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research under such tough parameters becomes a draw to other research sponsors — success breeds further success.
Over the past several years, McLaren Health Care has worked to upgrade and integrate our various research and trials activity to establish such a world-class capability. Integral
to this was our 2013 acquisition
of the Karmanos Cancer Institute. Karmanos is a global leader in
oncology research and treatment.
For 2015, we’ve worked on
building the Karmanos model of leadership in cancer research into McLaren’s systemwide DNA. “We’re
at the cutting edge of developing
future treatments for cancer,”
observes Dr. Gerold Bepler, president and CEO of the Karmanos Cancer Institute.“Wenotonlyknowwhatthe likely next treatments will be, but what’s coming 10 years from now.”
Cancer Center research designation. Just 45 research and treatment facilities
throughout the U.S. have attained this designation — “these are all top cancer
facilities, period,” notes Dr. Bepler. Still, “every ve years we need to seek
competitive renewal of CCSG status from the NCI.” The process is rigorous.
Over 1,600 pages of documentation are required just to apply, and the NCI then assembles a team of experts to
conduct site review visits.
The e ort paid o , however.
Karmanos, which has retained its o cial Cancer Center status since
1978, “received an excellent review,” according to Dr. Bepler, and was
renewed through 2020, with total CCSG funding of $15.4 million granted.
Aside from the funding and status, NCI designation is vital in carrying Karmanos’
researchgoalsforward.“Ifyoulookatthe structure nationally, the leading cancer research
A milestone of the last year was renewal of Karmanos’ Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) funding. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) o cially designates these centers nationwide through a competitive process, and only facilities that meet its strict quali cations can attain
centers are de ned by who receives NCI funding,” says Dr. Bepler. Also, “if you look at treatments that ultimately gain FDA approval, the work overwhelmingly occurs in NCI [designated] centers.”
Status as a NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center makes the facility attractive both to research sponsors and to top physicians and
“We’re at the cutting edge of developing future treatments for cancer. We not only knoW What the likely next
treatments Will be, but what’s
coming 10 years from now.”
d r . g e r o l d b e p l e r
President, karmanos Cancer institute
14
2015 ANNUAL REPORT