Wednesday, February 20, 2008

UNT Health Science Center and The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders collaborate on new institute

By Pegasus News wire

FORT WORTH — The University of North Texas Health Science Center [http://hsc.unt.edu]/, and The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders [http://www.texascancercare.com/] announce their formation of the Institute for Cancer and Blood Disorders. The new Institute's goal is to eliminate cancer through excellence in research, prevention, patient care, education and service to cancer patients and families in both urban and rural Texas.

The new Institute for Cancer and Blood Disorders is a unique academic-community collaboration of more than 50 researchers and clinicians that creates a truly integrated cancer center in North Texas. Patients at The Center's existing seven Metroplex locations will continue to receive all-encompassing cancer care, including medical oncology, radiation oncology, CyberKnife, hematology, social services, laboratory, radiology, a host of integrative medicine options and clinical trials. The Health Science Center will supplement this cancer care with advanced laboratory research, nationally recognized physician training and public health education.

The two organizations have a long history of working together to train medical students. The new institute will address the growing shortage of oncologists by providing more community-based fellowships for oncology education and offering additional oncology training for primary care physicians. It also offers a united organization for pursuing research funding.

"We have been doing laboratory research on cancer for decades, and The Center has been doing clinical trials for more than 10 years," Dr. Scott Ransom, Health Science Center president, said. "Now together our organizations can translate bench research and take it to the bedside to directly help patients."

"The Institute's mission is simple, really. We want to cure cancer by combining the huge knowledge base and expertise of the Health Science Center with the highly experienced cancer specialists, technology and comprehensive services provided by The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders," Dr. Bill Jordan said. "With the expertise of Fort Worth's two medical leaders and our combined research focus on cancer prevention and cure, we can make that happen."

Institute Leaders

-- William Jordan, DO, Executive Director

-- Greg Friess, DO, Director for Cancer & Blood Disorders

-- Jamboor Vishwanatha, PhD, Director for Cancer & Blood Disorders and Basic Science Research

-- Ray Page, DO, PhD, Director of Clinical Research

-- Sanjay Awasthi, MD, Director of Cancer Prevention and Outreach

University of North Texas Health Science Center

The University of North Texas Health Science Center comprises the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the School of Public Health, and the School of Health Professions. Key research areas include aging and Alzheimer's disease, cancer and physical medicine. This year, the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine was named a top 50 medical school in primary care by U.S. News and World Report for the sixth consecutive year. "Fort Worth's Medical School and More" contributes more than $500 million to Tarrant County and Texas economies annually. For more information, go to http://hsc.unt.edu/

The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders

The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders offers all-encompassing cancer care at its headquarter location in Fort Worth, Texas, and through six satellite clinics in Weatherford, Burleson, Cleburne, Stephenville, Denton and Mineral Wells. This community-based cancer organization is owned and staffed by 16 physicians. Comprehensive services include medical oncology, radiation oncology, CyberKnife, hematology, social services, laboratory, radiology, and a host of integrative medicine options including massage, yoga and acupuncture.

Source: University of North Texas Health Science Center

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