Newswise — Those suffering from cancer in the DC metropolitan area now have expanded services, more treatment options and a comfortable place to receive clinical care, thanks to the new Dr. Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen Cancer Research Center. Today, a ceremonial ribbon cutting will take place at The George Washington University Medical Center's Medical Faculty Associates building to dedicate the Center, which will add cancer care resources to downtown Washington, D.C., as well as expand GW's cancer research capacity.
"The Katzen Cancer Research Center represents our University's commitment to be a leader in the fight against cancer," said GW President Steven Knapp. "Because of the generosity of the Katzen family we will be able to expand our cutting-edge cancer research and improve cancer treatments for our patients."
Dr. Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen founded the Center through a $10 million gift to the GW Medical Center because they wanted to give back to an institution that is central to the vitality of the nation's capital. The Katzens have had a longstanding relationship with GW and the GW Medical Center. Six members of the Katzen family have attended GW, four of whom earned medical degrees. Dr. Katzen has often spoken of the high quality of care his late wife, Sylvia, received at GW during her 10-year battle with cancer.
The Katzen Center will bring the most up-to-date technology and treatment options to patients being served by the GW Medical Center. It also will offer patients more convenience in scheduling and receiving their cancer treatment, doubling the number of cancer infusion chairs and expanding the number of clinical rooms. In addition, GW has added more nurses and administrative staff to accommodate the increase in patients. The Center features an "inspired by nature" organic design to create a calming, healing environment for patients receiving treatment.
The Center will also foster pioneering scientific research and advanced education dedicated to improving the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer. To carry out this mission, the Center is equipped with four infusion chairs set aside to be used specifically for cancer research. The state-of-the-art facility and expanded space will allow for more clinical research to take place at GW, which will expand the research agenda of the Medical Center's cancer division. In addition, the Center's research opportunities will enhance recruitment of top scholars in the field, increasing the depth of faculty with sub-specialties.
The Katzen Cancer Research Center supports the Medical Center's priorities, which are: continuing to improve quality of care, expanding the body of knowledge in support of a cure, and advancing the development of focused research and treatment programs.
About The George Washington University Medical CenterThe George Washington University Medical Center is an internationally recognized interdisciplinary academic health center that has consistently provided high-quality medical care in the Washington, DC metropolitan area since 1824. The Medical Center comprises the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, the 11th oldest medical school in the country; the School of Public Health and Health Services, the only such school in the nation's capital; GW Hospital, jointly owned and operated by a partnership between The George Washington University and a subsidiary of Universal Health Services, Inc.; and the GW Medical Faculty Associates, an independent faculty practice plan. For more information on GWUMC, visit www.gwumc.edu.
RSS