Chancellor Robert Hemenway has had a profound impact on the success of the Medical Center over the last 14 years.
Perhaps his most dramatic influence was declaring NCI designation as the University’s No. 1 priority. Since that time, we’ve seen tremendous progress with our Cancer Center, including receiving our application date from the NCI.
Another major accomplishment under the leadership of Hemenway was the Johnson County Education Research Triangle tax, which will allow us to create a Clinical Research Facility with an estimated revenue of $5 million annually.
With his guidance, there have also been major expansions and renovations at KUMC to improve our education and research capabilities: the new School of Nursing building, the state-of-the-art Kansas Life Sciences and Innovation Center, and the expansion of the School of Pharmacy in Wichita.
During his tenure, we’ve also seen high rankings in U.S. News and World Report for the Schools of Nursing and Allied Health.
Finally, the Chancellor’s vision and courage to advocate for the separation of the Hospital from the state system has allowed it to thrive in patient care and employee recruitment, and has helped us provide a better educational setting for our residents and students.
I’ve only included a small number of his significant achievements, but I know that I speak for everyone here when I say words cannot express my gratitude for Bob’s dedication to this institution and state.
Thank you, Chancellor.
Rita Clifford, RN, PhD, associate dean of student affairs for the SON, talks with Chancellor Hemenway and his wife, Leah. See a video tribute to Hemenway from KUMC faculty members and read more about his accomplishments as Chancellor.
Kudos
Darryl Quarles, MD, professor of nephrology, director of the Kidney Institute, and director of the Institute for Molecular and Outcomes Medicine, has been given the honor of presenting the Jack W. Coburn Endowed Lectureship titled “FGF23 and Its Receptors: Lessons from Studies in Mice” at the American Society of Nephrology's annual meeting. Congratulations, Dr. Quarles.
Education
The 3rd Annual Ziegler Professorship Lecture - "Gene Therapy in Muscular Dystrophy Showing Promise for Vascular Delivery" - by Jerry Mendell, MD, director for the Center for Gene Therapy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, will take place at 8 a.m. Friday, June 19 in the Lied Auditorium at KUMC.
Other Items of Interest
I want to extend my condolences to family and friends of Bob Frederick, PhD, assistant professor in Health, Sport, and Exercise Science and former athletics director at KU, who passed away last week. His wife Margey has led many of us on the Wheat State Whirlwind Tour. Bob continued his commitment to others by donating his organs and saving three other people.
Research
Congratulations to Blake Peterson, PhD, Regents Distinguished Professor in medicinal chemistry at KU, on his $1 million RO-1 NCI grant renewal to construct an anti-cancer drug delivery system. This four-year grant will allow Dr. Peterson to look at developing synthetic cell surface receptors as a new tool for drug delivery and study small molecule-protein interactions to generate potential therapeutic leads. Read more.
Midwest Cancer Alliance Clinical Trials Network has launched a patient navigator pilot program on the Wichita campus to help patients understand what services are available to them. Read more.
Community
KUMC faculty, staff and students are great volunteers in the Wyandotte County community. This year, those employees and students who volunteer at least 10 hours are eligible for prizes. Submit your volunteer hours.