May 2005

Wilmot Cancer Center Launches $42.5M Campaign for New Building

A new building that doubles the amount of clinical and research space, the addition of 25 oncology faculty positions, and an intensive effort to capture National Cancer Institute designation as a comprehensive cancer center are the cornerstones of a $42.5 million comprehensive campaign just launched by the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center.

"Our vision is clear: We will take a leadership role in finding cures for cancer. All of our plans for the future of the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center are driven by that singular goal," says Richard I. Fisher, M.D., director of Wilmot Cancer Center and director, cancer services, Strong Health.

The Cancer Center has experienced dramatic growth recently, posting 15 to 20% gains over the past several years for all services. Last year, it provided care to approximately 6,500 patients, and performed more than 32,000 outpatient procedures.

"With a state-of-the-art facility and top-tier oncologists, the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center will continue to provide the best possible care for people in Rochester and the northeastern U.S.," says C. McCollister Evarts, M.D., CEO of the University of Rochester Medical Center. "In addition, collaboration with researchers throughout the University of Rochester Medical Center will flourish in this new facility, custom-built for basic science and clinical cancer research."

The five-year campaign includes construction of a 163,000-square-foot, four-story building planned for the corner of Crittenden Boulevard and East Drive, as well as the recruitment of 25 additional clinicians and scientists specializing in various oncology areas (some positions have already been filled). The new building doubles the space for clinical programs and translational research, and allows for consolidation of medical and radiation oncology areas, which are now spread throughout the Medical Center. It also provides larger, more private space for patients and their families, and translational research labs to foster collaboration between clinicians and scientists.

The Flaum Eye Institute, which constructed a new third-floor clinical area last year above the current cancer center, will eventually move more of its clinical specialties and research labs into the space left vacant by the cancer center's relocation.

Strategic Vision

The campaign is core to the Cancer Center's $65 million strategic plan, which outlines the expansion of clinical and research programs, recruitment of more scientists and oncologists, and the establishment of an endowment for the cancer center – all aimed to capture the National Cancer Institute designation as a comprehensive cancer center.

To date, $15 million has been raised from community benefactors to support the effort, which is being led by Judy Wilmot Linehan and Jim Ryan, Jr.

"Our cancer center primarily serves the 16-county region to the east and west of Rochester," says Fisher. "However, people from throughout the Northeast seek the expertise of our oncology specialists when they're faced with this life-threatening disease."

Dentistry Residency Programs Receive Full Accreditation

Eastman Department of Dentistry's five advanced education programs at Eastman Dental Center (EDC) received full accreditation status from the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), the body that accredits all dental education programs nationwide. The programs were granted the accreditation status of "approval without any reporting requirements," along with a number of commendations.

The five programs evaluated were the advanced dental education programs in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics; pediatric dentistry; periodontics; prosthodontics; and advanced education in general dentistry. The visiting committee from CODA focused on a number of areas including institutional commitment and program effectiveness, program directors and teaching staff, curriculum and program duration, and quality and quantity of resident research.

"It is significant that these five programs received full approval from CODA and there were no citations," said Cyril Meyerowitz, D.D.S., M.S., professor and chair of the Department of Dentistry and director of Eastman Center. "It's most unusual that all elements in five programs are approved and it reflects the hard work of the program directors, faculty, residents, and staff."

Specific commendations from CODA called out the following:

• The outstanding and high-level resident research focus in the Orthodontic Program
• The Pediatric Dentistry Program was applauded for incorporating a superior clinical outreach program at School 17 into its extramural requirements
• The Periodontic Program was recognized for actively preparing and encouraging all graduates to seek and complete board certification
• The Prosthodontic Program's newly renovated dental laboratory was recognized for providing an outstanding educational environment for residents
• The Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program was commended for completing well over 100,000 patient visits each year

The five programs join two others in Dentistry, oral/maxillofacial surgery and the general practice residency programs at Strong Memorial, that now have full accreditation.

Divisions Take on New Names

Two areas in the Medical Center have recently changed their names to better identify and capture the emphasis of their work.

Department of Imaging Sciences
On May 1, the Department of Radiology became knows as the Department of Imaging Sciences. This new name more accurately reflects the breadth and depth of the many services offered by the Department while focusing on the central core of its practice – imaging.

In the past two years, the Department has undergone significant expansion across the Strong Health enterprise, adding both new capabilities and expanding existing ones. From upgraded and expanded MRI and CT capabilities to a new PET-CT scanner outpatient facility opening in early June, the Department continues to post double-digit gains in most modalities. This growth is expected to continue to rise as technology improves and furthers the ability to diagnose and treat disease through imaging.

Along with renaming the Department, its clinical services throughout the community will also be renamed to provide a unified brand identity among these many locations:

• University Imaging at Strong Memorial Hospital
• University Imaging at Highland Hospital
• University Imaging at Science Park
• University Medical Imaging

Center for Pediatric Biomedical Research
The Center for Human Genetics and Molecular Pediatric Disease is now called the Center for Pediatric Biomedical Research. During the past year, much thought has been given to the ongoing and future research directions of the Center. Based on discussions with Center faculty and leaders of research in related basic science departments and centers, the Center for Pediatric Biomedical Research was chosen. This change in name better reflects the major goal of the Center: to conduct basic and translational research to expose the mechanisms of pediatric disease.

Long-Time Employees Honored

Medical Center faculty and staff with 10 to 50 years of service will be recognized next month for their hard work and contributions made over the years. Medical Center staff with 25 through 45 years of service will be honored at a dinner on June 9, while all staff with 10-50 years will be recognized at a reception in Helen Wood Hall on June 2. Below is a listing of those Medical Center faculty and staff with more than 25 years of service.