UVA Cancer Center

Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, but awareness and education can make a difference. By understanding the risk factors, such as smoking and exposure to pollutants, we empower ourselves and others to make healthier choices. Early detection through screening can significantly improve outcomes, so it’s crucial to advocate for regular check-ups and pay attention to any unusual symptoms. Let’s come together to support those affected, promote research, and share vital information. Together, we can create a world where fewer lives are lost to lung cancer. Visit our website to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eXHFhQuV

We're excited to share this wonderful news from UVA Department of Public Health Sciences! Congratulations to Jamie Zoellner, PhD, RD, Professor in Public Health Sciences, for being honored this month by the Committee on Women in Medicine and Science as the October Woman of the Month. Congrats Dr. Zoellner! See this link for a spotlight on Dr. Zoellner: https://buff.ly/3YxGqQd

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our Emily Couric Registration Team wore PINK to honor those affected by Breast Cancer. Our patient access representatives are integral in all clinical settings because they are usually the first point of contact for patients and families. They are charged with providing a warm welcome for new patients, registering incoming patients, and walking them through next steps for their appointment. These representatives are the ones who help patients get clear guidance on how to progress through their appointment, what their next steps are, and how they can continue to get the help they need moving forward. Join this team in wearing PINK on 10/30, the last Wednesday of October. Pictured: Angel Thomas, CHAA | Patient Access Coordinator James C. Payne | Patient Access Specialist William Schoen | Patient Access Specialist Keysiah Brandon | Patient Access Specialist Jaylyn Parks | Patient Access Specialist Arian Scott, CHAA | Access Associate

UVACCC spotlights Tonya Fredericks, MBA, Faculty Talent Engagement Program Manager with UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion! From creating safe spaces for faculty members within our UVA Cancer Center with a Lunch and Learn series and the Pathway to Growth Mentorship and assisting Dr. Taylor with her Emerging Cancer Center Leaders Fellowship programs, Tonya loves how collaborative her work is. She believes in the power of community because “everyone deserves to feel safe in the space they are in. We are all included and important, everyone plays a role when it comes to cancer work.” Thank you, Tonya, for all that you do! #diversitymatters #diversityequityandinclusion #cancerresearch #Spotlight #uva

The bad news: beer does not cure cancer. But one of its key ingredients – a yeast that avoids starvation by going dormant – could have important implications for cancer detection and treatment. Ahmad Jomaa, PhD, Assistant Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, and colleagues discovered a never-before-seen adaptation in the S. pombe species of yeast, which has been used to brew beer for centuries. Cancer researchers have studied it because of its unique similarity to human cells. When faced with high stress, S. Pombe cells can go into a deep hibernation-like sleep. In this state, deactivated ribosomes, which usually create proteins for the cell, coat the cell’s powerhouse mitochondria, possibly protecting it from the effects of nutrient deprivation. Cancer cells can likewise go dormant, preventing the immune system from detecting them. Dr. Jomaa’s research continues using cultured cancer cells in hopes of identifying biomarkers to detect dormant cells and ultimately means to treat cancer by starving it. To learn more about Dr. Jomaa’s discovery, click here: https://lnkd.in/eh5Nxg84 #cancerresearch #UVA #mitochondria

Finishing cancer treatment can bring both relief and uncertainty. We know the physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial challenges that cancer and treatment can cause. As a cancer survivor, you have our ongoing support. We're here to help you thrive! The National Cancer Institute states "An individual is a cancer survivor from the time of diagnosis through the rest of life. There are many types of survivors, including those living with cancer and those free of cancer." The Department of Supportive Care Services is excited to announce a NEW Survivorship Resource for patients transitioning out of active treatment. Welcome to Survivorship Wellness, a FREE virtual 5-week Survivorship education webinar series. We will discuss how to develop personalized solutions that help support and improve your health and quality of life. Visit our website to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gA5X8mSZ

Introducing Dr. Hema Kher! Dr. Kher is thrilled to join the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center Psycho-Oncology team as our new psychiatrist and an Assistant Professor in UVA’s Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences. After graduating from medical school at the University of Miami, Dr. Kher completed psychiatry residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. She then completed fellowship in consultation-liaison psychiatry with a specialization in psycho-oncology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Prior to joining UVA, Dr. Kher worked at Emory University and started an inpatient psychiatry consultation service at Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta. She is board certified in general adult psychiatry and consultation-liaison psychiatry. In addition to seeing patients in the psycho-oncology clinic, Dr. Kher is a psychiatry attending on the inpatient consult service at the Medical Center. She is interested in interdisciplinary medical education and is excited to train future leaders in psycho-oncology. Dr. Kher recognizes the important role mental health plays in the management of serious medical illnesses and is looking forward to supporting patients during their treatment at ECCCC. https://lnkd.in/eR-AQsew

David F. Kashatus, PhD, has been appointed the University of Virginia School of Medicine's Assistant Dean of Research! Dr. Kashatus will support the School of Medicine’s strategic plans for research by working closely with faculty members to foster a collaborative environment for innovative and impactful research. He will assist research efforts, communicate with federal agencies, develop research proposals, and partner with University of Virginia Research to enhance research development at UVA. In addition to his new administrative role, Dr. Kashatus is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology. His lab studies how tumor development impacts the behavior of mitochondria and other metabolic organelles, and how changes in the structure and function of these organelles influence cellular physiology. His lab has made fundamental discoveries about mitochondrial structure changes in both pancreatic and lung cancer. Congratulations on your new role, Dr. Kashatus, and good luck! To learn more about Dr. Kashatus, click here: https://lnkd.in/eCaufuGi #UVA #cancerresearch #cancerbiology #schoolofmedicine

The Cancer Center is hiring! UVACCC seeks a Program Coordinator to facilitate and support education, training and mentorship activities under its Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) program. Preferred qualifications include a graduate degree in biomedical sciences, public health, education or a related field, and demonstrated experience in mentoring and grant writing. PhDs with an interest in administering training and education are encouraged to apply! To learn more, click here: https://lnkd.in/ePZfBwhY

The South Tower of UVA Health Medical Center is a symbolic beacon of hope for many in our community. For Breast Cancer Awareness month, the South Tower was lit up pink this past Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Recognizing these awareness months demonstrates our commitment to providing high quality care and instilling hope among people across the Commonwealth and beyond.