u a b c o m p r e h e n s i v e c a n c e r c e n t e r

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center is in its 39th year of continuous funding as a National Cancer Institute-designated center. Currently, we are the only NCI-designated comprehensive center in the six-state region of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina. NCI-designated cancer centers such as ours are distinguished from community cancer centers in two major ways. First, because of

the vigorous research program that advances our understanding of cancer that ultimately benefits our patients first and then the

public and regions that we serve. Second, because of our very large clinical/scientific staff, we are able to field teams of specialists and

subspecialists that focus on a single cancer, thus bringing tremendous expertise to complex decisions regarding treatment plans.

Community-based cancer centers can adopt and follow, but they cannot lead in this respect.

The Cancer Center is currently in an ambitious building program with different training, backgrounds and skills working together

in spite of the current economic times. This includes significant to unravel the mysteries of cancer, an extremely complex disease.

renovations of outdated research space, including a complete These transdisciplinary teams are among the best in the country

renovation of the Wallace Tumor Institute, the home base for the at conducting translational research – moving discoveries made

Cancer Center. This $30-million renovation will be completed in in the laboratory into early clinical trials thereby testing the new

October 2011. The radical new design for the building includes discovery’s impact in cancer patients.

abundant natural light, open laboratory space and attractive com- In addition, because of the geographic location of our center, we mon areas that will promote transdisciplinary science, which is have dynamic and substantial research and outreach programs critical for success in today’s scientific world.

to address cancer disparities between non-Hispanic whites and

In late 2009, the Hazelrig-Salter Radiation Oncology Center ethnic minorities such as African-Americans and Hispanic

opened with state-of-the-art technology and attractive patient populations in the Deep South.

and family space which has been well-received. In addition, the Our mission, to provide the highest quality of life to people new Women and Infants Center opened and now houses the diagnosed with cancer while advancing the world’s Cancer Center’s Division of Gynecologic Oncology.

understanding of this disease and translating this knowledge into

The Cancer Center has also had an extremely active recruitment prevention, detection, treatment and survivorship, positions the

strategy that has led to more than 46 new scientists and clini- UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center as a major resource to the cians joining our scientific team. This and other enhancements citizens of Alabama as well as the Deep South. We are extremely of our research capabilities have led to a 39 percent increase in proud of our accomplishments and thankful for your support. We

research funding over the last three years. hope you will have the same sense of pride and accomplishment

Our r in your UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center.esearch programs are organized to promote

transdisciplinary science, i.e. collaborations between scientists

E d w a r d P a r t r i d g e , M . D. D i r e c t o r E v a l i n a B . S p e n c e r C h a i r i n O n c o l o g y

UAB COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER 3