Our Mission, Our Vision

The mission of The GHSU Cancer Center is to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality through the application of laboratory and clinical research discoveries to prevention, early diagnosis, control and treatment of cancer. Our vision to serve as the leading cancer research organization within the region is framed by the following goals:

• Providing outstanding, compassionate care to patients
• Conducting cutting-edge translational laboratory and clinical research in cancer causation, diagnosis, treatment and prevention especially germane to the particular cancer problems of the region
• Educating Georgia's cancer professionals to meet the current and future challenge of reducing the burden of cancer
• Serving the citizens of Georgia and the region by preventing and controlling cancer through knowledge dissemination and community action
• Representing the interests of the citizens, patients and medical community of the state of Georgia on cancer matters at the local, state and national levels

The Power of the Matrix

The GHSU Cancer Center is a matrix center, enjoying committed support from its parent, the Medical College of Georgia, part of the University System of Georgia, and MCG Medical Center. The college includes the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Allied Health Sciences and Graduate Studies.

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Dedicated Space, Inspired Designs

Research at The GHSU Cancer Center has three expressions, one laboratory-based, one clinic-based and one education-based.

The Cancer Research Center.

The five-story, 167,000-square-foot Cancer Research Center opened in 2006 at a cost of $54-million. Commonly known as the "Cancer Center," it houses administrative offices, laboratories and special equipment for researchers, such as flow cytometry resources. It also provides meeting space for seminars and lectures, such as Research in Progress, which draws an audience from across the campus; training sessions on sophisticated software used in research, and community-wide forums on cancer-related topics.

The Cancer Center will be home to some 35 GHSU research faculty and approximately 175 associated personnel. The research programs include: Cancer Immunology/Immunotherapy; Developmental Therapeutics; Molecular Oncology ( Genomics / Epigenomics, Chaperone Biology and Molecular Signaling), and Cancer Prevention and Control.

Laboratories have an open floorplan to allow work areas to flow into each other, fitting the collaborative nature of research today.

In the spirit of environmental harmony, angled ceilings and structural glass result in a space filled with natural light to reduce energy use. The center’s roof is covered with slow-growing grass to minimize heat loss and gain and to lessen the impact of runoff on the city’s water system.

A satellite energy plant with chilled water and steam provides heating and cooling for the Cancer Center and two adjacent research facilities. The plant's current capacity allows for future expansion.

The Outpatient Cancer Center.

Ground was broken in September, 2008 for a freestanding clinic, the MCGHealth Cancer Center. It began treating patients in January.

 

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Funding Partners:

The GHSU Cancer Center has received financial backing from private and public organizations as well as individuals. These contributors have invested in the health of the citizens of Georgia.

• Georgia General Obligation Bonds provided $15,300,000, including $1.4 million for planning and design. Atlanta-based Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, Inc. gave $2 million for construction.

• The Georgia congressional delegation secured $1,255,000 in federal funding from the Department of Health and Human Services for construction and equipment.

• Physicians Practice Group, a multi-specialty group practice comprised of MCG’s physicians, helped finance $29 million of the Cancer Research Center’s construction debt through bonds issued by the Richmond County Development Authority.

• The Georgia Research Alliance is providing matching funds for a $1.5 million Eminent Scholar Chair, the Cecil F. Whitaker, Jr., MD Chair in Cancer, which is held by The GHSU Cancer Center director.

• The GRA also supplied funds to finish one of the floors in the Cancer Research Center.

• The Georgia Cancer Coalition, which leads cancer initiatives statewide, has committed funds for nine new Distinguished Cancer Clinicians and Scientists at MCG.  

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