Project Facts

• The proceeds of this Gala will benefit research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Digestive Disorders Center (DDC) for pancreatic cancer, colon cancer and other digestive diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. 
• The DDC, one of the leading gastrointestinal centers in the world, is comprised of physicians and researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition as well as surgeons from the Division of Surgical Oncology's Gastrointestinal Surgery Program.  Researchers and physicians at the DDC have made great strides in recent years to better understand and treat diseases and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, yet further advancements are critical and require additional research dollars. 
• Pancreatic cancer, the fourth leading cause of cancer in this country, is difficult to detect and diagnose, early to metastasize, and resistant to treatment.  Funding DDC research into the early detection of pancreatic cancer is critical to the development of effective disease treatments.   
• Colon cancer, the third most common type of cancer in this country, will affect more than 150,000 Americans this year.  Importantly, the survival rate for cases found in the early stages is over 90%. Research at the DDC into the prevention of this disease, and into less invasive and less expensive diagnostic tools, is the next step in combating colon cancer.

Gala Chairs and Committees

Honorary Chair
Jai Pausch

Gala Chairs
Lisa Gaydos
Sally Weigler Golden
Carole Miner Schuman

Gala Committee
Florence Allen
David L. Bartlett, M.D.
Randy Brand, M.D.
Lori Brinker
Carrie Conboy
Jackie Dixon
Mary Beth Hacke
Beverly Harlich
Ruby Kang
Barry Kisloff, M.D.
Cher Kotovsky
Jayme Latta
Catherine Loevner
Claudia Zinnen McGee
Kevin McGrath, M.D.
A. James Moser, M.D.
Mary Novick
Sandra Pinsker
Marolee Pollock
Miguel Regueiro, M.D.
Robert Schoen, M.D.
Adam Slivka, M.D.
Thelma Snyder
Mary Ellen Wampler
Dolores Warwick
Debi Wheeler
Christine Whitcomb
David Whitcomb, M.D., Ph.D.
June Yonas
Herbert J. Zeh III, M.D.

LHAS President
Laura Penrod Kronk

Vice Presidents
Sally Weigler Golden
Carole Kamin
Carole Miner Schuman
Michelle Walker Spinks, Ph.D.

Secretary
Nancy Sansom

Treasurer
Jodi Amos

Immediate Past President
Barbara J. Adelson, R.N.

Executive Director
Dee Dee Troutman