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News Release

April 5, 2006

Contact: Maureen McGuire, 860-679-4523
e-mail: mmcguire@nso.uchc.edu

Pfizer, Inc. Honors Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center

Recognition for Efforts to Raise Awareness about the Needs of Older Patients with Cancer

FARMINGTON, CONN. – Experts from the University of Connecticut Health Center were recently honored by Pfizer, Inc. for their efforts to raise awareness about the special health care needs of older patients with cancer.

Representatives from Pfizer’s Oncology Division presented an award to Upendra Hegde, M.D., a medical oncologist with the Health Center’s Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center and Carolyn D. Runowicz, M.D., director of the Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center and president of the American Cancer Society. Dr. Hegde was the recipient of the 2005 Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals Visiting Professorship grant.

Together, Drs. Hegde and Runowicz worked with Pfizer Oncology to present a series of seminars, meetings and grand-rounds for medical providers and the public about issues related to cancer care and older patients. Topics included aging and spirituality, and positive approaches to aging. All programs featured presentations by a guest lecturer, Lodovico Balducci, M.D., a nationally known specialist in geriatric oncology from the University of South Florida-College of Medicine and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.

Dr. Balducci emphasized the importance of removing the prejudices and misconceptions that prevent older individuals from receiving the most up-to-date care for cancer. His talks at the Health Center were well-received; more than 200 people participated in the programs that were co-sponsored by UConn’s Celebrate Aging initiative.

“Because of Pfizer’s support, we were able to bring Dr. Balducci’s meaningful and inspirational message to many caregivers, patients and families in our area,” said Dr. Runowicz.

UConn Health includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, the UConn Medical Group, University Dentists, and John Dempsey Hospital. Home to Bioscience Connecticut, UConn Health pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service. More information about UConn Health is available at www.uchc.edu.

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