Ribbon cut on pancreatic cancer clinical research unit space

The clinical research unit of the UNMC Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence recently celebrated a ribbon-cutting of its new space.

Sunil Hingorani, MD, PhD, director of the UNMC Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence, said the unit – now located on the fourth floor of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha – would advance the clinical trials of pancreatic cancer patients in several ways.

The unit will provide one location for data coordinators, nurse case managers and others who work directly with clinical trials. It will decrease the time required to open a trial, making the clinic more responsive to patients and attractive to pharmaceutical companies. And it will provide continuity of nursing care for patients who are entering or leaving a trial.

“Everything we do is for the patient, and this unit will improve our patients’ experience and their access to the latest, most effective treatment,” Dr. Hingorani said.

H. Dele Davies, MD, interim chancellor of UNMC, said the relocated unit highlights the commitment to pancreas cancer research from the university and its primary clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine.

“All of us have been touched by someone who has endured this dreadful disease,” Dr. Davies said. “I’m proud of the team’s efforts to ensure our patients receive the latest available treatments.”

Joann Sweasy, PhD, director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, said the unit is a game-changer for the cancer center’s ability to open clinical trials to treat pancreas cancer.

“The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and institution are strongly committed to clinical research in pancreas cancer, and we are thrilled with the opening of this unit,” Dr. Sweasy said.