Volume 8 - Issue 10         October 24, 2008

Message from the Executive Director

Mary Beckerle, PhD Executive Director

It is my pleasure to update the community this month on the HCI hospital expansion project (Phase II-B).

The 156,000-square-foot expansion, scheduled for completion in 2011, will be located northeast of the existing hospital building and has been designed to further integrate our public education and outreach, clinical care, and research missions.

We will break ground on construction of the hospital expansion on October 31, 2008, at 11 a.m. on the top level of the parking terrace. We are pleased to welcome several distinguished guests to this event, including Jon and Karen Huntsman, President Thomas S. Monson and Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, U of U President Michael K. Young, Governor Jon Huntsman Jr., and Senator Orrin Hatch as well as donors, former patients, and colleagues.

This project will enable the addition of a number of new and expanded programs and features, including the following:

• 50 additional inpatient rooms
• 25 additional outpatient exam rooms
• 4 additional operating rooms
• Expanded Cancer Learning Center
• Expanded personalized medicine clinics
• Expanded molecular imaging technologies
• New Breast Health Center
• New Center for Investigational Therapeutics
• Expanded Wellness and Survivorship Center

I also hope many of you will join us and participate in this important milestone for our cancer center. Thanks to all of you for your creative and tireless efforts on behalf of our mission. Your remarkable work and dedication to our patients is inspiring and has made our expanded hospital vision a reality.

Mary Beckerle, PhD
HCI Executive Director

Introducing the Glass Wash Facility

The Glass Wash team includes Becky Runk, Jared Roberts, and Carrie Beach.

It's a foundation of the research done at HCI but you may not even be aware of the Glass Wash Facility (GWF), located on the first floor of HCI. The department provides clean and sterile glassware for researchers and prepares solutions needed for experiments.

"We provide customer service," says Becky Runk, supervisor of GWF. "We provide basic needs, including chemicals, buffers, and Petri dishes. We're the starting point for lab research."

GWF prepares solutions and glassware for roughly 450 researchers at HCI. Runk estimates they handle about 1,000 pieces of glass each day. The day begins when GWF workers go through labs, picking up used glassware. It's then run through huge industrial dishwashers—a process that takes about an hour. After that, it's put in an autoclave, which is an oven-like device that sterilizes the glass for about two hours. Once the cleaning and sterilization is complete, everything is returned to the lab the same day. The routine is repeated two to three times a day or more. "I've had days when the washers haven't stopped until we leave," says Runk. "Mondays are pretty brutal. We're gone for two days but the researchers work around the clock."

In addition to clean glassware, the GWF also disposes of laboratory bio hazard material by running things such as used Petri dishes through the autoclave, then discarding them in the garbage. The autoclave reaches temperatures of 121 degrees centigrade, so no organism survives, but an odor often stays behind. "It's definitely a unique smell," says Runk. "I've had employees open an autoclave and run away from it to let it air out for a while. We've had some pretty gross stuff come through here."

Jared Roberts prepares a solution for HCI researchers.

Perhaps the one service provided by GWF most appreciated by researchers is solutions preparation. The facility mixes and sterilizes liquids needed for experiments and delivers them to the lab. "If they need anything, we make it," says Runk. "We do have people come down and thank us for the work we do. They've come from other places where they had to wash and sterilize their own flask, and mix the chemicals they need for experiments. Here, they just reach for it and it's there."

Because of the name, Runk says her department is often mistaken for the kitchen or even window cleaning, but there is some talk of a change. "Our name may change to 'Lab Support,' because that's really what we are," she says. "We're a starting point. When an experiment calls for a solution or a sterile pipette, we've had a part in it."

The GWF is a Cancer Center Support Grant Shared Resources. Visit the Shared Resources website to learn more.

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In the News

The latest group of Oncology Nurse Interns includes Melissa Banner, Shahla Frandsen, Megan Goldsberry, Suzanne Holman, Kristina Kermsner, Alison Mentis, Shaari Peddersen, Sara Scholfield, Brandi Welker, and Debbie Gordor.

Oncology Nurse Internship: The oncology nurse internship program started its fourth cohort on October 1. The internship program provides an oncology nursing foundation and exposes potential nursing candidates to HCI. The nurses attend classes for 12 weeks and spend time in all areas of Huntsman Cancer Hospital.

Deborah Blumenthal, MD

National attention: Deborah Blumenthal, MD, a researcher with HCI, was cited in the September 29 issue of USA Today. Blumenthal's study on family history and brain tumors first appeared in the September 24 issue of Neurology. The USA Today article noted the current health status of Senator Edward Kennedy (in treatment for a brain tumor) and mentioned Blumenthal's research on the increased risk of brain tumors when there is a family history. Blumenthal says people with a family history should make their doctor aware and hopes her study and others like it will "eventually lead to the identification of genes responsible for brain tumors and possible preventative therapies." View the article.

Read all about it: Every month, newsworthy information about the latest research and happenings at HCI appears in print, on television, and on the Internet, making a name for HCI in our community, our nation, and across the world. View the latest media coverage.

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Promotions and Appointments

Grace Noda

Grace Noda is a new physician assistant on the medical Sarcoma Services team. Noda previously worked on the surgical side and now looks forward to expanding her expertise in a new area. She graduated from the Physician Assistant Program at the University of Utah and is currently working on a master's degree.

Rosalie Cuozzo

Rosalie Cuozzo is a new physician assistant with the surgical Sarcoma Services team. She is from New Jersey, where she worked in a variety of physician assistant positions that focused on orthopaedics. She graduated from the Physician Assistant Program at Cornell University.

Russell Ward, MD

Russell Ward, MD, is a new HCI orthopaedic oncologist; he joins Lor Randall, MD, as a partner. Ward graduated from Texas A&M University Medical School where he was an orthopaedic surgical resident. He attended the University of Utah for his orthopaedic oncology fellowship.

Fenghuang Zhan, MD, PhD, and his team join HCI's Myeloma Program. From left to right: Zhaoyang Zeng, Hongwei Xu, Lei Shi, Siging Wang, Fenghuang Zhan, and Wei Xiong.

A team of scientists and research technicians led by Fenghuang Zhan, MD, PhD has joined the Myeloma Program at HCI. Zhan is considered a leader in the field of myeloma research. He received an MD and PhD at Hunan Medical University in China. He did postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Louisville in Kentucky and the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy in Arkansas. He is also an associate professor at the University of Utah.

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Awards and Grants

Mary Beckerle, PhD

Mary Beckerle, PhD, HCI executive director, accepted the Common Good Award given to HCI for its visionary community service in Utah. The Common Good Award is presented by Envision Utah, a project of the Coalition for Utah’s Future.

Alana Welm, MD

HCI investigator Alana Welm, MD, received a Career Catalyst Award from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. The grant will provide $450,000 over three years to study if macrophage stimulating protein promotes breast cancer metastasis by expanding the tumor stem cell population.

Li Wang, PhD

HCI investigator Li Wang, PhD, received a $1,316,875 R01 grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The grant will be used to study nuclear receptor SHP in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism.

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Events

During the open house, Guido Tricot, MD, shows attendees a U.S. map marking states from which his patients have come.

The Utah Blood and Marrow Transplant and Myeloma Program held an open house October 21. The event marked Multiple Myeloma Awareness week. After months of construction, the expanded clinic was unveiled to the public.

Fitness Program patients took first place in their division at a rowing competition on the Great Salt Lake.

Row, Row, Row Your Boat: A group of six HCI patients hit the Great Salt Lake September 27 for an annual rowing competition. The team, who placed first in their category, trained for the 7,500 meter race as part of HCI's Linda B. and Robert B. Wiggins Wellness Center Fitness Program. "The fact that these rowers learned a lifelong physical sport after surviving cancer is inspiring," says Nicole Harmony, team coach. "We set a goal and achieved it together as a team. Most importantly, we had a grand time while accomplishing it!" Watch news coverage of this event.

From left to right: Physician Assistants Jeff Linton, Staci Carbine, Rosalee Cuozzo, Andrea Noordewier, and Mark Hyde

Recognition: Did you know October 20-24 is National Physician Assistants Week? HCI physician assistants were recognized for the outstanding work they do during a luncheon October 16.

Winter Fitness Program acitivities include snowshoeing.

Get Fit: Cancer patients, caregivers, and staff got a sneak peek at winter and spring activities at the Linda B. and Robert B. Wiggins Wellness Center. The open house was held October 23. Upcoming activities include snowshoeing, a marathon, and a bike tour.

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Presentations

Luke Buchmann, MD, Michelle Martin, MPH, and Brandon Bentz, MD, participated in the Utah Dental Hygiene Association Conference.

Brandon Bentz, MD, and Luke Buchmann, MD, HCI Head and Neck surgical oncologists, presented a talk to more than 300 dental hygienists at the Utah Dental Hygiene Association Conference September 12. The discussion included oral cancer prevention, treatment, reconstruction surgeries, and follow-up care. HCI cancer information specialist Michelle Martin, MPH, (who is also a licensed dental hygienist) organized the presentation and spoke about services provided by the Cancer Learning Center.

Lor Randall, MD; Stephen Lessnick, MD, PhD; and Kevin Jones, MD

Lor Randall, MD, FACS, Sarcoma Services director and chief of the SARC Lab, served as co-chair for an international symposium titled "Molecular Biology and Therapeutics in Musculoskeletal Oncology" held in Salt Lake City September 25-27. The event was sponsored by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Orthopaedic Research Society. Stephen Lessnick, MD, PhD, was a featured speaker on molecular targets in Ewing's Sarcoma and Kevin Jones, MD, was recognized as a Young Investigator.

Katharine Ullman, PhD

HCI investigator Katharine Ullman, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Oncological Sciences, was a featured speaker at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory meeting, Dynamic Organization of Nuclear Function, September 17-21. The talk was titled, "Nup153 Has Separable Roles in Both Early Mitotic Progression and the Resolution of Mitosis." Ullman will also attend the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's 2008 Stohlman Scholar Symposium in early November.

Randall Burt, MD

Randall Burt, MD, was a featured speaker at the Utah Women's Conference October 6. Burt's workshop was titled, "Meeting the Challenge of Cancer." The talk focused on the Huntsman-Intermountain Cancer Care Program and cancer prevention in women throughout the state. The conference is sponsored by Utah Senator Orrin Hatch.

Douglas Adler, MD

Douglas Adler, MD, served as a chair and speaker at the American College of Gastroenterology conference in Orlando October 5. Adler spoke to a group of GI fellows from around the country. His talks were titled, "Academic vs. Private Practice," "Basic vs. Advanced Training," and "Work and Life Issues."

Alana Welm, MD

Alana Welm, MD, HCI investigator and assistant professor in the Department of Oncological Sciences, was an invited speaker at "Breast Cancer Policy is Personal: Legislative Survivors' Summit," sponsored by Women in Government, in Washington, D.C. September 25-27. She gave a presentation entitled "Advancements in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment."

Li Wang, PhD

HCI investigator Li Wang, PhD, spoke at the Keystone Symposium (Metabolism and Cardiovascular Risk) in Breckenridge, Colorado, September 23-28. Her talk was titled, "Nuclear Receptor SHP in Metabolic Regulation." Wang will also speak at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) 59th Annual Meeting October 31-November 4 in San Francisco, California. Her talk is titled, "SHP Regulation of MicroRNAs in Cell Progression and Apoptosis."

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Helping HCI

Girl Scouts learn how their good deed helps others at HCI.

Making a Difference: Girl Scout Troupe #1000 visited HCI October 17. The girls made blankets and hats for cancer patients and toured HCI to get a first-hand look at how their generous act is helping others.

Attention burger lovers: The Counter Burger is a brand new restaurant opening at The Gateway later this month. HCI employees are invited to a special preview Saturday, October 25 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for lunch and 5:30 to 8 p.m. for dinner. This preview will allow kitchen staff to "practice" before the official grand opening. All proceeds go to Huntsman Cancer Foundation benefiting HCI. Space is limited and reservations are required. Call 801-819-2978 or reserve your spot on The Counter Burger's website.

Grizzlies go pink: The Utah Grizzlies are holding a fundraiser Friday, October 24. The ice will be tinted pink and the players will wear pink jersies to mark the event. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to Huntsman Cancer Foundation benefiting HCI. You can purchase tickets at the box office or online through Ticketmaster.

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News You Can Use

For the record: It's that time of year again to update your address on file at HCI. With W-2s and holiday cards going out in the next few months, it's important that your correct address is on file. If you moved in the past year, please e-mail your new address to jacque.jones@hci.utah.edu. You can also change your address with the University via the Campus Information System.

Get centered: Read the latest information in the October 2008 issue of the Cancer Learning Center Newsletter from HCI’s Patient and Public Education Department.

Buried in plastic: Ever wonder where all those plastic grocery store bags end up? You might be surprised! Find out more!

The latest Science Lite Seminar took place October 16, titled "Riding to Reno." Speaker Jeff Warren is a cancer survivor and HCI fundraiser. Warren was diagnosed with Stage IV squamous cell head and neck cancer more than seven years ago. Each year, he rides his bike from his hometown of Reno, Nevada, to the front door of HCI. In a lively, frank discussion, Warren reminded us that patients look to their physicians and nurses to give confidence and optimism when facing a difficult course of treatment. For more information on Jeff's story, visit his website.

Fresh from the garden: If you have a garden, you've probably gathered up the last of fall's bounty. Victoria Topham, owner of Pinon Market and Café, emphasizes fresh, in-season produce in her cooking. Below is one of her favorite recipes to use up all those leftover squash, onions, and carrots. "It's fast, easy, uses seasonal produce, is fairly low-fat, and in my opinion, can make the average turkey or ham and cheddar sandwich something special," she says. (By the way, Victoria is married to HCI's Matt Topham, MD.)

Sweet and Spicy Marinated Vegetables
1/2 C sugar
3 C cider vinegar
1 T whole corriander seeds
1 T whole mustard seeds
1 T whole black peppercorns
1 t Allspice, ground
1 jalapeno pepper, halved
2 zucchini squash, sliced into 1/4" rounds
2 yellow squash, sliced into 1/4" rounds
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 small cucumbers, sliced into 1/4" rounds
1 carrot, peeled and sliced into 1/4" rounds

Prepare all vegetables and layer in a canning jar or a glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Combine all pickling ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a simmer to dissolve the sugar. Cool and pour over vegetables. Cover and refrigerate overnight. These pickles will keep for up to one month refrigerated.

Pinon Market and Café is located at 2095 East 2100 South in Salt Lake City.

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CCSG Program News

Curt Hagedorn, MD

This month's feature introduces Curt Hagedorn, MD, with the Cancer Center Support Grant's Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers Program.

Hagedorn is a professor of medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine and the new chief of the Division of Gastroenterology in the Department of Medicine. An outstanding researcher, clinician, teacher, mentor, and administrator, his research interests involve the molecular genetics of liver cancer, hepatitis C, and colon cancer.

Hagedorn graduated from Rutgers College and received his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis. He performed his residency at Vanderbilt Hospitals, and a GI fellowship at Barnes Hospital, Washington University. Further research training included a fellowship in the Metabolism Branch at the National Institutes of Health, which has produced more than a dozen members of the National Academy of Sciences and one Nobel Laureate.

Hagedorn was a faculty member at Emory University for 11 years, where he served as director of hepatology. He became chief of GI at the University of Kansas (KU) Medical Center in 2003. During his four years in that position, he led an unprecedented growth of the division in size of the faculty and fellowship program, and in the research portfolio. The liver transplant program expanded from less than 25 transplant cases per year to more than 70 per year during his tenure. By partnering with other departments at KU, he increased grant funding in the GI Division dramatically, including a $10 million grant on studies of liver diseases and a $7 million clinical research center grant. In addition to his division leadership role, Hagedorn served as director of the GI Cancer Program at the KU Cancer Center and as associate director of the Clinical Research Center at KU.

Hagedorn has authored or co-authored more than 70 peer-reviewed publications, mentored more than 20 students and fellows that have gone on to successful careers in medicine and research, and has secured more than $7 million in NIH research funding during the past 15 years. He and his laboratory have developed new technologies that can be applied to discovering the genetic basis of disease and new markers for GI cancers, including hepatoma and colon cancer. In addition, studies done in his laboratory over the past decade have provided insight into how an RNA binding protein that is over-expressed in colon and other GI cancers promotes tumor tissue invasion and metastasis.

Since arriving at the University of Utah, Hagedorn has already recruited a number of new faculty members and begun major projects in both liver and colon cancer. We welcome him with great enthusiasm to the GI Cancers Program and to HCI.

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Cancer Information Corner

Did you know HCI's educational programs are for everyone, including staff? Visit the Cancer Learning Center on the first floor of HCI, call the Huntsman Cancer Information Service at 801-581-6365, or visit the Huntsman Online Patient Education (HOPE) Guide to learn more about cancer and find out about cancer-related resources and events.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Utilize one of HCI's educational resources to learn the symptoms, risk factors, and diagnostic exams of this disease and find survivorship, treatment, and coping information for those who have been diagnosed. Also learn about research and clinical trials at HCI and around the world. Take the breast cancer awareness quiz.

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