Leaders from the Masonic Cancer Center's Transplant Biology and Therapy Research Program and the Women's Cancer Research Program gave presentations about their programs' accomplishments and recognized outstanding individuals in their areas at a recognition event October 8, 2008 in the Masonic Cancer Research Building.

Transplant Biology and Therapy Research Program

Transplant Biology and Therapy Research Program co-leaders John Wagner, M.D., and Daniel Weisdorf, M.D., recognized two individuals who have contributed greatly to the program's success.

Weisdorf presented a recognition award to Tim Krepski, R.N., administrative coordinator for the Bone and Marrow Transplant Program. Krepski is a liaison for patients and their families, referring physicians, and insurance case managers, and is responsible for reviewing new treatment protocols and coordinating their implementation to ensure excellence and consistency in patient care. Weisdorf said Krepski serves as the program's "linchpin," and bases the work he does on his committment to "patient care, sound and believable clinical research, and compassionate belief that we are helping others."

Wagner presented a recognition award to Claudio Brunstein, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in the Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation Division. He said Brunstein's research has been essential to advancing the use of umbilical cord blood transplantation as a source of hematopoietic stem cells for adults with leukemia and other malignant diseases. Wagner said the University of Minnesota is the leader in the use of umbilical cord blood particularly in adults, and that Brunstein is responsible for much of that success.

Weisdorf also gave a presentation about the accomplishments and goals of the Transplant Biology and Therapy Research Program. He said the program's five-year goals include reorganizing the program in a way that will enhance clinical and translational research and extend the program's bone and marrow transplant progress into non-transplant research and treatment of hematological malignancies. The program also plans to develop a site-specific hematological malignancy team and to recruit faculty committed to pre-clinical and translational research. View presentation (PPT).

Women's Cancer Research Program

Douglas Yee, M.D., Masonic Cancer Center director and co-leader of the Women's Cancer Research Program, presented Recognition Awards to Ashley Schempp and Deborah Biegert, R.N.

Schempp is a regulatory specialist for the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health. Yee said Schempp has streamlined procedures in the department and serves as an important liaison to nationally supported cooperative groups.

Biegert is a clinical research nurse coordinator for the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health. Yee called her a "champion of clinical research," who understands patients and whose goal always is to "maximize the patient experience." Yee also said Biegert has worked very effectively to educate patients as well as hospital and clinical staff about the importance of clinical research.

Yee also gave a presentation about current research projects that exemplify the Women's Cancer Research Program's scientific goals to improve cancer detection and prevention strategies; study mechanisms basic to cancer biology; and translate research findings into innovative clinical trials. View presentation (PPT).