American Cancer Society Honors Fox Chase Cancer Center and Temple University School of Medicine Faculty for Distinguished Achievements in the Fight Against Cancer

PHILADELPHIA, PA (October 28, 2014)—The Pennsylvania Division, Southeast Region of the American Cancer Society recently honored Fox Chase Cancer Center and Temple University School of Medicine for the work of key individuals within their organizations whose gifts of time and talent better the chances of living in a cancer-free world. Those honored received their awards at the Society’s Awards Dinner on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in King of Prussia, PA. 

Among those honored were J. Robert Beck, MD, Senior Vice President, Deputy Director, Chief Academic Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, and H.O. West and J.R. Wike Chair in Cancer Research at Fox Chase, who received the 2014 Cancer Control Award for his exemplary individual achievements in the field of cancer control.

The Cancer Control Award celebrates the spirit of volunteerism and recognizes key American Cancer Society volunteers whose work advances cancer research, patient care and advocacy. Dr. Beck oversees all activities that support the academic and research operations of Fox Chase. As Deputy Director, he will also serves as a key advisor to Richard I. Fisher, MD, President and CEO of Fox Chase, and Senior Associate Dean, Temple University School of Medicine, concerning matters related to value creation; culture of patient safety; investment in quality, risk management, regulatory and accreditation matters; clinical outcomes; employee and faculty engagement; medical staff and faculty governance; public reporting; value based purchasing; and pay for performance. In addition to his many administrative duties, he maintains research interests in technology assessment, cost-effectiveness of cancer therapies, cancer health disparities, and the organization of biomedical informatics services and general academic resources.

Jean-Pierre Issa, MD, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology at Temple University School of Medicine, was also honored with the 2014 Scientific Research Award for his important contributions in the field of epigenetics in the pathophysiology and treatment of cancer.

As principal investigator and project leader of several multi-million-dollar NIH/NCI-funded research projects, Dr. Issa has overseen ground-breaking studies. Particularly impressive are the important contributions his work has made to our understanding of epigenetics in the pathophysiology and treatment of cancer. His work has helped to reveal that different cancers arise along different molecular routes – predominantly genetic vs. predominantly epigenetic, an important concept in the pathophysiology of cancer. His focus on whole genome epigenetic studies has led to promising biomarkers for cancer detection, prognosis and prediction, and his proof-of-principle for epigenetic therapy of cancer is now standard of care in several types of leukemias.

In addition to both individuals, Fox Chase Cancer Center was honored as an organization with the Partners in Health Initiatives Award for its high level of commitment to the mission of the American Cancer Society.  The award is given to organizations who have demonstrated outstanding efforts to link the American Cancer Society’s goals and priorities with the goals and priorities of the system that they represent.  In particular, this award illustrates how Fox Chase has enabled the American Cancer Society to effectively and impactfully reach large and varied audiences whom, without the aide and assistance of the partner, the American Cancer Society would not have been able to reach.

Fox Chase Cancer Center (Fox Chase), which includes the Institute for Cancer Research and the American Oncologic Hospital and is a part of Temple Health, is one of the leading comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as one of the nation’s first cancer hospitals, Fox Chase was also among the first institutions to be designated a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1974. Fox Chase is also one of just 10 members of the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers. Fox Chase researchers have won the highest awards in their fields, including two Nobel Prizes. Fox Chase physicians are also routinely recognized in national rankings, and the Center’s nursing program has received the Magnet recognition for excellence six consecutive times. Today, Fox Chase conducts a broad array of nationally competitive basic, translational, and clinical research, with special programs in cancer prevention, detection, survivorship, and community outreach. It is the policy of Fox Chase Cancer Center that there shall be no exclusion from, or participation in, and no one denied the benefits of, the delivery of quality medical care on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, disability, age, ancestry, color, national origin, physical ability, level of education, or source of payment.

For more information, call 888-369-2427

Fox Chase Cancer Center (Fox Chase), which includes the Institute for Cancer Research and the American Oncologic Hospital and is a part of Temple Health, is one of the leading comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as one of the nation’s first cancer hospitals, Fox Chase was also among the first institutions to be designated a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1974. Fox Chase is also one of just 10 members of the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers. Fox Chase researchers have won the highest awards in their fields, including two Nobel Prizes. Fox Chase physicians are also routinely recognized in national rankings, and the Center’s nursing program has received the Magnet recognition for excellence six consecutive times. Today, Fox Chase conducts a broad array of nationally competitive basic, translational, and clinical research, with special programs in cancer prevention, detection, survivorship, and community outreach. It is the policy of Fox Chase Cancer Center that there shall be no exclusion from, or participation in, and no one denied the benefits of, the delivery of quality medical care on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, disability, age, ancestry, color, national origin, physical ability, level of education, or source of payment.

For more information, call 888-369-2427