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SPECIAL FEATURE “At the end of the day, our main focus is providing superior patient care while achieving superior outcomes,” says Dr. Bolwell. “We care about our patients and are sensitive to the fact that they are extremely ill.” Support groups, fertility preservation, Feza H. Remzi, M.D., and Vicki Rumpler, CNP concerning hematologic malignancies at the ASH national meeting. We also employ a model of translational research that allows us to quickly move research from the bench to the bedside, which we do as well as any cancer center in the United States.” Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute is home to all laboratory-based, translational and clinical research. Its researchers, many of whom hold secondary appointments in Cleveland Clinic’s clinical institutes, are leaders in explaining the underlying causes of a wide variety of cancers including prostate, colorectal, kidney, breast, and gliomas and blastomas, among others. One such research program is the development of a prototype breast cancer vaccine. Scientists working in the laboratory of Vincent Tuohy, Ph.D., in the institute’s Department of Immunology, were able to develop the vaccine by identifying a breast-specifi c protein — alpha-lactalbumin — that is over-expressed in breast cancer patients. In mice, use of the prototype vaccine showed promise in treating breast cancer and inhibiting early tumor growth. A phase I clinical trial has been planned. Signifi cant research is also being conducted in the areas of ischemia-induced kidney injury, which can occur during partial nephrectomy for treatment of kidney cancer. This research is focused on fi nding ways that physicians can reduce and/or prevent ischemia-induced kidney injury during partial nephrectomy. Research is also underway to help shrink tumors in patients with renal cell carcinoma, which would make the tumors more amenable to resection. Caring for Mind and Spirit All Cleveland Clinic staff members understand that the ramifi cations of cancer extend far beyond its physical symptoms. Consequently, supportive services are in place to help patients and their families cope with a cancer diagnosis and navigate the treatment process. genetic counseling, a Late Effects Clinic and a Reflections Wellness Program are all available to patients. In addition, Cleveland Clinic is part of the Scott Hamilton CARES Initiative, which helps promote cancer awareness through educa- tion and research. Through a partnership with the Scott Hamilton CARES Initiative, the Taussig Cancer Institute has developed a website called Chemocare.com, which provides a resource for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Cleveland Clinic has also established a 4th Angel Mentoring Program that pairs newly diagnosed cancer patients who are undergoing treatment with cancer survivors who can provide additional support. Providing a Resource for Referring Physicians Cleveland Clinic provides cancer care at the community level through 13 off-site clinics that are located throughout Northeast Ohio. Emphasizing enhanced communication with referring physi- cians, Cleveland Clinic physicians provide referring physicians with continuous updates regarding their patient’s treatment protocols and progress. Cleveland Clinic’s critical care transport team, whose fl eet comprises mobile ICU vehicles, helicopters and fi xed-wing aircrafts, serves critically ill and highly complex patients across the globe. Call 1-866-547-1467 or visit www.clevelandclinic.org/criticalcare- transport. Complimentary assistance for out-of-state patients and families is also available with the Medical Concierge service, call 1-800-223-2273, ext. 55580 or e-mail medicalconcierge@ccf.org. Cleveland Clinic also publishes its outcomes in Outcomes books that are designed for referring physicians and contain a summary of medical and surgical trends, patient volume and outcome data, and available technologies and innovations. To view these Outcomes books online, physicians may sign up at www.clevelandclinic.org/outcomesonline. The Taussig Cancer Institute publishes Cancer Consult, a magazine that provides physicians with updates on innova- tions in cancer treatment and diagnosis. Physicians may sign up for a subscription to Cancer Consult by sending an e-mail to CancerAnswer@ccf.org or by calling 1-866-223-8100. To refer your patient to Cleveland Clinic, please call the Cancer Answer Line at 1-866-223-8100 or e-mail CancerAnswer@ccf. org. Physicians may also download cancer treatment guides published by Cleveland Clinic for their patients at http:// my.clevelandclinic.org/health/free-guides-newsletters.aspx. n MDNEWS.COM MD NEWS Central New York | 17