2024 Markey Cancer Center Annual Report
"WE'RE WORKING
TOGETHER FOR A
CANCER-FREE
TOMORROW"
B. MARK EVERS, MD, FACS
DIRECTOR, MARKEY CANCER CENTER
MARKEY CANCER CENTER
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
IN THIS ISSUE
• Annual Report Articles
• Markey's Global Reach
• Markey by the Numbers
• Advancing Cancer Care
• Awards & Accreditations
• Past Reports
ANNUAL REPORT ARTICLES
New Possibilities
At the UK Markey Cancer Center, we’re laser-focused on one mission — creating more cancer-free tomorrows for everyone. When I look at what we do here, I see a future full of hope.
We’re Kentucky’s National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. But we’re so much more than that. Our impact reaches far beyond Lexington, into every corner of the Commonwealth, across the country and around the globe.
Continue ReadingTwo Lives Saved
It took a dedicated team of over 100 doctors, nurses, and other professionals from UK HealthCare to save Sarah Custer and her baby.
The critical factor was a new drug resulting from a clinical trial that ultimately put Sarah’s cancer into remission. It’s the type of treatment only available at specialized institutions like the UK Markey Cancer Center, Kentucky’s Comprehensive Cancer Center designated by the National Cancer Institute.
Continue ReadingBeyond Borders
A collaborative effort started at the UK Markey Cancer Center is advancing cancer education, research and mentorship on a global scale.
The Global Cancer Consortium aims to nurture a collaborative environment that connects participants from around the world through conferences, courses, seminars and workshops. Participants can learn from experts, interact with peers and explore diverse perspectives.
Continue ReadingNational Influence
A new collaboration between the UK Markey Cancer Center and the Lexington VA Health Care System is one of the first of its kind in the nation.
Lexington VA Health Care is the 20th hospital to join the UK Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network in 2024, providing expanded access to specialized cancer care for veterans. The collaboration is one of the first in the nation between a Veterans Affairs system and a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center like Markey.
Continue ReadingExtinguishing Tobacco Use
While smoking rates have gone down in suburban and urban areas in recent years, rates haven’t declined as much in rural areas. The University of Kentucky is home to a new research center focused on changing that.
The Appalachian Tobacco Regulatory Science Team (AppalTRUST) will study tobacco product use and the impact of regulations in Appalachian Kentucky.
Continue ReadingAdvancing our Understanding of Cancer
As a comprehensive cancer center, basic research is critical to our approach to understanding cancer. Discoveries made in the lab provide the building blocks for breakthroughs and innovations in cancer treatment. Researchers at the University of Kentucky and the UK Markey Cancer Center are at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries in lung, colorectal and many other cancers.
“Basic research is the driving force behind any new treatment option,” said Tianyan Gao, PhD, associate director for basic research at Markey. “We have to understand the basic mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression for us to develop new treatments.”
Continue ReadingFrom Scientific Breakthroughs to Cancer Treatments
Targeted therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment over the past decade. New treatments focus on specific molecules and proteins that can find and eliminate cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
The UK Markey Cancer Center is leading the way in researching and offering these groundbreaking treatments, giving patients more treatment options when they need them most.
Shaping the Future of Cancer Care
A new era of advanced cancer care and research is taking shape in Kentucky.
The UK Cancer and Advanced Ambulatory Building, slated for completion by 2028, will redefine the patient and caregiver experience. The new home to the UK Markey Cancer Center, the 550,000-square-foot space will also house advanced imaging, a spine center and ambulatory surgery space. It’s a world-class facility built to match the exceptional care and groundbreaking research at Kentucky’s National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Continue ReadingA Voice at the Table
A genetic predisposition to cancer is a daunting reality for some families. One family member gets a cancer diagnosis and then others might find out through testing that they’re also at risk.
John A. D’Orazio, MD, PhD, is a pediatric oncologist and researcher at the UK Markey Cancer Center and Kentucky Children’s Hospital. He wanted to find ways to support patients and families through the many surveillance tests and appointments that come with an inherited genetic risk.
Continue ReadingThe Next Generation
New leaders don’t emerge from a vacuum. They’re cultivated through experiences with their peers and others in leadership positions.
The new UK Markey Cancer Center LAUNCH Leadership Academy provides that exact opportunity to a select group of early mid-career faculty. This year-long program began in 2023 and just welcomed its second cohort.
Continue ReadingBuilding MOMENTUM
At the UK Markey Cancer Center, education reaches far beyond the classroom.
Markey’s Oncology Mentoring, Education, Networking and Training Umbrella (MOMENTUM) Program is a defining part of our designation as an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center. MOMENTUM offers a supportive education and training community for cancer researchers at all levels, from K-12 to postdoctoral scholars and even early career faculty members. Through transdisciplinary programs, this trainee program and its network provides students with the skills, knowledge and connections to thrive in their academic journey and beyond.
Continue ReadingNew Possibilities
At the UK Markey Cancer Center, we’re laser-focused on one mission — creating more cancer-free tomorrows for everyone. When I look at what we do here, I see a future full of hope.
MARKEY’S
GLOBAL REACH
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS IN CANCER RESEARCH
Moving the needle against cancer is a global effort. Markey’s researchers collaborate with experts around the world, extending our impact and knowledge far and wide. Since July 2023, Markey researchers have made vital contributions to 85 publications that included international colleagues from 46 countries. Nearly 70% of Markey researchers’ publications included authors from institutions outside of UK, further proof that Markey’s influence reaches far beyond Kentucky.
MARKEY BY THE
NUMBERS
RESEARCH
275
FACULTY Researchers
356
Research Projects
6,423
Clinical Trials Patients Accrued
CLINICAL
5,060
TOTAL CANCER CASES
3,610
Inpatient Cancer Encounters
102,786
Outpatient Cancer Encounters
For more statistics and information,
download the 2024 Annual Report.
ADVANCING CANCER
CARE TOGETHER
MARKEY LOCATIONS & AFFILIATES
ACROSS KENTUCKY
Markey Cancer Center
Affiliate Network
- Clark Regional Medical Center, Winchester
- Georgetown Community Hospital, Georgetown
- Harlan ARH Hospital, Harlan
- Harrison Memorial Hospital, Cynthiana
- Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center, Hazard
- Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center, Prestonsburg
- Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, Somerset
- Lexington VA Health Care System, Lexington
- Meadowview Regional Medical Center, Maysville
- The Medical Center at Bowling Green, Bowling Green
- Mercy Health — Lourdes Hospital, Paducah
- Middlesboro ARH Hospital, Middlesboro
- Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, Owensboro
- Rockcastle Regional Hospital, Mt. Vernon
- St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Edgewood
- Taylor Regional Hospital, Campbellsville
- TJ Samson Community Hospital, Glasgow
- Tug Valley ARH Regional Medical Center, South Williamson
- UK King’s Daughters, Ashland
- UK St. Claire, Morehead
Markey Cancer Center
Research Network
- Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center, Hazard
- The Medical Center at Bowling Green, Bowling Green
- Owensboro Health, Owensboro
- St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Edgewood
- UK King’s Daughters, Ashland
- UK St. Claire, Morehead
Markey Cancer Center Locations
- UK Markey Cancer Center, Lexington
- UK Morehead Cancer Treatment Center, Morehead
Markey Cancer Center at Lexington Clinic Locations
- Markey Cancer Center at Lexington Clinic, Lexington
- Markey Cancer Center at Lexington Clinic, Richmond
AWARDS AND ACCREDITATIONS
RANKED AMONG
THE NATION'S BEST
• No. 1 cancer program in Kentucky, No. 36 nationally
• Highest possible 30-day patient survival
• High patient volume
• Above average nurse staffing
• Endorsed by national organizations, such as NCI, FACT, CoC and Magnet
PAST ANNUAL REPORTS
To revisit previous Markey annual reports, visit the annual report archives to read old articles or download PDF versions.
