City of Hope

City of Hope pediatric oncologists are testing an innovative at-home fitness program, IAMFIT, to help leukemia patients rebuild muscle after a stem cell transplant. The study combines guided strength and aerobic exercises with nicotinamide riboside, a vitamin B3 supplement shown to aid muscle production. Rusha Bhandari, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics and medical director of the Childhood and AYA Cancer Survivorship Clinic, says participants are seeing real progress and are happy to see a potential path back to normal activity. “We’re at such an exciting place,” she said. “We’re finding meaningful interventions that will make a difference in the lives of our patients.” Read more: https://bit.ly/3X145r5 #ICCD2025

When Kyra Edwards rang our City of Hope Atlanta celebration bell, she had no idea the day would be made even sweeter with a wedding proposal by her childhood best friend. Congratulations from all of us at City of Hope, Kyra and Zechariah!

Keep Standing Tall! 🦒💝 Thank you to everyone who submitted a Valentine’s Day e-card to our youngest patients in City of Hope Children’s Cancer Center. There is still time to send an e-card and bring joy to a child fighting cancer. Get started here: https://lnkd.in/ej5-gQbg

The Stephenson Global Pancreatic Cancer Research Institute selected City of Hope, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S. with its National Medical Center named top 5 in the nation for cancer by U.S. News & World Report, to be a key partner to facilitate this lifesaving work. Learn more about the Stephenson Global Prize to advance pancreatic cancer research: https://bwnews.pr/3QkS5Nw #pancreaticcancer 

It’s with deep sadness that we share the news that John A. Zaia, M.D., director of the Center for Gene Therapy at City of Hope, passed away Feb. 11. Dr. Zaia joined City of Hope in 1980, at the height of the HIV and AIDS epidemic. He dedicated his career to eradicating HIV, as well as pediatric diseases, and was recognized worldwide for his efforts. In 2022, a significant milestone in Dr. Zaia’s career happened when a City of Hope patient became only the fifth person in the world to be cured of both HIV and leukemia following a stem cell transplant from a donor with an HIV-resistant genetic mutation. “He was a truly wonderful human being, an excellent physician and a great scientist,” said hematologist-oncologist Stephen J. Forman, M.D., a longtime colleague and friend. “He never lost his sense of scientific wonder and always displayed insight and wisdom. When people would on occasion be upset and lose their cool, he was always the calm one in the room.” Read more about Dr. Zaia’s life and legacy: https://bit.ly/40WDsEQ

In September 2024, entrepreneurs and philanthropists A. Emmet Stephenson Jr. and Tessa Stephenson Brand made a transformative $150 million donation to City of Hope to accelerate pancreatic cancer research. This extraordinary investment honors the legacy of Toni Stephenson—a devoted wife and mother who, after surviving lymphoma, tragically passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2020. Emmet met Toni in kindergarten, and together they shared nearly 53 years of joyful marriage. Determined to change the future of pancreatic cancer, the Stephensons partnered with City of Hope—one of the nation’s top cancer research and treatment institutions—to establish the Stephenson Global Pancreatic Cancer Research Institute (SGPCRI). Working with SGPCRI leadership and the Stephenson Scientific Advisory Board (SSAB), they are advancing groundbreaking research and treatments to make a lasting impact in the fight against this disease. Learn more about SGPCRI: www.sgpcri.global  

Meet Christopher Sistrunk, Ph.D., City of Hope associate professor in the Department of Population Sciences, whose passion lies in developing research programs that serve underrepresented minority communities. Dr. Sistrunk’s current research focuses on the environment’s role in genetic imprinting, specifically examining how chronic environmental exposures — like impacts on drinking water — affect the genetic health of under-represented communities. His mantra? “Be a lifelong learner. The more you learn, the slower you age.” This philosophy drives his commitment to discovering new ways to improve community health outcomes. Why City of Hope? Dr. Sistrunk is proud to work at an organization that prioritizes patient outcomes above all else. As we celebrate Black History Month, Dr. Sistrunk reflects on the importance of recognizing the contributions of Black and African Americans. His favorite tradition is Watch Night Service, commemorating the intense anticipation of freedom felt by enslaved Black Americans the night before the Emancipation Proclamation took effect. When he’s not in the lab, you might find him unwinding with his favorite pastimes — spending time with friends and family, playing video games or exploring nature.

We’re proud to share that Angelina Fakhoury Siverts MSN,RN NEA-BC, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago, has been named to the Modern Healthcare 2025 40 Under 40 list! This list "celebrates the healthcare industry’s rising stars who are driving innovation, transforming care delivery, and shaping the future of our industry." Under Fakhoury-Siverts’ leadership, City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago achieved its third consecutive Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, received a five-star rating by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and earned the prestigious Press Ganey Pinnacle of Excellence and Guardian of Excellence awards. Congratulations, Angelina, on this much-deserved recognition! Read more: https://bit.ly/3CNzdTY

Our new Hope Plaza outpatient center is open! Hope Plaza offers a range of services and programs like our world-renowned hematology program and the Andrew and Peggy Cherng Family Center for Integrative Oncology, where patients can find comfort and strength in therapies designed to nurture the body, mind and spirit, including the healing touch of acupuncture, the soothing power of massage and the creative release of art and music therapy. We're excited to share this place of healing and hope. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eJdHhBs6

Please join us in welcoming Walter Stadler, M.D., as City of Hope Chicago’s chief clinical officer. Dr. Stadler will also serve our patients as a medical oncologist specializing in advanced prostate, kidney, bladder and testicular disease. Additionally, he will hold an appointment as professor, Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research, with City of Hope. Dr. Stadler's research interests include new drug development in genitourinary cancers and enhanced access to clinical trials for underserved communities, and he has led several investigator-initiated clinical trials for prostate cancer focused on decreasing toxicity and cost of care. He’s widely published with over 400 peer-reviewed articles, editorials and book chapters, and over 300 abstracts and scientific presentations. Dr. Stadler's mission is to provide the highest quality care in the most compassionate manner and to ensure patients have access to the newest treatments we are developing. He embodies our commitment to trailblazing innovation, improving patient access and enhancing quality of life. Welcome to our team, Dr. Stadler!