Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Tune in for the WEEI Sports Radio Network/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon presented by Arbella Insurance Group, live from Fenway Park on August 13 & 14. Learn how your support continues to make an impact as Dana-Farber patients, doctors, and friends join us to share their stories! To donate, visit Dana-farber.gives/KCANCER. #KCANCER

Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute President and CEO, announced today that she will step down after 8 highly successful years, on October 1, 2024, and will assume the title of President Emerita. Benjamin Levine Ebert, MD, PhD, chair of Department of Medical Oncology and a world-renowned medical oncologist and researcher, was appointed by the Board of Trustees to serve as the next president and CEO of Dana-Farber effective October 1. The seventh president of Dana-Farber and the first woman to lead the organization in its 77-year history, Glimcher began her tenure in October 2016 with a relentless focus on improving outcomes for patients and accelerating cancer drug development. Dana-Farber is credited for playing a critical role in the development of 51% of all cancer drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over the past five years. “Eight years ago, I began this journey with a deep appreciation for the extraordinary research that emanated from Dana-Farber since its earliest days and the clinical excellence that Dana-Farber provides patients and families,” said Glimcher. “And now, as I reflect on my tenure, I am intensely proud of what we have achieved in providing world class care for our patients, leading in innovation and discovering new treatments and cures.” Glimcher will continue her pioneering cancer immunology research at Dana-Farber and build on her legacy of mentoring young cancer scientists. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gn4Ekd77 Laurie Glimcher Benjamin L. Ebert, MD, PhD

HPV is highly preventable with the HPV vaccine. Learn more about the connection between HPV and anal cancer, and how early vaccination can make a difference in preventing this disease. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/epTkBgXR

Earlier this year, Dana-Farber achieved its fifth consecutive Magnet® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. This accomplishment highlights the dedication of our nurses, interdisciplinary teams, and leadership to the exceptional care provided to our patients and their loved ones every day.  Let’s learn more about what it means to our staff individually. 👇    Sandra Re, BSN, RN – Oncology Nurse Residency Program resident, feels supported in her professional development by her peers. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘁-𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂? Magnet-designation means constantly feeling supported and uplifted by my preceptors and educators as I begin my career as a research nurse in the Oncology Nurse Residency Program! I have access to so many resources to enhance my learning and am given so many opportunities to gain perspective on different specialties at Dana-Farber! 

Congratulations to our Vice President of Inpatient and Ancillary Services, Neha Gaur, on being named to the Boston Business Journal's 40 Under 40! Be sure to congratulate Neha on this fantastic achievement! #BBJ4040

About three years after he moved from his home state of Iowa to join his brother on the east coast, Charles Ni, PharmD, felt like the change of scenery had paid off. His new job at Dana-Farber as a clinical pharmacy specialist was vastly different from his work in Iowa. “Dana-Farber is much bigger,” he says. “Patients come from all over the country and the world, and the research infrastructure is so robust.” His work at Dana-Farber became a regular topic of casual conversation at his per diem work in another health system where he made connections that eventually led to the hire of Jessica Warner, PharmD, and Lara Abousamra, Pharm.D, BCPS. The Pharmacy Department, a large and constantly expanding part of the Institute, had openings and after talks with Abousamra and Warner, Ni referred them to his managers through Dana-Farber’s Employee Referral Program. The program incentivizes staff to refer people they know for positions. If they are hired, the referrer receives a bonus, but it’s also highly beneficial for Dana-Farber. Studies show that employee referrals make recruitment more efficient. Referrals are more likely to receive and accept a job offer, stay at the job longer, and perform better. This is especially important in a department like Pharmacy, which requires many highly qualified and passionate individuals. A challenge in pharmacist recruitment is a skewed perception of oncology work. According to Abousamra, new pharmacists see oncology as a difficult field in comparison to others. The drugs are constantly evolving, and oncology pharmacists need to stay on top of those changes. For some, Abousamra says, “oncology is such a big question mark.”  But this aspect of the work can also be what draws people in. Staff can be excellent advocates for the Institute, as Ni demonstrated when Pharmacy was seeking new specialists. “I knew that Charles really liked the work,” says Warner, who talked extensively with Ni before applying. Originally from California, Warner had been working in a smaller cancer clinic for five years and was looking for a bigger arena. Her conversation with Ni revealed that the Institute was the perfect place for her. “I love it,” she says. “To be able to work among some of the most brilliant minds in the field is amazing.” Abousamra had recently moved to Boston to be closer to family and was looking for a new role. A mutual friend put her in touch with Ni. Back in New York, Abousamra worked as a hematology pharmacy specialist, which included managing the prescriptions and side effects of patients preparing for a transplant. It just so happened that Pharmacy had a similar opening. Since October, she has been managing the medications of Dana-Farber transplant patients. “You’re giving them a chance of a disease-free life,” she says. “I love what I do.” Learn more about careers here: https://lnkd.in/e4_TgmR2 ⬇ L to R: Lara Abousamra, Charles Ni, and Jessica Warner

Scientists at Dana-Farber have uncovered a crucial mechanism driving the spread of breast cancer to the brain, specifically involving the KMT2C and KMT2D genes. This discovery highlights the KDM6A protein's role in promoting metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer patients. Learn more about this groundbreaking study and its potential to pave the way for novel therapies. http://ms.spr.ly/6044lvCKy

As the premier professional gathering in clinical cancer research, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting offers one of the largest platforms for cancer researchers to share their work with one another and the world. At the meeting in Chicago earlier this spring, our investigators took full advantage of that opportunity. Institute researchers presented more than 80 studies on topics ranging from advances in breast cancer, glioblastoma, and central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma, to discrimination toward patients and members of the oncology workforce, to the environmental benefits of telehealth. Some highlights:  A series of studies by four teams of investigators suggests that people experience discrimination and bias in different ways and in more realms of cancer care than previously understood. A study presented by Shail Maingi, MD, found that while 84% of physicians surveyed felt comfortable treating LGBTQ+ patients, only 24% of patients felt comfortable disclosing their LGBTQ+ status. A scant 4% of patients felt their care team treated their partner with respect. And at least 30% of physicians reported being unsure how LGBTQ+ status affected treatment considerations or how to discuss LGBTQ+ status with their patients. A trio of studies presented by Narjust Florez M.D., MD, and Toni Choueiri, MD, focused on oncology professionals who are international medical graduates – who attended medical school outside the U.S. or Canada but completed residency and fellowships and are now practicing in the U.S. A survey of international or Puerto Rican medical graduates revealed that over half experienced racial or ethnic discrimination during training and independent practice, Florez reported. A study led by Choueiri found that international graduates who are practicing oncologists in the U.S. were less likely to be invited as faculty presenters at ASCO than their American medical graduate counterparts, even with they produce the same amount of original research. A study led by Rachel Freedman, MD, MPH, and Olga Kantor, MD, MS, found that social determinants of health and not race were associated with a lack of engagement with and trust of health care systems. A study led by Ann Partridge, MD, MPH, and Kimia Sorouri, MD, MPH, held encouraging news for young women who have survived breast cancer and want to have children. The study, which tracked nearly 200 young women treated for breast cancer, found that the majority of those who tried to conceive during a median of 11 years after treatment were able to become pregnant and give birth to a child. More on disparities: https://lnkd.in/eDzcNPMD More on studies presented at ASCO: https://lnkd.in/gAHRKKVP

Diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in 2009, Patricia Smith underwent a few different treatments, including a stem cell transplant. Today, her cancer is in remission. For the past 12 years, Dana-Farber’s Adult Survivorship Program has been a pillar of support for Patricia, helping her monitor her health and providing peace of mind — which she passes on to others through art therapy. Learn more about Patricia’s journey: http://ms.spr.ly/6045lvAzZ

After settling into her new role as program coordinator in the Gynecologic Disease Center, Isabel Donohoe was looking for some guidance. The Institute was a large place, and Donohoe wondered how her career might progress. Fortunately, her co-worker, Katie Poulin, invited her to an Administrative Professionals Group meeting that had answers.   It was one of the first meetings for a new mentorship program that pairs administrative staff of different experience levels. At the meeting, Donohoe, a self-proclaimed extrovert, was thrilled to meet dozens of staff and share goals and aspirations. She knew the program was exactly what she needed. “I threw my hat in the ring. I’m not quite sure how I got paired with Audrey,” she says. “But I’m thrilled that I did.” That’s Audrey D'Atri, Administrative Director in the Division of Cancer Genetics and Prevention who co-leads the Administrative Professionals Group with Amy Kazmouski, Administrative Director for Hematologic Malignancies and Adult Survivorship. The Administrative Professionals Group is a support network that brings together staff from all corners of the Institute. "It's hard to define what an admin professional is,” says D’Atri. “They may work in the clinic, at the check-in desk, behind the scenes supporting executives, or scheduling new patients. We want to welcome everyone."  The group has existed in some form for 15 years, and but in the last two years, D’Atri and Kazmouski, along with a planning committee of seven others, have deepened the group’s programming. So far, more than 500 staff have been added to their mailing list. “Coming out of this era of fully remote work, I think people are craving interaction and community,” says Kazmouski, an administrative director. The recent Administrative Professionals Group's Mentorship Program, in particular, has struck a chord with many, including Donohoe. Being paired with D’Atri was a turning point for her. The relationship has provided her with a sounding board for everything from navigating the Institute's resources to career progression.  "She's been very open,” Donohoe says. “With her experience at the Institute, she's given me great career advice.”  There are more than 60 mentoring pairs now, but the group’s impact extends beyond peer-to-peer mentorship. Monthly meetings connect staff with the many professional development resources available to them through the Institute. Speakers share their own career journeys in the hopes of inspiring new team members. And special events, like Admin Professionals Week, build community and show recognition for everyone’s hard work.    “These are unsung heroes,” Kazmouski says. “They do so much work behind the scenes to make the Institute run smoothly. We want to ensure they’re supported and sing their praises.” Donohoe has found that support and has even become a mentor herself. ⬇ L to R: Shannon Mcdonough, Amy Kazmouski, and Audrey D'Atri