Message from the Dean

Reflecting on our recent designation as a National Cancer Institute, an Indiana University Cancer Center faculty member noted that the public response to the award has brought his colleagues more pride and inspiration than could be imagined.

His reflections prompted him to realize that the public's recognition of the IU Cancer Center amplifies the extent to which their work has only just begun. New initiatives to promote cancer prevention and to provide information to the millions of people seeking it on issues from quality of life with cancer to presymptomatic testing for hereditary cancers are necessary goals for an NCI-designated Cancer Center.

Among these initiatives is our collaboration with the Indiana State Medical Association, the Indiana Hospital & Health Association, the State Nursing Association and the Indiana General Assembly. The goal is to develop a plan that applies Indiana's Tobacco Settlement - $4 billion over the next 25 years - to research and treatment programs that help Hoosiers who suffer from smoking-related illnesses or help them kick the habit.

Indiana ranks ninth highest among all states in tobacco-related deaths. In the U.S. 3,000 adolescents begin smoking every day; we must take steps to prevent these children from making life-threatening decisions that shorten their adult lives with lung cancer, coronary heart disease and emphysema. Certainly it also is imperative to mark a large portion of this funding for programs that provide patient treatment as well as for research and development of more effective prevention programs.

The work of the IU Cancer Center must continue to grow as its more than 100 members - researchers, teachers and clinicians - address critical social issues such as cancer prevention and end-of-life care. So too must the critically important relationships grow with colleagues from the Schools of Nursing, Dentistry, Allied Health and Public Health, as well as the IU and Purdue Schools of Science; all improve health care for Hoosiers and millions of people beyond our state.

I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to thank the many private citizens, foundations and civic organizations for their long support of IU's cancer programs. Our success is their success. The generosity and vision of alumnus Joe Walther, MD '55, the Indiana Lions and Indiana Elks, the Riley Memorial Association, the Catherine Peachey Foundation, and many other special friends and volunteers from every county and town in Indiana support and sustain our work. With us, they share the vision of improving care for cancer patients and helping their fellow Hoosiers.

Robert W. Holden, MD '63

Dean, Indiana University School of Medicine
Walter J. Daly Professor