New England Diary

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Brown University’s big ambitions for cancer center

Rhode Island Hospital, in Providence, is the flagship institution of the Brown University-affiliated Lifespan hospital chain.

— Photo by by Kenneth C. Zirkel

From The New England Council (newenglandcouncil.com)

Brown University has partnered with a local hospital chain with the goal of establishing a state-of-the art cancer-research center in Rhode Island. The university’s research branch has partnered with Lifespan Cancer Institute’s clinical care, with the eventual goal of applying for a National Cancer Institute designation. Such a designation would allow for further funding and increase the type and amount of clinical trials the research institute could conduct.

“Dr. Wafik El-Deiry, the director of the Cancer Center at Brown University, recently spoke to The Boston Globe about his excitement for the development of this program at the university. ‘There really wasn’t too much development yet before [the center] at Brown because there was no story,’ he said.   ‘There wasn’t a program… to really make a difference and get to where we need to go, we have to grow. We need to recruit, we need space, and we need resources. And now, with Brown’s support, all of that is really coming together,’ he told The Globe.

“As this program grows, there is optimism that Rhode Island could become a prime cancer-care destination. The program is expected to soon start attracting brilliant individuals who seek to advance the future of medicine and cancer care. This program aims to establish the Ocean State a top location for research, learning, and care.’’