IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COLUMBIA, S.C., April 26, 2006 - - This Thursday, the partners of Health Sciences South Carolina (HSSC)—the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), the University of South Carolina (USC), Clemson University, Greenville Hospital System, Palmetto Health and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare Center—will announce an agreement to establish the first statewide cancer research initiative in the United States. The announcement will be made during a special breakfast for members of the South Carolina General Assembly, at 9:30 a.m. in the Blatt Building in Columbia.
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The South Carolina Coordinated Cancer Initiative will leverage the intellectual capital and resources of the state’s largest medical centers and leading research universities to improve the Palmetto State’s chances of securing a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Comprehensive Cancer Center Designation for MUSC’s Hollings Cancer Center. NCI designation greatly improves the ability of Hollings and the other partners to attract funding from the National Institutes of Health and other private sources, ultimately fueling research, educational and economic development opportunities.
Commenting on Thursday’s pending announcement, HSSC Chairman and Palmetto Health Chief Executive Officer Kester Freeman said, “With this historic agreement, South Carolina places itself | |
on the front lines of the national battle against cancer. Using the combined strengths of our six organizations to advance cancer research and expand cancer prevention and control outreach programs will have a tremendous impact on all South Carolinians. Not only will this improve access to cutting edge cancer therapies, access to these therapies will be more uniform across the state.”
Freeman added that securing NCI recognition is critical for many reasons. “Currently there is no NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center in South Carolina, while there are three in North Carolina—Duke University, Wake Forest University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. An NCI designation for Hollings will benefit all of the partners’ cancer centers as each seeks to enhance patient care, cancer research and the training of future health professionals.”
The proposed South Carolina Coordinated Cancer Initiative will have locations at the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, Charleston; South Carolina Cancer Center, Palmetto Health and the University of South Carolina, Columbia; Greenville Hospital System Cancer Center and Clemson University, Greenville; and Gibbs Regional Cancer Center (GRCC), Spartanburg Regional Health System, Spartanburg. The Hollings Cancer Center will take the administrative leadership role of the organization with support from the other cancer centers.
In addition to research, the South Carolina Coordinated Cancer Initiative will enable the establishment of a statewide clinical trials network, a statewide tissue bank system and standardized care protocols. These steps provide the opportunity for potentially lifesaving research to move from the lab and into patient care more quickly and efficiently. In addition to research, the South Carolina Coordinated Cancer Initiative will enable the establishment of a statewide clinical trials network, a statewide tissue bank system and standardized care protocols. These steps provide the opportunity for potentially lifesaving research to move from the lab and into patient care more quickly and efficiently.The South Carolina Coordinated Cancer Center agreement is the latest in a string of notable successes for HSSC. Since its formation in April 2004, HSSC has sought and secured state funding for three Centers of Economic Excellence through the South Carolina Research Centers of Economic Excellence Act: brain imaging, regenerative medicine and clinical efficiency and patient safety. The latest announcement secures HSSC’s place as a leader in the field of cancer research.
About Health Sciences South Carolina Established in April 2004 by the Greenville Hospital System, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Palmetto Health and the University of South Carolina (USC), Health Sciences South Carolina—the “Collaborative”—was founded with the vision of improving the health and economic wellbeing of South Carolina through a coordinated effort to advance health sciences research and education. The Collaborative, which now includes Clemson University and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, is an inclusive public-private partnership that seeks to bring together universities, health systems, and other partners committed to its vision. |
