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Business Journals
4 days ago
- Health
- Business Journals
UPMC Hillman is an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center: What this means for patients
A cancer diagnosis changes someone's life—and so can the cancer center they choose for treatment. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is western Pennsylvania's only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a distinction held by just 57 centers around the country. The NCI is our nation's leading cancer authority, and its Comprehensive Cancer Center program recognizes centers that are conducting groundbreaking research to develop new and better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. For patients, treatment at an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center can mean better outcomes, according to a 2015 study of individuals with newly diagnosed adult-onset cancer. 'The advances that have been made of the past 10-plus years have really changed the landscape of cancer care,' says Stanley M. Marks, MD, UPMC Hillman's chairman. 'We can successfully treat difficult cancers now that 10 or 15 years ago, we never dreamt that we could. But in addition to better outcomes, the quality of life has improved.' NCI designation is earned, not paid for or determined by peer nomination. Centers must demonstrate excellence in research across multiple branches of science and among a multidisciplinary team. Every five to seven years, UPMC Hillman undergoes a rigorous evaluation—including an extensive grant application and assessments of its research activities—to maintain its status. expand From Bench to Bedside More than 300 UPMC Hillman scientists work together to investigate all aspects of cancer, from how it develops and behaves at the molecular level to how genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors influence someone's cancer likelihood. The team engages in bench-to-bedside practices, working collaboratively with physicians to translate promising laboratory findings into new and better therapies, diagnostic tools, and prevention strategies. UPMC Hillman experts have made groundbreaking discoveries and pioneered new treatments to improve patient care, including: Discovering two of the seven known cancer-causing viruses Being the first to use natural killer cells, a type of immune cell, against cancer Demonstrating that changing the gut microbiome through fecal transplant can enable patients with melanoma who did not previously respond to immunotherapy to successfully respond Being the first to use a synthetic vaccine called MUC-1 against cancer Creating national guidelines for exercise as a means to reduce the severity of chemotherapy symptoms Developing the first vaccine targeting ductal carcinoma in situ, a type of pre-invasive breast cancer Nationally Recognized Care in Local Communities UPMC Hillman's NCI designation extends throughout its entire network, which includes nearly 80 locations in communities throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and Maryland, well beyond its flagship facility in Pittsburgh. This means that patients can receive the latest evidence-based care and ongoing support with little or no need to travel. 'We strive for all our locations to deliver the same care the patients would receive if they came to Pittsburgh,' Dr. Marks says. 'For the most part, 90% of cancer care can be delivered in the community, and we want patients to be treated closer to home.' At UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, we understand the complexity of cancer. Learn more about our research and clinical trials here. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and is harnessing the expertise of physicians, scientists and allied health care professionals who deliver comprehensive clinical care, lead cutting-edge research, train future generations of cancer experts and engage with our communities to detect, treat and prevent cancer.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Second wave of flu sends hospitalizations surging; vaccines urged
WINDBER, Pa. – A surge in flu-related hospitalization across western Pennsylvania – the highest statewide since 2010 – has some health centers reintroducing mask mandates. Others, including officials at Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center, urged the public to consider flu vaccinations, especially for the young and very old who are at higher risk for complications. Dr. David Csikos, who serves as chief medical officer at the Windber-based medical center, said the rising caseload is particularly concerning for people already dealing with chronic issues – such as diabetes, heart disease and lung issues. Dr. David Csikos Dr. David Csikos 'That's where the risk is greatest. That's where we're seeing a lot of our cases,' Csikos said, noting the influenza's respiratory symptoms have a more severe impact on people who already have compromised health. His advice: It's not too late to get vaccinated. 'The vaccines are safe and effective,' he said, noting they work to prevent severe complications from developing with the virus. Csikos said the virus spreads annually in the colder months, and he continues advising people to get flu shots until late March. Mandates issued Several eastern Pennsylvania hospitals were operating under masking mandates for patients, visitors and staff, including University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia. UPMC's Western Maryland facilities were also under a mask mandate this week, but that did not apply to health centers in Pennsylvania, hospital officials said. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at John P. Murtha Pavillion Dr. Michael Voloshin, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at John P. Murtha Pavillion medical oncologist, shown here at the facility on Somerset Street in downtown Johnstown on Wednesday, September 7, 2022. Still, UPMC hospitals issued a statement 'strongly encouraging' masking inside all of its facilities. 'UPMC is seeing an increase in cases of respiratory viruses, including (COVID-19), influenza and RSV. To protect the health and safety of our employees, patients and visitors, everyone in our health care facilities is strongly encouraged to wear effective masks, which reduce transmission of respiratory viruses in health care settings,' UPMC officials said in a statement sent to The Tribune-Democrat. UPMC has hospitals in Pittsburgh, Bedford, Altoona and Somerset, as well as its Johnstown-based cancer center, among others. Flu cases surge The Department of Health's respiratory virus dashboard showed influenza cases surging this month. Cambria County's caseload rate was the highest in the region, with 1,234 cases reported for every 100,000 people. Nearby Somerset County had a rate of 264 per 100,000, Department of Health figures showed. RSV cases have also been high, but are declining statewide, while emergency visits for COVID cases are low statewide, CDC data indicates. Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center officials confirmed both COVID and flu cases were up in February, but 'not beyond levels we would expect this time of year,' Marketing and Communications Director Tammy Barbin said. She said hospital officials were monitoring the situation, and that masking remained voluntary as of Tuesday. 'Waning immunity' Health officials noted the statewide trend was particularly alarming for children 4 years old and younger. Just over 5.3% of the Southwest Region's emergency room visits were due to influenza cases. Within the same southwest corridor of Pennsylvania, confirmed cases almost doubled, from just over 1,700 in mid-January to 3,030 Feb. 1, data show. Csikos said a decline in vaccinations this flu season is likely playing a role. For example, CDC figures show the percentage of children who are vaccinated this season was down to less than 45%, compared to almost 60% in 2019. 'There's a waning immunity level (across the nation),' he said. Csikos said Windber medical officials are also monitoring cases locally and will consider reimplementing masking procedures inside its facilities if caseloads continue to climb.
