Through our people, we engage. Employees are the backbone of our organization, providing the skills, dedication and commitment necessary to achieve goals. The collective contributions of our researchers, physicians, nurses and support staff play a pivotal role in our cancer center. Their collective contributions foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation to improve cancer outcomes and fulfill our mission as a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center.
Our mission includes everyone and does not maintain a singular focus on luminary scientists and their significant contributions. We understand that today’s research funding organizations look to promising young investigators as the next generation of scientific leaders and provide their support accordingly. Knowing this, we actively nurture the research careers of our junior faculty members through grants from the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute. This ensures our thought leadership for the future.
We also maintain strong leadership for personal growth and resilience. In 2023, several researchers garnered accolades and top positions with U.S. cancer organizations. Frank Penedo, Ph.D., associate director for population sciences, has been elected to serve on the National Advisory Council on Minority Health Disparities, further amplifying our presence and influence in addressing critical issues in cancer prevention, control and health disparities at the national level. In the new role, Dr. Penedo will help set national research priorities at the National Institutes of Health for addressing health disparities. Peter Hosein, M.D., an oncologist and researcher at Sylvester, was appointed to the scientific and medical advisory board of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) for a three-year term. Dr. Hosein’s expertise, particularly in immunotherapy, aligns with PanCAN’s goal of improving patient outcomes and early detection initiatives through innovative research approaches.
Our thought leaders are also mentors, and this is crucial for cancer research as it ensures the transfer of knowledge, expertise and best practices from those with experience to the next generation of scientists. Additionally, mentorship provides invaluable support and guidance for early-career researchers, helping them navigate the complex landscape of cancer research and professional networks.
While the mentor-mentee structure is a cornerstone of our center, all scientists are encouraged and supported. This year’s Zubrod Memorial Lecture celebrated exceptional cancer research featuring Sylvester faculty members and introduced a new award category for early-stage investigators. The event also showcased more than 100 scientific posters, highlighting the breadth and depth of our innovative research in the field.
We engage with our patients through our employees with medical expertise, hope, empathy and unwavering support. While we pursue cancer cures, we are determined to equip survivors with resilience and optimism. Through compassion, we seek understanding and are committed to empowering all who come to us.