UPMC Hillman Gala Raises $1 Million for Cancer Research

Awards for melanoma research and commitment to community

Photographs courtesy of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

The excitement about being back together was evident at PPG Paints Arena, as UPMC President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie Davis welcomed the near capacity crowd, including business leaders, oncologists, and others. The event raised more than $1 million for Western PA’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The PNC Elsie Hillman Distinguished Scholar Award honors the experts making a difference in the fight against cancer. Since the gala was postponed last year due to the pandemic, both the 2021 and 2022 recipients were recognized by PNC’s Lou Cestello, who with his wife, Millie, served as honorary chairs of the 2022 event. The 2022 award was presented to Lyn Robertson, Dr.P.H., M.S.N., B.S.N., the associate director for health equity and community outreach and engagement at UPMC Hillman.

The 2021 award was presented to Davar Diwakar, M.D., a medical oncologist/ hematologist and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and Hassane Zarour, M.D., a dermatologist and cancer immunologist at UPMC Hillman and professor of medicine at Pitt. The two were recognized for their groundbreaking research in melanoma.