Over the last year, the Kellogg Cancer Center at NorthShore hospitals, part of the Endeavor Health Cancer Institute, has accomplished several impressive achievements – from national leadership recruitment, to groundbreaking research, to treatment space expansion and patient support services.
The steadfast support of the donor community makes that growth possible, driving innovation, compassion and hope for patients. Here are just a few exciting updates.
Attracting top talent
Kellogg Cancer Center is proud to expand as the overall Endeavor Health system grows. This includes attracting top talent from across the country to serve in new leadership roles to help guide this expansion in a meaningful way both locally in our community as well as on the national and international stages.
Ted James, MD, is the new Physician Executive for the Endeavor Health Cancer Institute. Dr. James joins Endeavor Health from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston where he served as Chief of Breast Surgical Oncology and Director of the Breast Center.
In his new role as Physician Executive, Dr. James’ extensive clinical expertise, leadership and commitment to advancing cancer care will prove invaluable in shaping how cancer care is delivered across the Endeavor Health system.
Dhruv Bansal, MD, MBA is the new Program Director for Immunotherapy, building on existing efforts to establish and lead a team to enhance clinical care delivery and research in immunotherapy. Dr. Bansal and his team will partner with colleagues in clinical and research capacities, pathology, laboratory medicine, pharmacy, and more.
Mia Levy, MD, PhD is the new Physician Director of Innovation. This role will help shape Kellogg Cancer Center’s implementation of molecular diagnostic and therapeutic pathways, as well as implement a program for clinical breast cancer survivorship and direct growth in physician innovation. This role will also have leadership responsibilities on the Molecular Tumor Board. Dr. Levy’s recruitment is made possible directly by philanthropic support from donors.
Early cancer detection
Endeavor Health and local primary care doctors will conduct a real-world clinical trial of a blood test for early detection of multiple cancers, known as the multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test, involving 5,000 patients over three years. The test is particularly important for detecting cancers that are currently difficult to screen for, such as ovarian and pancreatic cancer.
Conducted in partnership with Madison, Wisconsin-based Exact Sciences and Baylor Scott & White Health in Texas, the study involves up to 25,000 patients to assess clinical performance, patient experience and psychological impact over five years. This testing is crucial for improving healthcare outcomes and aligns with the goals of the Endeavor Health Davis Family Center for Preventive Genomics to support informed decisions about early diagnosis and personalized treatment.
Expanding care
Endeavor Health Glenbrook Hospital is expanding its oncology treatment capabilities by building out a fourth chemotherapy treatment suite. This new suite joins three similar suites currently being used to full capacity, and it will be built within existing space at the hospital that had been previously earmarked for this purpose.
It will add nine treatment rooms, four exam rooms, additional charting space for clinicians and a new vitals station. This critical expansion will directly address the needs of the community, increase patient access to care and create more collaborative spaces for clinicians.
Thanks to donor support, the Kellogg Cancer Center can continue to advance cancer care for our communities we serve. This generosity ensures patients receive leading-edge cancer treatment from top professionals, furthering Endeavor Health’s mission to help everyone in our communities be their best.
These inspirational stories would not be possible without philanthropic support. We are powered by the generosity of donors who directly impact our ability to deliver on our commitment to providing community-connected care for every person, every time.
