Hello, everybody. This is my last blog of 2010. Now that we are knee-deep into the holiday season, it is a good time to reflect on the past and look to the future. I want to start by thanking everyone at Lombardi for their contributions to our Cancer Center’s mission. It has been a challenging and exciting year. I am heartened by many exciting developments that augur well for our future. Just today, we received confirmation that our lead candidate for leadership of the newly reconstituted bone marrow transplant program has accepted our offer letter and will join us early next year. This collaborative effort with the NCI places us in a position to develop a world-class and comprehensive program in hematological malignancies and transplantation. Be on the lookout for more details on this and other pending clinical research recruitments. Plus, we are moving forward with plans to expand Lombardi’s clinical and clinical research footprint at GUH and at other Washington area MedStar clinical facilities. This is a very exciting development that positions Lombardi right where it needs to be as we evolve into the clinical care and research powerhouse that characterizes the best comprehensive cancer centers. Finally, our funding profile remains strong, and I learn about exciting research findings emanating from our investigators on a near-daily basis.
But, at the end of the day, Lombardi, like any enterprise, is only as good as its people. And, I can think of no group I would rather work with as we strive to make this world a better place.
I wish everybody the happiest of holidays and a joyous, healthy and productive new year.