Jene Pierson, a key member of the research group that helped to revolutionize lymphoma care in Nebraska, died July 1 in Glendale, Ariz., after a battle with colon cancer. She was 75.
Pierson’s 40-year career at the University of Nebraska Medical Center began after she earned a degree in medical technology from Clarkson College in 1962. She later earned a medical technology degree from UNMC in 1972.
After working as a medical technologist at UNMC and training other technologists, Pierson was made the first coordinator of the Lymphoma Study Group when it was launched in the early 1980s at UNMC. She was responsible for management of the group’s research data.
The group collaborated with oncologists and pathologists throughout Nebraska and eastern Iowa to accumulate data on patients with lymphoma, the sixth most common form of cancer in males and females. There are more than 30 different subtypes of lymphoma.
By gathering extensive data on lymphoma cases, the Lymphoma Study Group is able to provide results that allow physicians to make more precise diagnoses and deliver more effective treatments to patients.
“The systems she put in place to collect and monitor data led to one of the most productive research efforts at UNMC,” said James Armitage, M.D., a UNMC oncologist who is considered to be one of the world’s leading experts on lymphoma. “She was a friend who had a lasting impact on our organization.”
Pierson later went on to lead the Cancer Clinical Trials Office at UNMC. She was a co-author on more than 100 research articles and abstracts for scientific journals. She also helped provide training on how to conduct research to visiting oncology fellows coming through UNMC. Many of these fellows were from foreign countries.
“Jene was an invaluable member of our lymphoma research group for many years, and – by her work – she has contributed to the knowledge that we have today that has optimized the therapy for patients with lymphoma,” said Julie Vose, M.D., professor and chief of the UNMC division of hematology and oncology.
Pierson retired in 1999, but returned a year later as a research consultant for Elizabeth Reed, M.D., another UNMC oncologist. She assisted Dr. Reed until 2008.
“Jene was fun and smart and ahead of her time in her approaches to data collection and the use of data registries for research,” Dr. Reed said.
Pierson retired to Arizona in 2009 to be near her son’s family.
A huge supporter of the arts and literacy, Pierson read more than 20,000 pages a year and was active in book and craft clubs. She was an accomplished cook and gourmet and enjoyed woodworking and cabinet building.
After her first marriage ended in divorce, Pierson raised her two children alone. She also cared for her mother, who suffered from dementia before her death.
In 1984, Pierson married William Pierson. They were married for 24 years before William died in 2008.
She is survived by her children, Mark Fritz (Mary), Peoria, Ariz., and Katherine Fritz-Kazantsev (Alexei), Boulder, Colo.; four grandchildren, Katie and Cole Fritz, and Jasper and Jayden Kazantsev; her sister, Arlene Buckner, Louisville, Ky.; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
A memorial service was held in Sun City, Ariz., on July 16. The family plans to return to Omaha for a burial service at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 29 at Graceland Park Cemetery, 4720 S. 42nd St. A reception will follow at 2 p.m. at UNMC in the Linder Reading Room on the second floor of the Sorrell Center.
Memorials to should go to the Hematological Malignancies Fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation in Omaha and the P.E.O. Foundation in Des Moines, Iowa.
What others are saying:
“I was privileged to know Jene as a wonderful boss, mentor and friend. She cared in a deep, personal way about everyone who worked with her and for her. Her patient, steadfast leadership was exemplary and crucial to the work of the Lymphoma Study Group and later the Cancer Clinical Trials Office. She nurtured the best in all of us with her gracious and gentle guidance. Jene will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers are with Jene’s family.”
Mary Morris, administrative associate, College of Public Health biostatistics (succeeded Pierson as manager of the Transplant Data Group)
“For many years we shared an office and rolled up our sleeves together, and Jene patiently guided me from infancy to usefulness in our world of lymphoma clinical research. Such proximity allowed me the benefit to see just how a professional addresses the arduous challenges. I admired her fortitude and resourcefulness and enjoyed her keen wit. The program she fostered is still strong and the lessons of that good lady still resonate. I join the sadness of the many who will miss her.”
Martin Bast, lead coordinator, Lymphoma Study Group
“I had just completed my Ph.D. when I started at UNMC and working with her. I learned a tremendous amount about stem cell transplants and lymphoma, along with the associated research data, from her. She trained me in the appropriate way to collect the research data. As the leader of the Cancer Clinical Trials Office in oncology/hematology, she played a vital role in much of the research conducted by the faculty. Without her efforts and her leadership of the Cancer Clinical Trials Office staff, we would not have been able to provide the faculty the necessary data and analyses for their publications.”
Jim Lynch, Ph.D., former chair of biostatistics at UNMC (1996-2010)
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