Conquest Audio - Summer 2011

Conquest - Summer 2011 (1:36:00)

Learn about John Mendelsohn's legacy as MD Anderson's third full-time president; the selection of Ronald DePinho as the next president; how nurses provide evidence-based care to patients; and how cancer survivor John Holland is moving forward in his life.

Features

Mendelsohn: Through Whirlwind and Calm (11:21)

Anne and John Mendelsohn take a team approach to marriage and conquering cancer.

Mendelsohn: Visionary — A Belief in Possibility (5:37)

By any measure, MD Anderson's growth in size, stature and scientific progress during the past 15 years is staggering. The institution's unmatched transformation occurred under the tenure of John Mendelsohn.

Mendelsohn: Researcher — A Golden Beacon (5:45)

When John Mendelsohn returns to research at MD Anderson, he'll open a new chapter in his career at a cancer center vastly different from the one he came to Houston to lead in 1996.

Mendelsohn: Pioneer — A New Approach to Cancer Treatment (3:15)

In the 1980s, he and his colleagues took advantage of new discoveries and laboratory research tools to develop one of the first approaches to targeted cancer therapy. Soon, John Mendelsohn returns to research to help propel a highly personalized approach to cancer treatment.

Mendelsohn: Leader — Growing Our Way to Success (3:16)

He came, he saw, he listened. And then John Mendelsohn began to help build a workforce uniquely suited to conquering cancer in the 21st century.

Mendelsohn: Ambassador With Portfolio (5:58)

Anthony Freud, former general director of Houston Grand Opera, claims that John Mendelsohn has an extraordinarily powerful voice. But it's not for singing the roles of Don Carlos or Cavaradosi, Falstaff or Figaro. "When he talks," Freud says, "people listen. And they listen for good reason."

Mendelsohn: Educator — Key to the Future (6:18)

Understanding how academic mentors helped shape his career, John Mendelsohn has often stressed: "We must do everything possible to strengthen training for the next generation of oncology and other health care professionals."

Mendelsohn: Architect — Structured Global Relationships (5:29)

Eliminating cancer in Texas, the nation and the world always has been an institution-wide pursuit. However, in the past 15 years, this global part of MD Anderson's mission has played a noticeably larger role in the growth of the institution.

Mendelsohn: Fundraiser — On the Money (5:50)

John Mendelsohn's active role in clearly defining MD Anderson's philanthropic objectives and in securing financial resources for programs that need funding has made an indelible mark on the institution.

Picture This: President's Office (3:49)

When he's not in meetings on campus, attending events in the community, or traveling the country and the world on behalf of MD Anderson, John Mendelsohn makes his home on the 20th floor of Pickens Academic Tower.

Questioning Traditions, Standards, Basics (4:33)

Are MD Anderson nurses caring for patients in the best way possible? This key question has led to the creation of an initiative dedicated to evidence-based nursing practice.

Thigh-High Versus Knee-High (3:25)

When it comes to compression stockings, less can be more. That's what Cristina Zita and her team found when they questioned and researched the use of thigh-high compression stockings for patients over the more comfortable and cost-effective knee-highs.

The Undeniable Pressure of Evidence (5:38)

MD Anderson is home to the most sophisticated technologies in the world, but for David Conlon it's all about the simple blood pressure cuff.

Together When They Need Each Other Most (4:44)

Most evidence-based nursing practice projects begin with a clinical question or observation. But one such project began with a promise to a patient's husband.

Moving Forward: John Holland (3:11)

Faith and spirituality weave themselves through all aspects of John Holland's life — family man, business manager, community leader, outdoor enthusiast and cancer survivor.

Frontline

From Harvard to Houston (4:27)

A worldwide search for MD Anderson's fourth president has ended with the appointment of Ronald DePinho, M.D., by The University of Texas System Board of Regents.

Roadblock Clears Path for Herceptin (1:31)

Breast cancer tumors take numerous paths to resist the targeted drug Herceptin. But a single roadblock at a crucial crossroads may restore a tumor's vulnerability to treatment.

A Gene, a Protein and Breast Cancer (2:33)

Mien-Chie Hung, Ph.D., and his colleagues are hot on the trail of genes and proteins — among them p53 and EZH2 — to understand their role in cancer.

Lung Cancer: Inhibiting a Metastasis-Driving Protein (1:16)

Researchers have discovered a new, key component in the spread of lung cancer in the protein Jagged2, as well as a likely way to block it with drugs now in clinical trials.

Special Delivery Via 'Good Cholesterol' (1:26)

New research suggests that "good cholesterol" can act as a special delivery vehicle of destruction for cancer.

Further Study of Ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine (0:44)

To see if xerostomia (dry mouth) can be prevented when acupuncture is part of a head and neck cancer patient's treatment regimen, MD Anderson researchers have received a $2.7 million grant from the National Cancer Institute.

Texas Latinos Focus of New Network (1:18)

To reduce cancer-related health disparities among Texas Latinos, the National Cancer Institute has awarded a $4 million, five-year grant to create a Texas regional Community Networks Program Center, Latinos Contra El Cancer.

Lung Cancer: Genes Predict Response to Tarceva (1:21)

Recent discoveries show that response to treatment with Tarceva can be predicted for lung cancer patients who have no guiding indicators for their treatment.

Another Key to Bladder Cancer Risk (1:35)

A common genetic variation links to bladder cancer risk and to the length of protective caps found on the ends of chromosomes.