Center Overview
Our Vision: A Comprehensive Center for Rare Melanomas.
Rare types of melanoma, such as acral, mucosal, and ocular, are considered “melanomas” but are actually very different diseases. Rare melanomas are not well understood, and the current melanoma treatments are less effective in these patients. Our vision is to build a comprehensive clinical and research center dedicated to understanding and treating rare melanomas.
William Robinson, MD, PhDKasey Couts, PhD
Co-Directors, CU Center for Rare Melanomas
CU Anschutz, a World-Class Medical and Research Campus.
The Center for Rare Melanomas is located at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, which is a state-of-the-art 227-acre medical and research campus. It is a world-class education, research and patient care facility and the largest academic health center between Chicago, Texas and the West Coast. It is home to the University of Colorado Cancer Center (UCCC), Colorado's only National Cancer Institute-designated consortium comprehensive cancer center. UCCC is an elected member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), and News & World Report ranks the University of Colorado Cancer Center 15th in the nation.
Made Possible by Amy Davis and the Patten-Davis Foundation.
Amy Davis was a well-known philanthropist who supported a number of causes in Colorado and Wyoming, including research and patient care at CU. Amy battled melanoma and was treated by Dr. Robinson at the CU melanoma clinic, which has fueled support for melanoma research by The Patten-Davis Foundation. Interestingly, Amy’s melanoma did not have the typical mutation signature of common sun-related melanomas, leaving her with limited treatment options. The CU Center for Rare Melanomas has been established thanks to a generous gift from the Patten-Davis Foundation, and will be dedicated to improving care for rare melanoma patients like Amy.