Cancer Institute announces winners of the 2016 Awards of Excellence

The Cancer Institute congratulates the winners of the 2016 Awards of Excellence! The awards go to WVU faculty members and employees of the Cancer Institute who are selected by their peers for distinct recognition of exceptional performance in one of several categories – accountability, innovation, quality, service and teamwork.  Those categories represent the guiding principles of the Cancer Institute.  We will shine the spotlight on  individual winners of the awards over the next few weeks.


Pictured here: Mary Anne Yanosik (Cancer Center Dietician), Karen Hayes, (Post Doctoral Fellow - Martinez Laboratory), David Klinke (Adjunct Assistant Professor), Tina Lankford (Administrative Assistant), Jennifer Craddock (Social Worker Case Manager), Patricia Polichcchio (Oncology Social Worker).

WVU Clinical Trials Research Unit among top ten nationally for clinical trials accrual

Congratulations to the WVU Clinical trials Research Unit (CTRU) and Dr. Adham Salkeni, WVU’s principal investigator for the NRG Oncology group, the largest clinical trials collaborative network in the United States.  During the recent biannual meeting of the NRG, our CTRU was recognized as among the top ten main member sites to enroll the most patients on cancer clinical trials between January and June 2017.  “This places WVU on the national map for clinical trials accrual,” Salkeni said.  “This shows that we offer state-of-the-art research studies that examine the role of targeted therapies for the treatment of a wide variety of cancers that affect our patient population.”

WVU Medicine-WVU Hospitals Leadership Scholarship winners announced

Three local high school graduates are the recipients of the 2017 WVU Medicine-WVU Hospitals Leadership Scholarship.  One of them is Kristen Falconi, daughter of Deborah Falconi, M.S.N., R.N., director of oncology services at the WVU Cancer Institute.

HSC Wide Evacuation Drill Coming Wednesday at 9 am

We will be having an HSC wide evacuation drill on Wednesday 7/26 at 9am. This should not take long and will be over by 9:30am.

Once the building is cleared, we will then have an all clear message and we will be back to our normal work day.

• UPD & representatives from the fire department will be assisting us
• We will work with university relations and our floor supervisors to make everyone aware/disseminate evacuation information
• *NO PATIENTS WILL BE ASKED TO EXIT THE BUILDING – THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL WILL BE HERE VERY SOON TO WALK THROUGH EACH PATIENT CARE AREA AND PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON EVACUATION PROCEDURES
  
• *any staff or faculty who requires assistance leaving the building will not be asked to leave, but to assemble at the nearest elevator

Questions about the drill should be directed to Donna Tamasco 304-293-0781

Registration still open for the WVUCI Third Annual Breast Cancer Conference

This one day conference will cover topics over the continuum of breast cancer care including the latest technology and approaches in prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship for all stages of breast cancer and will discuss the special needs of younger patients and older adults. This conference is designed for physicians, nurses, and advanced practice professionals in our community involved in women’s health who have an interest in management of quality of life challenges for the breast cancer survivor as well as current breast cancer therapies and multidisciplinary management.

Registration for this complimentary continuing education conference is still open. Please note: This conference is complimentary however, pre-registration is required as there is limited seating available.

You may contact Cancer Prevention and Control at 304-293-2370 with conference questions.

Cancer Institute Gala benefits Comfort Fund

Participants at the 2017 Cancer Institute Annual Spring Gala are helping ease the financial burden of many cancer patients undergoing treatment at WVU. Thanks to their generosity the Comfort Fund has grown by more than $56,000.   The beneficiary of this year’s Gala, the Fund provides temporary financial assistance to qualifying patients so they and their loved ones can concentrate on receiving treatment and getting better. 

Cancer Institute helps WVU students provide fun-filled week for children of cancer patients at Camp Kesem

Cancer survivorship for patients and their loved ones is an ongoing focus of WVUCI.  Jim Keresztury, Associate Director of the Cancer Prevention and Control Department serves on the advisory committee for Camp Kesem and is working with WVU students to support children who have a parent with cancer.


On June 11th, 37 excited campers and 20 eager counselors made their way to High View West Virginia, for a week of fun-filled and adventurous activities that helped build a community for children whose parents have, have had, or have passed away from cancer. Doubling in size from last year, Camp Kesem created and built on a safe space for returning and new campers alike.