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Huntsman Cancer Institute is proud to announce its Cancer Community (C2) award honorees. These awards are part of the , which AstraZeneca uses to spotlight new cancer research and exceptional patient care.
鈥淭he C2 Awards are a way for us to recognize individuals who are changing the way we care for those impacted by cancer,鈥 says , senior director of basic science and chair of oncological sciences. 鈥淭heir dedication and passion show through their work. Huntsman Cancer Institute is proud to be one of the sponsors of these amazing faculty and witness the difference they are making.鈥
Learn more about Huntsman Cancer Institute鈥檚 nominees below.
Douglas Fair, MD, medical director of the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer program at Huntsman Cancer Institute and associate professor of pediatric hematology and oncology at the 香蕉视频 of Utah (the U), and pediatric oncologist at Intermountain Primary Children鈥檚 Hospital, received the C2 President鈥檚 Award. This recognizes the work of individuals who are making progress in cancer care.
Fair worked with the U to have fertility preservation before cancer treatment covered by insurance. Not only has it benefitted many of his patients, but Fair feels it helped pass Utah House Bill 192, which covers fertility preservation for people with cancer on Medicaid.
鈥淒r. Fair is a wonderful clinician with exemplary patient advocacy,鈥 says , executive director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center. 鈥淲hen he saw young patients worried about their ability to have future families, he took those concerns and used them to create change鈥攁ll the way up to the legislature.鈥
鈥淲e also need to focus on life after cancer,鈥 says Fair. 鈥淢y goal is not just to cure the patient. My goal is to cure the patient and allow them to live the life they wanted.
The Center for Health Outcomes and Population Equity (HOPE) at Huntsman Cancer Institute was awarded the C2 Catalyst for Health Equity Award. This recognizes the work of those improving access to cancer prevention education, screening, and treatment.
鈥淎ny new treatment, surgery, medication, or policy initiative almost always exacerbates health inequities,鈥 says , director of the at Huntsman Cancer Institute and associate director of . 鈥淧eople who have resources benefit first. People who don鈥檛 have health insurance or who live in rural areas are less likely to benefit from those developments. If we are to avoid exacerbating these inequities, we need to make special efforts to reach populations who have been historically marginalized.鈥
鈥淭he Center for HOPE is a wonderful example of the impact our researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute have in advancing population equity,鈥 says Ulrich. 鈥淭hrough partnership with communities, change is made. The research and resources the Center for HOPE has put into the community since its creation has impacted the lives of many.鈥
, co-leader of the Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute and distinguished professor of nursing at the U, represented the Huntsman at HomeTM team. They were one of three finalists for the C2 Catalyst for Care Award. This recognizes those who are improving cancer care.
鈥淗untsman at Home is the world鈥檚 first cancer hospital-at-home program, launched at Huntsman Cancer Institute,鈥 says Ulrich. 鈥淭he Huntsman at Home team allows excellent care to be done in the comfort of a patient鈥檚 home, easing the financial and physical burden of travel for patients and caregivers.鈥
鈥淚t is an honor for our team to bring care to cancer patients in their homes, knowing we can prevent the need for another hospitalization or trip to the emergency department,鈥 says Mooney. 鈥淚t is exciting to pioneer this new model of cancer care, and we very much appreciate the recognition by the C2 awards program.鈥
, endowed associate professor at the Institute for Health & Equity at the Medical College of Wisconsin, was nominated by Huntsman Cancer Institute. Rogers was awarded the C2 Catalyst for Change award, which highlights the work of those who ensure cancer care reaches underserved populations.
Rogers focuses on eradicating colorectal cancer. His research has helped identify inequalities in screening for colorectal cancer in Black men and those who are younger than 45, which is the recommended screening age for most adults.
鈥淐harles was nominated while at Huntsman Cancer Institute for his exceptional work in the Utah community and nationally,鈥 says Ulrich. 鈥淗e is a passionate scientist whose dedication and advocacy have made a difference with underserved populations, especially Black communities, by advancing colorectal cancer screening.鈥
鈥淪triving to increase cancer health equity is a marathon. You can鈥檛 look at the finish line. You take it moment by moment, sometimes breath by breath, and other times, step by step,鈥 Rogers says.
, senior director of basic science at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of oncological sciences at the U, was a finalist for the C2 Catalyst for Precision Medicine award. This recognizes those working to expand personalized treatment for people with cancer. focuses on the prevention and treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
鈥淎lana is an exceptional leader who has brought teams together across the nation. Since joining us in 2007, she has made immense progress to understand and prevent breast cancer metastasis by using innovative models of precision oncology, tailoring treatments to patients鈥 needs, and saving and changing the lives of those impacted by breast cancer.鈥
鈥淚t is wonderful to have our team recognized for their hard work and to move the needle forward in precision medicine for breast cancer patients,鈥 Welm says.
Media Contact
Heather Simonsen
Public Affairs Senior Manager
Huntsman Cancer Institute
801 581-3194
public.affairs@hci.utah.edu
About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the 香蕉视频 of Utah
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the is the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. With a legacy of innovative cancer research, groundbreaking discoveries, and world-class patient care, we are transforming the way cancer is understood, prevented, diagnosed, treated, and survived. Huntsman Cancer Institute focuses on delivering the most advanced cancer healing and prevention through scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge technology to advance cancer treatments of the future beyond the standard of care today. We have more than 300 open clinical trials and 250 research teams studying cancer. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman Cancer Institute than at any other cancer center. Our scientists are world-renowned for understanding how cancer begins and using that knowledge to develop innovative approaches to treat each patient鈥檚 unique disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.