Capitol Congratulations

In January, the Colorado Legislature passed a resolution honoring contributions the Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Cancer Center and University of Colorado Hospital make to the economic and physical well-being of Colorado. Sen. Rollie Heath, who was treated for cancer at the hospital, introduced the resolution and credited Norio Fukami, MD, assistant professor of medicine (gastroenterology), with saving his life.
Heath was diagnosed with Stage I esophageal cancer last summer. Dr. Fukami, also a therapeutic endoscopist, performed a minimally invasive endotherapy using an endoscope to cut out just the tumor and surrounding tissue, leaving the esophagus in place. The operation is new to the United States, and Dr. Fukami is conducting research to show the procedure can be safe and effective.
Other legislators in the Senate and House, including Rep. Dianne Primavera and Rep. Michael Merrifield, recounted their own “life-saving” experiences with cancer treatment. Professors William Robinson, MD, medical oncology, and David Raben, MD, radiation oncology, provided treatment to Primavera and Merrifield, respectively.

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