Circle of Hope

Construction at the Senator Orrin G. Hatch Center for Proton Therapy at Huntsman Cancer Institute is well underway. On March 28, a 15-ton proton accelerator arrived and was installed at the future center. This marks a major milestone for the project slated for a December 2020 debut.

Each day as I walk the halls of the hospital and clinics, I am humbled and honored to work side-by-side with our nursing staff.  Their caring, compassion, resiliency, and grit has earned HCI Nursing a place on the national stage as one of the best.  You truly do put our patients and community first, are united in your efforts for all our patients, their families, and each other and are excellent in everything you do. 

For many, the hardship of the coronavirus pandemic means more limited food choices. No matter the limitations, you can still nourish yourself and your family with the foods in your pantry. These meals may look different than what you’re used to and that’s okay.

As a third year medical student, I was about to start work with the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) breast cancer team when coronavirus cancellations began. All University of Utah School of Medicine clinical learning was suspended to protect the health of patients and students. Soon, however, Kirstyn E. Brownson, MD, the physician I was scheduled to work with on my rotation, contacted me. We talked shop and she shared insights about treating breast cancer. Aside from these lessons, she gave me a challenge: research something I’m interested in and its connection with breast cancer.

Our CEO Mary Beckerle shares an update to explain the steps Huntsman Cancer Institute is taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus. Updates are also regularly available on our social media pages.

I’ve heard the new coronavirus is a marathon, not a sprint. Marathon runners have moments when they push themselves, moments when they preserve energy, and moments when they shore up for a long stretch. Maybe our spirits can use an infusion of joy once in a while—even small joy, like a fun taste, silly moment, or simple connection. What can your joy infusions be? When can you have one?

Our CEO Mary Beckerle announces Huntsman Cancer Institute’s 2020 Report to the Community. This year’s report is titled The Huntsman Touch. Look carefully and you’ll see that one of the core features of HCI’s vision, the human touch, is embedded in that title. The human touch is part of the essence of HCI. It exemplifies how we deliver patient care, how we care for each other, how we care for our community, and how our science is focused on making a difference in people’s lives.

Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Geographic Management of Cancer Health Disparities program (GMaP) is an initiative of HCI’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion and is part of a nationwide program by the National Cancer Institute. Organizations from seven hubs across the country work to reduce cancer health disparities and support career development for researchers and trainees who work on cancer health disparities.