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As we approach the holidays and a new year at Hollings, I want to take a moment to reflect gratefully on the past year for the growth we have seen, the milestones we have achieved, and the patients we have touched throughout South Carolina.
Among our highlights, we are blessed to have welcomed many new members and clinical leaders who are bringing fresh ideas and incredible expertise and energy to our team that will accelerate our trajectory. Our members have continued to garner major awards and grants that promote our work and the Hollings brand, and we are growing clinical trial accruals across the state. And we had the most successful LOWVELO bike ride to date, with more riders and more dollars raised than ever before.
With our CCSG application behind us and a strategic plan underway, we now are working toward achievements that wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of everyone on our team, in every area at Hollings. Our future is filled with boundless opportunities to transform cancer care across the state, and I thank each of you for your important contributions.
Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, healthy, joyous holiday and New Year!
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Raymond N. DuBois, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, MUSC Hollings Cancer Center
Associate Provost of Cancer Programs, MUSC
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American Society of Preventive Oncology award
Congratulations to Matthew Carpenter, Ph.D., who was selected as the 2024 recipient of the Joseph W. Cullen Memorial Award from the American Society of Preventive Oncology.
The award is to recognize distinguished achievement in continued national tobacco control efforts, through research, through the development of prevention and cessation programs with wide-reaching public health impact, or through public policy and advocacy initiatives.
It is named for Joe Cullen, program coordinator for the National Cancer Institute’s Smoking Tobacco and Cancer Program from 1982 to 1989, who architected the largest tobacco intervention and control program launched anywhere in the world.
Carpenter will receive the award at the annual conference in March.
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MUSC Values in Action
Congratulations to Jennifer Dahne, Ph.D., on being selected as the MUSC President's Values in Action awardee for exemplifying the MUSC value of "innovation."
Dahne, far right, is pictured with Rachel Tomko, Ph.D., who nominated her, MUSC first lady Kathy Cole and MUSC president David Cole, M.D.
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MUSC Health Quality Medical Director of the Year
Andrea Abbott, M.D., was honored with the Quality Medical Director of the Year Award for the entire MUSC Health System during the System Quality and Safety Annual Award Ceremony on Nov. 10.
“While we have many fantastic Quality Medical Directors, Dr. Abbott’s engagement and leadership within the Oncology ICCE stand out,” said Anthony Poole, DMSc, PA-C, System Director – QAPI Programs. “She has helped systematize the quality efforts within the Oncology ICCE statewide and continues to strive for quality excellence.”
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Drug approval
Jacqueline Kraveka, D.O., a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at MUSC Children’s Health and a cancer researcher at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, was the institutional principal investigator for the eflornithine (DFMO) trials.
WorldMeds USWM LLC has just announced that DFMO has received FDA approval. This groundbreaking oral maintenance therapy for high-risk neuroblastoma in pediatric patients has improved event-free survival and overall survival.
Kraveka is a national leader in neuroblastoma research as part of the executive committee and scientific committee for the Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium (BCC). She was a member of the core team that designed and conducted the clinical trials that led to FDA approval.
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Health Care Hero
Alexandria Ingram, NP, runs the lung cancer screening and nodule management program at MUSC Health Lancaster and Chester Medical Centers.
She was just named "Mentor of the Year Health Care Hero" by SC Biz News.
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ASTCT Board Member
Sophie Paczesny, M.D., Ph.D., has been elected to a three-year term as a director of laboratory science on the board of the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy.
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Lowcountry Oncology Nursing Society leadership
Congratulations to Claudia Miller, BSN, RN, OCN, left, and Amy Tamblyn, RN, OCN, on their election to leadership roles in the Lowcountry chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society. In January, Miller will assume the presidency and Tamblyn will become president-elect. It is believed that Tamblyn is the first radiation oncology nurse elected to this role in the Lowcounty chapter.
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We are hiring!
Take a look at the Hollings Job Openings page and, if you know someone who you think would be a good fit, encourage them to apply.
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Biorepository and Tissue Analysis Shared Resource director
Angela J. Yoon, D.D.S., has been appointed as director of the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center Biorepository and Tissue Analysis Shared Resource, effective Dec. 1; she will oversee a growing collection of cancer-associated biospecimens that allow researchers to translate biological discoveries into prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
A professor in MUSC’s James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine in the Department of Biomedical and Community Health Sciences with a joint appointment in College of Medicine in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Yoon has been engaged in the translation of laboratory science into new molecular risk assessment strategies and in improving therapies for oral precancers and cancers.
“We are honored that Dr. Yoon has accepted this appointment,” said MUSC Hollings Cancer Center director Raymond N. DuBois, M.D., Ph.D. “Her vast leadership experience as a clinician-scientist and her interest in mentoring investigators will support Hollings Cancer Center as we work toward our goal of becoming an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in five years.”
Yoon is investigating the prognostic utility of microRNA-based markers for oral cancer patients. She is also currently leading a clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of an immunomodulatory agent for oral cancer in a neoadjuvant setting. In collaboration with other MUSC investigators, Yoon is developing a prophylactic cancer vaccine using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes harvested from patients who have been treated with immunotherapy prior to surgery.
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Congratulations to these investigators! This year three researchers have been selected as recipients of the Hollings High Impact Publications Award. Hollings enthusiastically supports its members’ impactful discoveries and publications and is pleased to showcase their findings. Their names will be added to the plaque in Hollings Room 120.
In addition, Hollings is announcing funding of several promising studies that we hope will generate findings that will lead to NIH funding. If you are interested in receiving funding, look for funding announcements at the bottom of this newsletter.
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2023 Hollings High Impact Publications Awards | |
Evan Graboyes, M.D.'s publication, “Efficacy of a Brief Tele–Cognitive Behavioral Treatment vs Attention Control for Head and Neck Cancer Survivors With Body Image Distress” in JAMA Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery was reviewed and named a 2023 Hollings High Impact Publications Awardee. | |
Lu Han, Ph.D.'s publication, “The splanchnic mesenchyme is the tissue of origin for pancreatic fibroblasts during homeostasis and tumorigenesis” in Nature Communications was reviewed and named a 2023 Hollings High Impact Publications Awardee. | |
Brian Hess, M.D.'s publication, “Efficacy of tixagevimab-cilgavimab in preventing SARS-CoV-2 for patients with B-cell malignancies” in Blood was reviewed and named a 2023 Hollings High Impact Publications Awardee. | |
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Mr. Harry Parnell generously established the Marti’s Wish Award in honor of his late wife of 23 years, Marti.
In 2015, Mrs. Parnell passed away shortly after being diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer for which less than 10,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S., signet ring cell carcinoma. A resident of Myrtle Beach since 1974, Mrs. Parnell was recognized as The Jackson Companies’ Outstanding Teammate in 2007 and had one of the longest tenures at Ocean Lakes Family Campground where she welcomed visitors to the Myrtle Beach area for 35 years. Mrs. Parnell enjoyed feeding the ducks in her backyard, riding around in her VW Beetle convertible and spending time with her beloved dachshund “Bulliet." We aim to honor her legacy of compassion and concern for others with this award.
Mr. Parnell has made annual, generous contributions to this fund through his procurement of rare collectible bourbons and whiskeys that are auctioned at Gourmet and Grapes each year. He was honored for these efforts in 2023 with the Gourmet and Grapes Courage in Cancer award. The purpose of the Marti’s Wish Award is to support research, education and outreach for gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.
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Judit Jimenez Sainz, Ph.D., received Marti's Wish funding for her project "BRCA2 cellular localization as a prognostic factor in Helicobacter pylori-associated gastrointestinal cancers." | |
Toros Dincman, M.D., Ph.D., received Marti's Wish funding for his project, "The Role of Sphingosine Kinase 2 in Gastric Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma." | |
Dr. Mark Green Young Investigator Award
The purpose of the award is to provide support for young investigators working in a field of cancer to pursue advanced research opportunities through participation in supplemental learning experiences, such as research-focused workshops, retreats, or symposia, where they can receive feedback on their research discoveries. The projected outcomes from this support are to enhance the career development of the junior investigators and gain insights about their research from national and international leaders. These outcomes will, in turn, lead to additional research innovations and funding opportunities, further enhancing their career development.
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Judit Jimenez Sainz, Ph.D.
The Dr. Mark Green Young Investigator Award will enable Dr. Sainz to attend two international conference focusing on DNA damage, DNA repair and cancer therapeutics.
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Amanda Palmer, Ph.D.
The Dr. Mark Green Young Investigator Award will enable Dr. Palmer to attend the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Annual Meeting in March 2024.
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MUSC Hollings Bridge to Population Science Award
Interprogrammatic research collaboration is one of the many metrics by which Hollings Cancer Center is evaluated. The purpose of the Bridge to Population Science Award is to provide pilot funding that would foster new and successful partnerships between Cancer Control and both Cancer Biology and Immunology and Developmental Cancer Therapeutics.
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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common condition where the digestive tract gets inflamed. People with IBD have a higher chance of dysplasia, which can lead to polyps, which can become cancerous over time. This transformation from dysplasia to cancer is a gradual process, and it's essential to detect and remove these precancerous growths through regular screenings, like colonoscopies.
Some IBD patients have low grade dysplasia that can't be seen during the colonoscopy, and these patients need special testing with random samples. However, not everyone sticks to this routine because it can be expensive, inconvenient and has some risks. Our team recently identified an important protein that regulates intestinal epithelial dysplasia: Myosin 5b.
Myosin 5b is a molecular motor which traffics proteins to the upper membrane of intestinal cells. We identified that Myosin 5b is the key transporter for the PAR complexes; proteins which control cell polarity. We found that mice lacking Myosin 5b had mislocalized PAR complex proteins, defects in cell polarity and increased proliferation: all hallmarks of dysplasia. We also found that inflammation was able to reduce Myosin 5b in a mouse model of colitis. Consistent with our animal models, we found that Myosin 5b was decreased in biopsies from IBD patients and almost completely absent from colorectal cancer samples.
Based on these preliminary data, we hypothesize that IBD patients with low grade dysplasia that do not progress to high grade dysplasia will have more Myosin 5b than patients that progress to colorectal cancer. Our long-term goal is to better understand and identify mechanisms behind cancer progression and identify new targets for cancer prevention. In Aim 1, we will examine the distribution of PAR complex proteins in patient tissue specimens. In Aim 2, we will inhibit Myosin 5b in human intestinal organoids and monitor dysplasia progression. Our research aims to show whether Myosin 5b can be a helpful marker in predicting which IBD patients will go onto develop cancer.
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Catchment Area Data Conference
Several Hollings members represented us well at the inaugural Catchment Area Data Conference.
The catchment area tool under development, SC-SPOT (South Carolina-Cancer Surveillance for Population Health Research and Outreach Tool) led by Ashish Deshmukh, Ph.D., and Kalyani Sonawane, Ph.D., was selected as one of the top five studies at the conference.
Sonawane was awarded best oral presentation and innovative tool in the rapid-fire session.
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Cell Bio 23
Graduate students Houda Mesnaoui and Alyssa Risner, part of the Antonis Kourtidis, Ph.D., lab, presented posters at Cell Bio 23.
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Grand Rounds
Virgilio George, M.D., presented Grand Rounds at the Department of Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. His presentation was titled "The Surgeon Athlete."
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ASH
Hollings researchers, including Hamza Hashmi, M.D., Brian Hess, M.D., Irl Brian Greenwell, M.D., and Sophie Paczesny, M.D., Ph.D., presented posters and oral presentations at the American Society of Hematology annual meeting. Pictured are James Davis, Pharm.D., and Hashmi.
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Head for the Cure 5K
The 8th Annual Head for the Cure 5K - Charleston, Saturday, Feb. 24, will raise funds, awareness and hope for the Charleston brain tumor community. Funds raised through this event will locally benefit MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, Brains for the Cure, and other national brain cancer programs, education, and initiatives.
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Blood drive
Give blood! Hollings is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30 in Hollings 120. All donors will be entered into a drawing to win two tickets to the Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas! Please bring your ID and be sure to have a hearty meal and drink a lot of water.
Appointments are needed - go to redcrossblood.org and enter code "Hollings."
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The Office of Community Outreach and Engagement is spreading the work of cancer prevention throughout the state. Here’s a look at where the team will be:
HPV Vaccination Van:
Jan. 13 – HMHSC Health Fair, Hilda High School, Blackville
Jan. 27 - HMHSC Health Fair in the Midlands
SC AMEN:
Jan. 27 - Palmetto Medical, Dental, Pharmaceutical Association – Columbia
Visit the HCC Mobile Vaccination Unit webpage for more information.
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The Mobile Health Unit offers screening mammography and cervical cancer screens at locations across the state.
Select upcoming dates:
Jan. 8 - Hampton County Health Dept.
Jan. 11 - Colleton County Health Dept.
Jan. 22 - Orangeburg County Health Dept.
Jan. 29 - Allendale County Health Dept.
Visit the MHU webpage for more information.
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Refer a patient to Prostate Cancer Survivors' Strength Camp
The pilot session of Prostate Cancer Survivors' Strength Camp was a success. The five participants left feeling stronger and more supported than ever.
Clinical exercise program coordinator Cindi Day is seeking referrals for the next 10-week session, which begins Jan. 30. The program has room for up to 15 men per session.
The Clinical Exercise Program Department accepts referrals year-round in the form of a physician's clearance form.
For more information about this program or a copy of the physician's clearance, contact Cindi Day.
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Aequitas Health honor society call for nominations
Nominations open for the 2024 fellow cohort of the Aequitas Health honor society. MUSC is one of the founding chapters of this new national health equity honor society.
Aequitas Health is focused on identifying, recognizing, and developing future physician leaders to address health inequities. There are no fellowship fees charged to the students, post-graduate trainees or faculty fellows of Aequitas Health. Each fellow elected will participate in a service project that advances health equity in our community.
In winter 2023-2024, MUSC’s third class of Aequitas Health Fellows will be elected. The class will include:
- Up to 10% of the rising COM M4 class. Any enrolled medical students in good standing, academically and professionally, are eligible to apply to Aequitas Health. Selected applicants will have demonstrated significant dedication to healthcare equity in their communities while enrolled at MUSC.
- One faculty member who has contributed to health equity on a local, state, or national level will also be eligible for election to the fellowship this year.
- One post-graduate trainee who has contributed to health equity on a local, state, or national level will also be eligible for election to the fellowship this year.
Please nominate yourself, a student, a post-graduate trainee or a faculty member who meets the criteria above by completing the application by Jan. 5. The class of fellows will be selected and announced by Jan. 29. If you have any questions please contact Dr. Elizabeth Mack, Aequitas Health Faculty Advisor, at mackeli@musc.edu.
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MPH program at MUSC
Get your MPH at MUSC’s Department of Public Health Sciences. The department offers concentrations in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Health Behavior and Health Promotion, and Generalist (fully online). The nation’s transition to a new healthcare delivery model means that professionals with expertise in prevention and community-based research will be critical to ensuring adequate healthcare for all and improving the health of the nation.
For more information, sign up for an informational session at https://redcap.link/cgd06kkr.
MUSC employees may be eligible for tuition reimbursement. Please reach out to HR for more information.
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Damage-free walls
Please do not use tape or pushpins to attach flyers to walls in Hollings. There are bulletin boards in break rooms for this purpose. If you wish to include a flyer in a glass case, please contact the communications team.
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Construction update for the MUSC Charleston campus
Several major construction projects are ongoing on our downtown Charleston campus. Please visit the Facilities Active Projects page on the Horseshoe intranet for newly updated information for December and January. Construction will continue throughout 2024, so please use caution when traveling through and around worksite areas.
Also, please note that there will be road and walkway closures, fencing installs and the expected noise and disruptions that come with major construction projects. Please visit the Horseshoe page regularly to stay up to date on the latest construction activity and how it may affect you, MUSC patients and guests.
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On Stands Now
Be on the lookout for the latest edition of Hollings Horizons. The magazine features patient stories, highlights from research and useful tips for those seeking to recover physical stamina and range of motion.
The magazine is available on stands in Hollings as well as online.
Interested in copies for your patient area? Reach out to the team and let us know.
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Hollings Support Request
Hollings considers requests for support from members and other MUSC faculty. The request could be for funding, space, a new initiative, etc. To submit a request, use the link below. Strong preference is given to requests that will help the cancer center achieve comprehensive status.
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Clinical Trialist Training Program
The Clinical Trialist Training Program (CTTP) is a joint initiative between the South Carolina Clinical & Translational Research Institute (SCTR), the MUSC College of Medicine, and Hollings Cancer Center that provides 10% salary support (plus fringe) for one year of training to develop new site investigators for multicenter clinical trials.
The goal of this program is to engage new clinical trialists who will develop a clinical trial portfolio and generate continued salary support beyond the year of training. This funding opportunity is open to College of Medicine & Hollings Cancer Center-affiliated faculty who are in departments that can support a clinical trial.
Deadline: Feb. 16
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Hollings Amanda’s Research Award for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors
The purpose of Amanda’s Research Award is to stimulate and support research investigating and addressing the medical, psychological, and lifestyle challenges faced by the growing population of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients and survivors. Research proposals must be centered on a significant aspect of these challenges. Potential topics include but are not limited to: oncofertility and sexual health, mental health, pain management, cardiotoxicity, supportive and palliative care, care coordination, return to work, financial toxicity, health promotion and cancer prevention (e.g., physical activity, healthy eating, vaccination).
Deadline: Monday, Jan. 15
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Hollings Graduate Fellowship
Graduate fellowships will provide two-year research fellowships to support the development of highly promising and accomplished graduates with the potential to become independent cancer researchers.
Doctoral students in all disciplines are eligible.
Deadline: Applications are due Jan. 12.
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Hollings Pre-Clinical & Clinical Concepts Award
The purpose of this award is for Hollings to provide pilot funding for projects between $5,000-$25,000 that would be used to add preliminary or supportive data for the direct development of a grant submission, grant resubmission, or funded clinical trial. This mechanism is designed for the practical review and rapid funding of proposals, that may be received on a rolling basis with no set deadline or award periods.
Deadline: Rolling – Proposals move forward with review after submission
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Is there something you need but you're not sure who to contact? This list is a handy guide for who you should reach out to on the Admin team.
Request assistance with a communications or marketing need: Lori Palmer, palmelor@musc.edu.
Share news (clinical, education or research areas), social media updates, awards and recognitions: Leslie Cantu, cantul@musc.edu
Submit items for web updates or request new webpages: Dan Rinder, rinder@musc.edu
Ask questions about research operations or CCSG: Travis Poole, poolet@musc.edu
Request information on Hollings business and financial information: Natascha Gochett, gochett@musc.edu
Get information on grants and submissions: Brett Bechtol, bechtolb@musc.edu
Request editing on cancer-related grant proposals and manuscripts: Carl Heltzel, heltzel@musc.edu
Find out about Hollings membership and guidelines: Julia Singleton, singleju@musc.edu
Publicize Hollings seminars and retreats: Taylor Couper, coupert@musc.edu
Find out about fundraising and development: Debbie Bordeau, bordeau@musc.edu
Find out about fundraising/development special events: Megan Baker, bakerme@musc.edu
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