November 9, 2011- Angela Townsend

Champion of integrative oncology brings international conference to Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Helen Moss is one persuasive woman.

It should have come as no surprise to those who know her that the Society for Integrative Oncology is holding its eighth annual conference in Cleveland this week because of her efforts.

Having Cleveland, where three major medical centers are based, serve as host made sense to Moss, a longtime SIO board member from Bratenahl and a tireless local champion of integrative oncology.

Read the remainder of the article here.

In honor and recogniotion of their leadership in establishing the professorship, the first of its kind in integrative oncology.

The Helen Moss Cancer Research Foundation presents to Dean Pam Davis and Case Western Reserve University an award only previously given to President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama.

Letter from Helen Moss to Dean Pamela Davis:

I would like to extend my appreciation for your superb academic leadership. Your insight and commitment to innovation and excellence have resulted in the creation of an endowed professorship in integrative oncology at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine that will serve as a national model for the creation of a seamless program in medical education, biomedical research and patient care.

In your role as the Honorary Chairman of the Eighth International Conference, you and the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine served as pioneers in formally linking one of the most prestigious medical schools in this nation with the quickly developing field of integrative oncology.

It is with deep appreciation that I present you, Dean of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine,  with two Lilly Candlesticks, which represent the best that Virginia Artisans have to offer.  They were proudly made in America, hand-crafted by a former marine and presented to two Presidents of the United States –George  W. Bush (2009) and Barack Obama (2010)--  by the Commandant of the Marines.  The Parker Hannifin --  Helen Moss Cancer Research Foundation Professorship in Integrative Oncology also represents the essence of America.  It exemplifies the tradition of leadership, excellence and innovation for which the School of Medicine has been recognized for many decades.

Dean Pam Davis receiving the "Lilly Candlesticks," same as recieved by 2 U.S. Presidents

(From left to right: Pam Davis, Dean; Dr. Nathan Berger, former Dean; Helen Moss, Founder)

Info about the artist of the candlesticks here.

David S. Rosenthal, MD is the former President of the American Cancer Society, Founder of the SIO, Medical Director of Harvard University, and Faculty Member at Harvard Medical School.

On Friday, November 11, 2011 at the 8th International SIO Conference in Cleveland, Ohio Dr. Rosenthal spoke to 100 medical students who were recipients of grants to attend the conference by seven generous donors: Richard Fleischman+Partners Architects, The Cleveland Foundation, Helen Moss, Charles Bolton, Ratanjit Sondhe, Don Washkewicz, and Parker Hannifin.

The Importance of Medical Students to Attend the SIO Conference and how it came about at the 8^th International SIO Conference in Cleveland, Ohio

By Helen Moss

The email passionately asked me to help bring thirteen medical students who had come to her for help in attending the Conference. I asked Dr. Nate Berger, former Dean of the Medical School, if I should consider all the $250 each or only partial. Without hesitation he said to me, “All of it!”

Well I told her that I personally would put up the money through my foundation.  She emailed me back the most beautiful thank you note that anyone could imagine.  It melted me.  Then I emailed it to a friend just to share it.  He was so taken, that he put up $10,000 personally. She then registered 60 students from Case who wanted to attend. I raised more money with the seven entities listed on this website.

I then quickly raised enough funds so that l we had 100 medical students (70 pre-med and 40 nurses and other kinds of medical specialties) from four different Universities.   Our feedback was tremendous.  I received many letters from students thanking me.  Dr. Rosenthal of Dana Farber and Harvard told me that this was ground-breaking and that medical students have the influence to change the curriculum of the medical schools.  We then arranged for Dr. Rosenthal to speak privately to the 100 medical students at the conference during the conference to answer any questions.

This would not have happened but for one person, Dr. Lissa McKinley

Helen Moss and the Professorship in Integrative Oncology at Case Wesrtern Reserve University School of Medicine were recently featured in MOREbratenahl.

Dr. Keith Block was the Chair of the Eighth Annual SIO Conference in Integrative Oncology. Dr. Block and the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment are at the cutting edge of new and revolutionary tecniques in medicine.

Keith I. Block, M.D. and Penny Block, M.A., PhD, founded the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment in 1980, with a focus on treating the patient as a whole person rather than simply treating the diagnosis.  Together, they developed their unique and truly integrative approach to cancer treatment which encompasses traditional and complementary medicine delivered in a caring environment.

The Block Center’s skilled professionals, trained in the Block integrative philosophy, are all critical members of each patient’s treatment team.