Fox Chase's Growth Complements Young's Successful Tenure

As Robert C. Young, MD, graciously accepted the honors awarded to him, renderings of the Cancer Prevention Pavilion with its new name flashed on nearby screens.

In the most prominent circles of cancer research, treatment and prevention, Robert C. Young, MD, is known as a trailblazer. He is referred to as "bold, ambitious and courageous" by the FDA's commissioner, Andrew von Eschenbach, MD, and as a man "who is not afraid to open his mouth and give you that tough line" by Harvard's Ed Harlow, PhD. Young has earned respect by not flinching at weighty challenges, but assuming leadership roles and significant responsibility.

For this and much more, Fox Chase Cancer Center's June 21, 2007, symposium, "Toward a Future Without Cancer: Goals for the 21st Century," honored Young's legacy. (See related cover story.)

The annual board dinner later that evening was transformed into an elegant ceremony attended by Young's family, close friends and colleagues to celebrate the naming of the Cancer Prevention Pavilion—the Robert C. Young, MD, Pavilion for Cancer Research—and the establishment of the Robert C. Young, MD, Endowed Chair in Cancer Research.

"This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to do something singularly important enough to recognize Bob and all the great things he has done," said Robert E. Keith, who established the chair with his wife Margot Wallace Keith, a Fox Chase board member.

"The Robert C. Young Chair acknowledges Bob's contributions to Fox Chase and the fight that goes on every day against this awful disease," said Margot.

"We're hoping that other people will join us so [the Robert C. Young Endowed Chair in Cancer Research] will grow over time and continue to support this work," she added.

Young's contribution to Fox Chase is evidenced in the growth of the institution both physically and scientifically during his tenure.

Fox Chase Cancer Center's patient population has grown from 1,200 a year in 1988, when Young assumed the presidency, to 7,000 this year.

Young's vision of elevating the importance of cancer prevention was realized with the opening of the Cancer Prevention Pavilion in 2000. The pavilion houses programs that provide risk profiling, genetic testing, access to cancer prevention clinical trials, family counseling and diagnostic screening. Programs include the Margaret Dyson Family Risk Assessment Program (for breast and ovarian cancers), the Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment Program, the Gastrointestinal Tumor Risk Assessment Program and the Pulmonary Cancer Detection and Prevention Program. The pavilion also includes research laboratories as well as behavioral and population science programs.

Internationally known for his work in the treatment of lymphoma and ovarian cancer, Young worked with Fox Chase's Robert Ozols, MD, Thomas Hamilton, PhD, and many more, to catapult Fox Chase to its top position in ovarian cancer research. Fox Chase now is the site of a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Special Program of Research Excellence in Ovarian Cancer (SPORE)—one of only four in the nation. NCI designed SPORE grants to support innovative, multidisciplinary research approaches that potentially may have an immediate impact on improving cancer care and prevention.

Young also has spearheaded Fox Chase's 20-year, billion-dollar expansion plan to accommodate the increasing patient population and to remain one of the finest centers for cancer prevention, research and treatment.

Young recently accepted the position of chancellor for Fox Chase Cancer Center, where he will report to president Michael V. Seiden, MD, PhD, and work with the board of directors and senior leadership. Young will lead several efforts, including serving as the chairman of the Board of Scientific Advisors of NCI and advocating for Fox Chase Cancer Center both at the national and state levels. Young will also continue to work with institutional leaders on the completion of the Cancer Research Pavilion and expansion projects.