The Forefront - Winter 2024

WINTER 2023-24

SPECIAL SECTION

Health, Science & Wellness

PAGES 9-12

How CAR T-cell therapy helped 72-year-old lymphoma patient Therese McGee become cancer-free PAGE 5

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

What you need to know about RSV PAGE 3

Surgery, dramatic weight loss transforms patient’s life PAGE 8

Multiple sclerosis: causes, symptoms and treatments PAGE 17

INSIDE THIS ISSUE / WINTER 2023-24

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GET THE FACTS ABOUT INFERTILITY

Cover photo by Nancy Wong

Discover the symptoms, causes and several ways our experts can help.

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ON THE COVER

Therese McGee, pictured with husband Bob, is in remission from lymphoma after undergoing a revolutionary CAR T-cell treatment that trained her body to fight the disease.

‘I SURVIVED THE UNSURVIVABLE’ Sarah Casalan Bittle suffered a massive heart attack after feeling subtle symptoms more common in women. Learn to spot the signs.

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NAVIGATE THE TRANSPLANT JOURNEY

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How to find an organ transplant center that’s right for you.

GREETINGS FROM THE FOREFRONT

A new home for cancer care According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 3 people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. Chances are that you or someone you love may have experienced a cancer diagnosis and its devastating effects.

At the University of Chicago Medicine, our role as Illinois’ No. 1 cancer provider isn’t just an honor we celebrate. It’s a calling — to find cures, to shape the future of care and to ease the burdens of diagnosis and treatment, especially in underserved communities.

To help accomplish this big mission, we’ve broken ground on Chicago’s first freestanding cancer center. Our new pavilion, set to open in 2027, will build upon decades of research and our prestigious designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center from the National Cancer Institute.

Our facility’s design is influenced by extensive feedback from hundreds of cancer patients, survivors, faith leaders, neighbors and the UChicago Medicine Community Advisory Council. We also gave special attention to groups affected by known cancer disparities.

These ongoing efforts help us tackle cancer by focusing on patients as individuals, not just their disease states. (Read more about the pavilion on Page 9.)

In this issue, we also share the story of Therese McGee, 72, whose lymphoma has been in remission for two years thanks to CAR T-cell therapy, an immunotherapy treatment that harnesses the body’s power to recognize and attack disease — a breakthrough pioneered here at UChicago Medicine.

All healthcare is personal, but cancer hits especially close to home. We look forward to sharing more about our expanding approach to cancer care and its potential to affect the human experience for so many across the Chicagoland area.

With much gratitude for your support.

LEGAL AID AT THE BEDSIDE A new program provides in-hospital legal support for trauma patients injured by violence.

Tom Jackiewicz President, University of Chicago Health System

The Forefront magazine features stories about life-changing care and breakthroughs in medical research at the University of Chicago Medicine, Biological Sciences Division and the Pritzker School of Medicine.

Mark Anderson, MD, PhD Dean of the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division and the Pritzker School of Medicine and Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs Thomas E. Jackiewicz President, University of Chicago Health System

Editor: Kevin Joy Assistant Editor: Angela Wells O’Connor Art Director: Ken Rickard

Main number: 1-773-702-1000 Appointments: 1-888-824-0200

Contributing editors and writers: Jamie Bartosch, Cassandra Belek, Kat Carlton, Alexis Hayes, Ashley Heher, Natalie Helms, Danielle Narcisse, Grace Niewijk, Sarah Richards and Sarah Sargent

Adult care: UChicagoMedicine.org Children’s care: ComerChildrens.org Science, health and wellness news: UChicagoMedicine.org/Forefront

Contributing photographers: Erika Bracey, Jimmy Fishbein, Jordan Porter-Woodruff, Eddie Quiñones and Nancy Wong

Visit our website for more information:

Read The Forefront online at UChicagoMedicine.org/TheForefront Facebook.com/UChicagoMed Instagram.com/UChicagoMed X.com/UChicagoMed (formerly Twitter)

Email: ImagineEditor@UChicagoMedicine.org This publication does not provide medical advice or treatment suggestions. If you have medical problems or concerns, contact a physician, who will determine your treatment.

Do not delay seeking medical advice because of something you read here. For urgent needs, call 911.

Stress and stomach pain: When to see a specialist

‘Winterize’ your joints Chilly winter weather is often associated with stiffness, aches and pains.

It isn’t clear why some people react to weather changes, but there are simple protective steps you can take as temperatures drop. » Dress in layers » Exercise to build muscle and bone strength » Maintain a healthy weight to decrease stress on your joints » Avoid unnecessary strain during activities » Apply heating pads to painful areas » Stay active indoors and outdoors » Stretch before going outside to loosen joints » Get restful sleep, eat healthfully and keep a positive outlook If you experience new or unusual symptoms — such as persistent swelling, redness or difficulty putting pressure on the joint — consult your doctor. Seek immediate medical care for severe or disabling pain.

Do you feel a knot in your stomach when you’re worried or stressed? Do nerves give you butterflies? If so, you’re not alone.

University of Nina Gupta, MD Chicago Medicine gastroenterologist Nina Gupta, MD, explains the connection — and when to seek professional help.

WHY DOES STRESS CAUSE PAIN?

We know there is a strong connection between our brain and our gut. When we’re stressed, hormones and neurotransmitters are released. This can negatively impact gut motility, or the way our intestines and stomach squeeze and move waste through the body. Stress also can affect the delicate balance of bacteria in our gut, causing gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort.

WHEN SHOULD I SEE A DOCTOR?

Visit your primary care physician at least once a year. Tell them if you often have stomach pain or GI discomfort. They may refer you to a gastroenterologist who can evaluate for and treat a variety of conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

WHAT SYMPTOMS MIGHT SUGGEST A MORE SERIOUS CONDITION?

Weight loss; blood in the stool; black, tarry stools; or abnormal lab values (that can reveal anemia) could indicate something more serious is occurring. Any chronic GI symptoms will likely warrant an evaluation from a specialist and additional testing.

DO I NEED A CANCER SCREENING?

As of 2021, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and major GI medical societies recommend adults at average risk for colorectal cancer are regularly screened starting at age 45. People with a family history of colorectal or other GI tract cancers, or a history of GI conditions, may need routine cancer screenings earlier.

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Studying the brains of ‘SuperAgers’ Aging and dementia top the list of health concerns among Americans surveyed, surpassing cancer, heart disease and stroke. The new University of Chicago Healthy Aging & Alzheimer’s Research Care Center will serve as a research hub to uncover factors that contribute to mental acuity and the avoidance of Alzheimer’s and related diseases.

Kimberly Kenton, MD, front, is the health system’s new Chief of the Section of Gynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery. Also at the new clinic are, rear from left, Margaret Mueller, MD, Sarah Collins, MD, and Christina Lewicky-Gaupp, MD.

New clinic caters to women’s health The University of Chicago Medicine has opened its first women’s health clinic in Chicago’s northern suburbs. The new urogynecology outpatient center, temporarily located in Glenview before a permanent move to Northbrook in early 2024, is home to four leading UChicago Medicine surgeon-scientists, all of whom provide complex care for patients with pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and fecal incontinence, genitourinary and rectovaginal fistulas, and complex pelvic floor disorders. To make an appointment, call 773-795-8777.

Four oncology centers acquired in Northwest Indiana

UChicago Medicine Kenwood

Primary care on the South Side Two new primary care locations have opened in Chicago’s South Side. UChicago Medicine family medicine physicians and Comer Children’s Hospital general pediatricians are now available at 5500 S. Cottage Grove Ave. UChicago Medicine Medical Group internal medicine is now available at 4646 S. Drexel Blvd. in Kenwood. Senior care services, including primary care and other integrated specialties for patients 55 and older, will also be available next year at the Kenwood location.

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The University of Chicago Medicine has acquired four regional oncology centers from Michiana Hematology Oncology in Chesterton, Crown Point, Hobart and Valparaiso. Patients who previously received care at these locations, which offer services such as chemotherapy infusion, will continue to be treated by their same doctors and clinicians.

The Crown Point and Hobart facilities will move into UChicago Medicine’s new multispecialty care center and microhospital in Crown Point, located at I-65 and 109th Avenue, when it opens in 2024.

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Emily Rogalski, PhD, who joined UChicago as a Professor of Neurology in September, will head the center.

10 specialties recognized by U.S. News & World Report The University of Chicago Medical Center ranks among the nation’s best in 10 specialties, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-24 Best Hospitals list. The Medical Center also received “high performing” ratings in 18 common adult procedures and conditions, up from 14 last year. The Medical Center is one of just 24 hospitals to have 10 or more specialties in the top 50, and its cancer program is now ranked the best in Illinois.

» Cancer (16) » Gastroenterology and GI surgery (22)

» Diabetes and endocrinology (23) » OB-gynecology (28) » Pulmonology and lung surgery (30) » Ear, nose and throat (32) » Cardiology, heart and vascular surgery (38)

» Geriatrics (43) » Neurology and neurosurgery (47) » Urology (49)

Protect your loved ones against RSV Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that can cause infections in the nose, throat, lungs and respiratory tract. It is transmitted through close person-to-person contact.

The virus, though common, can be serious: As many as 3% of babies will become so sick from RSV they require hospitalization, making this infection the leading cause of hospitalization of infants in the United States.

Almost all children are infected with RSV by age 2, and reinfections may occur at all ages.

It can be more severe for very young children, older adults and people with chronic health problems.

HOW IS RSV DIFFERENT FROM COVID-19, A COLD OR THE FLU?

RSV symptoms can mimic other contagious respiratory viruses, and they may come in stages. Signs include runny nose, low appetite, coughing and wheezing, sneezing and fever. Get help immediately if your child has trouble breathing or if their lips, skin or tongue turns blue or gray.

WHAT CAN PARENTS DO TO PROTECT NEWBORNS?

Babies born during RSV season may be given nirsevimab (Beyfortus), a one-time injection that decreases the risk of hospitalization by almost 80% in infants.

(Infants born before RSV season can get it at their doctor’s office.) This is not a vaccine; it’s a preformed antibody to fight off RSV infections immediately, and it remains effective for five or six months.

HOW CAN I PREVENT TRANSMISSION?

Practice good hygiene, disinfect surfaces and stay home when sick. If you’re 60 years or older, you are eligible for one of two new RSV vaccines — thus helping prevent new cases that could be transmitted to infants.

Talk to your doctor about vaccine options.

IS THERE A TREATMENT FOR RSV?

Similar to many other respiratory viruses, there is no specific treatment. Over-thecounter fever and pain medication may provide relief for mild cases. Your child’s doctor can help identify medications and dosages that are safe for children. Offer plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

WHEN IS MEDICAL CARE NECESSARY?

If RSV symptoms start to worsen, contact your healthcare provider. For premature babies, infants 6 months or younger, and children with weakened immune systems, RSV infection can lead to severe illness.

Young patients may need to be hospitalized while they receive oxygen support and/or intravenous fluids.

Comer Children’s offers protection for all newborns The University of Chicago Medicine has launched a sweeping program to provide newborns with a new, targeted drug therapy to protect against the potentially fatal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

All babies born during the fall and winter RSV season at UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital and UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital will be offered the nirsevimab (Beyfortus) injection, a preformed antibody designed to immediately fight off RSV infections.

The injection was approved last summer by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“By offering parents the chance to protect their babies right away, we’re saving families weeks of potential Allison Bartlett, MD vulnerability and giving children a leg up when they’re most susceptible to infection,” said Allison Bartlett, MD, Chief Quality Officer at Comer Children’s Hospital and a pediatric infectious diseases specialist.

The injection will also be available in UChicago Medicine’s pediatric and family medicine outpatient offices for infants and high-risk children who qualify. In addition, UChicago Medicine is offering two newly approved RSV vaccinations to eligible adults.

The CDC has alerted providers that RSV drugs are in short supply.

UChicago Medicine will prioritize delivery of the injection to infants at birth. It is also highly recommended that patients receive an RSV vaccination during pregnancy.

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A. Musa Zamah, MD, PhD

Get the facts about infertility One in eight heterosexual couples who are trying to get pregnant are affected by infertility, which is the inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse. Overall, 12% to 15% of people are infertile.

A. Musa Zamah, MD, PhD, Chief of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of Chicago Medicine, shares key facts to know about the condition.

WHAT SYMPTOMS CAN REVEAL INFERTILITY?

Women may experience pelvic pain, heavy periods, skipped periods or unpredictable vaginal bleeding. Tell your doctor about any unusual symptoms; they could represent hormonal conditions that should be addressed, even if you aren’t trying to conceive.

WHAT ARE COMMON CAUSES OF INFERTILITY?

Problems with ovulation, structural issues in the uterus or fallopian tubes, or abnormalities in sperm. In females, medical conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine polyps or a history of pelvic infections are often associated with infertility.

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CAN YOU BE INFERTILE IF YOU HAVE A PERIOD?

Regular, predictable periods are a good indicator that you ovulate. But ovulation alone does not guarantee that you can get pregnant. There may be an issue with egg quality, how the egg is fertilized, its ability to be transported to the uterus, or how the egg becomes implanted in the uterus.

WHO CAN HELP WITH MY INFERTILITY?

If either partner is over 35, see a fertility specialist after six months. Those older than 40 should go right away. First steps may involve blood tests, a pelvic ultrasound and semen analysis. At UChicago Medicine’s Center for Reproductive Medicine and Fertility, providers take a personalized approach and explore every possible option.

DOES INFERTILITY HAVE A CURE?

There’s no cure, but it is treatable. In many cases, factors that lead to infertility can be overcome with intrauterine insemination (IUI) — inserting sperm into the uterus via a catheter — or in vitro fertilization (IVF), a process where mature eggs are removed from the body and fertilized with sperm to create an embryo placed into the uterus.

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World-class fertility services Whether you’re ready to grow your family or planning for the future, the University of Chicago Medicine Center for Reproductive Medicine and Fertility can help. » Fertility testing » Fertility preservation » Infertility treatment » Intrauterine insemination » In vitro fertilization » Male infertility » Recurrent pregnancy loss » Third-party reproduction To make an appointment, call 773-702-6642

Therese McGee

Strength from within Thanks to her own ‘supercharged’ white blood cells, a cancer patient is in remission after revolutionary CAR T-cell therapy

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ays after she was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Therese McGee received even worse news: The cancer was advanced and it had spread all over her body.

University of Chicago Medicine oncologist Sonali Smith, MD, vowed that she and her team of lymphoma experts would do everything in their power to help the Kenwood resident.

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Smith took McGee’s hand and told her, “We’re gonna get this.”

And they did, using CAR T-cell therapy.

The revolutionary cancer treatment involves removing a patient’s own T cells (a type of white blood cell) and genetically engineering them with an antibody-like protein called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR).

What if our immune system could treat cancer cells like they were just germs?

CHIMERIC ANTIGEN RECEPTOR (CAR) T-cell therapy uses re-engineered versions of a patient’s cells to find cancer cells and defeat them with minimal damage to healthy cells.

The engineered cells are then returned to the patient’s body — a process that takes less than 30 minutes — and sent on a mission to find and destroy cancer cells naturally.

Sonali Smith, MD

Put another way, the therapy trains a patient’s own immune system to attack the cancer, similar to how it might fight a cold.

McGee, now 72, has been in remission from lymphoma since October 2021.

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T cells (the workhorse of the immune system) are collected from the patient’s blood.

OPTION FOR OLDER PATIENTS

Before McGee received CAR T-cell therapy, she underwent aggressive chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant and other treatments. Each one knocked out her cancer only temporarily.

Some doctors hesitate to use CAR T-cell therapy on patients over age 65 because the clinical trials that led to its FDA approval largely included younger, healthier patients, said UChicago Medicine lymphoma specialist Peter Riedell, MD, one of McGee’s physicians.

Many of those trials were conducted at UChicago Medicine.

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Scientists insert instructions that enable those T cells to find specific cancer cells.

However, more recent studies have shown that CAR T-cell therapy can benefit older patients.

“We can still get older patients safely through this treatment, and it can lead to encouraging long-term outcomes,” Riedell said.

The chances of lasting remission with CAR T-cell therapy now stand between 30% and 40%, Smith said. It’s been successfully used to treat many UChicago Medicine lymphoma patients, including some older than 65.

Still, older patients can have more difficulty with potential side effects. These may include a weakened immune system, flu-like symptoms and neurologic toxicity — a complication that can result in temporary confusion, difficulty speaking and headaches.

“It’s a manageable toxicity that can improve with time, but it can be serious,” Riedell said. “CAR T is not for every single patient.”

STRENGTH AND DETERMINATION

After McGee’s doctors carefully explained CAR T-cell therapy and its potential risks, the patient — then 68 — decided to try it. Her insurance and subsidies from a study she was enrolled in helped cover the cost. Plus, she had a strong support system, especially her husband of 50 years, Bob.

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While the T cells multiply in the lab, the patient receives chemotherapy to reduce the number of cancer cells.

“She was determined to beat this,” Smith said.

“Therese is a fighter.”

Who is a candidate for CAR T-cell therapy?

McGee’s T-cells were removed, engineered by a pharmaceutical company and returned to her bloodstream four weeks later.

Adult patients with certain types of Hodgkin and nonHodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukemia. Eligible patients typically do not respond to standard therapy or have relapsed after at least two other kinds of treatment.

CAR T-cell therapy is available for children with acute lymphoblastic (lymphocytic) leukemia.

Several hurdles soon followed. She developed cytokine release syndrome, a potentially dangerous side effect where the immune system overreacts, and she experienced neurologic toxicity.

“I was going in and out of consciousness,” McGee said. “People from church were calling and texting and praying for me.”

Large doses of steroids stabilized her condition.

McGee has some lingering memory problems and her immune system remains weak, but it is improving, she said.

‘AN INCREDIBLE BLESSING’

McGee found support in UChicago Medicine’s Transplant Optimization Program, a first-of-its-kind initiative to help adults age 70 and up receiving CAR T-cell therapy (or people over 50 undergoing stem cell transplants) with everything from physical therapy to managing illnesses.

McGee also relied on the Oncology Rapid Assessment Clinic, where she could quickly get an in-person appointment with a doctor or advanced practice nurse, sometimes within an hour.

Through it all, McGee never lost faith in the care team who helped her resume a normal life. She can now drive, work part time, attend Bible class and visit with friends and family.

“I just feel so grateful,” McGee said. “I thank God for my UChicago Medicine care team. Their expertise has been an incredible blessing.”

Therese McGee with her husband, Bob

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The engineered T cells are returned to the patient’s bloodstream, where they seek out and kill remaining cancer cells.

What can I expect during — and after — treatment?

Patients typically do not lose their hair or experience some of the other common side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting.

Once treatment is complete, the risk of cancer recurrence is considered low.

Patients can be monitored by their primary physician while staying in communication with UChicago Medicine’s CAR T-cell therapy team.

Can it be used for other cancers?

CAR T-cell therapy has the potential to change the course of treatment for many types of cancer.

The approach is still relatively new and requires more research. We are actively investigating the expansion of CAR T-cell therapy to treat other types of blood cancers as well as solid tumor cancers — including cervical, head and neck, and non-small cell lung cancers.

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From size 5X to medium Bariatric surgery and lifestyle changes support big transformation Matt Wingard felt stuck. The downtown Chicago resident faced prediabetes and high blood pressure, among other issues, after several unsuccessful attempts to lose weight.

Weighing 425 pounds, Wingard got approval from his health insurance to receive duodenal switch (DS) surgery at the University of Chicago Medicine.

It is one of several types of bariatric surgery.

The recommended option varies by patient, and doctors consider a number of factors. DS surgery is typically reserved for patients who have a BMI higher than 50, who want to lose 200 pounds or more, or Vivek N. who have very Prachand, MD severe diabetes.

Although DS surgeries make up just 2% of weight-loss operations in the United States — many of which are performed at UChicago Medicine — they are among the most effective bariatric surgeries available, with a 90% success rate.

Matt Wingard poses before a race with his cousin, when he weighed more than 400 pounds.

Today, he runs races himself, now weighing 175 pounds after duodenal switch surgery.

Bariatric surgery FAQs Who is typically eligible?

Individuals with a BMI greater than 40 — or between 35 and 40 with major obesity-related medical problems — or with failed attempts in a medically supervised weight-loss program.

How much weight will I lose?

Adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band) patients usually lose weight more slowly the first year than gastric bypass (RYGB) or duodenal switch (DS) patients. Age, gender and starting BMI also can affect results.

Is surgery right for everyone?

A full evaluation and discussion with the patient will occur before the procedure. This is a life-altering decision; individuals must commit to longterm lifestyle and dietary changes.

MAKING THE COMMITMENT

Prior to surgery, a psychologist on the UChicago Medicine Bariatric Surgery team determines whether a patient is ready to make significant lifestyle and dietary changes.

“We talked about my habits and my relationship with food,” said Wingard, who was 52 at the time. “I was very honest, which you’re supposed to be, and the psychiatrist told me, ‘I’m sorry, I don’t think you’re ready.’”

Wingard met weekly with a psychologist and worked to get his diet back on track — a shift he called “an awakening.”

“Part of this process is making sure a person is emotionally and mentally ready,” said UChicago Medicine surgeon Vivek N.

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Prachand, MD, an expert in minimally invasive obesity surgery. “These operations are a tool, not a cure.”

After a follow-up evaluation several months later, Wingard was approved.

A LIFE TRANSFORMED

For the surgery, Prachand made incisions less than a half-inch long to reduce the size of Wingard’s stomach by about 80%.

A congenital abnormality in Wingard’s small intestine led Prachand to perform a slight variation called a loop (or SADI-S or SIPS) DS to avoid more complex surgery involving the small intestine.

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The surgery significantly decreased Wingard’s appetite. The man who said he could once “crush” an entire pizza now struggled to finish two tiny bites of pureed chicken.

But his body and mind adjusted. Wingard works out regularly, sees a personal trainer and enjoys healthy foods in moderation. When dining out, the 55-year-old orders what looks good and packages up the leftovers.

Today, Wingard weighs 175 pounds. He had surgery to remove excess skin, and he has gone from wearing a size 5X to a medium — the same as his 25-year-old son.

“It has transformed my life,” said Wingard, who last summer completed a 10-mile charity run at Soldier Field.

THE FUTURE OF CANCER CARE

The University of Chicago Medicine has broken ground on an $815 million project to build the state’s first and only standalone structure dedicated to cancer care and research.

The 575,000-square-foot space will be housed on the academic health system’s flagship campus in Hyde Park, adding to an emerging ecosystem of healthcare on the South Side.

The freestanding, seven-story pavilion builds upon the university’s decades of work and leadership in cancer research — as well as a prestigious Comprehensive Cancer Center designation from the National Cancer Institute.

Expected to open to patients in spring 2027, the facility will allow UChicago Medicine’s nationally recognized experts to better collaborate with others across the University of Chicago.

The goal: to dramatically improve the experience for patients with cancer, reduce health disparities in underserved communities and accelerate new discoveries.

READ MORE ABOUT THE PAVILION ON THE NEXT PAGE

A rendering of the pavilion at 57th Street and Drexel Avenue

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» No. 1 ranked cancer program in the state by U.S. News & World Report » More than 200 cancer specialists caring for patients of all ages » Just one of two NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in Illinois (and 72 nationwide) » The nation’s first certified site for FDA-approved CAR T-cell therapies for specific blood cancers » More than 300 open therapeutic cancer clinical trials enrolling more than 1,000 participants annually

A rendering of the pavilion’s lobby atrium

BIG MISSION, PERSONAL APPROACH ‘This new pavilion will advance scientific discovery so we can find cures, shape the future of oncology care and treatment, and reduce the cancer burden in the communities that we serve.’

Tom Jackiewicz, President University of Chicago Health System

‘We will leverage our location on the University of Chicago campus and our 50-year status as a National Cancer Institutedesignated Cancer Center to answer cancer’s hardest questions.’

Kunle Odunsi, MD, PhD Director, UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center

‘Through long-standing and new partnerships with community organizations and health centers, we hope to address disparities along the entire cancer continuum.’

Nita Karnik Lee, MD, MPH Associate Director for Community Outreach and Engagement, UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center

TACKLING CANCER’S WIDESPREAD TOLL The new cancer facility is where community hospitals and the University of Chicago Medicine will play essential roles in ensuring residents get the right care — at the right place and the right time.

With space for 80 inpatient beds, 90 outpatient exam rooms and dedicated imaging, infusion and clinical trial spaces, the pavilion comes at a critical moment.

Cancer rates are expected to grow by 49% between 2015 and 2050 in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The numbers are even more daunting on the South Side, where cancer rates are projected to climb 19% in the next decade alone, compared with 9% in the rest of the Chicago area. South Side residents are twice as likely to die from cancer as people living in the rest of the country.

As one of only two National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in Illinois and the only academic medical center on the city’s South Side, UChicago Medicine is uniquely positioned to improve cancer care and outcomes in Chicago and the communities it serves.

‘This hospital is allowing those of us who have felt invisible to now be seen — to have access, resources and state-of-the-art care.

All of us deserve the best opportunity to fight for our lives.’

Candace Henley Chair, UChicago Medicine Community Advisory Council, colon cancer survivor

A rendering of one of the pavilion’s family lounges

KEY FEATURES » 80 private beds (64 medicalsurgical and 16 ICU)

» Infusion therapy rooms grouped by cancer type

» Family space for overnight stays

» Breast center with rooms for screening and diagnostic imaging and biopsy

» 90 consultation and outpatient exam rooms » Rapid assessment/urgent care clinic to protect immunocompromised oncology patients » Cancer imaging equipment (two MRIs, two CT scanners, two ultrasound units and two procedure rooms with mobile C-arm/ fluoroscopy and an X-ray)

» Dedicated clinical trial spaces » Stress reduction, community education and well-being support therapies » Shell space that can expand vertically and horizontally » Showers, laundry, inpatient dining areas and larger consultation rooms for families

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AT A GLANCE Size: 575,000 square feet; seven floors, a mechanical penthouse, a lower-level support floor Total project cost: $815 million Construction contract cost: $435 million Location: East 57th Street, between South Maryland and South Drexel avenues Patient capacity: Up to 200,000 outpatient visits and 5,000 inpatient admissions per year

A rendering of the pavilion’s drop-off area and entrance on Drexel Avenue

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN NCI-DESIGNATED CANCER CENTER? An official Comprehensive Cancer Center designation by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the highest federal rating a cancer center can achieve.

It’s the gold standard for cancer programs, and it is bestowed upon the nation’s top cancer centers in recognition of their innovative research and leading-edge treatments. The University of Chicago Medicine has been home to such a designated center since 1973.

Among the benefits of a comprehensive cancer center: » Higher survival rates compared to facilities without the designation » Groundbreaking collaborative research, strong support and robust facilities » Development of new approaches and strategies to prevent and treat cancer » Experts in a variety of settings who share the latest advances with the public » Interventions designed to target and help high-risk individuals » Education about the value of a healthy lifestyle and early detection of cancer

To learn more about the University of Chicago Medicine’s new cancer pavilion, visit UChicagoMedicine.org/New-Cancer-Center

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New hope

Novel sickle cell disease clinical trial gives South Side resident chance at ‘a better life’

As a newborn, Lyric Porter was diagnosed with sickle cell disease (SCD), a life-threatening blood disorder.

People with SCD have abnormal hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen. This causes red blood cells to form a “sickled” or crescent shape that can get stuck in blood vessels, creating intense pain known as a sickle cell crisis.

For many people, an SCD diagnosis brings a lifetime of medical complications. Blood transfusions and medication can offer relief, but they’re not a cure.

Porter recently found new hope.

Lyric Porter

She participated in a novel clinical trial at the University of Chicago Medicine that uses gene therapy to modify a patient’s stem cells. This modification helps the body produce healthy red blood cells to replace the sickled cells.

“I was nervous about the trial because I would be the first patient in Illinois to get it done and only the third patient in the world,” said Porter, now 27, who had faced frequent sickle cell crises, hospital stays and blood transfusions.

“I liked the idea of potentially having a better life.”

Compared to donor stem cell transplants, the approach “bypasses many of the complications of transplanting someone else’s stem cells in their immune system,” said James LaBelle, MD, PhD, director of the Pediatric Stem Cell and Cellular Therapy program at UChicago Medicine and Comer Children’s Hospital, and the clinical trial’s primary investigator.

Porter spent months in preliminary testing. In 2022, stem cells in Porter’s body were taken, or “harvested,” three times to provide a sufficient amount to modify for the treatment.

Sickle cell disease: Who is most at risk?

While a child of any race or nationality can be born with sickle cell disease, it occurs most often among African Americans.

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AROUND people have sickle cell disease in the United States.

African American births

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16,300 Hispanic births

She underwent chemotherapy to improve the chances that her body would accept the modified stem cells.

Porter’s body did accept them, so she now has a greater amount of healthy hemoglobin circulating in her veins. Along with other clinical trial participants, Porter experienced fewer sickle cell crises.

“It is still early, but it is clear that gene correction of stem cells from patients with sickle cell disease will become a bona fide treatment option for some patients,” LaBelle said.

Porter and her doctors are encouraged by the results.

“I hope that the patients who come after me will not have it as difficult as I’ve had it over the years while living with the disease,” Porter said.

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Brave heart Mother of two survives massive heart attack after feeling subtle symptoms more common in women

O

n a typical Tuesday morning in July 2022, Sarah Casalan Bittle brushed off what she thought was indigestion, probably from a hamburger she’d eaten for dinner.

That night, Casalan Bittle put her two children to bed. The single mother, then 47, awoke with nausea and sat on the bathroom floor. She waited to be sick, but never vomited. Then she had trouble standing.

“The lizard part of my brain started yelling: ‘Something’s wrong! Get up off the floor,’” Casalan Bittle said. “I stood up, and that’s when I first felt the chest pain.”

She was unconscious five minutes later, according to her mother, who happened to be visiting.

An active traveler who once climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Casalan Bittle had suffered what is commonly known as a widowmaker heart attack. Her left anterior descending (LAD) artery — the largest coronary artery to deliver oxygenated blood to the heart — was 100% blocked.

She estimates it took about 90 minutes before she realized what was happening.

“Why would I ever think I was having a heart attack?” said Casalan Bittle, who had received a clean bill of health at her physical three months earlier.

GENDER-SPECIFIC SYMPTOMS

The symptoms women experience during a heart attack are often different from men — and they can be more subtle.

“Be aware of abdominal pain or pain in your neck, jaw, shoulders or arm,” said University of Chicago Medicine cardiologist Bow (Ben) Chung, MD. “Other symptoms can be shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting or heavy sweating.

“If you have unexplained chest discomfort that won’t go away, it’s best to go to urgent care or an emergency department.”

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60 million+ The number of women in the U.S. living with some form of heart disease SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Casalan Bittle was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she went into cardiac arrest twice while her blocked LAD artery was repaired.

She received a heart pump to assist with blood flow and was ultimately put on ECMO, a form of life support and the highest level of cardiac support a patient can receive aside from major surgery.

Doctors told Casalan Bittle’s family her best chance for survival was a transfer to UChicago Medicine to be evaluated for an emergency heart transplant.

COORDINATED CARDIAC CARE

UChicago Medicine cardiologist Bryan Smith, MD, who was the admitting physician for Casalan Bittle when she arrived at the Hyde Park academic medical center, determined her heart had recovered enough to avoid a transplant.

Still, she faced challenges. The UChicago Medicine heart and vascular team sprang into action when a dangerous clot formed in the femoral artery of Casalan Bittle’s leg after her heart pump was removed.

“We were able to remove the blood clot in her right groin and do a direct repair on the right and left femoral arteries to restore the blood supply,” said UChicago Medicine vascular surgeon Ross Milner, MD. Casalan Bittle spent nearly two weeks in the hospital, followed by six weeks of outpatient therapy at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. The

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Northbrook resident then went back to work and caring for her young sons, ages 8 and 7.

SETBACK AND SURGERY

Casalan Bittle started in a cardiac rehabilitation program and began managing her heart failure with UChicago Medicine cardiologist Nitasha Sarswat, MD. But in February 2023, Casalan Bittle felt a tickling sensation in her chest that revealed upsetting news: a 70% blockage in her left main coronary artery that would require bypass surgery.

Casalan Bittle was a candidate for a totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB) surgery, a unique type of robotic heart surgery commonly offered at UChicago Medicine.

The minimally invasive, closed-chest procedure would spare her from having her breastbone split and going on a heart-lung bypass machine. She would also have a shorter recovery.

Signs of heart attack in women

CHEST PAIN

NAUSEA, VOMITING, DIZZINESS Sarah Casalan Bittle and her sons

‘If you have unexplained chest discomfort that won’t go away, it’s best to go to urgent care or an emergency department.’

UChicago Medicine is the only center in the U.S. to offer totally endoscopic robotic surgery in the coronary sphere, Balkhy said.

COUNTING HER BLESSINGS

The cause of Casalan Bittle’s heart attack and ensuing blockage remains unclear. But her story serves as a valuable reminder to know the unique heart attack symptoms that can affect women — and to seek medical care quickly.

— Bow (Ben) Chung, MD, cardiologist, University of Chicago Medicine

“Data show us that women often come to the hospital later than men, and their heart attacks are diagnosed later, which means they’re more likely to have worse outcomes because of that delay,” Smith said.

“People were asking if I was scared or nervous,” Casalan Bittle said. “Not in the slightest. Not even a little tiny bit.”

Today, Casalan Bittle is focused on healing and her family.

Cardiac surgeon Husam H. Balkhy, MD, who is also the director of UChicago Medicine’s Robotic and Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery Program, performed Casalan Bittle’s TECAB surgery on March 3. She went home two days later.

SHORTNESS OF BREATH, FATIGUE

“I have every reason to say this last year was the worst year of my life, but I don’t,” Casalan Bittle said. “It was the most blessed year of my life.

I have access to extraordinary medical and rehabilitative care. That’s a privilege, and I’m so extremely lucky.”

STOMACH PAIN

WEAKNESS

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HOW TO CHOOSE AN ORGAN TRANSPLANT CENTER Organ transplant surgery is a life-changing step, so patients should feel confident a transplant center will meet their specific needs. The University of Chicago Medicine organ transplant program has experts in heart, kidney, liver, lung, multi-organ, and pancreas and islet transplantations. Our team explains how prospective patients can navigate the journey.

2

Meet your care team Your first visit at UChicago Medicine may involve speaking with a transplant coordinator or physician, or attending an education session. Patients needing multiorgan transplants should find a program where all doctors on their team (including primary care providers) collaborate.

Research the program

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Look into the history of each transplant center.

Experience and patient volumes say a lot about a center’s capabilities. Be sure to call your insurance company — and, in some cases, a financial coordinator at the transplant center — to make sure you have transplant coverage.

Transplant patients at UChicago Medicine may access a social worker, a financial coordinator, a dietitian and a pharmacist.

Child-life experts provide comfort for pediatric patients. We have a trained spiritual care team, as well as transplant providers who speak Spanish and Polish.

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Get tested to find a match To find a suitable donor, patients must undergo testing for blood type, genetic markers and antibodies. After that, a team of specialty physicians will review the case. At UChicago Medicine, a transplant coordinator will help set up your tests and meetings.

NEW SITE FOR KIDNEY TRANSPLANT EVALUATION UChicago Medicine now offers kidney transplant evaluations in the western suburbs at our Hinsdale location, 12 Salt Creek Lane, Salt Creek Suite 106. Call 773-702-4500 to schedule a kidney transplant evaluation with Beatrice Concepcion, MD.

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Look for strong support

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Answering your questions about multiple sclerosis 5

Seek specialized services Patients with obesity and higher body mass indexes may be ineligible for transplant surgery. UChicago Medicine’s ACTNOW Clinic offers a medication-assisted program to help patients become eligible for a transplant surgery. It is among the first centers to offer this evidencebased approach.

Understand your health risks Patients who have had a prior transplant or blood transfusion may become sensitized to organ donors, meaning they’re more likely to reject a donated organ. UChicago Medicine offers novel desensitization therapies to help these patients live longer and improve their quality of life.

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Ask about postsurgical care In addition to working with their doctors, UChicago Medicine patients are connected with a team of nurses, pharmacists and dedicated pre- and post-transplant discharge coordinators to learn everything they need to know about their care throughout the process and beyond.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the brain and spinal cord. It affects nearly 1 million people in the United States, according to the National MS Society. Daniel P. Kurz, Jr., MD, a board-certified neurologist at the University of Chicago Medicine, explains what people should know about MS — including evolving treatment options.

WHO IS AFFECTED BY MS?

WHAT IS MS?

HOW IS MS DIAGNOSED?

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune illness. Although the immune system aims to protect us against infections, in some cases it ends up attacking the body and causing harm. Specifically, with MS, the immune system is attacking the brain, spinal cord and, often, the optic nerves.

At UChicago Medicine, our workup includes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look for lesions or signs of inflammation. We often do blood tests to rule out other possible explanations.

Some patients have a spinal tap of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spine.

WHAT CAUSES MS?

WILL I NEED A WHEELCHAIR?

We’re still researching the causes, but there are known risk factors, including low vitamin D levels, as well as more than 200 genetic variants. Recently, we’ve been looking into whether a history of viral illness (like EpsteinBarr virus) may increase the likelihood of developing MS.

Many patients ask this. Fortunately, we’ve made a lot of progress on treating MS, and we have a much greater ability now to prevent individuals from worsening over time.

I’m also excited about new therapeutic options that work to reduce the need for assistive devices.

WHAT ARE COMMON SYMPTOMS?

WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?

Often, we see problems with vision, pain with eye movement and difficulty with color of vision. People may experience facial numbness, difficulty speaking or swallowing, arm or leg numbness or weakness and loss of bladder control. Memory and concentration also can be impaired.

Working together, we choose the medication we hope will reduce risk of relapses and disability. Treatments aim for immunosuppression — to stop the immune system from causing harm.

We’ve seen great benefit from non-medication interventions, specifically, vitamin D.

MS is over two times more common in women, and we tend to see the immune system act up more commonly in patients in their 20s through their 40s. We can diagnose and treat at any age. Still, there’s no single diagnostic test that says with 100% certainty that a person has MS.

‘Fortunately, we’ve made a lot of progress on treating MS, and we have a much greater ability now to prevent individuals from worsening over time.’

— Daniel P. Kurz, Jr., MD, neurologist, UChicago Medicine

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100 years of care at Ingalls Memorial UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital is celebrating a century of innovation and care.

Founded by industrialist and Hyde Park resident Frederick Ingalls, the facility opened in November 1923 to care for industrial workers and their families in south suburban Harvey.

Named Ingalls Memorial Hospital in honor of the founder’s late wife, Jeanette, the facility was sorely needed: Within 10 days of opening, the hospital was filled to capacity.

Although Frederick Ingalls died in 1938, the dream of Jeanette to care for the community lived on through the couple’s daughter, Jean Ingalls Havens, who guided the hospital through the difficult war years and later served as president and board chair until her retirement in 1945.

Ingalls employees remove items from a time capsule that had been sealed for 35 years.

GROWTH AND ADVANCEMENT

In 1953, Ingalls Memorial was in the first class of hospitals to be accredited by the Joint Commission, and it was selected as a Model of a Modern American Hospital.

Robert L. Harris joined as president and CEO in 1967. His 33-year tenure was marked by expansion of beds, services, buildings and innovative programming — including the area’s first intensive care unit, as well as comprehensive clinics for cancer, cardiac, eye and maternity patients.

In the early 1970s, Ingalls Memorial was instrumental in launching South Cook County EMS, a collaboration with seven other area hospitals that provided emergency care services to over 1 million people in the Southland.

In 2000, a retiring Harris was succeeded by his protege, Kurt Johnson, who for 18 years guided Ingalls to provide a full continuum of care for an economically challenged population. Innovative specialty services also grew, as did a network of ambulatory centers.

In 2016, Ingalls completed a merger with the University of Chicago Medicine. The merger signaled the start of UChicago Medicine’s transformation from a Hyde Park-focused academic medical center into

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Over the years, Ingalls has grown to become a nationally recognized health system that spans over 22 acres, offering a full array of health care services.

an academic health system serving communities throughout Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.

Ingalls and its care centers serve patients and communities in Harvey, Calumet City, Flossmoor, Tinley Park and other Southland areas, offering emergency, complex and primary care. It also invests in partnerships and programs to address top health concerns and reduce health disparities. That includes free health screenings, educational programs and health fairs that reach nearly 50,000 individuals annually.

On Nov. 6, Ingalls staff gathered with state and local leaders, employees and community members to open a time capsule of medical memorabilia sealed in 1988 to recognize the hospital’s 65-year mark.

In a letter to employees, Michael Antoniades, interim president, looked forward and back.

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE

“During 100 years of service to the south suburbs, this organization has grown from one woman’s dream and changed dramatically in scope,” said Antoniades, who assumes the job permanently on Jan. 1.

An annual benefit gala for Ingalls was held in September to mark the 100th anniversary, with Motown superstar Diana Ross serving as the night’s entertainment.

“However, the passion for service and dedication to creating healthy communities — a legacy from our founders — continues today.”

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RESEARCH NOTES Instant noodles cause severe burns in kids Instant noodle burns accounted for nearly a third of all pediatric scald admissions at the University of Chicago Medicine between 2010 and 2020, according to a new study in the journal Burns.

Caregiver supervision is critical, researchers say, as hot noodles can cause secondand third-degree burns — especially on smaller bodies with thinner skin.

ZZZ...

Lack of sleep could reduce vaccine’s effect Individuals who get less than six hours of sleep per night in the days surrounding a vaccination had a decreased antibody response, according to a comprehensive review of data by researchers at the University of Chicago and the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research. Their conclusion: Heathy sleep duration could be an easy way to improve vaccine effectiveness against viral illnesses such as influenza and hepatitis.

Alternative pain control circuits can produce risk-free relief An alternative signaling pathway that relieves pain has been identified in the brains of mice, even in those that have developed tolerance to opioids. The UChicago study, published in Neuron, also showed pain relief delivered through this pathway did not create withdrawal symptoms or activate reward systems, thus limiting risks of addiction.

The results could help inform new approaches to effective, non-opioid pain relief.

Lesser-known factors tied to firearm violence identified

An argument to limit genetic screenings in newborns Interventions to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes should take priority over expanding genetic screenings to detect increased risk for neurodevelopmental disorders in newborns, UChicago Medicine pediatrician Sarah Sobotka, MD, and her co-author argue in the Journal of Pediatrics. Given the dire shortage of genetics experts in the U.S., the authors advise strategic use of neurodevelopmental screening on children who actually show signs of developmental delays.

An analysis of more than 71,000 shooting incidents in five major U.S. cities has identified lesser-known factors — such as lack of access to a vehicle — associated with increased firearm assaults. These factors, in addition to more well-known ones (such as low per capita income and a high proportion of adults with no high school diploma), can help guide anti-violence efforts, according to UChicago Medicine research in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

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Bedside legal support for violence recovery Legal and financial support were cited as the primary concerns for adult patients during violence recovery — surpassing even medical or psychological care — University of Chicago Medicine and public health researchers have found.

Which is why UChicago Medicine has launched a novel program with Legal Aid Chicago, embedding two full-time lawyers within the health system’s Level 1 trauma center.

The initiative, called Recovery Legal Care, will provide bedside civil legal help for patients and families recovering from violent injuries.

Attorneys will work in the Hyde Park hospital two days each week in tandem with UChicago Medicine’s Violence Recovery Program and trauma teams to assess patients’ cases and directly represent those who are eligible for services.

“If we are to address violence on the South Side of Chicago, we must first investigate the justice gap that disproportionately affects our underprivileged communities of color,” said program co-director Selwyn Rogers, Jr., MD, MPH, Chief of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery and Founding Director of UChicago Medicine’s Level 1 trauma center.

Recovery Legal Care, which is funded primarily through $2.6 million in federal grants, will initially focus on helping patients obtain public benefits and economic stability. After that, the team hopes to add assistance for housing, education and employment.

“Working with thousands of patients recovering from intentional violence, we’ve

Recovery Legal Care team members include, from left, Carly Loughran, Nathan Muntz, Rhea Pillai, Christine Goggins, Tanya Zakrison, MD, MPH, and Elizabeth Tung, MD, MS.

40%

150

$2.6 million

The percentage of UChicago Medicine adult trauma patients with penetrating injuries

The number of patients Recovery Legal Care expects to help in the first year

The amount of federal grants supporting bedside civil legal services at UChicago Medicine

seen the physical and emotional damage of firearm injuries,” said Franklin Cosey-Gay, PhD, MPH, director of the Violence Recovery Program.

“But what doesn’t always get as much attention — but can be equally as damaging — is the stress of things like insecure

Celebrating health and community The University of Chicago Medicine hosted a picnic on Sept. 30 to celebrate the South Side community and recent accomplishments.

The picnic, which attracted nearly 200 people, came shortly after the academic health system broke ground on Chicago’s first freestanding cancer care and research facility. It also marked the five-year anniversary of UChicago Medicine’s Level 1 adult trauma center.

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housing, economic stability and access to public benefits.”

The health system launched its adult trauma program in May 2018. About 40% of adult trauma patients treated at UChicago Medicine have penetrating injuries, which typically include gunshot wounds and stabbings.

Fund supports pancreatic cancer research After many years of engagement and investment with University of Chicago Medicine, the Gerald O. Mann Charitable Foundation launched the Harriet Wulfstat Innovation Fund for Cellular Therapies to advance emerging and promising pancreatic cancer research.

The fund honors the legacy of Harriet Wulfstat, a foundation trustee, who dedicated herself to advancing research and supporting initiatives at UChicago Medicine until she passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2020.

“It started in 2006, when Harriet was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer,” said Harriet’s husband, Allan. “We were in shock. Our biggest concern was not knowing what to do. We asked a friend who recently lost his mother to pancreatic cancer for guidance, and he said to call Mitchell Posner, MD at UChicago Medicine.

“Dr. Posner performed the Whipple surgery to remove the pancreatic tumor, and she was fortunate to have survived for 15 more years.”

SEARCH FOR TARGETED THERAPIES

Pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all major cancers, and it is currently the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. It is often detected in late stages and is notoriously hard to treat.

Currently, cellular therapy, a type of immunotherapy that teaches a patient’s immune system to target and attack cancer cells, has produced notable successes in treating blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.

But for researchers seeking a target for immunotherapy, solid tumors like pancreatic cancer are a fortress, with the microenvironment inside the tumor particularly hostile to attacks by immune cells.

Under Posner’s guidance, Harriet, her family, and the foundation became interested in the work of Hans Schreiber, MD, PhD, whose lab studies how cancer cells interact with the immune system. His frequent collaborator, Michael R. Bishop, MD, is an internationally recognized expert in cellular therapies for blood cancers.

Together, the experts are working to figure out how to translate engineered cellular therapies for patients with pancreatic cancer.

COLLABORATIONS DRIVE TREATMENT

Early and sustained support from the foundation and the Wulfstat family for research programs like Schreiber’s set the stage for the

Michael R. Bishop, MD

Mitchell C. Posner, MD

Hans Schreiber, MD, PhD

establishment of the David and Etta Jonas Center for Cellular Therapy in 2019.

The center brings together physicians and scientists from several disciplines who study cellular therapies from the initial concept to clinical trials to patient care. It includes a biobank, a critical tool that allows researchers to collect and study tissue from individual patients.

This type of FDA-certified facility and UChicago Medicine’s advanced cellular engineering facilities are rarely found in academic institutions, yet they can drastically reduce the time of getting treatments into clinical trials.

“Few places have the resources to do this kind of research,” said Harriet’s son, Matt. “It’s particularly meaningful to see how the investment can support opportunities to personalize treatment for pancreatic cancer.”

Harriet Wulfstat’s deep interest in cancer research and concern for other patients also led the foundation to establish Harriet’s Helping Hands, a patient and family support program offered by the Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, where she also served as a board member and reviewer of research proposals.

“Mom’s curiosity and compassion drove her vision — of doctors seamlessly sharing information, support for recently diagnosed patients, and personalized care for pancreatic cancer,” said Harriet’s daughter, Jennifer Wulfstat Gadiel.

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