ALOHA ‘ OE AND MAHALO NUI LOA , DR . HOLCOMBE !
Randall Holcombe , MD , MBA , departed Hawai ‘ i to become the new Director of the University of Vermont Cancer Center on August 1st . He served as Director of the UH Cancer Center from 2016 to 2021 .
Dr . Holcombe joined the UH Cancer Center at a critical juncture for the Center which included the impending renewal of the very important National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Support Grant ( CCSG ) and designation , attempts at reorganization , negative press , and serious financial concerns .
Upon arrival , Dr . Holcombe was warmly received by faculty and staff , who were impressed by his willingness to give up his successful positions at Mount Sinai in New York and relocate to Hawai ‘ i . Over the years , he had been described as intelligent , articulate , and humble in his interactions with faculty and staff , professional colleagues , and community partners and leaders . One faculty member shared that Dr . Holcombe gained their trust and confidence that he was a fair and transparent leader .
In summarizing his legacy as UH Cancer Center Director , Dr . Holcombe stated .
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
RENEWAL OF THE CANCER CENTER SUPPORT GRANT ( CCSG ),
RECRUITMENT OF NEW MEMBERS TO THE HAWAI ‘ I CANCER CONSORTIUM ,
RENEWAL OF THE NCI COMMUNITY ONCOLOGY RESEARCH PROGRAM ( NCORP ) CLINICAL TRIALS GRANT ,
EXPANSION OF THE CLINICAL RESEARCH NETWORK TO GUAM WITH RENEWAL OF THE PACIFIC ISLAND PARTNERSHIP FOR CANCER HEALTH EQUITY ( PIPCHE ) GRANT ,
BALANCING THE CANCER CENTER BUDGET AND RESOLUTION OF ISSUES WITH UH AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS , AND
OBTAINED FUNDING FOR EARLY PHASE CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTER ( EPCRC ).
Randall Holcombe , MD , MBA
I THINK MY GREATEST IMPACT WAS … TO RENEW AND STRENGTHEN THE FOCUS OF ALL OF THE CANCER CENTER ’ S RESEARCH ON THE PEOPLE OF HAWAI ‘ I AND THE U . S . -AFFILIATED PACIFIC ISLANDS , INCLUDING POPULATION SCIENCES , CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY , BASIC CANCER BIOLOGY , CLINICAL AND DISEASE-FOCUSED RESEARCH , AND CANCER PREVENTION .
The UH Cancer Center ’ s renewed focus of addressing the cancer burden and cancer outcome disparities among unique populations , led to innumerable successes under Dr . Holcombe ’ s leadership .
Our gratitude to Dr . Holcombe can best be reflected in our continued future successes in cancer research , education , and community outreach and engagement . COMMUNITY PARTNER , COMPASSION FOR CANCER CAREGIVERS , HONORED DR . HOLCOMBE FOR HIS DEDICATION TO BEING A “ STEERSMAN ” FOR CANCER JOURNEYS .
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