If You Build It .
Dedication of New Moores Cancer Center Draws Healthy Crowd

By Paul K. Mueller I April 11, 2005

A healthy crowd enjoyed a reception and tours after the ribbon-cutting.

The people gathering on UCSD's East Campus near Thornton Hospital Friday morning weren't there for medical reasons, but rather to celebrate a positive, healthy form of growth - the new Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center, with its dazzling Katzin Research Laboratories tower and newly landscaped grounds.

As the sun broke through the early-morning clouds right on cue, hundreds of academic, medical and business leaders, as well as students, staff and faculty, assembled at 10 a.m. in the building's courtyard for the dedication and ribbon-cutting, followed by a reception and tours of the facilities.

Ed Holmes, vice chancellor for Health Sciences and dean of the School of Medicine, heralded a "new era in cancer treatment" and thanked the Moores, Miriam and Jerome Katzin, and all of those whose philanthropy made the building possible. He recognized the numerous state and regional leaders present, including Lt. Gov. Bustamante and state senators and representatives, and introduced Chancellor Marye Anne Fox.

"It's an exciting day in the life of this university," Fox said, "a transformative event in the quest to save lives. We are truly aspiring to excellence, and achieving the best for our communities." She, too, thanked all the benefactors, "whose generous gifts are so selfless and far-sighted."

Dr. Dennis Carson, director of the Cancer Center, said that the occasion marked "a long-held dream unfolding." 'Now," he said, "our focus shifts to life-saving work." He paid special tribute to the researchers, physicians, nurses, social workers, administrators and staff at the facility. "The Moores Cancer Center family is with patients and their families all the way," he said.

Chancellor Fox sits with John and Rebecca Moores at the dedication of the new Moores UCSD Cancer Center.

Next, Dr. Andrew C. von Eschenbach, director of the National Cancer Institute, pledged the full commitment of the NCI to a "bold and ambitious goal: the elimination of cancer," and lauded the vision, leadership and community support that led to the Cancer Center's opening.

John and Rebecca Moores, the building's namesakes, were introduced to a standing ovation, as were Jerome and Miriam Katzin. John Moores noted that a Padres victory on Thursday night was a good omen for the ceremony and acknowledged the presence in the crowd of baseball celebrities Dave Winfield and Jerry Coleman, and his "mentor and friend" Ward Connerly. "UCSD's best years are still ahead," he said. "Now, let's cut this ribbon!"

After eight years of planning and more than two years in construction, the building consolidates clinical, research and administrative services in a striking new architectural addition to the campus.

The facility comprises two structures - a three-story clinical service and administrative facility and a five-story research tower, together encompassing 270,000 square feet - which house outpatient services, research labs, clinical trials offices, cancer prevention programs and community outreach activities.

Among its eye-catching architectural features are stainless-steel tiles that change color as the day progresses.

All-star former Padre Dave Winfield was among the distinguished guests at the ceremony.

A $20 million philanthropic gift from John Moores, majority owner of the San Diego Padres and Regent of the University of California, and his wife, Rebecca, for the new building is among the largest gifts from private individuals ever received by UCSD. A $15 million gift from Jerome and Miriam Katzin, longtime supporters and volunteers at UCSD, also allowed construction to go forward. The Katzin Research Laboratories, part of the new building, are named on their behalf.

Carson, the center's director, sees opportunities for discovery and improved patient care in the state-of-the-art new building. "With research laboratories, clinical-trial resources and community outreach functions under one roof, we'll have an environment where basic discoveries can quickly be translated into promising new therapies," he said. "The facility advances our constant goal - to provide the best cancer care available."

A noted immunologist and cancer biologist, Carson is a strong advocate of interdisciplinary collaboration and of building alliances with off-campus organizations, public and private. To that end, he has created an Industrial Relations Office within the Cancer Center and an Industry Advisory Board made up of leaders of the local biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

Founded in 1979, the UCSD Cancer Center grew as a broad collaboration among physicians and both basic and clinical researchers - all of them dedicated to improving methods of preventing, diagnosing and treating the nation's No. 2 killer. Doctors, researchers, staff and patients previously were scattered at locations across campus, with many forced to visit multiple sites for clinical work or treatment.

Expected to unite approximately 600 physicians, scientists and professional staff, the new Moores Cancer Center building features patient-friendly interior design and a host of specialized areas and departments for advanced patient care:

• The Mary and Ron Taylor Lobby provides direct paths to all clinics and service areas.
• The pharmacy can fill retail or clinical prescriptions.
• The Ben and Sheri Kelts Bamboo Court is a tranquil, shaded court where patients and families can meet and talk.
• The Toby and Howard Cohen Healing Gardens give patients and families a variety of outdoors views and paths.
• The Katzin Research Tower Laboratories, with each of five floors containing seven to 12 independent research teams, are dedicated to leading-edge research and scientific collaboration.
• The Lee and Frank Goldberg Auditorium offers 110 seats and a reception area for conferences, seminars, lectures and patient-support groups.
• The Infusion Center is configured with patients' comfort in mind, and overlooks the gardens.
• The Robin and William Comer Commons provides a living-room atmosphere for faculty, staff and visitor conversation and dining.
• The Charmaine and Maury Kaplan Mesa is an outdoor terrace with a view of the building's iridescent stainless-steel tiles.

Radiation oncology, clinical research, shared resources, biostatistics/bioinformatics and imaging laboratories - as well as a Patient and Family Education Resource Center - also reside within the striking new building.

Researchers and staff now working at locations around the campus and nearby communities will move into their East Campus home over a period of months.