Nevada Cancer Institute
Knights in White Lab Coats
UC San Diego and the Desert Research Institute rescued the Nevada Cancer Institute. Will they all live happily ever after?
May 24th, 2012
Reported and rumored causes for the Nevada Cancer Institute’s demise abound: A stand-alone nonprofit clinic didn’t have a prayer in this market. There were too many administrators for too few doctors and patients. Management overspent on marketing, while ignoring community connections. Covenants with Summerlin tied researchers’ hands. Read more »
Enviables
A Vegas Lunar Landing
October 20th, 2011
As the only watch to make it to the moon, the Omega Speedmaster holds a special place in history. Astronauts wore the timepieces during the Apollo program, and it earned them recognition as the official timepiece of NASA. Read more »
Seven Questions
Dr. Oscar Goodman Jr.
The oncologist discusses his upbringing, the latest in cancer research and what it will take for him to become the third Goodman to run for mayor
September 8th, 2011
Within 60 seconds of meeting Oscar Goodman Jr. it becomes quite apparent that the only thing he has in common with his famous father is that name. Whereas Oscar Sr. is boisterous, basks in the spotlight and loves to swill gin, Oscar Jr. is understated, most comfortable behind the scenes and can’t stomach his father’s martinis. Read more »
Seven Questions
John Ruckdeschel
Nevada Cancer Institute boss on modern challenges, old-style miracles and Las Vegas’ medical potential
February 24th, 2011
As the CEO of the Nevada Cancer Institute, John Ruckdeschel is charged with advancing Nevada’s cancer treatment facilities and managing a faculty of 36, including some of the nation’s top researchers and oncologists. Somehow, he still finds time to see patients, too. All of this gets more complicated because the 65-year-old oncologist has to deal with a shoestring budget restricted by one of the worst economic climates in history. The center opened on Breakthrough Way and Discovery Street in 2005, and Ruckdeschel took over as CEO in 2009. In that short time, he has spearheaded efforts to ensure steady funding from the state while working to bring credible medical programs to Southern Nevada. Read more »
The People Issue
Hong Sun & Hui Zhang
The Cancer Trailblazers
January 27th, 2011
Hiking the trails of Red Rock National Conservation Area affords Hong Sun and Hui Zhang the cherished freedom to roam and commune with nature. But it’s in the cluttered laboratory on the third floor of the Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI) that the husband-and-wife team truly blazes trails and connects with nature. “You feel you are closer to nature when you’ve discovered something, when you’ve unraveled some secret of nature,” says Sun, who along with Zhang has devoted her career to cancer research. Read more »
