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UR Medicine’s Wilmot Cancer Institute has received a $4 million commitment from the Pluta Cancer Foundation.
The funds will establish the endowed Pluta Professorship in Breast Care and name the Pluta Comprehensive Breast Care program at Wilmot, The gift provides immediate funds to advance recruitment and retention initiatives and clinical trials around Wilmot’s developmental therapeutics efforts, officials say.
“The Pluta Cancer Foundation and Wilmot are singularly focused on helping those with a cancer diagnosis at all stages of their treatment, care, and recovery,” says Ron Pluta, chair of the Pluta Cancer Foundation board. “We’re proud to make this commitment, which is possible through the generosity of all our donors over the years. This truly aligns with our mission to support cancer patients and invest in the professional development of those on the frontlines of patient care.”
David Linehan M.D., CEO of the University of Rochester Medical Center, dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry, and senior vice president for health sciences, views the gift as a way to “enhance research opportunities, support innovative teaching initiatives, and attract leading experts in cancer care.”
The Pluta Cancer Center was established at the former Genesee Hospital in 1975. After the hospital’s closure in 2001, the center became an independent, nonprofit cancer center, the first in New York. In 2012, Pluta Cancer Center signed an agreement to merge with URMC. Following that move, the Pluta Cancer Foundation was established.
“Pluta has a richly deserved reputation for high-quality, patient-centered care,” said then URMC CEO Bradford Berk M.D. at the time. “In turn, the Wilmot Cancer Center at URMC provides access to leading-edge treatments, research and promising clinical trials. The proposed partnership would enable us to leverage the strengths of both organizations to provide more comprehensive, higher-quality care to patients in our community. “
Today, the Pluta Cancer Center houses the Pluta Comprehensive Breast Care Program and the Pluta Integrative Oncology & Wellness Center, which optimizes health, quality of life, and clinical outcomes.
“We extend our profound gratitude to the Pluta Cancer Foundation,” says Jonathan Friedberg, M.D., director of the Wilmot Cancer Institute. “This expanded partnership provides critical support to Wilmot’s bold strategic plan as one of the elite cancer centers in the United States.”
Smriti Jacob is Rochester Beacon managing editor. The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. Submissions to the Letters page should be sent to [email protected].
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