Michael Birrer, MD, Ph.D., invested in Kent C. Westbrook, MD Director’s Chair for the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute

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UAMS Executive Vice Chancellor and Dean of College of Medicine Susan Smyth, MD, and UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, MD, MBA, present Birrer (seated) with his commemorative medallion and engraved wooden chair.

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July 16, 2021 | LITTLE ROCK – Michael Birrer, MD, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor and Director of the University of Arkansas’ Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute for Medical Sciences (UAMS), was invested July 15 in Kent C. Westbrook, MD Director, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.

“Michael Birrer’s academic body is incredibly impressive, and the ways he has found to improve cancer treatment have saved thousands upon thousands of lives,” said UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, MD, MBA and CEO of UAMS Health. “I look forward to seeing how much he will continue to do for our patients and improve cancer care. “

Birrer was appointed Vice-Chancellor and Director of the Cancer Institute in 2019 and heads all cancer-related activities for UAMS, whose cancer clinics report more than 150,000 patient visits each year. There are approximately 150 UAMS faculty members engaged in cancer research and clinical activities. He was chosen to lead the Cancer Institute toward achieving its goal of receiving the designation from the National Cancer Institute.

The NCI designation is awarded through a highly competitive evaluation process in which cancer centers must demonstrate exceptional depth and breadth of high quality cancer research. Obtaining the designation brings substantial benefits, including the ability to access federal research funding and offer clinical trials not available for non-designated centers. It is also expected to have an economic impact of $ 72 million in Arkansas and create around 1,500 new jobs over five years.

“I’ve been asked many times why I would quit Harvard and go South and UAMS,” Birrer said. “Each time, I would smile and just say, ‘Because that’s where the need is.’ “

“Think about the cancer needs in the state of Arkansas,” Birrer said. “The underserved, economically disadvantaged, geographically isolated – many populations who are in desperate need of advanced cancer care and access to high-level oncology. I can think of no better legacy than bringing an NCI Designated Cancer Center to Arkansas. This is why I am here. It is a truly sacred mission, it is the work of God. I’ll never stop chasing him, never.

An endowed chair is one of the highest academic distinctions a university can bestow on a faculty member. A Distinguished Chair is established with donations of at least $ 1 million, which are invested and the interest proceeds used to support the educational, research and clinical activities of the chair holder. Those appointed to chairs are among the most renowned scientists, physicians and professors in their fields.

The chair, created with a donation of $ 500,000, honors Kent C. Westbrook, MD, founding director of what is now the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute and Distinguished Professor in the Department of Surgery at UAMS College of Drug. He received the college’s Distinguished Faculty Award in 1978 and the Distinguished Faculty Service Award in 2013.

A native of Clarksville, Arkansas, Westbrook received his first graduation from UAMS in 1965. After his general surgery residency at UAMS, he completed a fellowship in surgical oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He returned to Arkansas determined to establish a cancer control program with his friend and fellow cancer surgeon James Y. Suen, MD, so the Arkansans would not have to leave the state for treatment. Westbrook worked with colleagues through much of the 1970s and early 1980s to develop comprehensive cancer control programs at UAMS, culminating in the formation in 1984 of the Arkansas Cancer Research Center, the predecessor from the Cancer Institute. Westbrook was its founding director for 14 years.

“It is only fitting that this chair bears the name of a person who shares these values ​​of helping the Arkansans: Kent Westbrook, someone who has made a powerful contribution to the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. Thank you, Kent, for all your efforts and all that you have done. If I see further, it’s because I stood on your shoulders.

“Dr. Birrer, I would like to thank you for your exceptional leadership and hard work as we pursue the NCI designation for UAMS,” said Susan Smyth, MD, Ph.D., Executive Vice Chancellor of the UAMS and Dean of the College of Medicine. “This ceremony is an opportunity to reflect on the history of the Cancer Institute and above all on the considerable impact that Dr. Kent Westbrook has had at UAMS, and to express to him our gratitude for the visionary work that he and Dr James Suen began decades ago. “

“I owe a great deal of my success in medicine to Mike for his guidance, mentorship and collaborative efforts,” said Don S. Dizon, MD, professor of medicine at Brown University, director of female cancers and outpatient hematology-oncology clinics at Lifespan Cancer Institute and director of medical oncology and the sexual health in oncology program at Rhode Island Hospital, in a video recording. “I just want to say how proud I am to know you and how proud I am that you are in such a wonderful institution, which I know you will help to grow and develop.”

“Mike is one of the most influential mentors I have had the privilege to come across, and I know I wouldn’t be here today without his tireless support,” said Marcela G. Del Carmen, MD, MPH, professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and chief medical officer of the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization, in video recording. “He has truly been a pioneer in his commitment to women’s health, to advancing the care of our gynecological cancer patients and also to advancing the careers of women in medicine. I stand before you today to recognize this heritage and this commitment throughout his career. “

In addition to the honor of being named the chair, Birrer received a commemorative medallion and an engraved wooden chair. He thanked his family and acknowledged Patterson, Christopher Cargile, MD, director of the Behavioral Health Service Line and Steppe Mette, MD, CEO of UAMS Medical Center, for recruiting him to UAMS.

“I have been blessed my whole life, and now you have given me a way to complete my life mission,” Birrer said. “I thank you.”

Birrer studied at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He received his medical degree and doctorate in philosophy in 1982 from the medical scientist training program at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. After a medical internship and residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, Birrer entered the Medical Oncology Fellowship Program at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. After his fellowship, Birrer was appointed Principal Investigator (with tenure) and created the Molecular Mechanisms section within the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control.

In 2008, Birrer was appointed Professor of Medicine at the Harvard School of Medicine and served as Director of Gynecologic Medical Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Gynecologic Oncology Research Program at Dana Farber / Harvard Cancer Center.

In 2017, he accepted the post of director of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he was professor of medicine, pathology and OB-GYN.

Recognized nationally and internationally as an expert in gynecological oncology, Birrer’s main research interest is to characterize the genomics of gynecological cancers to improve the clinical management of these diseases. His clinical interests include ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and cervical cancer.

Birrer has around 400 publications, including peer-reviewed manuscripts, book chapters, and review articles. He was Chairman and Chairman Emeritus of the Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program, Chairman of the Experimental Medicine Committee of the Gynecologic Oncology Group, Chairman of the Intergroup Translational Science Working Group on gynecological cancer and member of the gynecological cancer group. Steering Committee.

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UAMS is the only health sciences university in the state, with faculties of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, health professions, and public health; a higher school; hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a regional campus in northwest Arkansas in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and seven institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute and Institute for Digital Health & Innovation . UAMS comprises UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS ‘clinical activities, including its hospital, regional clinics, and the clinics it operates or employs in cooperation with d ‘other providers. UAMS is the state’s only Level 1 adult trauma center. American News and World Report named UAMS Medical Center the best hospital in the state; ranked its ear, nose and throat program among the top 50 nationally; and named six high performing areas: COPD, Colon Cancer Surgery, Heart Failure, Hip Replacement, Knee Replacement and Lung Cancer Surgery. UAMS has 2,876 students, 898 medical residents and four dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 10,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide patient care to UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, VA Medical Center. and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or www.uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.

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