cool.

Just had this article emailed to me. Dr. J is our doctor. And I personally would also like to add that he has a superb bedside manner and quite possibly the dopest accent I've ever heard.

Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC) Honors Dr. Andrzej Jakubowiak, University of Michigan with 2008 Center of the Year Award

The Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC) today announced that it has awarded the University of Michigan Cancer Center and Andrzej Jakubowiak, MD, PhD, the 2008 MMRC Center of the Year Award. The MMRC Center of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding efforts of an MMRC Member Institution and its respective principal investigator in advancing the field of multiple myeloma research and drug development.

In awarding the 2008 MMRC Center of the Year Award, the MMRC evaluated its Member Institutions using a cutting-edge "scorecard" whose metrics include the number of clinical trials launched, the speed at which clinical trials were opened, and the number of patients enrolled in the clinical trials within the Consortium. MMRC Member Institutions were also evaluated for their contribution of new ideas and institutional engagement in the MMRC.

Under the leadership of Dr. Jakubowiak, Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the Multiple Myeloma Program at the University of Michigan, the Michigan site has opened numerous clinical trials to date and has consistently met or exceeded patient enrollment forecasts. Dr. Jakubowiak was also recognized for his exemplary stewardship of pharmaceutical and biotech industry partners " most notably his role in facilitating the first MMRC study testing four FDA-approved drugs in combination to treat untreated multiple myeloma patients " and his focused leadership in advancing novel pre-clinical and clinical research ideas.

"We are incredibly proud to be part of the MMRC, a consortium that is committed to advancing high-quality, innovative clinical trials of today"s most promising compounds and novel combinations," said Dr. Jakubowiak. "I have no doubt that their commitment to results, as evidenced by the Center of the Year Award, will lead to the development of the next generation of treatments for multiple myeloma."

The MMRC Center of the Year Award bestows a one-year grant to fund a full-time on-site Multiple Myeloma Project Coordinator to support the clinical trials conducted within the MMRC network.

"The MMRC Center of the Year Award recognizes the University of Michigan and, in particular, Dr. Jakubowiak"s exemplary commitment and leadership within the Consortium. They are a model for other MMRC Member Institutions and a true partner in our efforts to bring patients new effective treatment options," said MMRC Founder and CEO Kathy Giusti.