Dr. Tapas Das Gupta Cancer Research Symposium 2023

The 2023 Dr. Tapas Das Gupta Cancer Research Symposium will be held via Zoom on Friday, October 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The theme is Cancer Health Equity from Previvor to Survivor.

Please register in advance at this link: https://uic.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YatQ2mudRGenffeZ__dNtA

The symposium honors Das Gupta, the renowned surgical oncologist and prolific researcher who was the founding head of the Department of Surgical Oncology at UI Health and is now retired. Throughout his storied career, Das Gupta served as president of the Chicago Surgical Society and is a past recipient of the University of Illinois Distinguished Faculty Award, as well as a University Scholar. He consistently received funding from federal agencies and industry organizations and is the author of 275 papers and co-editor of two books.

Featured Speakers

Jeannette Turpin Carter

Cancer Research and Patient Advocate

A Survivor’s Perspective

Jeannette Carter is a two time breast cancer survivor from the South Side of Chicago. She is a motivational speaker, decreasing stigma around cancer in communities of color. In partnership with University of Illinois Cancer Center, she has contributed as a patient advocate and community engagement reviewer with the aim of increasing medical literacy for cancer patients. Additionally, Jeannette has partnered with the University of Chicago Medical Center promoting genetic testing for African American women impacted by cancer.

Jose G. Trevino MD, FACS

Geoffrey R. Shudtz Chair in Pancreatic Cancer Research

Walter Lawrence Jr. Distinguished Professor of Surgical Oncology

Director of Pancreas Program

Chair, Division of Surgical Oncology

Associate Professor of Surgery

Surgeon-in-Chief, Massey Cancer Center

Virginia Commonwealth University

“Taking the fight to the enemy”.  The Necessity for Diversity and Inclusion in Pancreatic Cancer

As surgeon in chief at VCU Massey Cancer Center, Jose G. Trevino, MD, FACS, serves as the lead oncology surgeon and demonstrates significant innovative approaches to cancer surgery. In addition to caring for patients and teaching, he is a physician-scientist who investigates pancreatic cancer tumor biology, microenvironment, cancer-induced muscle wasting (cachexia) and how it can all relate to pancreatic cancer health equity in underserved and underrepresented communities. His research hopes to develop novel therapies for pancreatic cancer and advance the field of research in pancreatic cancer health disparities.

David W. Chang MD, FACS

Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Professor of Surgery

Director of Microsurgery Fellowship

The University of Chicago Medicine & Biological Sciences

Update on surgical management of lymphedema

David W. Chang, MD, FACS, is a Professor and the Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the Director of Microsurgery Fellowship, and the Director of the Comprehensive Center of Excellence for Lymphatic Diseases at the University of Chicago Medicine. He has dedicated over 25 years in the field of reconstructive surgery for cancer patients, and has developed an international reputation as a leader, pioneer, and innovator in cancer reconstruction. He has particularly been instrumental in the recent surge of interest in microsurgical treatment of lymphedema with procedures such as lymphovenous bypass and vascularized lymph node transfer. From 1998 to 2013, he was at the MD Anderson Cancer Center where he served in numerous leadership roles including Deputy Chairman for the Department of Plastic Surgery, Director of the Plastic Surgery Clinic, and Director of the Center for Microsurgery Research and Training. He is a recipient of the Godina Traveling Scholar Award(2005) and the Buncke Lectureship (2019) from the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM). He has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters. He has been invited to lecture at numerous national and international meetings, while serving as a visiting professor at leading institutions all over the world. He  has served on the editorial board of numerous leading medical journals including Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. He has served on the Board of Directors for the American Society of Plastic Surgery. He is the past President of ASRM (2017) and the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery(2019-2021).

 

Lisa Newman, MD, MPH, FACS, FASCO

Chief, Division of Breast Surgery

Director, Interdisciplinary Breast Program

Weill Cornell Medicine

Oncologic Anthropology: Understanding the link between African Ancestry, Social Determinants of Health and Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Lisa Newman, MD, MPH, FACS, FASCO, is a surgical oncologist with a clinical and research practice dedicated to breast cancer management. In August 2018, she was appointed Chief of the Section of Breast Surgery at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medicine.In addition, at the NewYork-Presbyterian David H. Koch Center, she leads the multidisciplinary breast oncology program, which provides the finest, most compassionate care to women and men affected by breast cancer. Her extensive research related to disparities in breast cancer risk and outcomes has been published in numerous peer-reviewed medical journals and was featured in CNN’s documentary “Black in America 2”. Most recently, Newman was named a 2019 “Rock Star of Science and Medicine” by the European Society for Medical Oncology”. She received the AACR 2020 Jane Cooke Wright Minority in Research Award. In 2022 she received the AACR-Pelotonia-Victoria’s Secret Global Fund Meritorious Award for Research in Women’s Cancer, and in 2023 she was named “Physician of the Year” for the New York Presbyterian Hospital Network. In addition, she has been appointed to multiple national and regional leadership positions, including the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women; the NIH’s Clinical Trials Advisory Committee and the Advisory Council to the National Institute of Minority Health and Disparities. She has held leadership positions in the most prominent of oncologic academic and advocacy organizations and in October 2019, she was appointed 2nd Vice President for the American College of Surgeons.

Symposium Agenda

Friday, October 6, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (CDT)

11:00 – 11:20 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Jan Kitajewski, PhD, Head of Department of Physiology & Biophysics Director, University of Illinois Cancer Center
Robert Barish, MD, MBA, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs
Enrico Benedetti, MD, Head of Department of Surgery

11:20 -11:25 a.m.

Introduction of Symposium Presentations

Gerald Gantt, MD, FACS, FASCRS
Assistant Professor of Surgery

11:25 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

A Survivor’s Perspective

Jeannette Turpin Carter
Cancer Research and Patient Advocate

Q&A (5 minutes)

12:05 -12:45 p.m.

Oncologic Anthropology: Understanding the Link Between African Ancestry, Social Determinants of Health and Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Lisa Newman, MD, MPH, FACS, FASCO
Chief, Section of Breast Surgery
New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center
Leader, Multidisciplinary Breast Oncology Programs
New York-Presbyterian David H. Koch Center
Weill Cornell Medicine

Q&A (5 minutes)

12:50 -1:30 p.m.

Taking the Fight to the Enemy: The Necessity for Diversity and Inclusion in Pancreatic Cancer

Jose G. Trevino MD, FACS
Geoffrey R. Shudtz Chair in Pancreatic Cancer Research
Walter Lawrence Jr. Distinguished Professor of Surgical Oncology
Director of Pancreas Program
Chair, Division of Surgical Oncology
Associate Professor of Surgery
Surgeon-in-Chief, Massey Cancer Center
Virginia Commonwealth University

Q&A (5 minutes)

1:35 – 2:10 p.m.

Update on Surgical Management of Lymphedema

David W. Chang, MD, FACS
Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Professor of Surgery
Director of Microsurgery Fellowship
The University of Chicago Medicine & Biological Sciences

Q&A (5 minutes)

2:15 – 2:50 p.m. Panel Discussion 

Symposium speakers will offer collective insight and answer further questions from attendees The moderator is Dr. Gantt.

2:50 – 3:00 p.m. Closing Remarks

Dr. Kitajewski