Translating Cures

Hanna’s healing involved working through multiple treatments to optimize speech and swallowing. She credits her recovery to the patient-centered expertise of Joseph A. Califano III, MD, director of the Hanna and Mark Gleiberman Head and Neck Cancer Center, and the team-based integration of clinical research and supportive care unique to Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health.

“If I had this diagnosis 15 years ago, the prognosis would have been very different,” said Hanna. “We have learned that research offers a chance for cures, and funding can help make great strides towards new, less invasive and less toxic therapies.”

This experience motivated Hanna and her husband, Mark, to make a transformational gift to the Gleiberman Head and Neck Cancer Center in 2020. Their strategic blend of expendable and endowed funds has accelerated the center’s ability to make groundbreaking discoveries and provide steadfast support for its activities and early career faculty research in perpetuity. “We believe that our support will help advance leading-edge research, education and care of people throughout San Diego County, as well as have an impact globally,” said Mark.

The Gleibermans are confident that their gift will empower the Gleiberman Head and Neck Cancer Center to foster effective, compassionate care that returns patients to health and wellness. Dr. Califano agrees, “We have an incredible base in translational science and can leverage molecular and immunologic knowledge to treat patients and move discoveries into clinical trials. This gift will allow us to really focus on how to improve quality of life and recovery after treatment.”