Members as Two of the Top Cancer Specialists
Margaret A. Tempero, M.D. and Alan Thorson, M.D., faculty members at
the University of Nebraska Medical Center, have been recognized by Good
Housekeeping magazine as two of the top 318 cancer specialists for women.
The doctors listed are the best surgical oncologists, reconstructive
surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists for lung, breast
and colon cancer in women. Dr. Tempero is a medical oncologist specializing
in gastrointestinal tract cancers and Dr. Thorson is a colon and rectal
cancer specialist.
More than 1200 doctors were nominated by 280 department chairs and
section chiefs in surgical, medical and radiation oncology at major medical
centers across the country. The specialists are listed in the March issue
of the magazine.
Dr. Tempero, deputy director and interim director for the UNMC Eppley
Cancer Center and professor of internal medicine, earned her medical degree
from UNMC in 1977 and also completed her residency there in internal medicine.
She joined the UNMC faculty in 1983 as an assistant professor in the
department of internal medicine and was elevated to associate professor
in 1987 and professor in 1994. She was appointed deputy director of the
UNMC Eppley Cancer Center in 1995 and was appointed interim director in
1997.
This marks the second time Dr. Tempero has been recognized on the list
of the best cancer specialists in the nation by Good Housekeeping magazine.
She was previously named in 1992. She also was included in the 1996-97
and 1998-99 edition of “The Best Doctors in America: Central Region,” a
book published by Woodward/White Inc. of Aiken, S.C.
Currently, Dr. Tempero is the principal investigator for a Special
Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant from the National Cancer Institute
to investigate gastrointestinal cancer.
Through the $4.4 million SPORE grant, basic and clinical researchers
from the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center are collaborating with peers from Creighton
University and the Creighton Cancer Center to explore new strategies for
the prevention, early detection and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is an NCI designated cancer center —
a distinction held by only 55 centers in the country. Of the $34.3 million
in competitive, external research grants and contracts awarded to UNMC
in 1997-98, cancer-related research accounted for about one-half of that
amount.
Dr. Thorson, a UNMC clinical associate professor of surgery, has his
practice, Colon and Rectal Surgery, at 8712 W. Dodge Rd. In 1979, Dr. Thorson
received his medical degree from UNMC and completed his residency in general
surgery there in 1984. He served a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery
at the University of Minnesota in 1985.
In 1985, Dr. Thorson was appointed clinical instructor in surgery at
UNMC and was elevated to clinical assistant professor in 1988. He
has held his current position since 1993. He was included in the 1996-97
and 1998-99 edition of “The Best Doctors in America: Central Region.”
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Through its commitment to research, education and patient care, UNMC has
established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for cancer research
and treatment and solid organ transplantation. In addition, UNMC’s educational
programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing
in Nebraska than any other institution.