… Open enrollment an opportunity to choose Keck Medicine physicians
Open enrollment for benefits-eligible faculty and staff of the University has begun, and personnel are encouraged to choose Keck Medicine of USC providers by signing up for the USC Network Medical Plan. … Read More »
A WEEK OF USC NORRIS CELEBRATIONS
The USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center has sponsored a host of activities in October to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its founding as one of the eight original National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Centers. … Read More »
Gala celebrates USC Norris’ 40 years of progress
By Sara Reeve
Actor-comedian Martin Short was the master of ceremonies for the gala.
(Photo/Steve Cohn)
The USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center has made tremendous advances in the understanding and treatment of cancer during its four decades of existence. At the gala anniversary celebration, “40 Years of Progress – Discovering New Cures,” held on Oct. 11, USC Norris leaders, researchers and supporters came together to honor that advancement.
“This is a very special night for us. We are here to recognize 40 years of movement toward the goal that Ken Norris Jr. set: to end cancer as we know it,” said Carmen A. Puliafito, MD, MBA, dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
The celebration, which raised nearly $2 million to support cancer research at USC Norris, was held at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, and attracted 500 guests. Actor/comedian Martin Short served as master of ceremonies, captivating the audience with his witty banter and his personal connection to the cancer center. … Read More »
Cancer-killing cells controlled by epigenetic process, new study shows
By Alison Trinidad
Natural killer (NK) cells in the human body can kill and contain viruses and cancerous tumors. A new study from the Keck School of Medicine of USC describes for the first time how those cells can be manipulated by epigenetics. The discovery, detailed in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, paves the way for developing more effective cancer drugs. … Read More »
USC scientists ID protein that regulates cellular trafficking, potential for anti-cancer therapy
By Alison Trinidad
Chengyu Liang, MD, PhD, was the principal investigator on a new study that discovered two intracellular processes that could lead to novel therapeutics for cancer treatment.
Molecular microbiologists at the Keck School of Medicine of USC have uncovered intricate regulatory mechanisms within the cell that could lead to novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Their findings, which have long-standing significance in the basic understanding of cell biology, appear in the journal Nature Cell Biology.
“Our research reveals a new regulatory mechanism that coordinates two distinct intracellular processes that are critical to cellular homeostasis and disease development,” said Chengyu Liang, MD, PhD, assistant professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Keck School and principal investigator of the study. … Read More »
BREAST CANCER GENE DECODED IN FILM
(Photo/Leslie Ridgeway)
Stephen B. Gruber (far right), MD, MPH, director of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses his thoughts about the discovery of the BRCA1 breast cancer gene at … Read More »
KICKIN’ CANCER
(Photo/Courtesy USC Norris Kickin’ Cancer Team)
A team of USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer staff members took to the streets to support the early detection and prevention of women’s cancers. The 12th annual Kickin’ Cancer 5K run/walk and family expo, held on Sept. 29, was held by the Lynne Cohen Foundation for Ovarian Cancer Research. The USC Norris team raised a total of $5,535 for preventive care, collaboration and education for ovarian and breast cancer. … Read More »
Willliam Gorenstein appointed new chief financial officer of Keck Medicine of USC
By Tania Chatila
William Gorenstein
William M. Gorenstein, CPA, has been appointed chief financial officer for Keck Medicine of USC, leading financial operations for the entire medical enterprise, and playing a key role in managing the system’s financial accountabilities, sustainability and long-term fiscal goals.
“This is a new role for our Keck Medicine senior team and one that is crucial to our journey forward, especially as we expand our system’s reach through ongoing investments and strategic partnerships,” said Tom Jackiewicz, MPH, senior vice president and CEO for USC Health, to whom Gorenstein reports. … Read More »
Board of Overseers member lends support to USC Norris 40th anniversary celebration
By Leslie Ridgeway
Keck School Board of Overseers member Deborah Lanni is a presenting sponsor at the 40th year celebration gala for the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Philanthropist and Pasadena resident Deborah Lanni has pledged $250,000 as a presenting sponsor to support the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, which is celebrating its 40th year with a gala celebration this fall.
The event, titled “40 Years of Progress — Discovering New Cures” will take place Friday, Oct. 11, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Westin Bonaventure hotel. Award-winning comedian and actor Martin Short will emcee, and there will be special musical entertainment.
The goal of the event is to raise more than $1 million for cancer research at USC Norris while looking back on breakthroughs and successes and looking forward to the future of cancer research. … Read More »
Genomic Cancer Medicine seminar coming to Health Sciences Campus
As part of its 40th anniversary celebration, the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center is presenting an all-day seminar on genomic medicine:
Genomic Cancer Medicine: The Power and the Promise
Oct. 18, 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Aresty Auditorium … Read More »
Campus Premiere: New Television Spots for fall coming for Keck Medicine of USC
After years of limited advertising in the market, Keck Medicine of USC will hit the airwaves this fall with two 30-second television commercials featuring 15 physicians, researchers, nurses and support staff.
The two ads promote Keck Medicine of USC by showcasing Keck Hospital of USC and the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. They will air on major networks and cable outlets the week of Sept. 7 and will continue through May 2014. (Schedule to be announced.) … Read More »
Debbie Walsh, Don Larsen appointed CEO, CMO of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital
Two new leaders will take on the management of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. Debbie Walsh, RN, MSN, has been appointed the new CEO of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, succeeding former CEO Len LaBella who is retiring after 12 years at Verdugo Hills Hospital.
In addition, Donald Larsen, MD, MBA, has been appointed chief medical officer for USC Verdugo. The announcements come on the heels of a hospital-wide celebration event and the transformation of Verdugo Hills Hospital as a part of Keck Medicine of USC. … Read More »
Ruth K. Peters, 69
Ruth K. Peters, ScD (nee Ruth Ann Kloepfer), died from complications of progressive supranuclear palsy on July 20. She was 69. … Read More »
John Ferrelli appointed chief administrative officer for USC Norris Cancer Hospital
John Ferrelli
John Ferrelli has been appointed to the position of chief administrative officer (CAO) for USC Norris Cancer Hospital, effective Aug. 1. Ferrelli will be responsible for managing and coordinating the administrative, fiscal and operational activities of USC Norris Cancer Hospital.
“The CAO is a new position for our cancer hospital, and one that will be key in ensuring continued growth of inpatient and outpatient cancer services in and beyond the Health Sciences Campus,” said Scott Evans, PharmD, MHA, CEO of Keck Hospital of USC and USC Norris Cancer Hospital.
USC Legacy Circle members learn more about individualized cancer care
A frightened 39-year-old woman with young children was referred by a friend to the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital because of recurrent lung cancer. A multidisciplinary team, including a radiologist, pathologist, surgeon and oncologist, evaluated her case.
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Stephen Gruber (left) and Legacy Circle member Jim Bonorris at the Legacy Circle luncheon
Photo/Steve Cohn
Within a week, the woman came to USC Norris, where a lung cancer expert performed minimally invasive robotic surgery. The pathologist performed molecular profiling of her tumor to determine which targeted drugs would be helpful to her.
When USC Norris Director Stephen B. Gruber, MD, MPH, visited the woman the day after surgery, “she was sitting up in bed laughing with her husband and eating ice cream,” he said. … Read More »
USC NORRIS HOSTS STOP CANCER
Ram Subramanyan, assistant professor of surgery, speaks at a June 13 STOP CANCER event at the Health Sciences Campus. The event, hosted by USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Stephen B. Gruber, recognized STOP CANCER members for their many years of support, and provided an update on the progress of the USC Norris STOP CANCER awardees. … Read More »
USC research IDs potential treatment for deadly, HIV-related blood cancer
Researchers at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered a promising new way to treat a rare and aggressive blood cancer most commonly found in people infected with HIV.
The USC team shows that a class of drugs called BET bromodomain inhibitors effectively targets primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), a type of cancer for which those drugs were not expected to be effective. … Read More »
Pfizer and USC team up to create a new R&D partnership
A significant number of drugs originate in the academic medical community, but progress toward translating new pharmaceutical breakthroughs to the clinic is often slow and prohibitively expensive.
Research suggests that since the early 1980s, the number of Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs has stayed the same, while investments in research have increased from $5 billion to $35 billion. … Read More »
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center 40th anniversary
As USC celebrates the 40th anniversary of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Weekly will run in each issue through the end of the year items highlighting key moments in the history of the institution.
On May 10, 1979, ground is broken for the new site of the Kenneth Norris Jr. Cancer Research Institute. At the time, the effort was described as the “largest building project in the 99-year history of the University.” … Read More »