I hope your summer has been going well. I have been able to steal a few days here and there, but there will be no vacations for me until after the CCSG site visit on September 12. Many of us have been very busy with preparations. When we submitted the competitive renewal, we held a retreat to update our strategic plan and put together our plans for the Site Visit. That was at the end of May.
Since then, we have put together presentations on the Director’s Overview, Six Essential Characteristics, Leadership, Plans to Enhance Diversity; Planning and Evaluation; Developmental Funding; Community Outreach and Engagement; Cancer Research Training and Education; each of our three research programs (Cancer Cell Biology, Cancer Host Interactions, Cancer Prevention and Control); Shared Resources (plus nine Shared Resource posters) and Administration. Everybody — everybody — has done a superlative job. We took the show on the road to New Jersey last week (our first group rehearsal following a series of smaller sessions), and it was just great. This Wednesday, we will welcome some of our External Advisory Committee members to hear our presentations and to give us feedback.
As I have mentioned before, the actual CCSG grant is akin to preparing a brief for the Supreme Court, and the Site Visit is the Oral Argument. However, the Site Visit is also like putting on a Broadway show that will run only one time and must be perfect coming out of the gate. It is daunting, but we are prepared. We have a great “script,” and a wonderful story to tell.
A successful review depends upon persuasive storytelling that describes an upward trajectory, but each assertion has to be supported by the evidence. And our evidence is strong. Since 2018, our grant funding has increased by nearly 70%, our clinical trial accruals have remained stable (a wonderful accomplishment in the post-pandemic era). Our Consortium partnership is strong, and we reach out into our community as never before: More than 34,000 people have participated in our community events. The alignment of our clinical care and clinical research have never been stronger. Our training grants have more than tripled, and multi-PI grants are up by more than 50%. Of our more than 1,000 peer-reviewed publications (not including reviews and chapters), 28% are high-impact (impact factors of at least 10). Each research program has at least 37 members and substantial peer-reviewed funding. We have great examples to share of paradigm-shifting, practice-changing and policy-altering science, supported by our great Shared Resources. This has happened with the deep commitment and strong support of Georgetown University, Hackensack Meridian Health and MedStar Health, and we have access to their continued support moving forward.
I know it can feel that financial pressures, and the pandemic and its aftermath, have held us back. But just re-read the paragraph describing our accomplishments. We have not only persevered, we have thrived. This did not happen by accident; it is the result of incredibly strong work and the passionate dedication of so many people. I could not be prouder to have the privilege of leading this cancer center, and am grateful to so many colleagues.
We are going to be fine.
Stay safe, and be well.
Lou
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author’s employer, organization, committee or other group or individual.