REPORT TO OUR
OUR VISION
Passionate individuals and teams delivering a cancer-free frontier through scientific discovery and human touch
PUBLISHED MARCH 2025
PLANTING SEEDS OF HOPE: Progress on our new location in Vineyard
COLORECTAL CANCER & YOUNG PEOPLE THE ULTIMATE GIFT: Legacy to Life Program
HIGHLIGHTS OF DISCOVERY & INNOVATION
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION: The PathMaker Bridge Program OUR AFFILIATES: The Power & Importance of the Local Oncologist
HOW A SKIN CANCER RESEARCHER FOUND HIS “UGLY DUCKLING”
LEADING THE WAY IN INNOVATIVE SURGICAL SOLUTIONS BLANKETS
PHD Chief Executive Officer
MARY BECKERLE,
THOMAS VARGHESE JR., MD, MS, MBA
THERESA WERNER, MD AIK
BUILDING ON A LEGACY
Looking to the Future
MARY BECKERLE, PHD
Huntsman Cancer Institute is united by a principle to place patients and community first.
Guided by a collaborative spirit and commitment to excellence, we have achieved what some thought impossible—a nationally recognized, state-of-the-art cancer care and research facility overlooking Salt Lake City, with community clinics reaching across the valley and affiliate hospitals spanning the Mountain West.
Cancer mortality rates have declined by more than 33% since the 1990s, according to the American Association for Cancer Research. Take a moment to consider what that number represents: a mom surviving breast cancer with time to welcome her first grandchild thanks to a tailored treatment. The nightmare of a child diagnosed with leukemia being offered hope through immunotherapy that trains his own immune system to fight the disease. This future is fueled by the critical research that happens every single day at Huntsman Cancer Institute and other cancer centers across the nation.
We are embarking on the next chapter of our story with work underway at the new Vineyard site in Utah County. Located in one of the fastest growing areas in the United States, this new facility will bring unparalleled opportunities to Utah and beyond.
EACH DAY, WE ARE CREATING
A FUTURE OF CANCER DISCOVERY AND CURES.
MARY BECKERLE, PHD
Our vision remains clear: passionate individuals and teams delivering a cancer-free frontier through scientific discovery and human touch. With each breakthrough and life we touch, we move closer to a bright future where cancer is a thing of the past. I thank each of you—faculty and staff members, patients and providers, volunteers and generous donors, community members and changemakers—for your incredible contributions to this journey. The work we do is not easy, but it is deeply meaningful. As we move forward, we do so with the same bold ambition, collaborative spirit, and compassion that has defined Huntsman Cancer Institute from the very beginning.
MARY BECKERLE, PHD
Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Endowed Chair CEO, Huntsman Cancer Institute Associate Vice President for Cancer Affairs, University of Utah
SEEDS OF
Vineyard HOPE PLANTING
Progress on our new location in
Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Comprehensive Cancer Center in Vineyard, Utah, is far more than a new building. As the largest single investment in the history of Huntsman Cancer Institute, it will transform the landscape for cancer research, education, and care in Utah and the Mountain West for generations to come.
At a celebratory groundbreaking in April 2025, work will advance on an endeavor that has been years in the making.
In 2024, Huntsman Cancer Institute marked 25 years since opening the first facility in Salt Lake City. Five major expansions followed, two mobile screening clinics launched, Huntsman at Home™ extended to rural Utah, and affiliate hospitals in five neighboring states worked to bring world-class cancer research, prevention, and care closer to where people live.
Today, Huntsman Cancer Institute is widely recognized as a world leader in eliminating distance as a cancer disparity. Bringing a Comprehensive Cancer Center to Vineyard is a key part of this work.
Years ago, leaders at Huntsman Cancer Institute reflected on the rapid population growth in Utah and the Mountain West, knowing we could not adequately meet the needs of the community from a single location. An invitation from leaders in Vineyard and the broader Utah County area identified numerous areas of alignment. These include shared goals related to health, workforce training, more clinical
care resources, innovation with the business community, and Huntsman Cancer Institute’s lifesaving cancer research.
Sowing SUPPORT
Following a lead matching gift of $75 million from the Huntsman Family Foundation, numerous other generous donors and organizations have joined together to advance this community resource to a reality. The rapid pace of planning was enabled by pivotal lead contributions from organizations including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the state of Utah, in addition to a generous land donation in the Utah City development from the Woodbury Corporation and Flagship Companies.
Nurturing
COMMUNITY
Mary Beckerle, PHD, CEO of Huntsman Cancer Institute and distinguished professor of biology and oncological sciences, shares, “We call this ‘Project Unite’ as it is truly a commitment of all of us together, linking arms to improve the health of our communities and end cancer as we know it.”
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Building
A BRIGHT FUTURE
An analysis of more than 40,000 annual patient visits from Utah County and adjacent areas outlined the priority services that will be available in Phase 1A. Huntsman Cancer Institute leaders also worked to plan how to best complement the research offerings at the Vineyard location with unique assets and talents in the Utah County community. These will work in partnership and coordination with research pillars of excellence at the Salt Lake City location, including renowned programs in basic science, translational research, and genetics. With those synergies in mind, research offerings in Vineyard were prioritized to include cancer data science and artificial intelligence; programs to reduce distance to quality care; and clinical trials to meet the needs of the community.
Planning for the project included the input of more than 400 stakeholders. The project is designed
by Architectural Nexus with collaboration from Sasaki Associates and will be built by Layton Construction. “Breaking ground on the Huntsman Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in Vineyard is more than just a milestone for us—it’s a heartfelt commitment to bringing research, education, and care closer to home for countless families,” says Don Milligan, MBA, executive director of the Huntsman Cancer Institute Hospital, part of University of Utah Health Hospitals and Clinics. “This project reflects our deep dedication to innovation and unwavering promise to support the lives of our patients and their loved ones.”
Harvesting
HOPE FOR TOMORROW
Peter Huntsman, chairman and CEO of Huntsman Cancer Foundation, shares his gratitude, saying, “We will look back on this project over future generations and thank you for the lives that have been lengthened, the lives that have been saved, and the opportunity this has given Utah.”
PETER HUNTSMAN
Planning for Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Comprehensive Cancer Center in Utah County stimulated new collaborations with both UVU and BYU to advance shared goals.
The Huntsman Cancer Institute-Utah Valley University Health Collaborative provides mentorship and training to future research and health care professionals. The BYU Bioinformatics Capstone initiative with Huntsman Cancer Institute enables students to apply classroom knowledge to realworld cancer research challenges. “These educational collaborations represent an important commitment of the University
of Utah and Huntsman Cancer Institute’s role as the Comprehensive Cancer Center for Utah,” says Bradley Cairns, PhD, head of academic affairs at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of oncological sciences. “We welcome these talented students as well as researchers and educators from institutions across the state. Working together, we are advancing cancer research and care and cultivating the next generation.”
Access to Vital Care Through Philanthropy
In 1999, Kim and Jennifer Bertin established the Bertin Family Foundation with the mission of supporting meaningful causes, including cancer research and prevention. Since that time, they have donated nearly $4 million to Huntsman Cancer Institute and believe that investing in cancer research and care is one of the best ways to eventually eliminate this disease and soften its effect on individuals.
Like most families, the Bertins have been impacted by cancer. Their commitment is rooted in that experience and an enthusiasm for the institute’s international leadership in cancer research and care. Their gift of $3 million to the Vineyard location marks a major milestone in their support.
They see this second Comprehensive Cancer Center as an important step toward expanding access to world-class care across Utah and beyond.
“This expansion is crucial for providing easier access to vital care,” Kim says. “For us, it’s about reaching further and contributing to a cause that’s bigger than ourselves.”
The Bertin family’s philanthropic legacy is guided by a simple creed: “We are collectively responsible for a unique public trust, and we will strive to create impact, to improve the world we live in, and further the values we believe in.”
OF DISCOVERY & INNOVATION Highlights
Every day at Huntsman Cancer Institute, more than 275 research teams are learning more about the origins of cancer and how to better prevent and treat it. At any given time, Huntsman Cancer Institute also offers more than 300 clinical trials so patients have access to the most promising new approaches. These critical endeavors are possible with federal funding from the National Institutes of Health/ National Cancer Institute and support from donors to Huntsman Cancer Foundation.
NEW DRUG PAIRING FOR TREATING BRAIN CANCER
The STELLAR study, a Phase 3 clinical trial, established a promising new treatment for an aggressive form of grade 3 astrocytoma, a type of brain cancer. The trial found that combining eflornithine, a drug that inhibits purine synthesis and slows the growth of cancer cells, with the chemotherapy lomustine significantly improved survival rates and slowed the progression of the disease.
Presented by Howard Colman, MD, PhD, in a plenary session at the Society for NeuroOncology’s annual meeting in November 2024, this is the first randomized trial to demonstrate a statistically significant survival benefit for patients with these tumors.
THE POSITIVE SURVIVAL RATE OFFERS HOPE TO CAREGIVERS AND PATIENTS FOR A NEW TREATMENT OPTION FOR THIS DIFFICULT-TOTREAT DISEASE.
HOWARD COLMAN, MD, PHD PROFESSOR, NEUROSURGERY UNIVERSITY OF UTAH LEAD AUTHOR
HEMATOLOGISTS DISCOVER SURPRISING FOLIC ACID LINK
Through a comprehensive study conducted in mouse models, researchers discovered a surprising link between folic acid and blood cell production. The study, presented in the plenary at the American Society of Hematology annual meeting, demonstrated that blood and immune cell production in adult offspring fluctuate based on the amount of folic acid consumed by their mothers during pregnancy. This discovery opens new avenues for research into how prenatal nutrition, like folic acid supplements, affects long-term health and disease susceptibility of adults.
WE ARE THRILLED TO REPRESENT THE FANTASTIC WORK OF THE DIVISION OF HEMATOLOGY AND HEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES.
ANNA BEAUDIN, PHD PROFESSOR, INTERNAL MEDICINE
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH LEAD AUTHOR
GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH REVEALS
HEALTH CARE BARRIERS
The Community Health Assessment Survey—the first study dedicated to understanding the health care needs of rural and frontier residents in the Mountain West—highlights significant challenges these patients face, including limited access, high costs, and provider shortages.
Of the 1,600 people surveyed, most had little to no knowledge about cancer clinical trials, which are considered the standard of care by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. This landmark study will guide Huntsman Cancer Institute’s efforts to expand and improve cancer care and education in rural and frontier communities.
THESE FINDINGS UNDERSCORE THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCESS FOR OUR PATIENTS.
TRACY ONEGA, PHD PROFESSOR, POPULATION HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY OF UTAH PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
LIFE-EXTENDING PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT
New findings from the TALAPRO-2 study, a Phase 3 clinical trial, found that a novel combination treatment for prostate cancer has a significantly higher survival rate than the current standard-of-care drug. Combining talazoparib and enzalutamide reduced the risk of death for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer by more than 20% and delayed disease progression by more than eight months, compared to enzalutamide alone. This is the first combination study of this class of medication to show a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival for these patients. The findings, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium in February 2025, support the drug combination as a new standard-of-care option.
WE ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE REMARKABLE RESULTS OF THIS TREATMENT AND HOPE IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR PATIENTS’ LIVES.
NEERAJ AGARWAL, MD
PROFESSOR, INTERNAL MEDICINE
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH LEAD AUTHOR
TRANSDISCIPLINARY TEAM SCIENCE: BENCH TO BEDSIDE
BREAST CANCER
A cross-disciplinary team developed a novel model for predicting triple-negative breast cancer severity. Experts from various University of Utah departments worked together to develop a mechanism that allows doctors to create more personalized treatment plans for patients. The research, published in JCO Precision Oncology in July 2024, is part of the TOWARDS study. Cindy Matsen, MD, MSCI, is co-first author. Alana Welm, PhD; Christos Vaklavas, MD; Kenneth Boucher, PhD; and Bryan Welm, PhD, also contributed to the study.
WORKING WITH A BROAD TEAM HAS ALLOWED US TO BRIDGE SCIENCE AND CLINICAL CARE TO SAVE MORE LIVES.
CINDY MATSEN, MD, MSCI PROFESSOR, SURGERY UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
Breaking Records for a Brother
In 2024, Sigma Chi’s Lambda Tau chapter at Florida Atlantic University broke chapter and campus fundraising records in honor of brother James McCoy, who passed away in September of osteosarcoma. In his honor, his brothers dedicated their philanthropic efforts to his memory, raising upwards of $80,000—which was $50,000 more than their previous record. The chapter’s most successful event was a
SARCOMA
Another collaboration led to a breakthrough protein discovery that could transform sarcoma treatments. Kevin B. Jones, MD, who leads the Sarcoma Disease Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute, worked closely with Peter Shen, PhD, whose lab is part of the University of Utah’s Department of Biochemistry. They identified a key protein called VCP/p97 that could be targeted in potential treatments for alveolar soft part sarcoma. Findings were published in Nature Communications in February 2024.
Jason Gertz, PhD, and Xiaoyang Zhang, PhD, also contributed to the study.
call-a-thon, which raised more than $30,000 in just under two hours. “Much of our achievement was driven by the strong support from our fraternity brothers, who deeply connected with the cause,” says Josh Ryckman, Lambda Tau’s philanthropy chair. “Dedicating our efforts to James McCoy’s memory was a major motivation for my chapter and me. Many of our brothers related to his story on a personal level, which ignited a passion and determination to make our efforts as impactful as possible.”
VCP/p97 Protein
HOW A SKIN CANCER RESEARCHER FOUND HIS “UGLY DUCKLING”
Huntsman Cancer Institute investigator Jakob Jensen, PhD, was working in his own lab when he identified a mole on his arm that he would soon find out was melanoma—the deadliest form of skin cancer. This was not his first cancer diagnosis.
From Lifeguard to CANC ER RESEARCHER
Jensen, associate vice president for research and professor of communication at the University of Utah (the U) as well as a member of the Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute, was just a teenager and working as a lifeguard at a swimming pool in rural Montana. One day, a community nurse made a small comment that would change his life: “You have a very strange mole in the middle of your back. Has anyone ever noted it to you?”
Jensen had to drive an hour and a half to get the mole removed. But the long drive was made worth it when he was told that the mole he had removed was melanoma.
“I began my cancer journey at 19,” Jensen says. “To be honest, when I first found out I had melanoma, I didn’t even really know what it was.”
This experience led to him studying skin cancer—and how to best teach people about it so they can be more aware than he was when he was first diagnosed.
“I don’t wish cancer on anybody, but if they have it, I want them to find it as fast as they can,” Jensen says.
That’s why for the past decade, Jensen has been developing educational visuals and conducting research to see which of those visuals are the most effective at helping people identify skin cancer.
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I DON’T WISH CANCER ON ANYBODY, BUT IF THEY HAVE IT, I WANT THEM TO FIND IT AS FAST AS THEY CAN.
JAKOB JENSEN, PHD
Visualizing
SKIN CANCER
Jensen directs the Health Communication and Technology (HCAT) lab, where he’s worked to visualize a concept in skin cancer research known as the “Ugly Duckling Sign,” a technique used to spot potentially cancerous moles.
“Your moles have their own distinct quality that’s unique to you,” Jensen says. A person’s normal moles usually look like each other in size, shape, and color. On the other hand, moles that differ from your other moles—the so-called “Ugly Ducklings”—could potentially be cancerous.
Jensen’s lab has developed new visual materials to convey this principle in easy-tounderstand ways. Through a series of research trials in which participants were shown different visual aids and then given pictures
of various moles, Jensen narrowed down which were most effective in helping people identify signs of melanoma quickly. This is especially pertinent in Utah, which has the highest melanoma rate in the country.
“It’s just a very different level of material than has ever existed, with an evidence base that’s never been seen before,” Jensen says.
Now, Jensen is releasing these visual aids to the public. He hopes they will help people feel more confident in their ability to identify suspicious moles on their body, and in doing so, feel more in control of their health.
Jensen’s educational visuals have already helped at least one person discover their own skin cancer: himself.
An illustration from the Ugly Duckling Sign Patient Education Materials, developed by the HCAT lab
Finding the
“UGLY DUCKLING”
When he noticed a new mole on his right arm while working in his lab in the summer of 2024, Jensen was shocked that it had seemed to appear overnight.
“I spend a lot of time looking at photos of skin cancer,” he notes. “But suddenly I was looking at a strange mole on my own body.”
Though he didn’t think it followed the Ugly Duckling principle since it looked similar to a benign mole he had removed years earlier, he couldn’t help but to keep looking at it.
As he examined it more, Jensen noticed that it had a glossy look, almost like it was painted on his skin. None of his moles had this quality before, so he called into the dermatology department at the U for an urgent appointment.
The U’s Rapid Access Dermatology Clinic (RADc) is an innovative approach where patients with a time-sensitive concern like Jensen can see a board-certified dermatologist quickly—often, the same day.
A week after a sample was taken at the RADc, the news came that confirmed his suspicions: The mole was melanoma.
“It took my breath away,” Jensen admitted. “I’ve kind of been waiting for this. I knew this was going to come back someday.”
Fortunately, Jensen’s melanoma had been caught early and was classified as melanoma in situ—a surface-level cancer that can typically be treated by surgery alone.
Shortly thereafter, Jensen had the remainder of the mole—and a small amount of skin around it—removed by a dermatologist at Huntsman Cancer Institute. A month later, all that was left was another scar—and a deeper commitment to his research.
“Skin cancer can be frightening,” Jensen says. “But there are things you can do to reduce your risk and to identify it early. My lab focuses on the latter. I encourage everyone to monitor their moles, as it can save your life.”
JAKOB JENSEN,
PHD
INNOVATING THE FUTURE
of Cancer Care
THOMAS VARGHESE JR., MD, MS, MBA
It is an incredible privilege to lead Huntsman Cancer Institute’s efforts in transforming cancer care through innovation, collaboration, and patientcentered solutions. As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of oncology, our goal is to ensure all patients—regardless of where they live—receive the highest quality treatment and support.
A key milestone in this aim was the launch of the Innovative Medical Practices Advancing Care Transformation (IMPACT) Center. This center represents the intersection of innovation science and implementation science, striving to bring best practices in cancer care to urban, rural, and frontier populations alike.
A few examples include personalizing cancer treatment using artificial intelligence (AI) and digital models such as multimodal deep learning and digital histopathology to assist with more comprehensive and precise diagnosis and prognosis. AI-enabled wearables are another potential means by which technology can assist health care teams. They could safely monitor patients who live far from a care facility or serve as an early alert system for patients at home.
We now have two mobile clinics. They will help eliminate distance as a barrier to care—particularly to crucial cancer screenings. We currently offer mobile mammography and intend to expand services to include screening for colon cancer, HPV infection, prostate cancer, and genetic testing for cancer risk.
OUR GOAL IS TO ELIMINATE DISTANCE AS A BARRIER TO CARE.
THOMAS VARGHESE JR., MD, MS, MBA
The mobile clinics may serve as labs of sorts, enabling us to study and improve cancer screening throughout the Mountain West.
By leveraging digital health tools and innovative care models, we enhance access, improve coordination, and provide seamless care across communities. The future Vineyard location will be a major step in these efforts, where we will integrate technology and telehealth solutions to better connect patients, caregivers, and providers.
The success of the IMPACT Center depends on our ability to embrace change as opportunity, remain mission-driven, and uphold transparency in our outcomes. We will work collectively to ensure every initiative leads to tangible improvements. Together, we are transforming lives and creating a future where every patient has access to the care they deserve.
THOMAS VARGHESE JR., MD, MS, MBA Director, IMPACT Center Huntsman Cancer Institute Professor of Surgery, University of Utah
Alina Wilson first noticed she was tired. Not the usual kind of tired that comes with being a mother of one teenager and one almostteenager—this was something different. She would doze off while homeschooling her daughter, especially after eating. She struggled with shortness of breath on hikes with her family near their home in Lehi, Utah. And at the beginning of January 2022, she started to notice blood in her stool. That summer, she traveled to Texas to support her son in an athletic tournament.
“One day I was using the bathroom, and there was a ton of blood. A lot of blood,” says Alina. “And I just remember sitting there in the hotel being like, OK, when we get home, I have got to take care of this, because clearly something’s wrong.”
A colonoscopy confirmed what she had started to suspect.
“The doctor just said, ‘Alina, I’ve got bad news. It looks like you have colon cancer,’” she says. “My husband was in shock. It was one thing for me to say, ‘I think I have this.’ It’s another for the doctor to confirm it.”
Alina is one of an alarming number of patients under 50 being diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer. In 2020, the American Cancer Society cited the median age of
colorectal cancer diagnosis as 66 in men and 69 in women. These older populations are seeing a decline in incidence rates. For those under 50, however, rates are increasing by 2.4% each year—with devastating impacts.
As reported in JAMA Network Open, by the year 2040, colorectal cancer will be the second most common cancer for patients between 20 and 49. It will also be the most fatal cancer for the age group.
“This is becoming a global public health issue, not just in the United States,” says Vaia Florou, MD, MS, physician-researcher at Huntsman Cancer Institute and assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Utah. “We need to figure out what is happening that’s different in somebody who’s 60 years old versus somebody who’s 30.”
Florou says Huntsman Cancer Institute is facing this problem head-on, both in cancer care and research. She is spearheading a specialized clinic for these patients, known as the Huntsman Cancer Institute Integrated Center for Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer. The new clinic is serving the unique needs of this population, including medical oncology, surgery, fertility preservation for those whose plans to have children are put on hold for treatment, and psychosocial support.
“The goal is to optimize the treatment plan of these patients for best possible outcomes while aligning with their preferences and overall plans,” says Florou. “The clinic will also ultimately help us enhance our research abilities in this younger population. If we can find out why this epidemic is happening, then we can develop better treatments.”
ColoCare, an ongoing Huntsman Cancer Institute research study, is already in a prime position to uncover why colorectal cancer rates are on the rise. As part of the project, researchers collect biospecimens and data on colorectal patient health and outcomes.
“Our study population overall is 4,200 patients, and more than 1,000 are early-onset patients,” says Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS, executive director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of population health sciences at the University of Utah. “ColoCare is the largest federally funded resource enabling research on the causes and implications of early-onset cancer.”
Ulrich, who is the lead investigator for ColoCare, says the rapid increase in earlyonset incidence suggests there is either an environmental or behavioral health factor contributing to the disease. Research at Huntsman Cancer Institute suggests that
colorectal cancer is related to oxidative stress—which leads to inflammation, DNA damage, and cancer. But Ulrich also emphasizes that there is much more to learn about the disease and its effects on young patients than just figuring out why it is happening.
“The idea of cancer survivorship changes when patients are diagnosed at a younger age,” says Ulrich. “In younger people, we tend to use more aggressive treatments. This has potential for long-term toxicities. We also want to be mindful of and try to understand how early-onset colorectal cancer has an impact on younger patients’ careers, financial health, and social connections.”
IF WE CAN FIND OUT WHY THIS EPIDEMIC IS HAPPENING, THEN WE CAN DEVELOP BETTER TREATMENTS.
VAIA FLOROU, MD, MS
This is a reality patient Alina knows all too well. She was diagnosed as stage 3b, indicating the disease had spread beyond the colon wall into her lymph nodes. Huntsman Cancer Institute surgeons removed her tumor and part of her colon. She then underwent chemotherapy.
“When you’re going through a traumatic situation, you just get through it. You have a schedule, and you go from appointment to appointment,” says Alina. “But then you have to pick up the pieces once it’s all over, and that’s mentally very hard to do.”
Alina says her treatment was difficult for her children, as both she and her husband were forced to focus on her health. She also developed severe neuropathy, or nerve damage, as a side effect of chemotherapy—one that still affects her two years later. She is particularly sensitive to cold, and sometimes she can’t feel her hands and feet. But she’s making progress, finding success when she can playing pickleball for longer and longer sessions with her family.
Alina says she is grateful for her medical team at Huntsman Cancer Institute—and she is eager to see what researchers will uncover that can help patients going forward.
“Learning why I developed colon cancer wouldn’t change what I went through, but it can help other people,” says Alina. “I would love to be able to save others from going through the emotional, physical, and financial burden that is colon cancer. It changes your life completely.”
VAIA FLOROU, MD, MS
The 2024 PathMaker Bridge cohort
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION
The PathMaker Bridge Program
Huntsman Cancer Institute is committed to opening more doors to careers in science and medicine for trainees from communities in the Mountain West and beyond. A key way to do this is by partnering with educators. Enter the PathMaker Bridge program, an initiative connecting cutting-edge cancer research to middle and high school teachers.
“Through the PathMaker Bridge program, we are expanding the boundaries of scientific knowledge and empowering educators to be catalysts for change,” says Gita Suneja, MD, MSHP, one of the principal investigators of PathMaker Bridge at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of radiation oncology at the University of Utah. “By connecting research with teaching, we are nurturing a new generation of inspired scientists who will be leaders in cancer innovation.”
GRANTSVILLE, UT
SARATOGA SPRINGS, UT
OGDEN, UT
SALT LAKE CITY, UT COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, UT
CEDAR CITY, UT
BRUNSWICK, NJ LINDON, UT OREM, UT
FORT DEFIANCE, AZ
NEW
A Transformative JOURNEY
The PathMaker Bridge program offers a six-week summer research experience in a Huntsman Cancer Institute laboratory. Teachers collaborate with scientists, deepen their understanding of cancer biology, and create lesson plans tailored to their students. Participants receive financial compensation, 20 graduate credits over two years, and ongoing professional development.
“For me, the most valuable insight was being reminded that I can do hard things,” says Deb Smith, a middle school science teacher in Salt Lake City.
“I tell my students that being a lifelong learner is how we become successful humans. This program reaffirmed that belief in myself and helped me model it for my students.”
Smith adds, “Having scientists from Huntsman Cancer Institute visit my classroom has made a huge difference. When students see real-life examples, they begin to believe in their own potential.”
“Representation in science matters,” says Elena Mylroie, a teacher at Chinle High School in Arizona and a member of the Navajo Nation. “Very few, if any, of my students have parents who went
to college. When they see someone with a similar background succeeding, it inspires them to aim higher.”
Bringing Science TO LIFE
For many teachers, the program has revitalized their approach to science education. They incorporate hands-on techniques like pipetting and data analysis into lessons, transforming abstract concepts into engaging, real-world activities.
“One of the most rewarding parts has been the excitement in my students,” says Mylroie. “I teach 126 kids across 6 classes. Showing them how to read data and do projects has made them more interested in science. They see I’ve done it, and now they believe they can, too.”
The program also challenges participants, pushing them outside their comfort zones. “I had times where I felt like the most ignorant person in the room,” Smith adds. “But that only made me appreciate the process of learning—and reminded me how my students feel when facing new challenges. Perseverance is key.”
Hope through DISCOVERY
The PathMaker Bridge program isn’t just about education—it’s about hope. For one participant who has her own personal connection with the disease, the program reignited optimism about cancer treatment.
Mi Pohahau, a sixth-grade teacher in Ogden, Utah, reflected on her dual drivers as an educator and patient. “I am motivated to understand cancer at its core. As a teacher, I aim to foster education that inspires the next generation to make meaningful contributions to cancer research. Programs like this show how science can change lives.”
Through this initiative, Huntsman Cancer Institute is not only shaping the future of science education but also planting seeds of curiosity, perseverance, and hope in classrooms across the Mountain West.
“This program has given me hope that cancer can one day be eradicated—possibly within my lifetime,” Mylroie adds. “It’s important for my students to see the human side of science and be motivated by the possibility of making a difference.”
BEING A LIFELONG LEARNER IS HOW WE BECOME SUCCESSFUL HUMANS.
DEB SMITH
DATA SCIENCE & AI
The Future is Now
As recognized leaders in cancer research, Huntsman Cancer Institute physicians and scientists are utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate discoveries and improve patient care.
When I was appointed senior director of data science in October 2022, one of my top priorities was to empower individuals and teams to translate data-driven insights into tangible clinical innovations. In the past year, we have held AI town halls where people across the institute have shared how they use AI in their daily tasks and learned from one another.
From harmonizing data sets to predicting the structure of proteins, AI tools are aiding our experts at Huntsman Cancer Institute in many ways and with promising results. For example, physician-scientist Jonathan Tward, MD, PhD, professor of radiation oncology at the University of Utah, and a team of collaborators developed an AI model that can analyze a biopsy sample and, with extreme accuracy, predict how prostate cancer patients respond to different treatments. The AI model, trained on more than 20 years of data from
AI TOOLS WILL HELP US ACHIEVE OUR VISION.
AIK CHOON TAN, PHD
prostate biopsy tissues and patient outcomes, enables doctors to deliver more personalized treatment plans to patients.
Another study from Huntsman Cancer Institute found that a specialized AI chatbot can effectively help patients decide if they should pursue genetic testing based on their family health history. This innovative tool expands access to lifesaving genetic services, helping us achieve our goal of improving cancer care access for all.
As we look to the future of cancer research, Huntsman Cancer Institute is also committed to training the next generation of data scientists who will use innovative technologies like AI to help find the next cure. To support this educational mission, I have overseen the creation of both an oncological data science master’s program and a PhD training program, equipping students with the skills to apply data science and AI techniques to cancer research. This is part of my role serving as an executive
advisory member of the University of Utah’s One-U Responsible AI Initiative. Data science and AI will also be a signature research initiative at our second Comprehensive Cancer Center location underway in Utah County.
Beginning in 2024, we also partnered with The Leonardo museum in Salt Lake City on an exhibit and speaker series about AI and cancer research. This initiative aims to educate the community on how we are using AI to advance data-driven discoveries.
Even as AI rapidly transforms cancer research, one thing remains constant: Huntsman Cancer Institute’s vision of delivering a cancer-free frontier through scientific discovery and human touch. AI tools will help us achieve this vision. For example, some physicians now use AI tools with patients’ consent to transcribe consultations and streamline medical records. By automating this time-consuming task, physicians can dedicate more time to providing compassionate, personalized care.
As we continue to integrate AI into cancer research and care, Huntsman Cancer Institute remains committed to improving the lives of patients and their families.
AIK CHOON TAN, PHD Senior Director, Data Science & AI Huntsman Cancer Institute Professor of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah
LEADING THE WAY IN INNOVATIVE SURGICAL SOLUTIONS
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah is at the forefront of integrating advanced robotic technologies, significantly enhancing patient access to sophisticated cancer surgeries. This commitment to innovation is evident through the introduction of the single-port robotic system, the use of the Ion robotic navigation system, and the addition of the latest da Vinci 5 surgical technology to aid in increasingly complex surgeries.
Single-Port ROBOTIC SURGERY
Huntsman Cancer Institute was first in the Mountain West to offer single-port robotic surgery. This state-of-the-art technology allows surgeons to perform challenging procedures through a single incision,
resulting in minimal scarring. Initially acquired to enhance treatment for head and neck cancer patients, it is now being used for patients with colorectal, urologic, and thoracic cancers.
Hilary McCrary, MD, MPH, head and neck surgeon at Huntsman Cancer Institute and assistant professor of otolaryngology at the University of Utah, emphasizes the magnitude: “This technology allows for greater precision and less invasive procedures, which can substantially improve recovery time and minimize side effects for patients.”
The single-port system provides a magnified 3D view of the surgical area and instruments that mimic the surgeon’s hand movements. This level of control is particularly beneficial in head and neck surgeries, where critical structures are densely packed and skillfulness is paramount.
Ion Robotic BRONCHOSCOPY
Huntsman Cancer Institute has also integrated the Ion robotic system, revolutionizing diagnosis and treatment of small lung nodules. The Ion system is a robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platform that enables physicians to navigate inside the lungs with unprecedented exactness. This capability allows for the biopsy of nodules that were previously inaccessible, facilitating earlier and more accurate diagnoses.
Brian Mitzman, MD, MS, Huntsman Cancer Institute thoracic surgeon and assistant professor of surgery at the University of Utah, highlights the impact of the Ion system: “We’re able to find these tiny little cancers that, normally, we would not be able to remove. We would either be watching until they got bigger or taking out a larger section of the lungs.”
By detecting and diagnosing lung cancer at earlier stages, the Ion system improves the potential for successful treatment outcomes.
DaVinci 5 Robotic SURGICAL SYSTEM
In January 2025, Huntsman Cancer Institute announced the acquisition of two da Vinci 5
(DV5) robotic surgical systems, marking the latest advancement in minimally invasive surgical capabilities. The DV5 system offers enhanced control and safety during procedures, setting a new standard in patient care.
One of the standout features of the DV5 is its force feedback technology. “It provides instant, tactile information, allowing us to perform procedures with unmatched precision,” notes Mitzman. “This technology offers significant benefits to patients and is a considerable leap forward for robotic surgery.”
The DV5 system’s robotic arms mimic a surgeon’s hand movements and offer improved visualization capabilities, enabling complex thoracic, urologic, gynecologic, colorectal, and head and neck surgeries to be performed through small incisions. This reduces hospital stays and accelerates recovery times, benefiting patients with various types of cancer.
BRIAN MITZMAN, MD, MS
WE ARE AT THE EPICENTER OF ROBOTIC SURGERY.
BRIAN MITZMAN, MD, MS
Comprehensive ROBOTIC
SURGERY
Since establishing robotic surgery services in 2005, Huntsman Cancer Institute has become one of the most advanced and comprehensive programs in the United States. The surgical team continues to grow and performs a variety of specialized cancer procedures, having completed more than 10,000 robotic operations to date.
“We are at the epicenter of robotic surgery,” Mitzman says. “Our surgeons are not only performing these procedures but also teaching other doctors at cancer centers around the country how to use this technology.”
Teaming Up in Memory of Mom
Ann Lee Taylor Ostler was diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma, a rare form of brain cancer, in 2012 and passed away in 2014. Despite the difficulty of her cancer journey, her family was grateful for the care she received at Huntsman Cancer Institute and wanted to give back.
A few years later, the family signed up for Huntsman SportsFest and formed Team ALTO, after Ann’s initials. The annual event happens near Ann’s birthday, so the family takes it as an opportunity to celebrate and remember her each year. In 2024, the 10-year anniversary of Ann’s passing, Team ALTO was the top fundraising team at Huntsman SportsFest, raising nearly $60,000 for cancer research.
“We are passionate about the mission of Huntsman Cancer Institute. We know so many experience cancer. We are incredibly lucky to have a world-class institution so close,” Ann’s husband, Steve, says. “We know that every dollar helps and provides care and research to ensure Huntsman Cancer Institute is at the cutting edge of fighting these diseases.”
Team ALTO at the Huntsman SportsFest
THERESA WERNER, MD
PERSPECTIVES as
leader of
Clinical Research & Deputy Director
It is with honor and a profound sense of responsibility that I reflect on my first year as the deputy director of Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. This position is not just a title. It is a commitment to our mission of advancing cancer research, education, and patient care. Being entrusted with this role has been both humbling and daunting, yet it is a challenge I embrace wholeheartedly.
My journey in oncology and clinical care has prepared me for this pivotal role. It draws on my expertise in treating patients and my leadership and administrative experience. Working alongside Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS, executive director of the cancer center, and our dedicated leadership team, I am committed to shaping the future of Huntsman Cancer Institute.
I assist in setting the strategic direction for the institute, ensuring it aligns with our mission. This involves advancing
cancer research, education, and patient care.
Operational oversight, particularly in clinical research, is another key aspect of my role. I serve as a liaison between the research and clinical sides, fostering collaboration across departments and divisions.
Research and innovation are at the heart of what we do. Supporting clinical research endeavors and trials is a significant part of my role. Mentorship and team building are also crucial. I find great reward in mentoring faculty across various disciplines, helping them in their career development, and fostering a collaborative culture.
Community engagement is another vital aspect of my role. We strive to bring cuttingedge care, including clinical trials, to the five-state area we serve. This is a significant challenge yet it is essential to provide care within these communities to ease the cancer burden for everyone.
It is a privilege to serve not only Utah but also a vast area that encompasses 17% of the contiguous U.S. landmass. Cancer has touched everyone in some way, and it is my aim to ensure everyone has access to the care they need. The support of our patients, their families, and our donors makes all the difference. We could not achieve what we
THE SUPPORT OF OUR PATIENTS, THEIR FAMILIES, & OUR DONORS MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
THERESA WERNER, MD
do without this collective effort, and I am deeply grateful for it.
What truly motivates me in this role is the personal connection with our patients. Being in oncology and taking care of people is incredibly rewarding. Many of my patients have become like family to me, and their stories inspire me every day. Knowing that I can make a difference in their lives, even in the smallest ways, is what keeps me going. It is these personal connections and the impact we have on our patients’ lives that make this job so meaningful.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our mission.
THERESA WERNER, MD Deputy Director, Huntsman Cancer Institute Professor of Internal Medicine,
University of Utah
THE ULTIMATE GIFT Legacy to Life Program
Many significant decisions are made throughout a lifetime—from relationships to careers, where to live and which dreams to follow. Of these choices, some have broad and long-lasting effect, far beyond our individual experiences. This is true of the Legacy to Life Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Metastatic spreading of the disease is, by far, the most common reason why people die of breast cancer. “We are trying to understand how these tumors that spread throughout the body cause death and why they are so treatment resistant,” says Alana Welm, PhD, senior director of basic science at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of oncological sciences at the University of Utah. To study this, Welm and her team examine cancerous tissues in the lab. They can grow tumors that mimic the environment inside a human body to test new drugs. They also grow tissue in mice models to study how cancer spreads. These models accurately reflect treatment response in humans, which has allowed researchers to evaluate a patient’s therapy in real time, help determine the risk of recurrence, and better understand why and how metastasis occurs.
“We cannot collect these tissues while a patient is alive because they are not usually taken out of metastatic sites such as the brain, liver, or lung,” Welm explains. “Although cancer patients are not eligible for traditional organ donation after death, they can donate tissues for cancer research. Through the Legacy to Life Program, this happens in the form of a regular autopsy.”
ALANA WELM, PHD
Kim Ulmer was a landscape designer, a wife, and a mom of four. In 2009, she found a lump in her breast. When doctors confirmed it was cancer, she opted for a double mastectomy.
A testament to her personal drive and determination, Kim ran a half marathon in 2010 after finishing chemotherapy.
“We went on and had a really nice seven years,” recalls her husband, Mat, noting that together they exercised more and improved their diets. Yet in 2017, Kim felt a lump in her neck.
Breast cancer had spread to a lymph node there, and also to her liver. “In her strong, resilient way, she began to deal with it,” Mat says.
Kim started a blog to keep friends informed and to process the experience. “I’m sure it was a great coping thing for her,” Mat says. “She was always very open about how things were going and what to expect. That was crucial for my kids, especially.”
Knowing breast cancer would likely be what took her life, Kim wanted to learn more. She attended research presentations at Huntsman Cancer Institute and also participated in the metastatic breast cancer support group. This is how she learned about the Legacy to Life Program.
Just before Christmas and a week before Kim passed away, she and Mat met with oncologist Saundra Buys, MD, and social worker Lisa Gauchay, LCSW, who helps with the planning and logistics of the Legacy to Life Program. At that time, they determined to stop treatment, and Kim and Mat signed the necessary paperwork to donate her tumor tissue for research. “It was interesting, because we both felt really good that this was the right decision—to stop chemo and just let go.”
At the time of Kim’s passing, Mat contacted Lisa right away, as it is critical the autopsy process happens within a few hours.
“We were each able to take a little personal time with her as well as all together,” Mat shares through tender tears. “Some people maybe think that isn’t a great thing,” Mat says about the need to have a loved one taken soon after death. “But we knew she wanted that. We had the time we needed with her. I was very, very gratified it worked out. We were able to fulfill that wish and feel like Kim and ourselves, our whole family, were able to help continue research. We had such a great experience with the care team at Huntsman Cancer Institute. Not only from Dr. Buys, but from staff and social workers, acupuncturists… that’s a way to give back, you know? To help
Mat and Kim Ulmer
Huntsman Cancer Institute do even better what they already do so well.”
Lisa Gauchay finds this sentiment to be true for all who have participated. “Even in the midst of life’s most difficult moments, it is inspiring to see how important it is to those who are at the end of life to contribute to research and help the next generation of cancer patients. Patients and their families are gracious and lovely to interact with and inspire me to be a better social worker and person.”
For anyone who has lost a loved one to cancer, it is always too soon, even if there are years to prepare, and irreconcilable, even when anticipated. Of the patients and their families who make the decision
The Legacy to Life Program uses the Biorepository & Molecular Pathology Shared Resource at Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Directed by Chris Fillmore, PhD, it includes a team of 28 individuals who specialize in biorepository, histology, and molecular diagnostics. This service collects and stores body fluids and tumor tissues donated by patients, which are then made available to cancer investigators for research. It is a critical asset in the quest to end cancer.
to take part in the Legacy to Life Program, Welm says, “Some people are so generous, and are very eager and happy that they are giving this precious gift to research so they can help future patients. This brings their unfortunate situation and their death some meaning. That’s really special to me.”
The Ulmers and their four
A iliates THE POWER AND IMPORTANCE ONCOLOGIST Our
Sachin Apte, MD, MBA, MS, Chief Clinical Officer, Huntsman Cancer Institute
Elizabeth Bigger, MD, Oncology and Hematology, St. Peter’s Health
Don Milligan, MBA, Executive Director, Huntsman Cancer Institute Hospital
Healing
I N THE HEART OF THE MOUNTAIN WEST
When Elizabeth Bigger, MD, began medical school, her aspirations leaned toward obstetrics and gynecology, driven by a passion for women’s health. But a clinical rotation with a lung cancer specialist altered her course. “She was so deeply connected with her patients,” Bigger recalls. “I realized oncology wasn’t just about treating cancer— it was about building relationships and supporting people through some of the hardest moments of their lives.”
That connection, a blend of scientific precision and human empathy, led her to pursue a career in oncology. It’s a journey that has taken her from running an oncology clinic in Botswana to practicing at one of Boston’s largest hospitals. But it was the rugged beauty and unique challenges of the Mountain West that ultimately called her to Helena, Montana.
Bigger joined St. Peter’s Health Cancer Care team in 2023. “When I interviewed here, my heart told me this was where I could make a difference,” she says.
Challenges
IN A RESO URCELIMITED ENVIRONMENT
The transition from a world-renowned, big-city institution to a small clinic in rural Montana wasn’t without its hurdles. St. Peter’s Cancer Care had weathered years of turnover, and resources were scarce. The clinic operates with just two to three oncologists at any given time, requiring adaptability and innovation to meet patients’ needs.
“There’s a learning curve when you work in a place like this,” Bigger admits. “You have to figure out which patients can be treated locally and which need to be referred elsewhere. It’s about being resourceful and building trust within the team and community.”
That trust extends beyond the clinic walls.
Affiliates with Huntsman Cancer Institute have been critical in ensuring patients receive advanced care when they need it. Bigger recounts the story of a multiple myeloma patient who initially refused to travel for care due to financial concerns and fear of the unknown. “I knew if she didn’t go, she wouldn’t survive,” Bigger says. With the help of
Huntsman Cancer Institute, the patient received lifesaving treatment, and today, she’s back in Helena with an improved outlook.
A Calling: COMPASSION
AND COLLABORATION
Bigger approaches each patient as an individual, prioritizing their autonomy and preferences. “Cancer takes so much control away from people,” she says. “Even small decisions—like adjusting treatment schedules or choosing supplements—can give patients a sense of agency. It’s about collaboration, not dictation.”
Families, too, play a vital role in this process.
Bigger often sees loved ones stepping in as advocates, ensuring that patients’ voices are heard. “It’s a team effort, both in the clinic and at home,” she says.
Under Bigger’s leadership, St. Peter’s Health Cancer Care has begun to stabilize and grow. She credits her team, including her nurse practitioner Melissa Cotner, for their dedication and adaptability. Together, they’re working to expand services, from administering advanced therapies to exploring the possibility of collaborating with Huntsman Cancer Institute on local clinical trials.
“These treatments save lives,” Bigger says. “With the right training and resources, we can offer more of them here, so patients don’t have to travel.” For Bigger, oncology is more than a career; it’s a calling. Whether in Africa or Montana, her mission remains the same: to ensure everyone, regardless of their resources, receives quality treatment.
“Everyone deserves a chance,” she says. “The work is hard but knowing I’m helping people get the cancer care they need makes it all worthwhile.”
OUR AFFILIATES
CARSON TAH OE HEALTH
AFFILIATE Voices
“ Witnessing a cancer patient’s immense strength, perseverance, and bravery motivates me to bring my best self to work every day. ”
MELISSA COHEN, MD
MEDICAL DIRECTOR, ONCOLOGY & INFUSION, ST. JOHN’S HEALTH, JACKSON, WY
“ By slowing down the conversation, we can focus on choices a patient has today and how it will affect their tomorrow. ”
LESLEY D. GOULDING, NP
ONCOLOGY & HEMATOLOGY
MADISON HEALTH, REXBURG, ID
“ It’s incredibly rewarding to see my patients regain the ability to enjoy life. These moments of recovery and joy are what inspire me every day.”
RAGNEEL BIJJULA, MD
CARSON TAHOE HEALTH CARSON CITY, NV
Seeing my patients heal and recover after a brutal treatment is such a rewarding feeling. Our patients are the best! ”
ERICA MARXER, RN
RADIATION ONCOLOGY, ST. PETER’S HEALTH CANCER CARE, HELENA, MT
“ My patients push me to be a better person, both at work and at home. I think of my own family and how I would want their care to be. ”
HEATHER SELL, RN
MEDICAL ONCOLOGY, SWEETWATER REGIONAL CANCER CENTER, ROCK SPRINGS, WY
“ The rapid progress in cancer research and treatment motivates me. However, it’s the individual people with a cancer diagnosis who truly drive me. ”
JONATHAN KING, MD
GRAND VALLEY ONCOLOGY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, GRAND JUNCTION, CO
BLANKETS FOR THE BRAVE
Amy Higham was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. Then, in 2017, it came back— this time as stage 4.
“No matter what happened, even to the very, very end, she was unbelievably brave,” her son Tommy says. “I’ve seen the best example of how to handle adversity. Watching her do that was impressive and speaks to who she was.”
Amy knew she wanted to receive treatment at Huntsman Cancer Institute, so she made the commute to Salt Lake City from Shelley, Idaho. Tommy traveled with her to appointments and even spent a few nights with her in the hospital.
Amy was a curious person and eager to learn about what new treatments or options were available. “She didn’t want to leave us,” her son Will says. “She was always learning about how to fight.”
Throughout her treatment, Amy had a blanket with her. When she passed away in 2020, her five children found one last surprise from their mom: a personalized blanket with a note for each of them, signed “Love, Lola”—her nickname.
As they used their blankets, they pondered how they could continue their mother’s legacy.
“I was like, ‘You know what? This blanket is so nice. Everyone should have it,’” Tommy says. “And so the idea was born.” Together, Tommy and Will started Lola Blankets in honor of their mom. But, their efforts didn’t stop there. The impression Huntsman Cancer Institute had on their family inspired them to give back. On the company’s opening day, the very first Lola Blanket was given to a member of Amy’s care team.
At first, they sent a couple of blankets to Huntsman Cancer Institute occasionally. That gift soon evolved into the Lola Blankets team providing enough blankets each month for every new breast cancer patient.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
MY HOPE FOR THE DONATION IS THAT IT WILL IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR PEOPLE GOING THROUGH BREAST CANCER.
TOMMY HIGHAM
On Giving Tuesday, December 3, 2024, Lola Blankets delivered blankets to every cancer patient admitted at Huntsman Cancer Institute that day—125 total—handing each one out personally. “It was a really special experience getting to see people,” Will says. “They were genuinely so grateful that
Amy Higham
someone was thinking of them, but also the product itself made a difference in their lives.”
Lola Blankets later flew all of its employees— including those from New York and California—to Salt Lake City for a tour of Huntsman Cancer Institute and the new Lola Blankets offices in Alpine, Utah.
“Huntsman Cancer Institute is super unique. They really invest in the experience that people have while they are there,” Will says. “We feel like us donating the blankets helps with that, too. It helps create an experience that’s surprising and makes them maybe a little bit happy.”
Not only does Lola Blankets donate blankets each month to Huntsman Cancer Institute, but 10% of all proceeds from their Rosewater Lola Blankets are donated to fund cuttingedge research and exemplary care at Huntsman Cancer Institute. As part of their
commitment to pay it forward, the funds are split 50/50 in recognition of the importance of cancer research and the exceptional care Amy received.
In December 2024, Lola Blankets donated $120,000 to Huntsman Cancer Institute.
“My hope for the donation is that it will improve outcomes for people who are going through breast cancer, or improve their experience and make them more comfortable,” Tommy says. “We know exactly how that experience is, and we know how hard it is if it ends the way ours did. If we can make any sort of impact, it’s all worth it.”
A Community Effort Against Cancer
For more than a decade, the community of Morgan, Utah, has come together for a special occasion: Morgan High School volleyball’s Pink Night, which raises money for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute.
People from inside and outside of Morgan County donate to a silent auction, while multiple families make quilts to be auctioned and raffled during the game. Parents and players work together before and during the event to make it a success. The competing team from Ben Lomond High School even does its part, being amenable to so many stops and starts during the game to accommodate all the activities.
“Everyone is affected in some way by cancer. We have lost one volleyball player and others from our volleyball family to cancer. It is dear to our hearts to make sure continued advances are being made to help cure this disease,” says Julia Fisher, Morgan High School volleyball assistant coach. “We have a passion and drive that propels us to keep going. We feel, as a team and community, that it brings us together for a good cause.”
Morgan High School and Ben Lomond High School volleyball teams
Tommy, Amy, and Keifer
THE YEAR IN EVENTS 2024 External Events
Mountain West Cancer Summit
Huntsman Cancer Institute hosted this biannual event, convening two dozen community, public health and health system leaders, patient advocates, American Indian tribal representatives, research partners, and collaborators from Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. The day-long event provided an opportunity for attendees to listen, learn, strategize, and identify joint projects with each other and with Huntsman Cancer Institute. This event strengthened regional efforts through the development of a formalized network, the Mountain West Cancer Collaborative.
Patience Gbafa, MPH, cancer epidemiologist with the Nevada Central Cancer Registry, doing an interactive science activity
NACCDO-PAMN Conference
The National Association of Cancer Center Development Offices (NACCDO) and the Public Affairs and Marketing Network (PAMN) of national cancer centers held their annual conference in Salt Lake City, hosted by Huntsman Cancer Institute and Foundation. More than 600 attendees from across North America participated. The conference featured a Female Leaders in Cancer panel, moderated by local news anchor Mary Nickles, which began with a message from then-Director of the National Cancer Institute Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD. Panelists included Mary Beckerle, PhD, CEO of Huntsman Cancer Institute; Danielle Carnival, PhD, then-deputy assistant to the President for the Cancer Moonshot; and Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS, executive director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute. Meredith Vehar, MPA, communications director at Huntsman Cancer Institute, was elected vice chair of the PAMN organization.
Mary Nickles, Danielle Carnival, PhD, Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS, and Mary Beckerle, PhD
Huntsman Cancer Institute Hosts National Leaders in Cancer Research
Monica Bertagnolli, MD, then-director of the National Institutes of Health, and Danielle Carnival, PhD, then-deputy assistant to the President for the Cancer Moonshot, toured Huntsman Cancer Institute’s state-of-the-art facility. During their visits, they met with leaders and discussed Huntsman Cancer Institute’s impact in cancer research and care as the only National Cancer Institutedesignated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the five-state Mountain West.
Above: Martin McMahon, PhD, Danielle Carnival, PhD, and Sheri Holmen, PhD, visit labs at Huntsman Cancer Institute
Left: Monica Bertagnolli, MD, and Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS
Cancer Center Community Impact Forum
This event gathered leaders, researchers, and staff from more than 60 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers for three days of professional development, collaboration, and connection in Salt Lake City. This annual meeting of community outreach and engagement professionals offered innovative strategies and immersive roundtable sessions sharing best practices for cancer screening, clinical trials enrollment, patient navigation, and partnerships across all sectors to advance cancer care.
OCTOBER 9, 10, & 11
Allison Foust, MHA, moderates a panel discussion comprised of Huntsman Cancer Institute Community Advisory Board members from across the Mountain West (left to right): Ofa Matagi, Utah; Nancy Wahtomy, Fort Hall Reservation; Leah Merchant, Montana; Foust, Utah; Cari Herington, Nevada; Star Jones, Wyoming; and Becky Creighton, Idaho
Internal Events
Founders’ Week
This annual event honors the efforts of the Jon M. and Karen Huntsman family and many others who turned an empty hillside into a vibrant community dedicated to eradicating cancer. Faculty, staff, students, and providers come together to celebrate Huntsman Cancer Institute’s beginning, history, and future.
Huntsman Cancer Institute Connects & Research Showcase
Colleagues from across the research enterprise celebrate achievements and explore services and expertise of Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Shared Resources and key Health Sciences Center’s Core Facilities. These state-of-the-art resources—from the Utah Population Database to our biorepository—enable the most advanced cancer research.
Affiliate Symposium: Clinical Care & Quality
This collaborative event is for oncologists and health care leaders from Huntsman Cancer Institute’s six affiliate hospitals. With a shared mission of improving access to cancer care, the event fosters meaningful connections, encourages relationship building, and provides valuable insights into the latest advancements in treatments, clinical trials, and quality initiatives.
Above: Attendees from across the Mountain West gather for the affiliate symposium. Left: The Founders’ Week ping-pong tournament gets competitive.
Above: Theresa Werner, MD, serves gelato at the Huntsman Cancer Institute Connects event.
NEW FACULTY
M. Kelsey Baron, MD
Internal Medicine
Division of Hematology & Hematologic Malignancies
Roma Bhatia, MD, MPH Internal Medicine Division of Oncology
Stephanie Crapo, MD Emergency Medicine & Internal Medicine | Division of Oncology
Martin Distel, PhD
Pediatrics | Division of Hematology Oncology
Narendranath Epperla, MD, MS
Internal Medicine
Division of Hematology & Hematologic Malignancies
Jordan Fenlon, MD Radiation Oncology
Nora Fino, PhD, MS Internal Medicine Division of Epidemiology
Somayeh Gholami, PhD Radiation Oncology
Kelly Hewitt, MD Surgery | Division of Surgical Oncology
Kshama Jaiswal, MD Surgery | Division of Surgical Oncology
Caroline Himbert, PhD Population Health Sciences Division of Cancer Population Science
Birgit Knoechel, MD, PhD Pediatrics | Division of Hematology Oncology
Lauren Lee, MD Internal Medicine
Division of Hematology & Hematologic Malignancies
Jens Lohr, MD, PhD Internal Medicine
Division of Hematology & Hematologic Malignancies
Vinay Mathew Thomas, MBBS Internal Medicine Division of Oncology
Judy Ou, PhD, MPH
Pediatrics | Division of Hematology Oncology
Zaker Schwabkey, MD Internal Medicine
Division of Hematology & Hematologic Malignancies
Paul Stewart, PhD, MS College of Health | Nutrition & Integrative Physiology
Frank Szulzewsky, PhD Neurosurgery
Peng Zhang, PhD Oncological Sciences
DISEASE CENTER Leaders
BREAST & GYNECOLOGIC CANCERS
Cindy Matsen, MD, MSCI
Kathryn Maurer, MD
GASTROINTESTINAL CANCERS
Courtney Scaife, MD
GENITOURINARY CANCERS
Jonathan Tward, MD, PhD
HEAD & NECK CANCERS
Marcus Monroe, MD
HEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES & HEMATOLOGY
Douglas Sborov, MD, MS
LUNG CANCER
Wallace Akerley, MD
Eric Snyder, MD, PhD
MELANOMA
Douglas Grossman, MD, PhD
Sheri Holmen, PhD
NEUROLOGIC CANCERS
Howard Colman, MD, PhD
Randy Jensen, MD, PhD, MHPE
SARCOMA
Kevin B. Jones, MD
CANCER CENTERLeaders
COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS
COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Theresa Werner, MD
PROGRAM LEADERS
NUCLEAR CONTROL OF CELL GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION
Jay Gertz, PhD
Jared Rutter, PhD
CELL RESPONSE & REGULATION
Shannon Buckley, PhD
Sheri Holmen, PhD
EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS
Howard Colman, MD, PhD
Martin McMahon, PhD
CANCER CONTROL & POPULATION SCIENCES
Jennifer Doherty, PhD, MS
Kimberly Kaphingst, ScD
Kathleen Mooney, PhD
SENIOR DIRECTORS
BASIC SCIENCE
Alana Welm, PhD
CANCER RESEARCH TRAINING & EDUCATION COORDINATION
Donald Ayer, PhD
Katharine Ullman, PhD
CENTER FOR HOPE
David Wetter, PhD, MS
CLINICAL RESEARCH INNOVATION
Neeraj Agarwal, MD
COMMUNITY OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT
Rachel Ceballos, PhD
DATA SCIENCE & AI
Aik Choon Tan, PhD
POPULATION SCIENCES
Tracy Onega, PhD, MS
PRECLINICAL TRANSLATION
Martin McMahon, PhD
SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR
Max Loveless, MBA
EXECUTIVE Leadership
Mary Beckerle, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Endowed Chair in Cancer Research | Distinguished Professor, Biology and Oncological Sciences, University of Utah
Sachin Apte, MD, MS, MBA
Chief Clinical Officer | Physician-in-Chief Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Utah
Bradley Cairns, PhD
Head of Academic Affairs | Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Endowed Chair in Cancer Research | Professor and Chair, Oncological Sciences, University of Utah
Kevin Cheney, MBA, CPA
Executive Director, Finance and Administration
Ashlee Harrison, MPA
Executive Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Don Milligan, MBA
Executive Director, Huntsman Cancer Institute Hospital
Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS
Chief Scientific Officer
Executive Director, Comprehensive Cancer Center
Jon and Karen Huntsman Presidential Professor in Cancer Research | Professor, Population Health Sciences, University of Utah
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