The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center welcomed its new director, Randall Holcombe on Monday, November 7. The center also celebrated its 45th anniversary, and the 20th anniversary of its National Cancer Institute designation with a University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center Day proclamation presented by Govenor David Ige.
“The cancer center is really a unique HawaiʻiHawaiʻin the cancer problems of the people of Hawaiʻi,” said Holcombe.
The UH Cancer Center is one of only 69 cancer centers in the United States with a National Cancer Institute designation, and the only one in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. Since the center was founded in 1971, thousands of Hawaiʻi residents have been able to participate in UH Cancer Center coordinated clinical trials.
“For 45 years now the cancer center has contributed to the health of our residents by providing research and access to clinical trials, which offer innovative life saving treatments that would not otherwise be available to our community here in Hawaiʻi,” said Govenor Ige.
“It’s clear to those of us who have worked with him that Randy is the right person to lead us in the polishing of this jewel in the University of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific,” said David Lassner, president of the University of Hawaiʻi.
Holcombe plans to take the lead in the UH Cancer Center’s mission to reduce the burden of cancer in our communities through research, education, patient care and community outreach with an emphasis on the unique ethnic, cultural and environmental characteristics of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.
“The welcome that I have received from the cancer center faculty, from the university, from all of the people of Hawaiʻi has really been outstanding. My wife and I feel so welcomed to be here on the islands, we’re very honored. Thank you very much.”
For more on the event, read the UH Cancer Center news release.
Director Randall Holcombe’s remarks
Event photos
For photos from the event, go to the UH Cancer Center Flickr album.
