The National Cancer Institute (NCI) renewed Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University’s designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center last month.
There are 72 NCI-Designated Cancer Centers nationwide. In total, 54 hold the comprehensive status, with Winship being the sole recipient in Georgia. Winship Deputy Director Adam Marcus says that there is a “fine line” between the comprehensive and normal designations, with centers awarded comprehensive status fulfilling all responsibilities to the community they serve. Winship treats patients from all over the state.
Winship first became an NCI-Designated Cancer Center in 2009.
Marcus said this renewed status strengthens the “strong link” between Winship and the community.
“It really gives a feeling that you’re being recognized for serving your community,” Marcus said. “That’s really important. Us being designated is great for the state of Georgia.”
The comprehensive status grant expires after a five-year period, and the grant renewal process is an arduous journey that begins two years before the renewal date, according to Marcus. Eligible institutions submit a 1,500-page document to NCI detailing the institution’s community outreach and engagement, research, clinical care, education and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. This submission is followed by an on-site evaluation.
To achieve comprehensive status, Winship had to show that its “research spans the research and translational continuum,” which ranges from pathway discoveries such as understanding new cancer mutations to studying risk prevention, Winship Chief Administrative Officer Kimberly Kerstann (03G) said.
The designation recognizes multiple aspects of Winship’s leadership in cancer care. Winship earned this designation because the center has basic and clinical research, clinical care and community outreach and involvement, according to Winship Associate Director for Education and Training Lawrence Boise.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers also exhibit high-quality patient care.
“Essentially, if you are treated at an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, you achieve better outcomes than if you’re treated elsewhere,” Marcus said.
Marcus said that Winship is always striving to improve and be at the forefront of momentous areas of cancer research and care. Currently, the center is a leader in the investigation of cell therapy, how cancers metastasize, cancer screening and immunotherapy.
In the future, Boise said Winship hopes to further explore personalized cancer immunotherapy and the use of artificial intelligence and other data-based approaches to better the institute’s understanding of cancer.
Aside from funding research, Boise said that Winship demonstrates a commitment to collaborative academic and treatment practices. Boise oversees all cancer-focused training and professional development projects, which are available for learners ranging anywhere from middle schoolers to faculty members.
“Part of our mission is that we ensure that we’re training the next generation of scientists and clinicians and fellows,” Marcus said.
Winship’sSummer Scholars Research Programaffords pre-college students the opportunity to work closely with a Winship physician or researcher in clinical cancer research for six weeks. During this time, students meet with cancer patients to listen to and better understand their experiences.
Winship also collaborates with Emory’s Laney Graduate School to host the Diversity in Cancer Research Internshipfor underrepresented students who are interested in STEM. Boise said that the goal of the program is to enhance diversity in research, excite future researchers and support them early in the “training pipeline.”
Winship also values a “collaborative” environment within hospitals, according to Marcus. For instance, the new 17-story Winship Cancer Instituteat Emory Midtown, which opened in May, contains care communities. Care communities bring inpatient and outpatient care together and consist of spaces centered on a specific type of cancer, shared living rooms and collaborative care teams.
“Instead of the patient having to move between doctors and caregivers in a building, as many of those caregivers come to the patient as possible,” Marcus said. “This is a paradigm shift for how we deliver cancer care. It’s much easier on the patient and actually generates a lot more collaboration between the caregivers.”
Winship also directly interacts with community members to receive feedback on their services, Boise said.
According to Boise, Winship Associate Director for Community Outreach and Engagement Theresa Gillespie (81N, 98G) networks with leaders across the state to help and learn from cancer patients to better inform their research. Boise noted that since33.1% of Georgians identify as Black or African American, Winship actively focuses on improving their care for those cancer patients.
“We, in real time, are listening to the community and asking them, ‘What challenges are you facing?’” Kerstann said. “It’s about that bi-directional communication of us not just providing the outreach but us engaging the community to really understand their needs.”
With each grant renewal cycle, NCI also provides critiques for future improvement. This year, Boise said that NCI recommended that Winship increase their portfolio of “T32 grants.” These training grants support opportunities for pre and postdoctoral fellows regarding cancer research. Winship has already addressed this critique. Boise said that one new grant has already been funded this year and another grant will likely get funded next year.
Kerstann described Winship’s team as a “passionate” and “compassionate” group of people.
“They honestly feel like their work has the capability of changing the world, changing people’s lives, saving people’s lives,” Kerstann said. “That’s across the board, from some of our entry-level staff all the way up to our leaders.”
Managing Editor Madi Olivier (25C) contributed reporting.
