The University of Iowa and our department are recognized as experts in a sizable list of diseases and conditions. We have a reputation for understanding and treating diabetes, cystic fibrosis, acute kidney injury, a host of gastrointestinal and cardiovascular complications, just to name a few. We are national leaders in outcomes for lung and kidney transplants and in a variety of cardiac procedures. Through our relationship with the VA Health System, our investigation of innovative systems improvements results in health care delivery that is safer and more efficient. And there is no question that, when it comes to cancer, University of Iowa Health Care is a national leader. The reputation of the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center (HCCC) for discovery and compassionate care was not built overnight or easily maintained. It has been an ongoing effort from people at this institution over many years. And last week we learned that one of the chief architects and stewards of that effort, Dr. George Weiner, will step aside as HCCC director at the end of next month. If you have not had a chance to read his warm announcement and his assessment of 25 years of cancer care at Iowa, you can do so here.
In that letter Dr. Weiner points out a few reasons for why Iowa has become synonymous with world-class cancer care and research and why he remains optimistic about our future. He discusses transformative treatments such as immunotherapies that have long been championed by many of our visionary oncologists. They certainly hold significant promise, especially for people who might otherwise face life-ending diagnoses. But I would also emphasize the mention Dr. Weiner makes of clinical trials of many other kinds of treatments. New chemotherapy drugs may not be as headline-grabbing as CAR-T cell therapeutics, but our expanded ability in the last few years to launch a wide range of clinical trials for a spectrum of cancers has meant the difference for so many patients. Dr. Mo Milhem and Dr. Yousef Zakharia founded a working group to safely fast-track Phase I clinical trials and are piloting more studies for more patients than ever before. I agree with Dr. Weiner that Iowa will remain a leader and a source of comfort and hope for tens of thousands of Iowans for many years to come.
For our part, there are aspects of employment with UI Health Care that we can and should emphasize, whether we are talking directly to recruits or even our peers at other institutions. The size of the institution and our large catchment area means that we have access to a broad spectrum of patients. We have freedom to pursue lines of inquiry that line up with our curiosities and passions, including fellowships in health services research or quality improvement at the VA. Whatever your interest, you will also have support through mentorship and administration to help you develop sustainable programs, whether it is by identifying and helping you apply for funding or by connecting you with other intramural resources, even colleagues or mentors who share similar passions. If taking on a clinical leadership role is more your interest, the UI Health Care Executive Leadership Academy is just one of many avenues to provide you formalized instruction and to connect you with support. There is no shortage of chances to learn something new and make your mark at Iowa.
