Clinical Research Fellowship Program Established
Cancer Care Nova Scotia and Capital Health announced the establishment of the Roche Fellowship in Clinical Oncology today, June 27, as the result of a $225,000 donation from Hoffman- LaRoche Limited.
The donation provides funding for the recruitment and salary costs of one clinical research fellow, in each of the next three years, to join the medical oncology team at Dalhousie University's Faculty of Medicine and Capital Health.
"A strong clinical research program is pivotal to high quality cancer treatment and care," said Dr. Andrew Padmos, commissioner, Cancer Care Nova Scotia. "This generous donation from Hoffman- LaRoche Limited will enable us to further strengthen cancer research in Nova Scotia and build our body of knowledge in such areas as lymphoma, lung, breast and gastro-intestinal cancers."
Roche clinical research fellows will be newly certified cancer specialists who opt to enhance their training and qualifications by completing a 'fellowship' year of concentrated clinical activity and mentored research.
"This fellowship helps us move forward in multiple areas of our mandate," said John Malcom, interim president and CEO for Capital Health. "It's a significant boost for our research and teaching components, and helps ensure that we will be able to provide a sustainable, high-quality cancer care program for years to come."
The clinical and research activities of the first Roche clinical research fellow will focus on breast cancer. The fellow will join Cancer Care Nova Scotia's breast cancer site team and will dedicate 50 per cent of his/her time to support a medical oncologist in treating and caring for breast cancer patients. The remaining 50 per cent will be dedicated research time with an assigned mentor and supervisor to conduct a clinical research project in breast cancer.
"Roche is very proud to be associated with Cancer Care Nova Scotia and Capital Health as the sponsor of the clinical fellowship in oncology," said Simon Roberts, strategic partnerships / market access, Atlantic Region, Hoffman-LaRoche Limited. "As a world leader in cancer medications, Roche is excited about the opportunity to enhance patient care through the attraction of a world class medical oncology fellow to Halifax and we look forward to continued partnerships with Cancer Care Nova Scotia and Capital Health now and in the future."
Cancer Care Nova Scotia is a program of the Department of Health, created to reduce the burden of cancer on individuals, families, and the health care system through prevention, screening, education and research.
Capital Health comprises the Capital District Mental Health Program; Centre for Clinical Research; Cobequid Community Health Centre; Community Health; Dartmouth General Hospital; Addiction Prevention and Treatment Services; East Coast Forensic Hospital; Eastern Shore Memorial Hospital; Hants Community Hospital; the Nova Scotia Hospital; Musquodoboit Valley Memorial Hospital; Public Health Services; Twin Oaks Memorial Hospital; the Nova Scotia Environmental Health Centre; and the QEII Health Sciences Centre.
The Capital Health District also encompasses seven volunteer community health boards that advise Capital Health through the development of community health plans and encourage public participation in health planning. For more information, visit the Capital Health website at www.cdha.nshealth.ca .
Hoffmann-La Roche Limited is a health-care company committed to the discovery and development of new and innovative medicines to help treat human illnesses. The company is active in a broad range of therapeutic categories including oncology, virology, cardiology, transplantation, diagnostics and obesity.