFI L E — HOSPITA L FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007
S o u r c e s o f r e v e n u e (Figure 1)
Net patient revenue Other revenue (operating and non-operating) TOTAL REVENUE $149,786,928
1,951,846
$151,738,774
$187,059,770
2,279,874
$189,339,644
$216,890,723
2,319,516
$219,210,239
U s e s o f r e v e n u e (Figure 2)
Salaries and related costs Supplies Utilities and maintenance Purchased services Provisions for bad debt TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSE $48,151,353
30,855,897
2,833,120
22,815,550
7,587,289
$112,243,209
$54,670,184
36,172,294
3,441,767
28,661,003
6,830,474
$129,775,722
$64,262,783
43,229,777
2,653,579
38,728,361
8,979,394
$157,853,894
INCOME BEFORE FINANCING COSTS, DEPRECIATION,
AND SUPPORT OF ACADEMIC MISSION $39,495,565
$59,563,922
$61,356,345
Financing costs and depreciation Support of academic mission* $8,946,795
$24,079,725
$8,629,967
$32,113,111
$11,850,990
$36,529,469
*Each year the hospital contributes a portion of its net revenues to support the academic mission (research, teaching, and clinical care) of UM/Sylvester and the
Miller School of Medicine.
FINANCIA L PROFI L E — RESEARCH FY 2005 FY 2006 FY 2007
$870,000
228,408
1,875,049
$2,973,457
$870,000
1,095,381
1,875,000
$3,840,381
$870,000
1,300,000
7,875,200
$10,045,200
$10,487,000
18,300,705
$31,761,162
$10,351,000
28,561,154
$42,752,535
$12,716,000
36,587,608
$59,348,808
U s e s o f f u n d i n g (Figure 4)
Cancer-related investigator/research program expenditures from all UM/Sylvester
members approximate funds available $24,250,000
Research resources 2,477,358
Infrastructure 2,577,907
TOTAL RESEARCH EXPENSE $29,305,265
$33,500,000
2,839,351
2,800,223
$39,139,574
$46,510,500
$4,008,996
3,292,930
$53,812,426
S o u r c e s o f f u n d i n g (Figure 3)
Institutional support
Hospital Miller School of Medicine State of Florida Total institutional support Philanthropy* (Figure 5) Cancer-related sponsored program funding from all UM/Sylvester members TOTAL FUNDING *With the exception of sponsored program funding in the form of grants, UM/Sylvester relies most heavily on philanthropic support to fund cutting-edge basic and translational research.
Numbers reflect philanthropic support invested in research during the fiscal year; however, Figure 5 reflects actual dollars raised ($28.3 million including Dodson Estate gift of $12.5 million).
FINANCIA L PROFI L E — U M / SY L VESTER Total revenue—hospital Total funding—research TOTAL REVENUE (Figure 6) 10
34
Quest
FY 2005 $151,738,774
31,761,162
$183,499,936
FY 2006
FY 2007
$189,339,644
42,752,535
$232,092,179
$219,210,239
59,348,808
$278,559,047
Facts and Figures
Sources of revenue—Hospital
USES o f r e v e n u e — H o s p i t a l
f i g u r e 1 FY 2 0 0 7
f i g u r e 2 FY 2 0 0 7
$2,319,516
6%
41%
24%
$216,890,723
2%
27%
Net patient revenue
Other revenue (operating and non-operating)
Utilities and maintenance
Purchased services
Provisions for bad debt
Salaries and related costs
Supplies
Sources of funding—Research
Uses of funding—Research f i g u r e 3 FY 2 0 0 7
f i g u r e 4 FY 2 0 0 7
$870,000
$1,300,000
6%
8%
$7,875,200
$36,587,608
$12,716,000
Hospital
Miller School of
Medicine
State of Florida
Philanthropy
Cancer-related sponsored program funding from all UM/Sylvester members
86%
Research resources
Infrastructure
Cancer-related investigator/research program expenditures from
all UM/Sylvester members approximate funds available
Philanthropy*
Total revenue—UM/Sylvester
f i g u r e 5 FY 2 0 0 5 - 2 0 0 7
f i g u r e 6 FY 2 0 0 5 - 2 0 0 7
$28,285,832*
30
300
20
15
10
$12,696,365
$15,785,832
$10,416,565
5
200
$183,499,936
150
100
50
0
2005
2006
2007
*Reflects actual dollars raised in FY 2007. The $28,285,832 figure includes the
$12.5 million Dodson Estate gift.
Quest
$232,092,179
250
Millions of Dollars
Millions of Dollars
25
$278,559,047
0
2005
Total funding—research
2006
2007
Total revenue—hospital
10
35
FACTS a n d FIGURES
C L INICA L PROFI L E — HOSPITA L FY 2005 FY 2006
FY 2007
Inpatient beds 40 40
40
Surgery suites 4
4
4
Patient volume* (Figure 7)
New cancer patients treated at UM Hospital and Clinics 3,253
3,411
3,796
New cancer patients supervised by UM faculty at Jackson Memorial Hospital 2,578
2,413
2,434
Total 5,831
5,824
6,230
1,428
1,588
1,581
Inpatient 8,747
9,232
8,225
Observation 1,603
1,307
1,353
10,350
10,539
9,578
Average daily census 28.4
28.9
26.2
Average length of stay 6.1
5.8
5.2
175,234 173,238
196,895
Inpatient admissions (Figure 8) Hospital days
Total Outpatient visits Surgical cases 2,946
2,615
2,721
Patients receiving chemotherapy 11,525
13,534
14,519
Radiation Therapy Procedures 39,724
36,084
37,147
% from Miami-Dade 42%
41%
41%
% from Broward 23%
24%
22%
% from Palm Beach 21%
21%
22%
4%
4%
3%
11%
10%
12%
111
163
104
81
93
90
192
256
194
Therapeutic 297
424
365
Non-therapeutic 444
680
626
Total 741
1104
991
Patient base demographics
% International % Other Clinical trials underway**
Therapeutic Non-therapeutic Total Clinical trial accruals
*Patient volume as reported to the State of Florida as of September 2007; data are one year behind and correspond to the calendar, not the fiscal, year.
New patient volume—Hospital
i n p a t i e n t a dm i s s i o n s — H o s p i t a l
Figure 7 FIG U RE 8 FY 2 0 0 5 - 2 0 0 7
CY 2005-2007
(Reported to the State of Florida as of September 2007; data are one year behind)
2,000
8,000
5,831
5,824
6,230
Admissions
Patients
6,000
1,750
4,000
1,500
1,000
0
750
2006
Quest
2006
2007
1,428
2007
New cancer patients supervised by UM faculty at Jackson Memorial Hospital
New cancer patients treated at UM Hospital and Clinics
10
36
1,581
1,250
2,000
2005
1,588
0
2005
Quest
Editor
Felicia Lopez-Walker, M.S.B.
Direct inquiries to:
UM/Sylvester Marketing and
Design
Sabia Communications Inc.
Communications
1475 N.W. 12th Avenue, Suite C001
Published by the Office of Marketing
Miami, Florida 33136
and Communications for patients,
Telephone: 305-243-4302
donors, and friends of the University of
Fax: 305-243-4146
Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer
E-mail: flopez1@miami.edu
Center. All contents ©2008, University
of Miami. Contents may be reproduced
by permission from the editor and if
appropriate credit is given.
Patient Privacy Protected
The University of Miami is committed to protecting the information of its patients.
A central privacy office has been established to promote a culture of privacy at the University of Miami.
If you do not wish to receive Quest in the future, please send your request in writing
to the University of Miami Office of HIPAA Privacy and Security, P.O. Box 019132
(M-879), Miami, Florida 33101. We have a standard letter that you can fax back if that
is more convenient. Please call Marketing and Communications at 305-243-4302 to
receive a copy of the letter.
Quest
10
10
Quest
Web Site
www.sylvester.org
Patient Relations
305-243-3820
NCI Cancer Information Service
1-800-4-CANCER
Marketing and Communications
305-243-4302
Development
305-243-9088
Courtelis Center and Support Group Information
305-243-4129
Clinical Trials Matching Service
1-866-574-5124
Information Center
In Miami-Dade: 305-243-1000
Toll Free: 1-800-545-2292
For information, or to make an appointment, call:
HO W TO REACH US
P.O. Box 016960 (D-1)
Miami, Florida 33101
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Miami, FL
Permit No. 438

Winter 2008 - Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Transcription

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