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Medical Knowledge Institute presents second Bob Pinedo Prize to Dr. Joseph R. Bertino at VUmc/MKI Oncology Symposium

Oostvoorne, the Netherlands, 19 September 2007 - On Thursday the 18th of October 2007 the second international Oncology Symposium will be held at the VU University Medical Centre (VUmc) in Amsterdam. During this symposium the second Bob Pinedo Prize will be awarded by the Medical Knowledge Institute (MKI), a young, international non-profit organization that considers healthcare to be a fundamental human right. The prize has been initiated last year by the MKI to honor Bob Pinedo’s work as founder of the VUmc CCA (Cancer Centre Amsterdam) and his efforts in cancer research, patient care and education. Professor Dr. H.M. (Bob) Pinedo has been closely associated to the MKI concerning cancer programs in emerging and transitional countries.

During a festive session, the Medical Knowledge Institute will award the ‘Bob Pinedo Cancer Care Prize’ to Dr. Joseph Bertino for his exceptional contribution to improved care for cancer patients. Bertino is the Interim Director of The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ), and University Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick. He has been an American Cancer Society Professor since 1976. Dr. Bertino joined CINJ in 2002 as Associate Director of CINJ and was appointed Chief Scientific Officer of CINJ in 2004. Prior to joining CINJ and UMDNJ, Dr. Bertino served as Chairman of the Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics Program, and Member and Co-head of the Program in Developmental Therapy and Clinical Investigation at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research. From 1973 to 1986 Dr. Bertino served as Director of the Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, including Director of the Center and Associate Director for Clinical Research.

The Prize consists of an amount of 50,000 Euro (about $ 64,000) and a bronze statue in the form of one of Pinedo’s hands, symbolizing strength and hope of healing.

This year’s program will feature contributions by leading cancer researchers like Dr. Nico van Zandwijk, Dr. Joseph Califano, Dr. David Kerr, Dr. Richard O’Reilly, and Dr. Moshe Papa. Several researchers of the VUmc CCA will make scientific contributions from their own research programs as well.

The symposium and award ceremony will be yearly events. For more information and to register for the Oncology Symposium: www.cancercenteramsterdam.nl. Nominations for the Bob Pinedo Prize 2008 can be sent to PinedoPrize@infomki.org. Deadline for submitting nominations is: Monday April 23rd 2008. All nominees will be evaluated by an international ‘nominating committee’ that will also select the winner.