IMPACT Fall 2022

FAL L 20 22 ISSU E 1 3

IMPACT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL CENTER

Building for Life We are changing the future of cancer care at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center.

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N E WS F O R DONORS AND FRIENDS

IN G RAT IT U DE

Dear Friends, When the Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine broke ground in May, we felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude

A Living Testament

for every person who supported this project

More than a year after his surgery

through the Building for Life Campaign. Our

to remove a rare cancer in his neck,

feelings remain ever present as construction is underway for the state-of-the-art building,

Demetrius Johnson reflects on his

which will forever change the face of the

experience at UMGCCC and his

University of Maryland Medical Center

prediction for the future of cancer

(UMMC) and house the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC).

While the physical changes of the Stoler Center will be apparent, the possibilities within its walls are limitless—especially when it comes to advancing cancer care, research, and discovery.

This issue of IMPACT reflects on our rich history

care at the new Stoler Center.

D

emetrius Johnson always played by the rules, especially when it came to his health. He ate

well, exercised five days a week, and got annual checkups—that is until the Covid-19 pandemic limited access to health care across his hometown of Eleuthera, an island in the Bahamas.

of UMGCCC, provides an overview of the new Stoler Center, and features inspiring stories

In January 2021, when his community began

from cancer patients and donors.

to reopen, Demetrius went to his doctor and mentioned a painless lump on the right side of his

Our past brought us to this transformational moment and our future is bright. Please

neck. A biopsy later revealed it was a malignant tumor.

know how much we appreciate your trust, confidence, and support of our work. It is

“I can’t explain how it feels for anybody else;

thanks to our partners, like you, that this

but when I heard the news, I was just like, huh?

longtime vision is now a reality.

Are you serious?” explains Demetrius, who was

Bert W. O’Malley, MD President and Chief Executive Officer, UMMC Professor of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery University of Maryland School of Medicine

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42 years old at the time of his diagnosis and is a married father of two children.

His sister, Donnica Major, is the senior operations manager in the Department of Radiation

Kevin J. Cullen, MD Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Distinguished Professor of Oncology Director, UMGCCC University of Maryland School of Medicine

Oncology at the University of Maryland Medical

William E. Kirwan, PhD Chairman Building for Life Campaign Committee

at UMMC. Demetrius did not hesitate to book a

I M PAC T | S U M M E R 2022

Center. She encouraged Demetrius to travel to Baltimore and meet with Rodney Taylor, MD, chief of otorhinolaryngology-head and neck surgery flight.

“The quality of care that I received from the entire team at the University of Maryland is second to none. I sing their praises every day.”

Demetrius Johnson

Demetrius Johnson with his son post treatment.

After a thorough examination and tests, Dr. Taylor

he could only imagine its impact on future

and his team confirmed the diagnosis. On March

patients and the discoveries that will happen

30, 2021, they performed a challenging 14-hour

within its walls.

surgery on Demetrius to remove the rare cancer.

Following the surgery, he also completed six weeks of radiation therapy.

“To the folks who have given and to those who are thinking about giving, I say thank you and I bless you,” Demetrius says. “Thanks to

“The quality of care that I received from the entire

the incredible care I received, I now have the

team at the University of Maryland is second to

opportunity to be around a little while longer

none,” Demetrius says. “I sing their praises every

for my children and family. It goes so much

day.”

deeper than just providing funding. I am a

When Demetrius heard about the Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine,

living testament of what philanthropy can do and how it can help.”

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Transforming Lives Through Philanthropy Ed and Jennifer St. John’s significant gift will undoubtedly inspire advancements in cancer care, research, and discovery.

E

d and Jennifer St. John share a passion:

Ed, founder and chairman of St. John Properties,

to transform lives through philanthropy.

has long been a champion of the University of

Their philosophy stems from their respected

Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) and remains a

upbringings, each coming from a family that

steadfast supporter of the R Adams Cowley Shock

instilled the importance of giving back to others.

Trauma Center and the University of Maryland

It is a lesson that has long been an influence

Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive

throughout both of their lives.

Cancer Center.

The couple made a transformational gift to name

Ed’s friendship with the Greenebaum family

the Edward and Jennifer St. John Stem Cell

inspired his initial involvement with UMGCCC

Laboratory, a space that supports the innovative

more than two decades ago. Since then, he

cell therapy research of Aaron Rapoport, MD and

has known many people who have undergone

his team of expert investigators. The St. Johns’

cancer treatments at UMGCCC. He continually is

incredible commitment fulfills their philanthropic

impressed by the care they receive and inspired

vision and will undoubtedly inspire advancements

by the innovations that occur within the same

in cancer care, research, and discovery.

hospital walls, especially in cell therapy research.

“We are well into the 21st century and cancer still

Dr. Rapoport and his team have conducted

causes so much suffering and loss,” says Jennifer,

several clinical trials of adoptive T-cell therapy,

an Emmy award-winning television journalist and

a process that genetically engineers a person’s

former news anchor who spent more than 26

immune cells to attack their cancer cells. It has

years at WBFF Fox 45. “The research that will

shown remarkable success in treating patients

be done in this laboratory can help mitigate and

with multiple myeloma. They have now developed

potentially end that suffering and loss. It’s very

the next generation of chimeric antigen receptor

meaningful to us.”

(CAR)-T cell therapy using a tagged antibody approach—a process invented at the University of

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Maryland. It has shown promise in treating blood

“These breakthroughs don’t happen without

cancers and other types of cancers as well.

philanthropy, and we feel very strongly that this

“I am amazed by the potential to not

research needs to be supported,” Jennifer says.

“Seeing the work that’s being done and the hope

only treat cancer, but to one day cure

that this research is providing, we hope that

it,” Ed explains. “This is not just local

others will step up and realize that this can help

research; it is worldwide research. You can’t just go to any hospital and get this advanced treatment, but you can get it at the University of Maryland.”

make a difference in our world.”

In addition to cancer, the Edward and Jennifer St. John Stem Cell Laboratory is being used in other areas of medicine, including investigations into a promising new therapy for AIDS.

Securing funding for this type of investigative

“We take great pride in supporting the lifesaving

research can be difficult and private philanthropy

and life-altering work being done by expert

plays a pivotal role in jumpstarting new

researchers and clinicians at UMGCCC, who are

innovations.

working together to prevent, detect, and treat cancer and other diseases,” Ed says.

·

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Changing the Future of Cancer Care

The new Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine will make essential enhancements to the experience of all patients, families, care providers, and staff. It will meet the escalating need for cancer care—accelerating what our care teams can accomplish.

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BUILDING FOR LIFE CAMPAIGN

A

cancer diagnosis can happen to anybody.

The new facility will nearly double the current

Access to quality, leading-edge care is

UMGCCC space and include:

essential to everyone for survival.

As part of an academic medical center, the

›

A new Urgent Care Center devoted to cancer patients, so that patients with

University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart

compromised immune systems can hopefully

Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center is

avoid an emergency room visit and be seen

unique in its ability to deliver state-of-the-art

immediately by cancer care specialists.

clinical care to current patients while improving the health and wellbeing of future patients

›

through discovery and training of next-generation

security, and access for the building, and a

in their field, and patients can be confident that

healing garden for patients and their loved

they receive the most up-to-date treatment

UMGCCC is committed to enhancing care for all

›

cancer patients. To meet the recent increasing

•

Support the creation of the Roslyn and

›

Leonard Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine, a cutting-edge facility designed to change the nature of patient care.

•

›

Provide funding to advance clinical care,

Thanks to the generous support from over 300

›

donors—including a significant investment from Roslyn and Leonard Stoler—the Building for Life Campaign has raised an incredible $53.5 million of it’s $55 million philanthropic goal. This combined

New technologies in patient spaces, public areas, and staff offices that maximize education.

A floor dedicated to inpatient and outpatient transplants and other novel immunotherapies.

All new outpatient clinic and infusion space designed with options that match patient preference for seating, personal interactions,

patient support services, research, training and education.

ones.

efficiency and enhance experience and

demand for cancer care, we launched the Building for Life Campaign to:

UMMC patients and visitors that includes a lobby to streamline patient check-in,

caregivers. Our faculty-physicians are experts

recommendations.

A new, modern, and inviting entrance for

›

and other therapies.

A research space dedicated for medical research, enabling us to expand our capabilities.

Two new inpatient floors with amenities that include exercise facilities for patients,

contribution along with a substantial capital grant

respite areas for families, and all-private

from Maryland and UMMC resources enables us to

accommodations.

move forward with construction of the Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine.

This transformational project will improve the lives and health outcomes for more cancer patients—in

›

A dedicated pharmacy for prepping and mixing chemotherapy and other medication and treatments.

Maryland and beyond.

Join the Building for Life Campaign: ummsfoundation.org/BuildingForLife

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BUILDING FOR LIFE CAMPAIGN

ROZ AND LEN STOLER’S INCREDIBLE PHILANTHROPY INSPIRED A TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECT—ONE THAT WILL IMPACT COUNTLESS LIVES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. While many people in Maryland and the region associate the Stoler family name with car dealerships, they will soon connect it to something else—the advancement of cancer care, research, and discovery at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Roslyn “Roz” and Leonard “Len” Stoler’s philanthropic support allowed them to name the Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine, a cutting-edge facility that will house the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center. Their generosity turned a longtime vision into a reality and inspired

Roslyn and Leonard Stoler

more than 300 other donors to give to this new,

Constructed onto the front of UMMC at 22 South

state-of-the-art building.

Greene Street, the Roslyn and Leonard Stoler

“Our deepest wish is that we can bring some light to people who have less than we have,” Len said.

“People with cancer are suffering physically and mentally; and if we can help them in any way, we’re satisfied.”

Center for Advanced Medicine will have six floors dedicated to cancer care. The expansion will enhance clinical care and research, and position UMGCCC to meet the growing need for complex cancer care.

“Peaceful surroundings, caring staff, and thorough patient education are the elements that make cancer treatment tolerable for patients. These are the elements that shape a patient’s experience. On the back end, medical research into improved and new treatments paves the way for successful patient outcomes in the future, but this aspect is often not visible to each current Patient Room

patient. A facility like the Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine can focus on both the front-end and back-end aspects of treatment, giving each patient the optimal potential for cure and survival!

Philanthropy seems crucial for ensuring all these avenues of treatment can be explored.”

Entrance

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Andrea Esler, is a married mother of six children who was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in May 2021. She is a current patient at UMGCCC.

ummsfoundation.org/BuildingForLife

GROUNDBREAKING On May 13, the University of Maryland Medical Center broke ground on the Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine, the future home of the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center. Building for Life Campaign Chairman William “Brit” Kirwan kicked off the celebration, saying he is honored to chair the campaign given the “remarkable and caring, cutting-edge treatment” his wife, Patty, received at UMGCCC. In attendance were several members of the Stoler family; elected officials including

Outside Garden

Gov. Larry Hogan and Maryland State Senate President William Ferguson; and hospital leadership including Drs. Bert O’Malley, Mohan Suntha, and Kevin Cullen.

EVENTS From the range to the waters to the pavement, donors have hit the links, the sails, and the

CONSTRUCTION

roads to golf, sail, and run—raising more than $700,000 for the Building for Life

Since the groundbreaking, preparation has begun to

Campaign through a series of events in 2021

ready the building site for construction, which includes

and 2022. We are immensely grateful to all

the relocation of a steam line and the temporary

the sponsors, participants, and donors of the

closing of the hospital’s north entrance. Throughout

Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center

construction, patients and visitors will use the entrance

Golf Tournament, Maryland Leukemia Cup,

on Lombard and Greene streets to access the hospital.

and Maryland Half Marathon & 5K. Planning

This prep work will continue through the remainder of

is underway for the next round of events

the year. Major construction is projected to begin in

through the remainder of the year and into

early 2023. Stay connected with UMMC for updates and

2023, which will be listed on our website here:

images as the Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center for

ummsfoundation.org/events

Advanced Medicine changes the face of the University of Maryland Medical Center: www.umgccc.org/StolerCenter.

EMPLOYEES GIVE BACK The lifesaving care provided by UMGCCC is possible thanks to the more than 500 employees who work tirelessly to treat every patient and visitor as if they are family. Not only does the staff give of their time and talents, many of them—at all levels of staff—generously support the campaign as well. As of this summer, more than $250,000 has been raised in gifts ranging from $30 to over $100,000. All employees who contribute at least $100 to the Building for Life Campaign will be recognized on a donor wall in the Stoler Center.

Lobby

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Davidge Hall, University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum provided the $10M founding gift for the cancer center in 1996 after Mrs. Greenebaum’s successful treatment and recovery from breast cancer.

Our History UMGCCC precursor, Baltimore

University of Maryland Cancer

Cancer Research Center (BCRC)

BCRC moves to U MD

Center (UMCC) renamed UMGCC

is operated as part of a National

campus, continues a

to honor philanthropists Marlene

Cancer Institue (NCI) program

NCI program

and Stewart Greenebaum

1965-1972

1970

1974-1982

1982

1996

2001

Landmark MOPP trial for

U MD Cancer Center

State of Maryland Cigarette

Hodgkin’s Disease published

established

Restitution funding begins and has provided $151,000,000 in research funding to Cancer Center, through 2019

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Drs. Angela and Harry Brodie’s invention of a class of drugs called “aromatase inhibitors” changed the way breast cancer is treated around the world.

Cancer Center receives NCI comprehensive status.

State appropriates $125,000,000 to support

Angela Brodie wins Kettering Prize honoring

Maryland Governor

construction of new tower

Unsuccessful

her development of

Larry Hogan treated

to house UMGCCC clinical

application for

aromatase inhibitors for

for lymphoma at

facilities. Construction

NCI designation

breast cancer treatment

UMGCC

scheduled 2021

2002

2004

2005

2008

2015

2016

2019

Kevin Cullen, MD becomes

UMGCC becomes a

UMGCC renews CCSG, elevated

UMGCC Director

NCI-designated Cancer

to Comprehensive status. Name

Center – renewed 2011

changed to UMGCCC

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‘We Live What We Speak’

Barry and Lisa Stoler recognize the importance of giving back and its impact on creating positive change for generations to come

G

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iving back is deeply rooted in the Stoler

generosity not only supported several incredible

family’s way of life—in fact, it may be in their

projects throughout the region (including the

DNA. Since he was young, Barry Stoler watched

transformative Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center

his parents, Roz and Len, give to organizations

for Advanced Medicine), but it also inspired their

and to people in need. Their longstanding

family to embrace the same philanthropic spirit.

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“My parents have been unbelievable role models

her care was outstanding and hopes their gift

my entire life,” says Barry, who works closely

will build on UMGCCC’s already exceptional

with his father as the president of Len Stoler

patient experience.

Automotive. “They taught my sister and me about giving back and doing the right thing, and that’s the way I was raised. We live what we speak.”

“To watch a loved one experience cancer is traumatizing. You are paralyzed with fear,” Lisa shares. “To have the resources all in one place

Barry and his wife, Lisa, have long been

in this new building will be amazing for these

philanthropists and advocates of the University

families. It’s a scary time in your life. Anything

of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer

that can be done to make

Center. Barry especially is very active with the

the process simpler and

cancer center, serving as the chairman of its

easier to navigate is well

Board of Advisors—a role that he describes as “an

worth it.”

honor.”

Barry and Lisa also see their

“Our gift not only provides funding for the bricks and mortar, but it also supports

He and Lisa made their own substantial gift

gift as a connection to the

to the new Stoler Center in recognition of the

patients and families at

the hospital in its

widespread impact the state-of-the-art facility

UMGCCC. While they may

efforts to recruit the

will have on advancing patient care, research, and

never meet the people who

best doctors, conduct

discovery—in Maryland and across the world.

will one day benefit from

the best research, and

“Lisa and I wanted to do what we could for the cancer center because we really believe in it as a great cause,” Barry explains. “Our gift not only

their generosity, they stand with them on their road to

be the best place.”

provides funding for the bricks and mortar, but it

“We are so grateful to help, whether it’s

also supports the hospital in its efforts to recruit

through a philanthropic commitment or the

the best doctors, conduct the best research, and

gift of time—both of which are incredibly

be the best place.”

important and can create positive change

Their gift also holds a personal significance. In the early 1990s, Barry’s 4-year-old daughter, Lindsay, was diagnosed and successfully treated for cancer at what was then University Hospital, now the University of Maryland Medical Center. Barry says

Barry and Lisa Stoler congratulate Len at the groundbreaking.

Barry Stoler

recovery.

for years to come,” Lisa says. “Just knowing that countless lives will be affected in a positive way by something that our family has contributed toward, nothing can make you prouder or feel more inspired to give back.”

·

Barry, Len, and Dr. Kevin Cullen.

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After losing her

Investing in the Future of Cancer Care W

Susan Mertes makes a difference in the lives of other cancer patients through philanthropy.

hen Susan Mertes visualizes the new

I believe this impacts patient compliance and

Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center for

ultimately provides a better outcome.”

Advanced Medicine, she can already see the profound impact the state-of-the-art facility will

The Impact of Giving Back

have on patient care. For years, her husband

Susan is all too familiar with the stress of a cancer

Fred received treatment for chronic lymphocytic

diagnosis. Her father died of cancer 10 years ago,

leukemia (CLL) at the University of Maryland

and two of her brothers-in-law were diagnosed

Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive

with cancer; one was successfully treated and the

Cancer Center.

other passed away last year. Sadly, Fred also lost

While his care was excellent, Susan recalls some challenges they faced, especially on days when

his battle. He passed away in 2016, seven years after his CCL diagnosis.

Fred needed to see more than one doctor.

“Fred told me, ‘If I make it through, I want to help

Many times, Fred’s specialists were in different

people who are also going through this,’” Susan

buildings on the University of Maryland Medical

explains. “He didn’t make it, but I’m here.”

Center campus. To someone undergoing cancer treatments, a one block walk can feel like several miles. The Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine will alleviate this obstacle by bringing all cancer center specialties under one roof.

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husband to cancer,

After Fred’s passing, Susan honored his legacy by making a generous gift to his care provider, Aaron Rapoport, MD, whose innovative cell therapy research has shown significant promise in treating blood cancers. She also joined the Building for Life Campaign Committee, a group of community

“I have so much excitement for the new building

leaders devoted to seeing the new building come

and how it will help people in so many ways,”

to fruition. She and her son, Wil, made a generous

Susan says. “Families already have enough stress

gift in Fred’s memory to name an infusion bay

and anxiety. Finding ways to make it easier for

within the new building. It is a space that is sacred

patients to navigate their care and alleviate as

to Susan; a place where she holds many memories

many obstacles as possible are so important.

with Fred.

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“Both Fred and I continued to work as much as

who are interested an opportunity to socialize

possible while he was sick; but on the days when

with others in a similar situation.

he received his infusion treatments, we would be at the hospital in the infusion center for the entire

“I think the biggest benefit to the

day. It was time we had together,” she shares.

new building will just be the ease of

“It was a place for us to talk about our hopes,

access to everything,” Susan says.

dreams, and goals for our family.”

The new infusion center will feature private rooms, providing even more privacy and space to patients and their families. It also will feature

“Cancer is not just a physical fight, but it’s a mental and emotional fight.

Removing any layers of stress will

space for patients to receive their infusion

make a tremendous difference in

treatments alongside other patients, giving those

patient care.”

·

Susan Mertes with her son, Wil.

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University of Maryland Medical System 110 S. Paca Street, 9th Floor Baltimore, MD 21201 ummsfoundation.org 410.328.5770

All guests during the program.

Dr. Kevin Cullen and Michael Greenebaum.

Alan Butler, Dr. Brit Kirwan and Dr. Mohan Suntha.

Karen Doyle and Sharon Akers.

Guests at the May 13 groundbreaking ceremony for the Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine, the future home of the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dr. Bert O’Malley, Governor Larry Hogan, Leonard Stoler and William Ferguson.

IMPACT is published by the University of Maryland Medical System Foundation.

Bert W. O’Malley, MD President and Chief Executive Officer, UMMC Professor of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine Timothy Nurvala Interim Executive Director, UMMS Foundation Copy: Jennifer Lehman Keir Design: Elizabeth Shea Photography: Larry Canner

Dr. Bert O’Malley, Governor Larry Hogan, Dr. Kevin Cullen and Dr. Mohan Suntha.

To make a gift online, visit ummsfoundation.org/impact

To opt out from receiving future fundraising communications from the UMMS Foundation, please email umms-foundation@umm.edu