WINTER 2022
Health, Science & Wellness
OTHER HOSPITALS TURNED HIM DOWN UCHICAGO MEDICINE SAID YES Lane Jenkins got the new heart he needed with a bloodless heart surgery
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Don’t ignore your pelvic floor PAGE 3
New tool detects prostate cancer anywhere in the body PAGE 8
Getting the most out of telemedicine PAGE 12
Insights from the President Tom Jackiewicz
A year of continued patient safety; looking ahead to growth and greater access This time of year is always exciting as we look forward to spending time with family and friends and pause to reflect on both the year in the rearview mirror and the one on the horizon. One of the accomplishments from 2021 that I am most proud to share with you is that two University of Chicago Medicine hospitals recently earned accolades from independent industry watchdog The Leapfrog Group. The South Side-based University of Chicago Medical Center earned its 20th consecutive “A” grade in patient safety and continues to be in an elite group of U.S. hospitals to achieve this record since the twice-yearly survey began. Also, UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial in Harvey improved its grade, earning a “B.” Ensuring your safety when receiving care from the outstanding members of our clinical teams is one of the highest priorities at
UChicago Medicine. I am so proud of our physicians and clinical teams who helped us achieve this major milestone, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their dedication and commitment is what makes it possible for us to be recognized as a national leader in patient safety. As we look to the new year, I’m also excited to let you know that we will be building a multispecialty care center in Crown Point, Indiana. This 116,000-square-foot facility will be the largest UChicago Medicine facility outside of our Hyde Park campus. Cancer, cardiology, digestive diseases, neurosciences, orthopaedics, pediatrics, transplant medicine and women’s health will now be much more accessible to patients in Northwest Indiana.
community physicians and hospitals, our new facility will help us bring specialty care closer to patients, rather than having them travel to our main campus. We also expect to create about 150 new jobs in both clinical and nonclinical roles at the Crown Point campus. Finding opportunities to bring advanced medical care closer to you will be a major focus for UChicago Medicine in 2022 and beyond. There is no higher calling for us than ensuring that everyone has access to the very best of both community and academic healthcare. Happy holidays to all of you from the UChicago Medicine family. Here’s to a happy and healthy 2022!
The Northwest Indiana community is important to us, particularly since many of our patients and employees call this region home. Working in partnership with
Finding opportunities to bring advanced medical care closer to you will be a major focus for UChicago Medicine in 2022 and beyond.”
The Forefront magazine features stories about life-changing care and breakthroughs in medical research at the University of Chicago Medicine and Biological Sciences. Kenneth S. Polonsky, MD Dean of the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division and the Pritzker School of Medicine and Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs Thomas E. Jackiewicz President of the University of Chicago Medical Center
Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer: Daiquiri Lewers Editor: Anna Madrzyk Assistant Editor: Angela Wells O’Connor Designer: Ken Rickard Contributing writers: Jamie Bartosch, Cassandra Belek, Venus Brady, Alison Caldwell, PhD, Kat Carlton, Barbara Fallon, Heather Linder, Angela Wells O’Connor, Sarah Richards and Terri Tye Contributing photographers: Mark Black, Allen Bourgeois, Jimmy Fishbein, Jordan Porter-Woodruff, Anne Ryan, Ryan Segedi Studio and Nancy Wong
Main number: 1-773-702-1000 Appointments: 1-888-824-0200 Visit our website for more information: Adult care: UChicagoMedicine.org Children’s care: ComerChildrens.org Science, health and wellness news: UChicagoMedicine.org/Forefront Read The Forefront online at UChicagoMedicine.org/TheForefront Facebook.com/UChicagoMed Instagram.com/UChicagoMed Twitter.com/UChicagoMed Email us at imagine.editor@uchospitals.edu
This publication does not provide medical advice or treatment suggestions. If you have medical problems or concerns, contact a physician, who will determine your treatment. Do not delay seeking medical advice because of something you read here. For urgent needs, call 911. UChicago Medicine Medical Group is comprised of UCM Care Network Medical Group, Inc., and Primary Healthcare Associates, S.C. UChicago Medicine Medical Group providers are not employees or agents of The University of Chicago Medical Center, The University of Chicago, UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial, UChicago Medicine Dearborn Station, UChicago Medicine Medical Group–Homewood, UChicago Medicine at Ingalls–Tinley Park, UChicago Medicine River East or UChicago Medicine Orland Park.
The Forefront / Winter 2022
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
4 Cover photo by Mark Black
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ON THE COVER Lane Jenkins traveled from San Francisco to Chicago for a life-saving bloodless heart transplant from the nation’s most experienced team. UChicago Medicine’s heart transplant program leads in outcomes, time-to-transplant and the proportion of Black patients receiving new hearts.
VIRTUAL VISITS / How to get the most out of a telehealth visit.
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SAFE SHOVELING / The right technique can help you avoid back injuries this winter. COMPASSIONATE CARE / The UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospice program has been caring for patients and families for more than 30 years. CHECKUP CHECKLIST / Preventive health guidelines for men of all ages.
READ ONLINE Gynecologic oncologist S. Diane Yamada, MD, and Susan Golden
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SPREADING THE WORD / A survivor shares her story about the cancer most women have never heard of.
COVID-19 UPDATES / Get the latest information from our experts on COVID-19 at UChicagoMedicine.org/Forefront. MORE FROM THE FOREFRONT / Sign up for our Health & Science e-newsletter at UChicagoMedicine.org/enewsletter.
MORE PRIMARY CARE IN FLOSSMOOR We’ve expanded our team to address your family’s primary care needs. Same day appointments • Schedule online Convenient access to specialists
19550 Governors Hwy. Flossmoor, IL 60422
Call 708-915-3100 or visit UChicagoMedicine.org/Flossmoor
20 As in a row
Comer receives pediatric critical care designation The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital has been designated as a Pediatric Critical Care Center (PCCC) by the Illinois Department of Public Health through its EMSC Pediatric Facility Recognition program. The designation recognizes that Comer Children’s has the necessary resources, personnel and quality infrastructure in place to meet the emergency and critical care needs of seriously ill and injured children, including a pediatric intensive care unit and specialty inpatient services. It also demonstrates the willingness of Comer Children’s to partner with and support other hospitals that don’t have the resources necessary to care for the sickest children. With this designation, Comer Children’s becomes one of 10 Pediatric Critical Care Centers in Illinois. Comer Children’s has been a certified Level 1 pediatric trauma center since 1990. The PCCC designation recognizes Comer Children’s strength in caring for all sick and injured pediatric patients, not just those involved in trauma.
For the 20th time in a row, the University of Chicago Medical Center (UCMC) earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from independent industry watchdog The Leapfrog Group. It is one of only 23 hospitals to have received the mark every time since The Leapfrog Group began its twice-yearly survey in 2012. UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial improved its marks, earning a “B.” The Leapfrog Group surveyed nearly 3,000 acutecare facilities using more than 30 safety measures — including rates of preventable errors, injuries and infections — to assign a letter grade. The survey also looks at the systems hospitals have in place to protect patients. “Our caregivers and support staff have demonstrated a commitment to providing the highest quality of care to our patients and their families while also being on a never-ending quest to improve as a healthcare organization,” said Tom Jackiewicz, President of UCMC, the hub of the UChicago Medicine health system. “This record reflects the contributions and hard work of every individual to make our hospital environment and our care safer for our patients.” For more information about the ratings, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.
Innovative new tool predicts autism diagnosis based on previous doctor’s visits
Improving detection of a dangerous pregnancy complication
A novel computational approach researchers hope will eventually become a standard method for reliably predicting an eventual diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in young children — without the need for additional blood work or procedures — has been developed at the University of Chicago. If successful, the new approach would reduce the number of false positive ASD diagnoses produced by traditional screening methods by half. Using only sequences of ICD-9 and ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases) diagnostic codes generated from past clinic visits, the researchers were able to leverage known comorbidities of ASD to reliably predict an eventual positive diagnosis. “Using the information already being gathered and being able to harness it for this kind of exploration and clinical use is exciting, and it really has the potential to be a game changer,” said Peter J. Smith, MD, a UChicago Medicine developmental pediatrician who collaborated on the study with Michael Msall, MD, Chief of Developmental Pediatrics, and principal investigator Ishanu Chattopadhyay, PhD. Researchers say the new tool could complement traditional autism screening measures and observation by physicians and parents. The research was published in Science Advances.
Researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine are proposing use of biomarkers to better identify and manage patients who have small fetuses and who are most likely to develop preeclampsia — a dangerous type of high blood pressure that can develop before or after delivery. The team followed 45 patients who were pregnant with smaller babies and found that those who had a high angiogenic biomarker ratio of two proteins associated with preeclampsia were at increased risk not only for developing preeclampsia within two weeks and for preterm delivery, but also for having a baby with a lower birth weight. “These biomarkers have the potential to personalize medicine and provide patient- and pregnancy-specific risk,” said Sarosh Rana, MD, MPH, Chief of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and lead author of the study. “I can’t wait for a day when I see a woman in my clinic or in labor or delivery and I can give her an accurate assessment for her risk of developing preeclampsia. That will be life-changing in these situations.” The research was published in American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
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THE
pandemic your pelvis AND
Urogynecologist Juraj Letko, MD, a specialist in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, answers questions related to pelvic health — including how it can be affected by pandemic-related anxieties or prolonged sitting. He is co-director of the Center for Pelvic Health at the University of Chicago Medicine. WHAT IS THE PELVIC FLOOR AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO TAKE CARE OF IT?
The pelvic floor is a complex of muscles and connective tissue structures that support and stabilize the pelvic organs. These include the bladder, urethra, bowel, uterus and vagina. The pelvic floor plays a very important role helping these pelvic organs function properly.
bladder or bowels, losing gas or stool when not desired, frequent constipation or diarrhea, or feeling pressure or pain in the pelvic or vaginal area including during intercourse.
WHAT CAUSES PELVIC FLOOR DISORDERS?
The greatest damage to the pelvic floor usually happens during a vaginal birth, so pregnancy and vaginal delivery are significant risk factors. Pressure within the abdomen and pelvis —chronic constipation, chronic cough, chronic straining during heavy lifting — also can contribute to these problems. People with connective tissue disorders, like Ehlers-Danlos or scleroderma, for example, or who have undergone pelvic surgery or radiation are also at increased risk. Age is another significant risk factor, since people undergo tissue atrophy as they age. HOW DOES A SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE AFFECT THE PELVIC FLOOR?
Prolonged sitting, especially in a “wrong” position, can negatively affect the pelvic floor. This can be in two different directions: Weakening may happen when sitting in a slouched or relaxed position, or contrary to that, sitting in a “wrong” position may cause muscle contraction and tightness and result in pelvic pain and lower back pain. Prolonged sitting can potentially damage nerves that can contribute to painful disorders.
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP STRENGTHEN OR PROTECT YOUR PELVIC FLOOR?
JURAJ LETKO, MD HAVE YOU HAD PATIENTS COMPLAIN OF PELVIC FLOOR ISSUES DURING THE PANDEMIC?
Yes — stress and anxiety can lead to tightening of the pelvic floor muscles, which can result in pain or high-tone pelvic floor dysfunction. Some people have dubbed this phenomenon the “pandemic pelvis.” We know the pandemic has been a high-stress period, and it could contribute to exacerbation of these symptoms in people more prone to anxiety and stress. WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS THAT YOUR PELVIC FLOOR MIGHT BE IN TROUBLE?
Leakage of urine with coughing, sneezing, exercising or subtle small movements, or experiencing ]urinary urgency. Other warning signs include difficulty emptying the
People can strengthen their pelvic floor muscles before and during pregnancy by doing pelvic floor exercises. During the delivery, pelvic floor muscles should be protected as much as possible and properly repaired if a damage occurs. There is no gold standard for pelvic floor (aka Kegel) exercises, but we generally recommend doing Kegel exercises three times per day, with the goal to perform 10 muscle contractions that last 10 seconds each. A lot of us exercise our muscles to stay healthy, but we usually ignore the pelvic floor muscles. There are specialized physical therapists for pelvic floor muscles, and they are the best resource to guide patients through this process. At UChicago Medicine, we have a multispecialty group within our Center for Pelvic Health — including urogynecologists, urologists, colorectal surgeons, pelvic floor physical therapists, gastroenterologists, minimally invasive gynecologists and more.
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Life,
SAVING HIS
Lane Jenkins turned to UChicago Medicine’s
experienced team for a bloodless heart transplant When 50-year-old San Francisco native Lane Jenkins could no longer manage his failing heart with medication and minimally invasive interventions, he faced a moral and physical dilemma: Jenkins needed a heart transplant, but his faith as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses required the surgery be done bloodlessly — without the use of blood products or transfusions. “A bloodless surgery is extremely important based on Bible principles that blood is sacred,” Jenkins said. “It’s a life decision that I will not take blood.” Bloodless heart transplants are incredibly complicated and require an experienced and willing surgical team. Jenkins suffered from congestive heart failure and had additional health concerns that made his procedure even more complex. Despite visiting some of the top hospitals on the West Coast, Jenkins was unable to find a surgeon willing to perform his heart transplant bloodlessly. He expanded his search with the help of the national Hospital Liaison Committee for Jehovah’s Witnesses and found the nation’s most experienced bloodless heart transplant surgeon: Valluvan Jeevanandam, MD, Director of the University of Chicago Medicine’s Heart and Vascular Center. Jeevanandam and the UChicago Medicine Advanced Heart Failure team worked with Jenkins and his family and were confident they could deliver him a successful outcome while respecting his faith. “What makes us able to help these patients that other people won’t operate on is a superlative team that we’ve created,” Jeevanandam said. “That starts with our cardiologists, and they understand what Jehovah’s Witnesses need. Then you have the surgical team. We have a specific group of surgeons, physician assistants, nurses and
4 » THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MEDICINE
WHAT IS BLOODLESS SURGERY? Bloodless cardiac surgery is a safe alternative for patients who have serious heart conditions but cannot or choose not to receive any blood or blood products (red cells, white cells, plasma or platelets). During bloodless heart surgery, our physicians use meticulous surgical techniques and innovative procedures that minimize surgical blood loss and avoid the need for a transfusion during surgery. These techniques include the use of a machine that collects blood that is lost during surgery and recycles it back into the patient’s body. Our doctors work with each patient individually to develop a personalized bloodless surgery strategy. Learn more about bloodless cardiac surgery: UChicagoMedicine.org/ bloodless-surgery
perfusionists that take care of these patients; everybody’s in sync.” Jenkins matched with a donor heart in a little over one week, and his May 2021 transplant was a success. The real estate investor and father of two is living in Naperville, Illinois, while he continues to recover and regain his strength, and credits the UChicago Medicine team with saving his life. “My life is fabulous, actually,” Jenkins said. “To be able to do all the activities I was doing without being hampered with being tired or fatigued — I can’t describe the feeling. “When you’re at the University of Chicago Medicine and you see how regularly they do bloodless transplants, it puts you at ease.”
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,
RESPECTING HIS
faith
UChicago Medicine’s Heart Transplant Program earns country’s highest marks The most recent data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) shows that the University of Chicago Medicine’s Heart Transplant Program is the best-performing in the country, based on key benchmarks for survival and how quickly patients are able to receive organ transplants. During its most recent report, only 14 of 143 heart transplant programs in the U.S. earned a top-tier rating from SRTR, which provides statistical and analytical support to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Of that elite group, UChicago Medicine’s program had the best one-year survival rate, the best transplant rate and the shortest time to transplant for patients waiting to receive a new heart. “When you have the best survival and shortest wait time, you’re the best program,” said Valluvan Jeevanandam, MD, Director of the UChicago Medicine Heart and Vascular Center. “It’s a proud moment for everyone who’s made this happen, but it’s even more important for our patients, who are getting the best care in the world.” Notably, UChicago Medicine’s time-to-transplant measurement stood out when compared with competing heart transplant programs. Based on data compiled by the registry, half of the patients on UChicago Medicine’s waiting list received a new heart in 1.1 months, compared with the national average of 6.9 months. The time to find a new heart for 75% of UChicago Medicine patients on the waiting list was 2.8 months. The next-closest program’s wait time was 12.7 months. Reflecting the commitment to the community that UChicago Medicine serves, the SRTR data also showed that UChicago Medicine had the highest percentage of African American heart transplant patients in the country, at 42.2%. “That’s something we can be proud of here on the South Side of Chicago,” said Sean Pinney, MD, Co-Director of the Heart and Vascular Center. “We’re serving our community and helping overcome major health disparities by transplanting more African American patients.”
BY THE NUMBERS Half of the patients on UChicago Medicine’s waiting list received a new heart in
1.1 months. The national average is 6.9 months. Highest percentage of African American heart transplant patients in the country at
42.2% 100%
one-year survival rate
SOURCE: Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR); most recent data-collection period
‘We’re taking the sickest patients and giving them the best result. We’re transforming people’s lives.’ VALLUVAN JEEVANANDAM, MD Director, UChicago Medicine Heart and Vascular Center
ON THE WEB Lane Jenkins and Valluvan Jeevanandam, MD, talk about Jenkins’ bloodless heart transplant surgery. Watch the video at UChicagoMedicine.org/Lane-Bloodless.
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Without a ribbon LET’S TALK ABOUT VULVAR CANCER. HERE’S WHAT A SURVIVOR WANTS YOU TO KNOW. ‘EVERY WOMAN I TALK TO HAS NO CLUE WHAT THIS IS.’
There are many distinctive ribbons people wear to raise awareness about cancer: pink ribbons for breast cancer; blue ribbons for colon cancer; orange for leukemia. There is no specific ribbon, however, for vulvar cancer — a sign, perhaps, of the very private nature of a disease expected to be diagnosed in more than 6,000 women this year. “Vulvar cancer occurs in a sensitive area and is rare, so you don’t have as big a community of cancer survivors,” said S. Diane Yamada, MD, Section Chief of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Chicago Medicine. “Unfortunately, patients have a difficult time talking about this cancer, which is why it’s important to raise awareness and bring the discussion into the open.”
skin called the labia. Older women can develop vulvar cancer as a result of a skin condition called lichen sclerosus, while younger women who have been exposed to HIV (the virus that can lead to AIDS), human papillomavirus (HPV) or cigarette smoke are at increased risk for developing it.
Susan Golden knows this firsthand. In the fall of 2015, she noticed a small, irritated lump on the left outer fold of her labia. Over the course of several months, it became painful and started to bleed.
“Some patients may not necessarily recognize or believe there’s something going on in the vulvar area,” Yamada explained. “Many people don’t look until there is some abnormal bleeding, discharge or pain that brings them to a hospital.”
A concerned gynecologist took a tissue sample and sent Golden for a second biopsy at Yamada’s clinic. There, Golden learned the tumor was vulvar cancer.
Like most patients, Golden had no idea how she developed the disease. Nor were there many people she felt she could talk to about it outside of the hospital. Fortunately, her husband, John, was incredibly supportive; during her cancer treatment, he attended all of her doctor’s appointments, and he continues to do so today.
“Of course I was crying, my husband was crying,” recalled Golden, 53. Vulvar cancer occurs in the outer skin of the genital organs. The vulva has two folds of
Breakthrough discoveries made at the University of Chicago have stimulated the development and introduction of many of the cancer treatments used today.
“I can honestly say I have never known about a support group for vulvar cancer or have ever even met another woman with vulvar cancer,” Golden said. “It’s not shouted out loud — but it does exist, it’s painful, and it can truly alter your life.” Once Golden’s tumor was determined to be cancerous, Yamada began to assemble a team to tackle the large malignancy. For the 17-hour operation, she tapped the help of experts, including plastic surgeon Lawrence J. Gottlieb, MD, who has been performing vulvar reconstructive surgeries for more than 30 years. “The operation was somewhat more complicated because we were dealing with adjacent tissues that made it more of a challenge,” said Gottlieb. “The No. 1 goal was to cure Susan of cancer.” In order to ensure no cancerous cells were missed, Yamada removed a substantial amount of tissue, including the clitoris and part of the urethra, as well as 24 lymph nodes. Gottlieb then used tissue from Golden’s buttock area for reconstructive surgery. “If you don’t have the expertise or the ability to plan for what will allow the best outcome, you may resort to other approaches like radiation or a less-than-optimal surgery,” Yamada explained. In this case, successful surgery saved Golden from having to undergo radiation treatment.
1939
1943
Charles B. Huggins, MD, demonstrated that the growth of prostate cancer is dependent on hormones, transforming prostate and breast cancer research and treatment.
Leon O. Jacobson, MD, laid the foundation for the use of chemotherapy when he studied the effects of nitrogen mustard in treating leukemia.
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The Forefront | W I N T E R 2 0 2 2
Five years have now passed, and Golden remains cancer-free. “I am alive and well and happy,” she said. Mentally, she is still healing, and she still sometimes feels phantom stitches when she sits too long. Along with the support of her husband and expertise of her surgical team, a key to Golden’s recovery has been the help she’s received from the Program in Integrative Sexual Medicine (PRISM) at UChicago Medicine. PRISM assists cancer patients in preserving and recovering sexual function lost as a consequence of their illness or treatment. Most types of cancer and many of their treatments directly affect the sexual organs, meaning people with cancer usually suffer some change in their sexual function. Although Golden’s recovery included months of physical rehabilitation at the PRISM clinic, the therapy maintained her ability to have sexual intercourse. “Because the vulva is a key organ for sexual function, patients with vulvar cancer often have significant concern about what’s going to happen to their clitoris and will it work?” said gynecologist Stacy Tessler Lindau, MD, MA, PRISM Director. “This can be hard to talk about if the surgeon doesn’t bring it up, but in this case, Susan was proactive in asking these questions.” Golden hopes her openness in sharing her story will convince others to ensure they have a skilled gynecologist they trust and that they get regular checkups, especially when something doesn’t seem right. “If I can help one other person to learn what vulvar cancer is, to recognize it, to take care of themselves and make sure they go to the right specialist — then I’ll feel like I’ve given something back to women who may be suffering from this cancer,” said Golden. “Every woman I talk to has no clue what this is.”
Gynecologic oncologist S. Diane Yamada, MD, and Susan Golden
1958
1972
Elwood Jensen, PhD, and Eugene DeSombre, PhD, showed that estrogen acts in the cell by binding to a specific receptor, a process that is important in regulating the growth of breast cancer.
Janet Rowley, MD, identified the first chromosomal translocation in leukemia, leading to the recognition of the genetic basis of cancer and, ultimately, targeted therapy.
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A new tool to find prostate cancer anywhere in the body For years, one of the most powerful molecular imaging tools, positron emission tomography (PET), has disappointed doctors when it comes to detecting prostate cancer cells. Until recently, the available radiotracers — the radioactive molecules doctors use to show cancer cells on PET scans — did not routinely bind to this specific type of cancer. “We would know that a patient’s tumor had spread since their PSA was rising, but we wouldn’t know where or how much, and we’d have to use our best guess when planning treatments,” explained radiologist and nuclear medicine physician Daniel Appelbaum, MD. (A PSA test measures levels of prostate-specific antigen in the blood.) Now, however, a new radiotracer is capable of precisely and reliably identifying prostate cancer cells anywhere in the body. The University of Chicago Medicine is one of the first institutions in Chicago to offer the PSMA PET scan and the only institution in the city to have participated in the CONDOR and OSPREY clinical trials that helped piflufolastat F 18, also known as Pylarify (pronounced pi-LAIR-eh-fie), gain FDA approval. “It’s exciting because it’s the single best method we now have available to visualize prostate cancer in the body,” said urologic oncologist Scott Eggener, MD. “Knowing the anatomic location of prostate cancer can obviously help us make smarter treatment decisions for patients.” Administered through an IV, piflufolastat’s radioactive molecules stick to a protein on the surface of prostate cancer cells (prostate-specific membrane antigen or PSMA). The PET machine detects the radiotracer and displays on a scan wherever it has bound to prostate cancer cells in the body. The radioactive element is entirely gone from the body within a few days.
A follow-up CT scan for a patient treated for prostate cancer showed a normal-appearing, 2 mm lymph node (top). But a PSMA PET scan spotted prostate cancer cells in the tiny node (see arrow in lower image).
Piflufolastat cannot tag every single prostate cancer cell, but it far surpasses the level of detection previously available with CT, MRI or bone scans. “With PSMA PET, we can accurately monitor the response to therapy for these patients so that if one approach doesn’t work, we can switch to another,” said Aytekin Oto, MD, MBA, Chair of Radiology. Patients whose prostate cancer has likely spread to other parts of the body and who are potentially curable with radiation, surgery or other types of treatment, as well as patients with a suspected recurrence of prostate cancer based on a rise in their PSA level, are eligible for the scans.
Daniel Appelbaum, MD
2003
2004
2008
Thomas Gajewski, MD, PhD, showed immunization with interleukin-12 and engineered peripheral blood mononuclear cells has activity in melanoma patients, setting the stage for modern cancer immunotherapies.
Mark Ratain, MD, discovered genetic variants that predict which cancer patients are likely to experience severe side effects from a specific chemotherapy drug and helped launch the field of pharmacogenomics.
Maryellen Giger, PhD, demonstrated that computeraided diagnosis imaging tools are accurate for detecting breast cancer, starting a field now known as radiomics.
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RIVER EAST
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290
HYDE PARK 290
The National Cancer Act at 50
55 90 294 355 94
ORLAND PARK 57
TINLEY PARK
HARVEY
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FLOSSMOOR
57
ILLINOIS
NEW LENOX
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INDIANA
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CROWN POINT Coming in 2023 SCHERERVILLE
Where to find us for cancer care Our growing network of cancer care locations includes our main campus in Chicago’s historic Hyde Park neighborhood, Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey and several offsite clinics throughout the region.
CHICAGO — HYDE PARK 5758 S. Maryland Ave.
For your convenience, you can make a virtual visit appointment with a cancer expert in the following ways:
FLOSSMOOR 19550 Governors Hwy.
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Schedule a virtual video visit to see a provider from the comfort of your home.
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Newly diagnosed patients can schedule a 15-minute introductory Express Expert Cancer Opinion virtual session at no cost.
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Request an online second opinion from our specialists.
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To speak to someone directly, please call 1-855-702-8222. If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.
Call 888-824-0200 to make an appointment
CHICAGO — RIVER EAST 355 E. Grand Ave.
HARVEY 1 Ingalls Dr. NEW LENOX 1850 Silver Cross Blvd. NEW LENOX (Gynecologic Oncology) 1890 Silver Cross Blvd. ORLAND PARK 14290 S. La Grange Rd.
The National Cancer Act, signed into law in 1971, represented a national commitment to what President Richard Nixon described as the “war on cancer.” The act has had a remarkable and longlasting impact on the approaches to prevent, diagnose, study, treat and cure cancer. The legislation allowed the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to establish networks of cancer centers, clinical trials, data collection systems and advanced research. The University of Chicago has been home to an NCI-designated cancer center since 1973. Today, the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only two such centers in Illinois.
SCHERERVILLE, IND. 222 Indianapolis Blvd. TINLEY PARK 6701 W. 159th St.
2008
2009
2016
Wendy Stock, MD, with James Nachman, MD, showed that adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia do better on a pediatric treatment regimen.
Olufunmilayo Olopade, MD, discovered that most breast cancers in women of African ancestry are the aggressive triple-negative subtype and began to identify genetic variants contributing to this disparity.
Rita Nanda, MD, led a clinical study showing that checkpoint inhibitors are an effective therapy for treating aggressive triplenegative breast cancer.
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Avoid the path to injury 4 tips for shoveling snow — safely Winter weather and snow hazards can be dangerous. No matter your age or fitness level, it’s easy to get injured while shoveling snow. Common injuries can include sprains and herniated disks. If you are shoveling snow, here are four tips to prevent injury. CHECK YOUR WEIGHT AND WARM UP
Obesity is causally linked to back strain, so excess weight can make anyone prone to getting hurt during infrequent, strenuous exercise like shoveling snow. “Weight gain is not uncommon during normal winter months and this has increased during the pandemic,” said orthopaedic surgeon Srinivasu Kusuma, MD,* a UChicago Medicine Medical Group Physician at Ingalls Memorial. “If you carry extra weight, you may already be burdening your musculoskeletal and circulatory systems.” Kusuma suggests that before shoveling snow, you should check your body mass index (BMI). A BMI greater than 25 is classified in the overweight range, and greater than 30 indicates an obese range. If you do find that it is safe to shovel, make sure to warm up your muscles, just as you would before a gym workout. Don’t jump out of bed and start shoveling without stretching.
USE PROPER TECHNIQUE
Hold the shovel close to your body, and put one hand closer to the blade to spread the shoveling exercise evenly. Whenever possible, push snow to the side, rather than lifting. If you have to lift, keep the shovel load light, especially if the snow is wet. Bend with your knees, not your back. Use your leg muscles to provide you with power. Square your shoulders and hips to the shovel without twisting your body. Use your whole body to turn instead of twisting your waist. TAKE YOUR TIME
Pace yourself. Take a break every 10 to 15 minutes to stretch your arms and legs to stay flexible. If you spend much of your day seated, carry extra weight and tension, or have known physical issues, including a heart condition, consult with your doctor before attempting to shovel snow. If necessary, arrange for someone else to shovel your walk and driveway.
Back injury?
DRESS IN LAYERS
Visit the Orthopaedic Walk-in Clinic at Orland Park!
Dress in layers for harsh temperatures. This may include a heavy coat, pants, leg warmers, hat, gloves and earmuffs. To avoid injuries on slippery surfaces, wear waterproof boots with a good tread.
With no appointment required, the Orthopaedic Walk-In Clinic at UChicago Medicine Orland Park offers a convenient option for kids and adults seeking treatment for sports injuries, fractures, broken bones and more. The clinic is open Monday and Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 14290 S. La Grange Rd., Orland Park, 773-834-3531
*UChicago Medicine Medical Group is comprised of UCM Care Network Medical Group, Inc., and Primary Healthcare Associates, S.C. UChicago Medicine Medical Group providers are not employees or agents of The University of Chicago Medical Center, The University of Chicago, UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial, UChicago Medicine Dearborn Station, UChicago Medicine Medical Group–Homewood, UChicago Medicine at Ingalls–Tinley Park, UChicago Medicine River East, or UChicago Medicine Orland Park.
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SRINIVASU KUSUMA, MD
INCREASE DIVERSITY — AND IMPROVE HEALTH CARE High school students from Chicago’s South Side are learning about healthcare careers through an innovative new initiative at UChicago Medicine, created by heart transplant surgeon Valluvan Jeevanandam, MD, and led by cardiologist Bryan Smith, MD. The Heart and Vascular Center (HVC) Mentorship Program connects students who are interested in healthcare with physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, medical technicians, researchers, executives, engineers and other professionals through a series of workshops and activities. To help launch the program, the HVC partnered with local community organizations, such as MetroSquash, My Brother’s Keeper Alliance and the Obama Foundation. “We’re invested in ensuring our community members work in the hospital and become leaders,” said Smith. “This will not only increase diversity, but it improves care of our patients and the health of our community.” Fifteen juniors and seniors were selected for the program’s first cohort — all from local South Side high schools, including Kenwood Academy, Lindblom Math and Science Academy, and Epic
Academy. “If these students are a barometer for kids their age, the world is going to be in a very good place,” said co-leader Aaron Manewith, administrative specialist for cardiac surgery and the mentorship program administrator. “These students are beyond impressive.” Jada Boyd, a junior at Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy, applied to the program to make connections. She also hopes to bring about change to Black and brown communities. “When I tell people that I want to go into the medical field they get so happy because there are not a lot of Black and brown people who look like me in medicine,” Boyd said. “I want to change that.”
‘WE’RE INVESTED IN ENSURING OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WORK IN THE HOSPITAL AND BECOME LEADERS.’ —BRYAN SMITH, MD
Close to 20 employees have signed up as volunteer mentors, and more are interested. “These students have so much potential. We just want to give them a little assistance to help them realize their dreams,” said Smith.
$20 million grant to boost health disparities research in Chicago communities
Health Disparities. The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, a division of the NIH, awarded grants to establish 11 new centers across the country to support clinical research to improve health in minority communities.
The University of Chicago and Rush University have received a $20 million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish a Center for Multiple Chronic Diseases Associated with
UChicago and Rush will use the grant to launch the Chicago Chronic Condition Equity Network (C3EN), a project that will focus research efforts on addressing health disparities for African Americans and
Latinos in the Chicago region. C3EN is designed to facilitate community-based research across the area, connecting existing community-based organizations and small medical practices with large academic medical institutions. It will support three clinical trials focused on reducing health problems associated with obesity and heart disease, with the flexibility to support research in other areas, including HIV, substance abuse, and social factors that affect health like crime and poverty.
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NAVIGATING TELEHEALTH Telehealth, or telemedicine, became an important tool during the COVID-19 pandemic. But there’s more to telehealth than social distancing, including these benefits:
Access to convenient, high-quality care. Studies have shown that for certain conditions and treatments, telehealth can be as good as or sometimes even better than in-person care. With a telehealth visit, either by video or phone, the care is there when you want it in your own home. And with resources such as the messaging system in MyChart, it’s easy to ask non-urgent questions or request medication refills.
Setting up a telehealth appointment is easy. Call 1-888-824-0200 or visit UChicagoMedicine.org/ request-appointment. Our schedulers can help you determine whether a telehealth or other kind of appointment is right for you. If you are already a patient at UChicago Medicine, you may also be able to schedule an appointment directly through your MyChart account.
Help with tech troubles. Our team is available to help you navigate the online system and ensure that your device is ready for the appointment. If you are not comfortable with a video visit or don’t have easy access, we can also arrange a visit by phone.
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Regular communication can improve health. With the convenience of telehealth, you can connect with your doctor more easily and frequently. Regular communication with your care team can lead to better management of chronic conditions. So not only is telehealth convenient, it’s also good for patient health outcomes.
Help for low-tech or no tech. It can be difficult to access telehealth resources like video visits and MyChart if you don’t have internet at home, don’t have a device like a computer or smartphone, or aren’t familiar with using the technology. If you or a loved one is struggling to access telehealth resources, please let us know. We have lists of resources for finding lowor no-cost smartphones and internet service, and for getting help for using the devices.
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Telehealth is ideal for many types of care. Telehealth is a good option when you just need to check in with your doctor, say, to discuss a maintenance medication or to manage a chronic condition. Other examples include preconception appointments for those considering pregnancy, genetic counseling and behavioral health appointments. For indepth, hands-on physical examinations, you’ll still need an in-person appointment.
Ask 311. In Chicago, you may also find low-cost options for getting internet service or smart devices by contacting 311, the nonemergency city services hotline. In addition to dialing “311” on your phone, you can also reach 311 by calling 312-744-5000 or through the 311 app.
Other resources may be available. If you don’t have access to a device or internet services, public libraries usually have computers available for public use, including internet access, and may even offer computer classes for those who wish to get more familiar with using digital devices. Some locations may even have laptops or Wi-Fi hotspots available for patrons to check out to use at home. If you have kids, ask their school about available resources.
First line of cardiac defense A cardiologist explains why your primary care provider is key to your heart health In addition to providing routine care like annual vaccines and wellness checks, your primary care provider (PCP) can also be your first line of defense against serious illnesses like heart disease. Your PCP will help manage risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol and nutrition. And if you need a higher level of care, your PCP can refer you to a cardiologist. Cardiologist Alan Jackson, MD, is Medical Director of the University of Chicago Medicine’s South Side Community Cardiology program. Using innovative tools and treatments, the program works to improve the heart health of residents in Chicago’s South Side communities, who have some of the highest rates of hypertension and heart disease in the city. Lifestyle choices like physical inactivity, excessive alcohol use, smoking and unhealthy diet are also key contributors that increase the risk for heart disease. Fortunately, your primary care physician can help you avoid or manage these conditions. A PCP can also help with: NUTRITION COUNSELING
Healthy eating is one of the primary ways to prevent heart disease. Your PCP can help you manage your diet to meet your nutritional needs and refer you to a dietitian for further care if required. MONITOR YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE
If you have high blood pressure, you may not have any symptoms. So, it’s important to monitor your blood pressure on a regular basis. Your PCP will measure your blood pressure at least once every other year — more often if you have high blood pressure (hypertension). Your PCP can also help you modify your diet to lower your sodium intake and will prescribe medicine if necessary.
meat, eggs, poultry and dairy products — are bad for the body — it can build up in the arteries, causing them to become narrow and restricting blood flow. As with high ALAN JACKSON, MD blood pressure, there may be few symptoms of high cholesterol — you may not know that you have high cholesterol until you suffer a heart attack or stroke. It’s important to work with your primary care provider to keep your cholesterol in check. MANAGE DIABETES
Heart disease and diabetes often go hand in hand as high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels and nerves that control your heart. Furthermore, diabetes can lead to heart failure, a serious condition that means the heart is not pumping blood well. Your PCP can create a personalized care plan for your specific needs. CARDIOLOGIST REFERRAL
If health and lifestyle modifications aren’t working, your PCP may recommend medication or refer you to a cardiologist for a higher level of personalized care. Your cardiologist and PCP will work together to customize a treatment plan for your unique needs.
We’re expanding our primary care team. Here are some of our new providers. FAMILY MEDICINE John R. Thurman, Jr., DO* UChicago Medicine River East 773-702-6840 Edward J. Kim, MD* UChicago Medicine Dearborn Station 773-702-6840 Thomas A. Pawlowski, DO* Lama Sirhan, MD* Marian Chukwumah, MSN, APN FNP-C* UChicago Medicine at Ingalls, Flossmoor 708-915-3100 Puja Turakhia, MD* UChicago Medicine at Ingalls, Tinley Park 773-702-6840 INTERNAL MEDICINE Abigail Morrow, MSN, APN* UChicago Medicine Dearborn Station 773-702-6840 *UChicago Medicine Medical Group is comprised of UCM Care Network Medical Group, Inc., and Primary Healthcare Associates, S.C. UChicago Medicine Medical Group providers are not employees or agents of The University of Chicago Medical Center, The University of Chicago, UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial, UChicago Medicine Dearborn Station, UChicago Medicine Medical Group–Homewood, UChicago Medicine at Ingalls–Tinley Park, UChicago Medicine River East, or UChicago Medicine Orland Park.
CHECK YOUR CHOLESTEROL
Blood cholesterol is a fat-like substance made by your liver and plays an important role in making hormones and digesting fatty foods. Excess amounts of blood cholesterol — from
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ASK T HE E XPE R T
Removing large colon polyps without surgery Colon polyps are very common, and usually can be removed during a routine colonoscopy. But some polyps are too large to remove this way, and patients are often advised to have surgery. The University of Chicago Medicine offers a less-invasive, endoscopic option for removing these growths. Gastroenterologist and therapeutic endoscopist Uzma Siddiqui, MD, specializes in performing endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), a leading-edge procedure that allows for the removal of large colon polyps without surgery. Using this technique, Siddiqui has removed thousands of colon polyps through a scope. With EMR, most benign colon polyps of any size can be safely and effectively removed. WHAT SORT OF COLON POLYPS ARE USUALLY REMOVED USING EMR?
Any polyp can be removed using this technique, but usually it is used for large or “giant” polyps that are more than 2 centimeters in size. These larger polyps typically occur on the right side of the colon or in the rectum. The vast majority of these large growths are benign.
Uzma Siddiqui, MD, Director of the Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics
having leftover polyp tissue, it’s important for patients to return for a checkup colonoscopy six to 12 months after their EMR. HOW SAFE IS EMR?
HOW DOES EMR WORK?
With EMR, a colonoscope — this is a long, thin black tube with a camera on the end of it — is inserted into the anus and advanced to the polyp. The colonoscope has an accessory channel that allows various small instruments to be passed through it so they can be used to remove the polyp. The polyp is injected with liquid to help lift it off of the colon wall, which helps prevent a hole or perforation during removal. Doctors then use a snare, which is like a small metal lasso, to grab the polyp. Heated energy is then applied to cut it off. We use a small net to grab the polyp once it has been cut off so that we can send it to the pathologist to examine.
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UZMA SIDDIQUI, MD
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECOVER FROM EMR?
From the patient perspective, a colonoscopy with EMR should feel the same as a typical screening colonoscopy. There are no external incisions and patients can go back to their normal activity the day after their procedure. Because there’s a roughly 20% chance of
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EMR is known to be very safe in general, but as with every medical procedure, there are some risks. There can be up to a 20% chance of delayed bleeding after the procedure, especially if a patient has a large right colon polyp removed or has to go back on blood thinner medication. We use different techniques to prevent delayed bleeding, including cauterizing and small clips to close off blood vessels. There’s also a remote chance of perforating the colon wall. Endoscopic removal of large colon polyps is a technically challenging procedure that requires an endoscopist’s skills. That’s why it’s so important to ensure your doctor has expertise in this area.
‘Grateful, loved and cared for’ Staff at UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospice provide compassionate care After learning one of their hospice patients would be living alone in a nursing home without family support, the staff at UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospice devised a plan. To create a sense of home and family, they all collaborated to get their patient a TV, clothes and holiday decorations. Upon seeing everything the staff did, the patient cried. “It was unexpected, and the patient felt so grateful, loved and cared for,” said Ingalls Memorial Hospice Program Director Eleanor Williams, RN. It’s just one example of the special, compassionate care the staff at UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospice has provided to terminally ill patients and their families for more than 30 years. Ingalls Memorial’s hospice program is licensed and accredited, and provides patients with a personal care team who can make them comfortable in the final months or weeks of their lives. Costs for services are usually fully covered by the patient’s insurance or Medicare.
then they realize that we can make them comfortable. It helps everyone.”
A medical director, registered nurses and certified nursing assistants tend to the patient’s pain and other physical needs, while social workers and clergy help with the social, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and family members.
Many people wish to spend their final days at home. If there is someone living in the house who can assist, the hospice program can provide a hospital bed, medications and regular visits from nurses and nursing assistants to make sure the patient is comfortable, cared for and not in pain.
The program, which has been growing steadily, treats about 50 people at any given time, either in the patient’s home, a nursing home, or in Ingalls Memorial’s inpatient hospice program.
“Comfort care is just as important as critical care,” Williams said. “It doesn’t completely remove the burden of care for the family, but it makes it a little lighter because they have all these services.”
The hospital’s hospice space, located down the hall from the intensive care unit, was recently remodeled with new furniture, lighting, flooring and paint, courtesy of the Ingalls Development Foundation.
Williams decided to become a critical care and home healthcare nurse after caring for her mother, who had vascular dementia. She now leads UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospice along with Executive Director Joseph Larkin, BSN, RN.
UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospice encourages family and friends to visit patients (while adhering to COVID-19 protocols), so everyone can talk, tell stories, laugh, pray, sing, eat their favorite foods, listen to music or even watch a ball game on TV. “Those final moments can be beautiful when the family is all around,” Williams said. “Sometimes, it’s so difficult for families to accept that their loved ones need hospice, but
“You definitely have to have a heart for people to do this job. Not just for the patients, but for their families,” Williams said. “They need hospice as much as the patient does.” UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospice welcomes volunteers to provide companionship for patients and assist with administrative tasks. For information, call 708-331-1360.
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Guys, take charge of your health Up to two-thirds of men say they avoid going to the doctor, according to one study. Kaveh Rahmani, DO,* a primary care physician with UChicago Medicine Medical Group, encourages men to take charge of their health and build a relationship with a primary care provider through regular checkups. “Medicine has evolved from what their parents experienced and changed from reactive to preventive care,” Rahmani said. “So, we now check for and guide our patients on what changes in their health indicate and take appropriate steps.” Based on his patients’ age, family history and risk factors, Rahmani measures changes in their health against a baseline. “Whether they are in their 20s or over 50 years old, the better I know them, the better chance I have of noticing a difference in their face, eyes, gait or demeanor,” he said. “I can refer them to specialists for testing for different types of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity or behavioral health issues, for example, before it becomes a significant problem. “When it comes to health, it’s better to question an unusual ache, fatigue or vague change rather than ignore it and miss catching something in an early stage,” Rahmani said. Here’s a general guide to some common checkups and screenings for men that help with early detection and prevention of health issues. It’s important to note that you should discuss your individual needs with your healthcare provider, and that health issues, including wellness and lifestyle concerns like behavioral health, sleep disorders, and weight loss and weight management, should be addressed at any age.
*UChicago Medicine Medical Group is comprised of UCM Care Network Medical Group, Inc., and Primary Healthcare Associates, S.C. UChicago Medicine Medical Group providers are not employees or agents of The University of Chicago Medical Center, The University of Chicago, UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial, UChicago Medicine Dearborn Station, UChicago Medicine Medical Group– Homewood, UChicago Medicine at Ingalls–Tinley Park, UChicago Medicine River East, or UChicago Medicine Orland Park.
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SCREENING/EXAM
AGES 20-39
AGES 40-49
Physical exam
Every two to three years
Blood pressure screening
At least every other year
Lipid profile A blood test panel that measures cholesterol and fats to determine risk for heart disease
Every three years
Every two years
Urinalysis Checks the concentration of urine to detect kidney disease, diabetes and urinary tract infections, liver disease and other metabolic conditions
Every three years
Every two years
AGES 50+
Annually
Prostate cancer screening
Annually
Annually
Discuss with your provider starting at 55
Colon cancer screening
Starting at age 45 and if you have an average risk of colorectal cancer, regular screening with one of six tests: FIT (fecal immunochemical test) or gFOBT (guaiac-based fecal occult blood test) every year; stool DNA test every three years; CT colonography or flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years; or colonoscopy every 10 years
Lung cancer screening
Annually starting at 50 if you have a 30-pack-peryear smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years
Diabetes screening
Every three years starting at 45
Flu vaccine
Annually
Tetanus/Diphtheria/ Pertussis (Tdap)
Every 10 years
Zoster (Shingles)
Once
Measles/ Mumps/Rubella (MMR)
Adults of any age, if you did not receive the vaccine as a child
HPV
If vaccine not received between the ages of 9-12, can receive after age 26 until 45
SOURCES: Illinois Department of Public Health, Screening Tests for Men: What You Need and When; National Library of Medicine, Medline Plus, Health Screenings for Men Ages 40 to 64; U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
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HOPE FOR ALL MEN Gift will advance prostate cancer research and treatment
Curt Rodin’s health journey began 12 years ago with a diagnosis of prostate cancer and subsequent robotic surgery at the University of Chicago Medicine. His type of prostate cancer had a higher risk of recurrence, and two years later, the disease returned. After radiation therapy also failed to cure the cancer, Rodin was referred to UChicago Medicine oncologist Russell Szmulewitz, MD, an expert in treating advanced prostate cancer. During his long career as a personal injury attorney, Rodin has known many physicians whose testimony was scientifically precise, but difficult for jurors to interpret. In Szmulewitz, he found an excellent doctor with great communication skills. “His gift is that he gives you enough knowledge to make informed decisions,” Rodin said. Skills Rodin honed as a lawyer served him well as he navigated his own medical case. He knew what to ask, what to read and how to choose the right physicians. His advice to others facing a similar challenge: “Find the right doctors who will educate and give you all the options — the pros and the cons — and who have the humility to say they don’t have all the answers, which is why research is so important.” UChicago Medicine has one of the most active clinical research programs across the spectrum of prostate cancer disease states, from screening and active surveillance to novel treatments for advanced disease. “We pride ourselves on having a leading-edge clinical research option for patients, no matter where they are on the spectrum of prostate cancer illness,” Szmulewitz said. A robust research program requires resources beyond federal funding. Curt and his wife, Linda, have long been supporters of Szmulewitz’s research. Most recently, the Rodins provided a transformative gift to support research led by Szmulewitz that aims to unravel the mechanisms of therapy-resistant prostate cancers. And, because there are many types of prostate cancer,
Curt and Linda Rodin with Russell Szmulewitz, MD
the Szmulewitz lab is working to precisely define each in order to develop highly targeted, personalized treatments that can effectively eliminate disease. To better understand the diversity of prostate cancers, the Szmulewitz lab is building a biobank of patients’ tumor samples, including those of African American men, who, despite having a higher risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer and dying from it, are underrepresented in prostate cancer research. The biobank provides the essential material for developing and testing targeted treatments to eliminate this disparity, as well as to improve outcomes for all men with the disease. In addition to banking samples for research, the Rodins’ gift will allow Szmulewitz and his team to work with state-of-the-art technology to manipulate and grow live tumor samples from patients in the lab. This will create a one-of-a-kind resource to enable countless future research opportunities. Social justice is a priority for the Rodins, who established a social justice center at Curt’s law school alma mater to expand access to legal services for the underserved. Their support of prostate cancer research will have a similarly equalizing effect. “We hope our gift will benefit many men,” Curt Rodin said. “It’s our way of paying back. I have always believed we all owe a little rent for the space we occupy.”
The Rodins’ gift allows us to focus on innovation and pursue new ideas in ways we can’t with traditional grants and other funding.” RUSSE LL SZM U LE WITZ , M D
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID CAROL STREAM, IL PERMIT NO. 2003
The University of Chicago Medicine 5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 1110 Chicago, IL 60637
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