Masonic Cancer Center of the University of Minnesota

Cancer Center Update is sent to Cancer Center members and staff every Tuesday at 10 a.m. Please submit items to Sandi Sherman, sherm019@umn.edu, by noon the previous Friday.

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In This Issue

News

Education and Events

Funding News and Opportunities

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News

University of Minnesota Medical Center makes impressive gains on national 'Best Hospitals' list
University of Minnesota Medical Center posted higher rankings in U.S. News & World Report's annual "America's Best Hospitals" edition, published July 16. The hospital ranked among the top 50 hospitals in the country in nine medical specialties. In cancer, its rank climbed to 24 from 29. Each year the magazine ranks the nation's best hospitals according to criteria based in part on reputation, death rate, and care-related factors like nursing and patient services. Read the Fairview news release or visit U.S. News & World Report for more information.

New member
Nancy M. Nachreiner, Ph.D, M.P.H.
Assistant Professor, Division of Environmental Health Science
Program area of interest: Prevention and Etiology
Area of scientific interest: Adult cancer survivorship and employment issues

University Relations seeks information on University participation in bridge collapse rescue efforts
The University Relations office is trying to compile a list of ways that people or groups from the University of Minnesota are helping out with—or have helped out with—the bridge collapse, e.g., UMPD officers being first responders, the Medical Reserve Corps being on call, the donation of food and water to rescue workers, etc. Cancer Center members, staff and students who have participated, or know of any specific efforts from within your departments or programs, can contact Mary Lawson, Cancer Center public relations director, mlawson@umn.edu, 612-624-6165.

Employment Opportunities
Several new job positions have been added to Cancer Center's Employment Opportunities page on the Web site. Visit the Web site for descriptions and links to application information.

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Education and Events

Pediatric Cancer and Blood Diseases Conference
Wednesday, August 8, 2007, 4 p.m., 450 CCRB
PNET
Marcy Ellwein, M.D., Fellow, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation

Macy's Glamorama advance tickets available
Friday, August 17, 2007, 8 p.m., Orpheum Theater, Minneapolis
Tickets are now on sale for Macy's Glamorama, benefiting the Children's Cancer Research fund. Some ticket levels offered include a pre-show party at Chambers at 6:30 p.m. To purchase your tickets download the order form (pdf) or call 952-893-9355. For more information visit the CCRF Web site.

Community Health Talk
Saturday, August 18, 2007, 11 a.m., Mount Olivet Baptist Church, 451 Central Ave., St. Paul
The public is invited to a free educational program about colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, and the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer. Speakers include Levi Downs Jr., M.D., gynecologic oncologist and Cancer Center researcher, and Sharon Dykes, M.D., of Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates, Ltd., in St. Paul. Free food and a gift will be provided for those who attend. The event is sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Masonic Cancer Center, Mount Olivet Baptist Church, and Stairstep Foundation. For more information contact Makeisha Nesbitt, 651-255-8138.

Canon Valley Cancer Ride
Saturday, September 15, 2007, 8 a.m., Bay Point Park, Red Wing
On September 15, 2007, please join Red Wing Masonic Lodge #8 and Cannon Falls Oriental Lodge #34 as they raise money for the Partners for Life Campaign, which was established by the Grand Lodge of Minnesota AF&AM to help raise $10 million to help build the new Masonic Oncology Pavilion at the University of Minnesota. The Pavilion will add much needed doctor's offices, patient rooms, etc., to help the University of Minnesota maintain its worldwide reputation as a leader in cancer treatment and research. Each dollar raised will be matched by Minnesota Masonic Charities. For more information contact Gary Thomas, Jr., 651-385-0714, mcgthomas@redwing.net.

Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance "Silent No More 5K"
Saturday, September 15, 2007, Rosland Park, EdinaThe 8th Annual Walk/Run for Ovarian Cancer "Silent No More" helps raise funds for ovarian cancer research, awareness, and education activities throughout Minnesota. This event includes a 5K run, 2K walk, and Kids Fun Run. The top three male and female finishers in the run and top survivor in the run will receive awards. T-shirts are guaranteed only to those who register before September 7. The 5K will begin at 9 a.m. and the 2K walk at 9:30 a.m. For more information or to register, please call 612-822-0500 or visit www.mnovarian.org.

Reminder: Register now for 4th Annual Women's Health Research Conference
Monday, September 17, 2007, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., McNamara Alumni Center
The Deborah E. Powell Center for Women's Health presents the 4th Annual Women's Health Research Conference, "Hot Topics in Mature Women's Health." The keynote address at this year's conference is "The menopausal transition: What we are learning about menopause and healthy aging" by Nancy Fugate Woods, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., Dean, School of Nursing, University of Washington. Other speakers include Doug Yee, M.D., Cancer Center director and leader of the Breast Cancer Program, who will speak on "Targeting the estrogen receptor in post-menopausal women with breast cancer: Strategies, benefits, and risks."

The conference will include a poster session and a women's health resource fair. There is a $25 registration fee (waived for students). Visit the Deborah E. Powell Center for Women's Health Web site for a schedule of speakers and registration and abstract submission information, or call 612-626-1125 or e-mail wmhealth@umn.edu if you have any questions.

Current Issues in Clinical Research
September 18-19, 2007, Minneapolis Convention Center
The University of Minnesota Academic Health Center, its Office of Clinical Research, and Mayo Clinical Trial Services are jointly sponsoring a major conference on clinical research. The program will include information on evolving strategies for and current issues in individualized medicine, clinical trial study design, clinical research productivity, recruiting special populations, clinical trial budgeting, handling incidental findings, research team building, medical device surveillance, conducting multi-center trials, leadership of research teams, and related topics. An outstanding, nationally prominent faculty has been assembled. This program is designed for clinical research professionals, including principal investigators, study coordinators, nurses, and other research personnel involved in managing and coordinating clinical research.

Registration includes tuition, comprehensive conference syllabus, continental breakfasts, and break refreshments. Lunches are an additional $17 each day.

Special note for University of Minnesota clinical researchers: The regular registration fee for this conference is $550. University of Minnesota faculty, research staff, and AHC students and trainees may attend for FREE. If you want lunch, it will cost $17 each day. Please indicate that you are from the University of Minnesota when you register. For more information and to register, visit the Web site.

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Funding News and Opportunities

Travel grant opportunity for ASCO members
Academic oncologists at the assistant to associate professor level who are working in translational research are invited to apply for a grant to attend the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)-National Cancer Institute (NCI)-American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO ) Diagnostic Development Tutorial, "From Hypothesis to Product." This Tutorial is being held in Brussels, Belgium, November 14-15, 2007 in conjunction with the EORTC-NCI-ASCO Annual Meeting on "Molecular Markers in Cancer." The Tutorial is designed to address critical issues that must be considered when developing tools to aid clinical decision-making for patients with cancer. In addition to industry participants, there will be 20 young (under age 40) academic oncologists invited to participate, five of whom will be identified by ASCO and the NCI.

Those applying to be one of the five selected by ASCO and the NCI, should submit:

• CV
• ASCO membership number (grant recipient must be an ASCO member)
• Statement of Interest (up to 2 pages) which includes:
• A description of previous research background.
• How their experience makes them an ideal candidate for theTutorial.
• How the Tutorial's objectives meet or will assist in meeting research objectives.
• A letter from the division director endorsing their current research plan and attendanc eat the meeting.

The grant will include registration, travel and hotel for the Tutorial and the conference.

To apply for this grant, the requested materials should be sent via email attachment to ENASCOgrant@asco.org by 5 p.m. EST on August 31, 2007.

 

Visit the Funding News & Opportunities Web page to see listings previously published in Update.

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