Professorship Announced, November 10, 2011

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine is honored to announce gifts to establish the inaugural Parker Hannifin – Helen Moss Cancer Research Foundation Professorship in Integrative Oncology. This professorship will establish the School of Medicine and its affiliate hospitals as international leaders in teaching, research, and patient care in the field of integrative oncology.

The gifts from The Parker Foundation and Helen Moss Cancer Research Foundation, among other donors, will establish an umbrella program for integrative oncology – an opportunity not offered at other institutions. The professorship seeks to change the way cancer is treated by employing the practice of integrative medicine and therapies designed to extend the lives of cancer patients using a more holistic and natural approach, along with traditional medicine. Historically, cancer has been treated as an acute illness; the Professorship in Integrative Oncology will research the impact of treating cancer as a chronic condition focused on alleviating the pain and suffering of patients through non-toxic approaches to improve immune system capabilities. Such approaches can include complementary and alternative medicine; diet, exercise and healthy lifestyle choices; as well as the use of neutraceuticals, herbs and botanicals. The holder of this leadership chair will bring together the finest educational, research, and clinical resources available at Case Western Reserve and its affiliate hospitals to bring new complementary and natural treatment options to patients.

Please see the remainder of the Case Western Reserve University Press Release here.

Professorship announcement occurred November 10, 2011 at the opening of the 8th International SIO Conference, before 540 international conference attendees:

The Parker Foundation pledged $1,000,000 to create a professorship of integrative oncology at Case Western University Medical School, consistent with its belief that innovative and natural health treatments have an important place in treating cancer and saving lives. Parker Hannifin Corporation, a global company with over 60,000 employees, has a long standing tradition of taking good care of its employees. Dan Serbin, Parker’s Executive Vice President of Human Resources, advised the conference participants about the company’s complementary and alternative benefits program as a shining example of the leading edge offering the company provides in its benefits options. Parker is unique in offering a comprehensive benefits program in the United States that includes alternative medicine treatments designed to offer considerable choice and flexibility to employees and covered family members, while placing an important emphasis on prevention and wellness.

“Parker will continue to offer a wide-variety of coverage options, so that employees can select the program that best fits them and their families,” commented Serbin. “Our benefit packages are structured to encourage healthy choices, as well as preventative care and alternative therapies.”