(Philadelphia,
PA) - In celebration of the extraordinary generosity
and support of Leonard and Madlyn Abramson and their
family to the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center,
the University of Pennsylvania has announced the renaming
of its nationally recognized, National Cancer Institute-designated
Comprehensive Cancer Center to the Abramson Cancer
Center of the University of Pennsylvania.
"The Abramson's generosity has significantly advanced
Penn's quest to unravel the biomedical mysteries of
cancer in order to design better treatment options and
ultimately find a cure," said Judith Rodin,
PhD, president of the University of Pennsylvania.
"With their extraordinary philanthropic vision
and personal dedication to help all members of the cancer
community, particularly patients and their loved ones,
the Abramson commitment has enabled us to realize a
new era in cancer treatment and research."
The Cancer Center is one of the largest in the country,
with 345 members from 41 departments and eight schools
of the University and over $120 million per year in
external research grant funding. In 1997, the Abramsons
announced a $100 million gift to establish The Leonard
and Madlyn Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute
at the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center. "This
was the largest such gift to a cancer center at the
time and one of the largest donations ever received
by the University," added Rodin.
According to Arthur H. Rubenstein, MB, BCh, executive
vice president of the University of Pennsylvania for
the Health System and dean of the School of Medicine,
"The Abramson Institute has become a critically
important research and clinical component of the Cancer
Center and the University." Major scientific initiatives
made possible by the extraordinary Abramson gift include
programs in translational research, cancer cell biology,
signal transduction, cancer genomics, and biomedical
informatics. Currently, the Institute supports 27 Penn
researchers and more than 250 personnel.
"We want to recognize the Abramson family and acknowledge
the significant research and
clinical accomplishments made possible through their
magnificent gift," said John H. Glick MD,
director of the Abramson Cancer Center. "We decided
that the fifth anniversary of the Abramson's gift was
the appropriate time to celebrate and thank the Abramsons
for making our Cancer Center what it is today.
"In addition to making possible numerous scientific
accomplishments, the Abramsons have helped to transform
the level of clinical cancer care and service excellence
at the Cancer Center," added Glick.
Abramson-funded patient service coordinators, cancer
nutritionists, and psychosocial counselors help patients
and their families cope with the physical, emotional,
and practical complexities of their care. Comprehensive
cancer rehabilitation services and a service excellence
training program also contribute to new levels of patient
satisfaction.
"It is wonderful that the University is recognizing
the Abramson family for its strong support of cancer
research and treatment," said George Vande Woude,
PhD, former scientific director of the National
Cancer Institute and Director of the Van Andel Research
Institute. "The Abramson family's investment in
the Cancer Center has already had a profound effect
on the cancer program of the University of Pennsylvania,
helping to build a world-class cancer research program
and develop new treatments for this disease, which affect
one in three Americans."
Throughout its history, the Abramson Cancer Center of
the University of Pennsylvania has been continuously
recognized regionally and nationally for its contributions
to patient care, research, professional education, and
patient and community outreach. The Abramson Cancer
Center is one of only 37 Comprehensive Cancer Centers
approved and designated by the NCI. It was among the
first cancer centers to receive this prestigious designation,
and has continually maintained this status. The Abramson
Cancer Center is also ranked fourth in research grant
funding from the National Cancer Institute.
# # #
Editor's Note:
The following are available for interviews:
Judith Rodin, PhD, President, University of Pennsylvania
Arthur Rubenstein, MBBCh, Dean, University of
Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Executive Vice President,
University of Pennsylvania Health System
John, H. Glick, MD, Director, Abramson Cancer
Center; Leonard and Madlyn Abramson Professor of
Clinical Oncology, University of Pennsylvania School
of Medicine
Craig B. Thompson, MD, Scientific Director, Abramson
Cancer Center; Chair, Department of Cancer Biology,
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Penn Medicine is one of the world’s leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, excellence in patient care, and community service. The organization consists of the University of Pennsylvania Health System and Penn’s Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine, founded in 1765 as the nation’s first medical school.
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