Natalie Jacobs loves serving as an ambassador to MD Anderson and says wearing the logo on her kit is especially meaningful. “It’s important for me to use my platform to promote healthy living, because that goes into every decision that we as athletes make every day,” she says. “Every decision that we make impacts us on the field. So, it's cool to be able to talk about the way that we can all help each other in making the right choices in our health and making that a priority.” To learn more, visit: MDAnderson.org/Soccer Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: https://My.MDAnderson.org/RequestAppointment
Philanthropy Newsroom
Energy Transfer and Sunoco donate $2 million to support pediatric cancer research at MD Anderson
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center today announced a $2 million donation from Dallas-based Energy Transfer as a result of its 2024 workplace giving campaign. Funds raised through employee donations and corporate matching support pediatric cancer research at MD Anderson.
Brown Foundation Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing honors Tiffany Richards
HOUSTON ― The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center today honored Tiffany Richards, Ph.D., A.P.R.N., A.N.P.-B.C., A.O.C.N.P., with the 2024 Brown Foundation Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing. As the institution’s highest nursing honor, this award celebrates outstanding achievements in oncology nursing, including exceptional patient care and a commitment to excellence in clinical practice.
A committee including MD Anderson clinical faculty, nursing leaders, patient care administrators, a patient family advisory committee, and a previous award recipient selected Richards, awarding her $15,000, a pin and a commemorative crystal plaque. Heather Meador, M.S.N., A.P.R.N., C.P.N.P-A.C/P.C, C.P.H.O.N., and Linda Amatya Shrestha, M.S.N., A.P.R.N., F.N.P.-C., were recognized as finalists, each receiving a $5,000 cash award.
“All MD Anderson nurses propel our mission to end cancer through their work and the care they provide every single day,” said Carol Porter, D.N.P., R.N., F.A.A.N., senior vice president and chief nursing officer at MD Anderson. “They are our front line in Making Cancer History®.”
Nurses advance excellence in cancer care
Richards, who has cared for patients at MD Anderson for more than two decades, is an advanced practice provider and supervisor in the Myeloma department. Richards says her passion for nursing was ignited at a young age, driving her to become a compassionate and knowledgeable health care professional committed to providing the best care for patients.
In addition to her current role, Richards remains actively engaged in research, presenting and publishing her findings to advance myeloma treatment. Her work has been featured in six textbooks and nearly two dozen scholarly articles. Additionally, she has held leadership positions on various myeloma nursing organization boards and committees.
“The journey with a patient is sacred,” Richards said. “Being invited into the life of a stranger who trusts you enough to share their personal and vulnerable moments is a profound experience.”
Meador is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner specializing in pediatric patient care with 13 years of service at MD Anderson. She also works as a clinical preceptor of nurse practitioner and physician assistant students and presents her research to advance knowledge in the field.
Shrestha is an advanced practice registered nurse specializing in acute pain medicine with 16 years of service at MD Anderson. She pursues research and continuing education, providing guidance to residents and fellow nurse practitioners, as well as conducting lectures and training sessions on best practices in pain management.
An elite cancer nursing program
With more than 5,000 registered nurses and the world’s largest cancer clinical trial programs, MD Anderson offers a unique, collaborative environment for nurses to lead in the administration of research and management of cancer care. Since 2001, MD Anderson has earned five consecutive Magnet Recognition Program® designations from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which recognizes health care organizations that meet the most rigorous standards of nursing in patient care, research, leadership and community service. This designation contributes to MD Anderson’s consistent ranking among the nation’s top hospitals for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals” survey.
“MD Anderson’s nurses represent the very heart of the institution. They are the best in the field of oncology and practice,” said Rosanna Morris, R.N., M.B.A., senior vice president and chief operating officer at MD Anderson. “Our nurses embody MD Anderson’s core values — caring, integrity, discovery, safety and stewardship — and bring a spirit of hope to every patient they meet.”
Recognizing a legacy of philanthropy
Herman and Margarett Root Brown, together with George R. and Alice Pratt Brown, established The Brown Foundation in 1951. Since then, the foundation has distributed over $1.6 billion in grants aimed at public charitable initiatives, with a primary focus on supporting education, the arts and community service.
In 1982, The Brown Foundation established the Brown Foundation Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing, formerly known as the Ethel Fleming Arceneaux Outstanding Nurse-Oncologist Award. This year marks the 43rd anniversary of the award. Through the ongoing support and continued generosity of The Brown Foundation, MD Anderson honors and acknowledges the vital contributions of oncology nurses in advancing the institution’s mission to end cancer.
“MD Anderson is one of the most distinctive and accomplished institutions in the world, and The Brown Foundation is honored to support the nurses here who dedicate their careers to caring for cancer patients,” said Ann Ziker, Ph.D., executive director of The Brown Foundation. “MD Anderson nurses are truly the gold standard. They exhibit empathy, compassion and expertise.”
MD Anderson Board of Visitors celebrates growth and achievement
HOUSTON ― The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center started its fiscal year on a celebratory note by welcoming seven new members to the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors (BOV), the institution’s nonfiduciary advisory board. MD Anderson also honors two long-term board members, Donald “Don” L. Evans from Midland and Peggy Sewell from Dallas, with the BOV’s most prestigious title of Life Member.
“These passionate ambassadors have long supported MD Anderson’s mission to end cancer,” said James “Jim” L. Gallogly of Austin, chair of the BOV. “Inspired by the remarkable achievements of our esteemed Life Members, our newest members will strengthen the work of this board as we seek to eliminate cancer in Texas, across the nation and around the world.”
The following business and community leaders have joined the ranks of nearly 300 BOV members committed to Making Cancer History® alongside MD Anderson:
Jamie Broach Byrd of Houston, TX
Stan Delaney of Austin, TX
Fred Farias, III, O.D. of McAllen, TX
Jenna Klein of Houston, TX
Mark Lashier of Houston, TX
Rewant Ruia of London, United Kingdom
Judy Woodruff of Arlington, VA
“As we embark on a new year, I welcome our newest members and reiterate my gratitude to the entire board for their unwavering commitment to MD Anderson, our patients and their families,” said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson. “Our board members’ passion, expertise and insight propel us forward in our mission to end cancer.”
Gallogly took the helm Sept. 1 as the new chairman of the board, beginning the first year of his two-year term. He is joined by returning BOV Officers Committee members Clarence P. Cazalot, Jr., of Houston; Don Evans of Midland (Life Member); Maureen Hackett of Houston; Winell Herron of Houston; Melvyn N. Klein of Corpus Christi (Life Member); Marsha M. Shields of San Antonio (Life Member); and Sam L. Susser of Dallas, as well as newly appointed officers Don R. Sinclair of Houston and Delia W. Stroud of Houston. Additionally, Tom Johnson of Atlanta (Life Member) continues his service as special advisor to the president.
“Jim is poised to carry on the BOV’s legacy of excellence through his astute leadership, and I look forward to working with him and the rest of our BOV members to advance MD Anderson’s Strategy,” Pisters said. “We thank Clarence for his thoughtful, strategic leadership over the past two years as our board chair. His vision has left an enduring mark on our institution.”
New Life Members Evans and Sewell will be honored during the upcoming BOV Annual Meeting and Dinner on Nov. 7 and 8. They join 12 other distinguished inductees whose long-term, exemplary service on the BOV embodies MD Anderson’s spirit of philanthropy, leadership and community.
Life Member: Don Evans
Don Evans is a longtime member and former chair of the BOV, lending his invaluable insight, fundraising expertise and business acumen to the institution. He joined the BOV in 2008 and served as chair from 2020 to 2022. Most recently, he served on the BOV’s Membership and Board Development and Governance Committee, Executive Committee and Officers Committee. He also participates on the Host Committee for MD Anderson’s signature fundraising event series, A Conversation With a Living Legend®, in Houston and Washington, D.C.
After graduating from The University of Texas at Austin, Evans moved to Midland and worked on oil rigs for Tom Brown, Inc., a company he went on to lead as CEO. He later served on the UT System Board of Regents from 1995 until 2001, helping appoint John Mendelsohn, M.D., as president of MD Anderson in 1996 (Mendelsohn served until 2011). Evans credits that experience with cultivating his deep appreciation for and commitment to MD Anderson.
In 2001, Evans was appointed by President George W. Bush as the 34th Secretary of the United States Department of Commerce, serving in that role until 2005. From 2007 to 2018, Evans led Energy Future Holdings as the chairman. He is currently chairman of Permian Strategic Partners, acts as a senior advisor for Energy Capital Partners, and remains philanthropically active in his hometown of Midland, Texas. In addition to his BOV service, Evans volunteers on the Midland Memorial Hospital Board of Governors and as chairman of the George W. Bush Foundation.
Life Member: Peggy Sewell
Peggy Sewell’s unwavering dedication to MD Anderson’s mission to end cancer is evidenced by her 40+ years of volunteer service to the institution. She joined the BOV in 1983 and has served as a senior member since 2006. Most recently, she served on the BOV’s Philanthropy Committee and the Clinical Operations and Patient Affairs Committee. She has been instrumental in the success of MD Anderson’s A Conversation With a Living Legend® fundraising events, which have raised more than $55 million since the signature series began in 1990. Over the past decade, Sewell has been crucial in building excitement around the annual Making Cancer History® seminar series and summer events in Aspen, CO. Her generosity to MD Anderson has supported biomedical imaging, cancer research initiatives and capital improvements.
Sewell is an active member of the philanthropic community in Dallas, TX, where she volunteers with the Junior League of Dallas, the Dallas Museum of Art and her alma mater, Southern Methodist University. Her husband, Carl J. Sewell, Jr., is the chairman of Sewell Automotive Companies, a third-generation, family-owned automobile enterprise.
In 2011, the Sewells established the Sewell Family Chair for Genomic Medicine at MD Anderson, which appointed Giulio Draetta, M.D., Ph.D., chief scientific officer, as its inaugural holder in 2017. Through the Sewells’ generosity, the endowed chair was elevated in 2022 to the Sewell Family Distinguished University Chair in honor of the Chief Scientific Officer.
MD Anderson recognizes outstanding faculty
HOUSTON ― The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center last night recognized over 100 faculty members at its annual Celebration of Faculty Excellence awards ceremony, acknowledging their compassionate care, exceptional contributions to their fields and the distinction they have brought to the institution.
“Every day, MD Anderson’s dedicated faculty are Making Cancer History® by advancing cancer care, research, education and prevention. Today, we applaud these outstanding clinicians and researchers for their remarkable achievements,” said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson. “I extend my deepest gratitude and admiration to our faculty for their unparalleled talents and tireless efforts to improve the lives of the patients and families we serve.”
MD Anderson promoted 85 faculty members to the academic rank of professor, named five early-career Faculty Scholars, and recognized 42 Faculty Honorees for their leadership in quality improvement and patient safety, research excellence, community outreach and education and mentorship advancement. Additionally, six faculty members received the institution’s most prestigious endowed faculty awards: the Jack and Beverly Randall Prize for Excellence in Cancer Research, the John Mendelsohn Award for Faculty Leadership, the R. Lee Clark Prize and the Shirley Stein Scientific Endowed Research Award.
The Jack and Beverly Randall Prize for Excellence in Cancer Research
Created in 2011 by the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors (BOV) member, Jack Randall, and his wife, Beverly, the Jack and Beverly Randall Prize for Excellence in Cancer Research fosters innovative thinking and groundbreaking ideas in cancer research and care. This $100,000 award honors researchers and clinicians who demonstrate extraordinary foresight, ingenuity and a commitment to excellence. The prize alternates annually between supporting researchers and clinicians. The 2024 recipient is:
Moody treats some of MD Anderson’s youngest patients, striving to make their cancer experience more positive. Moody and her colleagues developed a conversation guide and visual aids to help pediatric oncologists and nurses discuss treatment options and goals with parents of children facing a poor prognosis.
The John Mendelsohn Award for Faculty Leadership
Established in 2019, the John Mendelsohn Award for Faculty Leadership honors the legacy of the late John Mendelsohn, M.D., the third president of MD Anderson. Mendelsohn was a driving force behind advancements in research-oriented patient care, the expansion of clinical and research facilities and the development of a research program aimed at translating scientific discoveries into effective patient care and prevention strategies. This annual $5,000 award recognizes a faculty member who embodies Mendelsohn’s leadership, scholarship and values. The 2024 recipient is:
Sherman has demonstrated exceptional leadership in building and guiding successful teams across patient care, research and education. His work in thyroid carcinoma focuses on discovering novel therapies for patients with advanced or metastatic disease, optimizing treatments for patients with primary disease and developing new approaches for monitoring patients. He has served as department chair, vice provost, and as chair of the Community of Chairs, among other roles, at MD Anderson.
R. Lee Clark Prize
Founded in 2016 through the generous support of Jeanne F. Shelby's estate, the R. Lee Clark Prize awards $5,000 to MD Anderson faculty engaged in clinical and basic/translational research. This award pays tribute to the scholarship, service and social responsibility exemplified by the late R. Lee Clark, M.D., the first president of MD Anderson. The 2024 recipients are:
Kantarjian has dedicated over 40 years of service to MD Anderson. As a world-renowned leukemia researcher, he has transformed the standards of care and decisively improved the treatment and prognosis across a range of adult leukemia subtypes. He leads one of the nation’s largest and most impactful Leukemia departments; he created the Society of Hematologic Oncology; and he has educated and mentored many generations of leukemia researchers.
McNeill serves on over 18 institutional committees and has dedicated more than 30 years to producing impactful research and positive outcomes in medically underserved communities. Her research focuses on understanding the influence of social contextual determinants of cancer in minorities and eliminating inequities in cancer treatment. With her long-standing expertise in community-engaged dissemination and implementation research, McNeill is widely sought after as a mentor for rising researchers in health disparities.
Shirley Stein Scientific Endowed Research Award
The Shirley Stein Scientific Endowed Research Award, created in 2014 by Gary Stein and his family, along with Regina Rogers, a Life Member of the BOV, acknowledges the exceptional clinical research conducted by faculty members with limited project resources. Awardees receive $10,000 to assist in generating preliminary data that will enhance their chances of securing larger grants and federal funding. The 2024 recipients are:
- Barrett Lawson, M.D., assistant professor, Anatomic Pathology
- Margaret Roubaud, M.D., associate professor, Plastic Surgery
Lawson is an anatomic and clinical pathologist with training in gynecologic-oncologic pathology. His work focuses on ovarian tumors, tumor biomarkers and therapy response. He is known for his excellence in research collaboration and his impactful role as an educator to pathology fellows, as exemplified by his two Oncologic Pathology Teaching Awards and Faculty Educator Award.
Roubaud specializes in complex oncologic reconstructions in the pelvis and extremities. In 2019, she introduced the practice of Targeted Muscle Reinnervation and Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface for chronic pain prevention and advanced prosthetics at MD Anderson. She serves as a member of the MD Anderson Pelvic Sarcoma Team of Excellence.
MD Anderson’s Andrew Sabin Family Fellows welcomes 2024 cohort
HOUSTON ― The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has named its ninth cohort of Andrew Sabin Family Fellows. This year’s fellows represent a distinguished group of 10 rising faculty members whose innovative research encompasses a variety of fields, including immunology, radiation oncology and biostatistics. These fellows join the ranks of 72 past recipients of the prestigious Sabin Family Fellowship.
Created to provide a dedicated source of funding for emerging clinician and scientist leaders, the fellowship supports groundbreaking research that advances the institution’s mission to end cancer. Funding for the fellowship comes from a generous $30 million endowment from the Andrew Sabin Family Foundation, which is now in its ninth year of awarding recipients.
The fellowship aims to address the crucial need for research funding among junior faculty by providing each Sabin Family Fellow with $100,000 over two years. Funding from the fellowship frees up researchers’ time and energy so they can focus more on their work and worry less about securing grants or donations.
“Each new class of Sabin Family Fellows represents an exciting, new chapter in Making Cancer History®,” said Sabin, a senior member of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors. “My family and I are proud to support the creative, pioneering cancer research of these brilliant individuals who will make an impact on cancer patients around the world.”
Dozens of finalists are identified annually through an extensive external peer review process, which this year included a panel of 33 internationally renowned experts. The panel is overseen by MD Anderson faculty: Padmanee Sharma, M.D., Ph.D., awards chair, Swathi Arur, Ph.D., George Calin, M.D., Ph.D., David Hong, M.D., Susan Peterson, Ph.D., Katy Rezvani, M.D., Ph.D., Sanjay Shete, Ph.D., Jennifer Wargo, M.D., Ph.D., and Shannon Westin, M.D.
The 2024 class of Sabin Family Fellows is:
Basic/Translational Scientists
- Mauro Di Pilato, Ph.D., assistant professor, Immunology
- Yuan Pan, Ph.D., assistant professor, Symptom Research
- Haoqiang Ying, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor, Molecular & Cellular Oncology
Clinical Researchers
- Justin Gregg, M.D., assistant professor, Urology
- Xiuning Le, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor, Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology
- Devarati Mitra, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor, Radiation Oncology
Physician-Scientists
- Lauren Colbert, M.D., assistant professor, Radiation Oncology
- Wen Jiang, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor, Radiation Oncology
- John Paul Shen, M.D., assistant professor, Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology
Population/Quantitative Scientists
- Christine Peterson, Ph.D., associate professor, Biostatistics
The 2024 Sabin Family Fellows are conducting research projects with implications for a broad range of cancers, including prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma, glioblastoma, and rare cancers like appendiceal adenocarcinoma (appendix cancer) and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors.
Discoveries from their research will contribute to the body of knowledge in their respective fields while also leading to new or improved treatments in immunotherapy, radiation therapy, cancer neuroscience and targeted treatments based on the body’s microbiome.
“For nearly a decade, the Andrew Sabin Family Foundation has championed the research of countless junior faculty members, supporting their efforts to uncover breakthroughs that will change the landscape of cancer research, treatment and prevention,” said President Peter WT Pisters, M.D. “We are grateful to Mr. Sabin and the foundation for their continued commitment to help us end cancer.”
Tennis greats Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova honored at A Conversation With a Living Legend®
HOUSTON ― Cancer survivors and tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova participated in a fireside-style chat on Wednesday, May 1, at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s signature event, A Conversation with a Living Legend ®, hosted at the Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston. The sold-out event raised more than $1.5 million for cell therapy research at MD Anderson with a ticketed audience of 800+.
Past Living Legend honoree and co-anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America, Robin Roberts, led the onstage interview with Evert and Navratilova, and ABC13 Houston’s Eyewitness News anchor, Gina Gaston, emceed the event.
The evening honored Evert’s and Navratilova’s legacies of resilience and determination both on and off the court. The tennis legends shared how their fierce athletic rivalry led to a close friendship they’ve sustained beyond their careers and during each other’s subsequent cancer diagnoses.
This year’s event chairs included Margot Athon, Kelli Blanton, Maya Fleyhan, Vanessa Gilmore, Amy Lee, Ashley Loeffler, Sonny Messiah-Jiles and Delia Stroud. Honorary chairs included Patsy Fourticq, Joan Schnitzer, Cyvia Wolff and Barbara Hurwitz.
From rivals to friends
Evert and Navratilova entertained the audience with personal anecdotes of their friendship, bringing the audience to tears one moment and laughter the next. The women candidly recalled fond memories of traveling around the world playing tennis together, vacationing in Aspen and supporting one another through their cancer experiences.
Navratilova proudly noted that she was wearing a necklace Evert had given her — and that she would continue wearing it in support of Evert, whose ovarian cancer relapsed in 2023, until she was fully healthy again. Evert said she is slowly but surely regaining her strength, having completed treatment and now undergoing maintenance therapy.
Navratilova encouraged audience members to get mammograms and Evert emphasized how genetic testing for BRCA mutations saved her life. Both women noted the importance of getting second opinions when presented with a cancer diagnosis.
“I’m so proud of what you both did for women in sports, but also with how you have handled everything with such grace,” Roberts said at the end of the interview. “The fact that you used your platform to bring about change — to fill this room and raise money [for cancer research] — says a lot about your character.”
Funds raised to support MD Anderson’s cell therapy research
Funds from A Conversation with a Living Legend® Houston benefit cell therapy research and innovation at MD Anderson. This work is led by Katy Rezvani, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Stem Cell Transplantation and the Sally Cooper Murray Chair in Cancer Research, and Elizabeth Shpall, M.D., professor of Stem Cell Transplantation.
Cell therapies incorporate immune cells from a patient or donor that have been engineered or enhanced so that a patient’s immune system can better detect and eliminate cancer cells. These treatments have brought dramatic results for many patients with blood-based cancers, but not all cancer patients benefit. Leveraging the institution's clinical and research expertise, MD Anderson scientists are developing new cell therapies to overcome current challenges and treat a broader spectrum of cancers, such as breast, lung and pancreatic cancers.
“Much of what the world knows about cancer and cell therapy started right here at MD Anderson, and we will continue to advance cell therapy research so more patients benefit,” Rezvani said. “We are deeply grateful to the event organizers and attendees for supporting this important, life-saving work. Your generosity is truly making a difference in the lives of our patients.”
A Conversation With a Living Legend ®
Since 1990, thousands of donors across the country have joined in support of A Conversation With a Living Legend®. Its live interview concept has honored celebrities, heads of state, sports icons and other legendary figures, while audiences in Atlanta; Dallas/Fort Worth; Houston; Las Vegas; San Antonio; and Washington, D.C., have raised more than $55 million for cancer research and patient care programs to date. Since the first Houston-based event in 2007, the local event series has raised over $14 million.
“The funds raised through this event will have a significant impact on cancer patients and their families in Texas and around the world,” said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson. “As MD Anderson stands at a pivotal moment in its history, making transformative impacts on the future of cancer care and research, our supporters’ incredible commitment to our mission continues to inspire us.”
MD Anderson’s Boot Walk to End Cancer® raises $1.4 million
HOUSTON ― The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center hosted its ninth annual Boot Walk to End Cancer® fundraising event on Saturday, Nov. 2, in the Texas Medical Center. This year, the Boot Walk’s 7,000+ in-person participants and 1,200+ virtual participants from Houston and around the world joined together to raise $1.4 million to support the institution’s mission to end cancer. Fundraising will continue through the end of November.
“The Boot Walk provides crucial funding for MD Anderson’s patient care, research, prevention and education programs – but most importantly, it provides hope to those facing cancer. Today, we walk together to give cancer the boot,” said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson, during the event’s opening ceremony. “I am honored to walk alongside our patients, caregivers and friends in support of our shared mission to end cancer.”
A promise fulfilled
For event chair Rachel Cruz Auwarter, the Boot Walk represents the fulfillment of a promise she made to herself when she was diagnosed with melanoma in 2011.
“During my first appointment, I remember thinking, ‘Give me my family and good health, and I can figure the rest of it out along the way.’ I was given both and decided that if I was ever given the chance to support and provide hope for someone else facing a cancer diagnosis, I would,” Auwarter said. “My cancer experience gave me a window into what is so special about MD Anderson. The quality and level of care, compassion and respect you are given is simply unparalleled.”
Auwarter has served MD Anderson in numerous ways, volunteering on the institution’s Advance Team and, most recently, as Boot Walk chair.
“For me, the Boot Walk represents hope in action, and collective dedication to MD Anderson's mission to end cancer,” Auwarter said.
Thousands gather for a day of celebration
The Boot Walk kicked off with a 1.2-mile walk around MD Anderson’s campus in the Texas Medical Center, featuring special performances along the route from more than a dozen community musicians, dance troupes and cultural groups. After the walk, participants were treated to live music, photo opportunities, healthy snacks and beverages provided by event sponsor, Walmart, and tons of kid-friendly activities led by the Houston Dynamo and Dash. Participants also were encouraged to sign the cancer strikethrough wall in honor or memory of anyone facing cancer. Additionally, MD Anderson’s mobile mammography vans and blood donation buses were onsite to conduct tours, perform mammograms and collect blood donations.
Thanks to generous event sponsors, 100% of the funds raised through the Boot Walk directly support MD Anderson’s patient care, research, prevention and education programs. This year’s sponsors include Walmart, Houston Dynamo and Dash, NRG Energy, MustangCAT, Third Coast Bank, York Construction, USI Insurance Services, Summit Industrial, Metro, Egon Zehnder, i-Pro and Constellation Energy. Media partners include Audacy (The Bull, Mix 96.5), Clear Channel, Outfront and the Houston Chronicle.
Michael Frumovitz, M.D., posthumously honored with Julie and Ben Rogers Award for Excellence
HOUSTON ― The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has posthumously awarded Michael Frumovitz, M.D., with the Julie and Ben Rogers Award for Excellence in Patient Care. The annual award recognizes employees who consistently demonstrate excellence in their work and dedication to MD Anderson’s mission to end cancer. The award’s focus rotates among the areas of patient care, research, education, prevention and administration, with this year’s award focusing on patient care.
Frumovitz dedicated more than 20 years of service to MD Anderson, most recently as chief patient experience officer and professor in Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine. He passed away in July from pancreatic cancer.
“Dr. Frumovitz was an exceptional physician who committed his career to extending and bettering the lives of our patients, and he was an extraordinary colleague, friend and mentor to so many,” said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson. “His strength, his compassion, his wit and his impact will be felt for years to come. I will always be grateful for his commitment to our patients and for the example he set for us all.”
Pisters and Regina Rogers, a Life Member of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors (BOV) who established the Rogers Award, hosted a ceremony on campus yesterday naming Frumovitz as the recipient and recognizing four other finalists for their compassionate patient care. Frumovitz’s wife, Karen, accepted the award on her husband’s behalf.
The four finalists:
Hop Tran Cao, M.D., associate professor of Surgical Oncology
Keith B. Felder, clinical nurse
Douglas J. Harrison, M.D., professor of Pediatrics
Ellen E. Reynolds, child life specialist II, Pediatrics
Remembering Frumovitz’s impact on patient care
Frumovitz was known by MD Anderson colleagues as a kind, caring and knowledgeable physician with a good sense of humor.
He joined MD Anderson as a fellow in the Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Program. Upon completion, he joined MD Anderson’s faculty as an assistant professor of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine in 2005. He dedicated his career to improving patient care and outcomes and helped establish the department’s rare tumor clinic.
Frumovitz was passionate about mentoring fellows and residents, as well advancing gynecologic oncology research. He served as a leader of the fellowship program – as assistant director from 2006 to 2012, then as director from 2012 to 2019 – and helped train many current and future leaders in the field of gynecologic oncology. The Society of Gynecologic Oncology honored him with the 2024 Distinguished Service Award for his accomplishments and his commitment to training and mentoring residents and fellows throughout his career.
In 2016, he began his role as associate chief patient experience officer. In 2021, he served as ad interim chief patient experience officer before being officially appointed a year later. In this role, Frumovitz led efforts to support patient-centered, value-driven care, working with teams across the organization to continually improve the experience of patients and caregivers.
His research focused on cervical cancer, mucinous ovarian cancer and minimally invasive surgery for gynecologic cancers. He was internationally acclaimed for his work on rare tumors, especially neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix. His work included developing lymphatic mapping techniques for gynecologic malignancies and he served as principal investigator or co-principal investigator on mapping studies of the vulva, vagina and cervix. He authored and co-authored more than 180 articles in peer-reviewed journals on these and other subjects.
Most recently, Frumovitz partnered with other clinical leaders to launch the institutional patient navigation program. His leadership was critical in improving the experience of MD Anderson’s patients, caregivers and providers. In 2023 and 2024, he was named to Becker's Hospital Review list of effective chief experience officers serving hospitals and health systems across the nation.
“Michael was a tremendous colleague and friend who went out of his way to always comfort others,” said Rosanna Morris, senior vice president and chief operating officer, as well as chair of the award’s selection committee. “He had a huge impact on so many teammates and patients as chief patient experience officer, and our team will always hold him close to our hearts.”
Frumovitz openly shared his personal story of his pancreatic cancer diagnosis. He said he chose to keep working through treatment because his work gave him purpose and he derived great joy from his colleagues, patients and caregivers.
“Michael showed us all what radical authenticity really looks like by sharing his experience as a cancer patient,” said Elizabeth Garcia, vice president of patient experience. “He shared what he learned, and that will continue to help us improve processes and polices for all patients.”
In honor of Frumovitz’s legacy of learning, the institution has established the Michael Frumovitz, M.D., Endowment for Gynecologic Rare Tumors. This fund supports clinical research and translational studies, medical education and lectures, physician trainings, and a strong, accessible rare tumor research-based registry. By enriching the research and educational experiences within the Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, this endowed fund will allow MD Anderson to continue making meaningful advances in the study of rare gynecologic cancers. Gifts to this fund may be made in memory of Frumovitz.
Tanoto Foundation pledges $5 million to accelerate cell therapy discovery and innovation at MD Anderson
HOUSTON ― The Tanoto Foundation today pledged $5 million to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to support cell therapy discovery and innovation research. These funds will accelerate crucial preclinical and translational research of CRISPR gene-edited, TGF-beta resistant CD70-targeted armored chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) natural killer (NK) cell therapy for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), developed by Katy Rezvani, M.D., Ph.D., vice president of Cell Therapy, and her team.
“Our philanthropic efforts in medical research are focused on improving people’s health and lifespan through collaborative relationships and catalytic funding,” said Anderson Tanoto, a member of the foundation’s board of trustees. “We believe Dr. Rezvani and her team are poised to redefine the standard of care for patients around the world and this pledge further builds on our existing ongoing medical philanthropy initiatives in Asia.”
Drawing on its strong research infrastructure, disease expertise and diverse patient population, MD Anderson hosts active CAR NK cell trials for patients with AML and MDS, as well as those with multiple myeloma, lymphoma, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, renal cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma and osteosarcoma.
“Once-in-a-generation scientific advances require a high level of trust and support. On behalf of MD Anderson, I express my deepest gratitude to the Tanoto Foundation for its visionary support for cell therapy discovery and innovation research,” said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson. “Breakthroughs made here have the potential to benefit humanity for generations to come.”
Harnessing the power of NK cells to treat disease
MDS and AML are blood diseases characterized by an overproduction of immature blood cells that crowd out healthy cells.
Through groundbreaking research at MD Anderson, Rezvani and her team have developed and are furthering the study of an innovative treatment using engineered NK cells derived from donated umbilical cord blood.
NK cells are tumor-destroying immune cells that serve as a first line of defense against disease; however, cancer cells can make themselves difficult to detect or resistant to treatment. By genetically modifying the NK cells with CARs, which are designed to bind to specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells, the NK cells can find and eliminate target cancer cells more effectively. Rezvani’s laboratory multiplies the number of these engineered CAR NK cells, growing them in large numbers before infusing them into patients.
NK cell therapy is “off-the-shelf,” meaning it can be sourced from any healthy donor and given to any patient, without regard for most genetic matching parameters and without risk of graft-versus-host disease. This one-size-fits-all approach allows for production that can be scaled more easily and quickly than other forms of cell therapy.
MD Anderson is home to one of the country’s largest cord blood banks, offering an ample supply of donated umbilical cord blood from which the NK cells are derived. Cells collected from a single umbilical cord serve as the basis for over 100 therapeutic doses.
Building off success in treating blood cancers, MD Anderson’s researchers are now working to expand cell therapy’s application into solid tumors and autoimmune diseases.
“We are very grateful to the Tanoto Foundation for joining this endeavor to redefine the health care landscape for patients with AML, MDS and many other diseases,” Rezvani said. “Together, we are attracting global attention for this impactful research, and we aim to inspire others to join the mission to end cancer.”
Belfer family’s $20 million donation invigorates neurodegeneration research at MD Anderson
HOUSTON ― Laurence Belfer, on behalf of Robert Belfer and the Belfer family, today announced a $20 million gift to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to strengthen neurodegeneration research through the Belfer Neurodegeneration Consortium (BNDC), a transformative multi-institutional initiative to advance the study and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
This $20 million commitment brings the Belfer family’s total giving to MD Anderson to $53.5 million in just over 10 years. Their generous gift will be matched through institutional philanthropic efforts, bringing an additional $20 million to neurodegeneration and other age-associated disease research efforts at MD Anderson.
The research of the BNDC, which is part of MD Anderson’s Therapeutics Discovery division, may also benefit patients with cancer, as cancer shares biological similarities with neurodegenerative diseases and certain cancer treatments are known to cause neural and cognitive impairments.
“Transformative gifts like this have the power to achieve more than we could have ever imagined,” said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson. “We are grateful to the Belfer family for their forward-thinking vision and for their renewed investment in the Belfer Neurodegeneration Consortium. Their generosity has and will continue to impact countless lives.”
To commemorate the Belfer family’s generosity, MD Anderson’s South Campus Research Building 4, a 208,000 sq.-foot research facility located at 1901 East Road in Houston, will be renamed “The Robert A. and Renée E. Belfer Research Building.” The Belfer Building houses laboratories and offices of the BNDC as well as the Therapeutic Discovery division and the departments of Experimental Therapeutics, Cancer Biology, Genomic Medicine and Surgical Oncology Research.
“Since the consortium was formed, we have made tremendous progress in our understanding of the molecular and genetic basis of neurodegenerative diseases and in translating those findings into effective targeted drugs and diagnostics for patients,” said Jim Ray, Ph.D., executive director, Belfer Neurodegeneration Consortium. “Yet, we still have more work to do. Alzheimer's disease is already the most expensive disease in the United States. As our population continues to age, addressing quality-of-life issues and other challenges of treating and living with age-associated diseases must become a priority.”
With this latest gift, the Belfer family aims to do just that.
“We want to help aging adults lead better, longer lives,” said Belfer. “My family strongly believes in the work being done at MD Anderson through the Belfer Neurodegeneration Consortium to help those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of neurodegenerative diseases. We are proud to put our name behind this collaborative effort that will impact generations to come.”
Belfer Neurodegeneration Consortium to advance novel therapeutic strategies
Formed in 2012, the BNDC is a multi-institutional initiative between MD Anderson, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Baylor College of Medicine, among others. The consortium was established to gain a deeper understanding of neurodegenerative disease biology and translate those findings into effective therapeutic interventions.
The BNDC is a core component of MD Anderson’s Therapeutics Discovery division, which unites scientists, clinicians and drug development experts to eliminate the bottlenecks stifling traditional drug discovery. Driven by unparalleled proximity to patients and unmatched clinical and research expertise, Therapeutics Discovery and the BNDC can advance effective new therapies in ways not possible elsewhere.
Building upon early successes, the BNDC aims to develop five new medicines for Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders over the next 10 years, with the goal for two treatments to demonstrate clinical efficacy.
“Our goal is ambitious, but having access to the vast clinical trial expertise at MD Anderson ensures our therapeutics can improve the lives of patients everywhere,” Ray said. “The key elements for success are in place: a powerful research model, a winning collaborative team and a robust translational pipeline, all in the right place at the right time.”
MD Anderson researchers are working through its Cancer Neuroscience Program to explore the intersection between neurological disease and cancer. The work of the BNDC helps inform the Cancer Neuroscience Program, positioning the institution to make maximal impact on patients with cancer.
Polo on the Prairie raises more than $1 million for MD Anderson
HOUSTON ― The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center held its 38th annual Polo on the Prairie on April 27 in West Texas, raising over $1 million for patient care, research and education initiatives. The event drew more than 1,300 attendees to Rancho Verde in Breckenridge, Texas.
“Polo on the Prairie embodies the spirit of West Texans. It is a community dedicated to helping those who have been touched by cancer and the skillful doctors and staff at MD Anderson who care for them,” said Henry Musselman, long-time event host and member of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors (BOV). “We are all a part of Making Cancer History® for MD Anderson’s patients and their loved ones in Texas, across the nation and around the world.”
The event featured a polo tournament, with Midland Polo Club winning the championship. The winning team's players included Jaun “Bauti” Crotto (4 goal), Ulysses Escapite (4 goal), Ulysses Escapite, Jr. (-1 goal) and Molly Smith (0 goal). Following the match, attendees enjoyed a Texas-size chuck wagon barbecue dinner provided by Joe Allen’s Pit Bar-B-Que. Guests also enjoyed a private concert by country music superstars, Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson, with surprise special guest Cowboy Troy. The evening concluded with fireworks by Pyro Shows of Texas.
“Polo on the Prairie is a testament to the incredible generosity and heartfelt support of our friends in West Texas,” said Darrow Zeidenstein, senior vice president and chief philanthropy officer at MD Anderson. “We are grateful to the Musselmans and the many volunteers who make this event a success, year after year.”
A philanthropic tradition with West Texas roots
Before Polo on the Prairie became a longstanding philanthropic tradition, the late Mary Anne McCloud, of Eastland, and Musselman, her son-in-law, planted the seed of the idea with Charles LeMaistre, M.D., then-president of MD Anderson. McCloud served as a BOV member and wanted to spread awareness in West Texas of the innovative cancer research, care and prevention happening at the nation’s top cancer hospital. She also wished to honor those impacted by cancer and to raise funds to save more lives.
Musselman suggested a polo tournament and began transforming a pasture on the family’s Lazy 3 Ranch into a regulation-sized polo field. The first event was held in 1987, and it has been an annual tradition ever since, with rare exceptions due to weather and COVID-19. This year, Polo on the Prairie found a new home at Rancho Verde, a few miles south of the original polo grounds.
The first Polo on the Prairie raised $25,000. Today, the tournament nets many times that amount and attracts amateur and professional athletes from as far away as Argentina, England and South Africa. To date, Polo on the Prairie has raised more than $11 million for patient care, research and education initiatives at MD Anderson.
“My husband was a patient at MD Anderson, so I know firsthand that MD Anderson saves lives,” said Marci Pearson, a long-time volunteer on the event committee. “Polo on the Prairie contributes to the institution’s ability to do that, and I consider it an honor to be able to participate. I know the money raised for this event is used to benefit the programs and research that help improve and save the lives of many people.”
MD Anderson extends special thanks to this year’s presenting sponsor, ConocoPhillips, and event sponsors Melinda and Henry Musselman, as well as the many sponsors and individuals who have contributed to the success of the event.
Previous Stories
2023
Energy Transfer and Sunoco donate more than $2 million to support research at MD Anderson
Howard Meyers establishes Meyers Institute for Oncology Nursing with $25 million gift to MD Anderson
Excitement builds as participants prepare for MD Anderson’s Boot Walk to End Cancer®
Brown Foundation Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing awarded to Agnes Hsu
MD Anderson Board of Visitors welcomes new members, honors new Life Members
Betty Kim, M.D., Ph.D., honored with Julie and Ben Rogers Award for Excellence
Celebration of Faculty Excellence honors extraordinary clinicians and researchers
MD Anderson announces 2023 class of Andrew Sabin Family Fellows
Howard and Susan Elias make $16.25 million gift to fund cancer neuroscience research at MD Anderson
Polo on the Prairie raises over $1 million for MD Anderson
Cancer survivor gives $10 million to speed translational research and clinical trials
MD Anderson prevention experts tackle smoking cessation in Corpus Christi
2022
Advanced practice nurse in Leukemia honored with $15,000 cash prize
Andrew Sabin Family Foundation doubles down on commitment to end cancer with $10M gift
Cancer survivors, supporters rally for in-person return of MD Anderson’s Boot Walk to End Cancer®
Timken Foundation advances mission to end cancer with $5 million gift to James P. Allison Institute
IBC Bank's Campaign to End Cancer Tops $2.2 Million
MD Anderson Board of Visitors welcomes new members
Annual awards recognize faculty for excellence in cancer research, clinical care and leadership
MD Anderson announces 2022 class of Andrew Sabin Family Fellows
$15,000 prize recognizes MD Anderson nursing administrator’s commitment to end cancer
H-E-B fundraising campaign raises $175,000
2022 McNair Scholar at MD Anderson Supported by $2.4 Million Gift from The McNair Foundation
McDougall family's $5 million gift brings new hope to those facing brain metastases
MD Anderson's Polo on the Prairie raises more than $1.1 million
2021
Myeloma Research supervisor honored with $15,000 cash prize
MD Anderson’s Boot Walk to End Cancer® raises funds for cancer research and patient programs
MD Anderson welcomes 28 new leaders to Board of Visitors
Kelly Nelson, M.D., honored with Julie and Ben Rogers Award for Excellence
State-wide campaign aims to top add to $5.8 million raised to-date for pediatric cancer programs
Early career researchers demonstrate commitment to innovation, mission to end cancer
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