September/October – Volume 1, Issue 5
New Director Joins Lombardi Cancer Center
Richard Pestell, MD, PhD, an internationally renowned cancer
researcher, has joined Lombardi Cancer Center as its new director and chair
of Oncology. He brings experience, commitment and a passion for Georgetown's
Commitment to Caring philosophy to his new post.
"Lombardi already has a reputation for excellence, and I want to build
on that reputation to make this one of the top cancer centers in the country,"
he said. "We have everything in place to do just that."
Dr. Pestell assumed his new duties Sept. 3. He takes over from Kevin Cullen,
MD, who has served as interim director since October 2000, and will continue
his extensive research into cancers of the head and neck. As director of Lombardi
and chair of the Department of Oncology, Dr. Pestell will provide leadership
for all research and educational functions. In addition, he will work closely
with Georgetown University Hospital to coordinate the provision of clinical
care to cancer patients.
"The recruitment of Dr. Pestell marks the conclusion of a nationwide search
for a director whose talents and vision are aligned with Lombardi's mission
and goals," said J. Richard Gaintner, MD, VP for Health Sciences, GU Medical
Center. "Dr. Pestell brings an exceptionally accomplished scientific background,
proven leadership skills, and a deep commitment to research, clinical and educational
excellence."
Dr. Pestell outlined three broad goals for his stewardship-first and foremost
to enhance the quality of patient care to the cancer population, to improve
the detection of cancer by identifying new molecular markers and to institute
cancer treatment earlier, thereby reducing mortality.
More specifically, future plans for Lombardi include the establishment of an
oncology-genetics program, enhanced capabilities in biochemistry and molecular
epidemiology, creation of a technologically advanced nationally renowned molecular
pathology laboratory, enhancement of the biostatistics and bioinformatics capabilities,
development of transgenic research in human models of cancer and disease, a
new type of program in medicinal chemistry and recruitment of outstanding senior
faculty members, especially basic science researchers. The physical environment
of Georgetown and the University is a great attraction for well-funded investigators
who, in turn, can thereby readily recruit their staff. "Georgetown University
and Medstar are together committed to the success of this mission," Dr.
Pestell said.
An Australian with more than 20 years of experience as a clinician, researcher
and academic leader, Dr. Pestell is well suited to lead Lombardi. He finds it
a "natural fit. The Lombardi Cancer Center puts patient care first, and
that struck a chord with me."
Dr. Pestell believes that Georgetown provides the perfect setting to further
his goals. "Georgetown has an ideal structure for building inter-institutional
collaborative studies and trials," he noted. He counts Georgetown's affiliation
with MedStar Health and its collaboration with other MedStar hospitals as a
unique strength. He also noted that Georgetown has an ethnically diverse patient
population. This provides an important opportunity to enhance the quality of
health-care delivery to all ethnic groups. Finally, Georgetown's location in
the nation's capital, with easy access to the National Institutes of Health,
the National Cancer Institute, and national leadership, are strong assets.
Throughout his career, Dr. Pestell has pursued research that aims to prevent,
speed diagnosis and improve treatment of cancer. He has made significant contributions
to the understanding of cell cycle regulation and the disturbances that can
lead to the malignant transformation of cells. His current research efforts
include the search to identify molecular markers of premalignant disease to
harness preventive approaches to cancer.
Further, he is focusing on the development of new non-toxic cancer therapies
that specifically target tumors and reduce side effects. He has particular expertise
in hormonally responsive tumors, including breast and prostate cancer, and is
working to discover novel nontoxic therapies for these common cancers.
Dr. Pestell aims to use his research skills to improve clinical care at Georgetown
University Hospital. "We can have a significant impact in the area of cancer
treatment," he said. "Georgetown has an outstanding gifted and dedicated
clinical staff. I'm very impressed with the quality of our hematology and oncology
clinicians. There is a very active clinical trials portfolio and a genuine caring
philosophy shared by all the staff."
Georgetown's Commitment to Caring philosophy, in fact, has been a real draw.
"Georgetown's philosophy of dedication to quality patient care unifies
and provides a special dignity to the place," Dr. Pestell explained. "It's
quite unusual.
"This is the way I was raised," he continued. "My father was
a cancer surgeon. He had the St. Francis' prayer above his desk-'Lord, make
me an instrument of your peace.'
I have the same devotion to patient care. It's our privilege to be helping patients."
"The recruitment of Dr. Pestell will help realize the extraordinary potential
of Georgetown University's partnership with the Hospital and MedStar Health,"
said M. Joy Drass, MD, president of Georgetown University Hospital. "Under
his leadership, Lombardi will continue to strengthen its already outstanding
clinical services to thousands of patients we treat each year."
-C. Avery
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Sept/Oct 2002
