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Retreat draws talk, collaboration on research by Cindy Abole Public Relations Last month’s gathering of clinicians and scientists at an all-day retreat in Orangeburg marked a step forward in some open discussions of cancer research around the state—charting the course for future collaboration and improved cancer care among South Carolinians. The MUSC Hollings Cancer Center (HCC) and USC’s S.C. Cancer Center’s Cancer Research Retreat was held Feb. 21 at the Orangeburg Country Club. More than 65 people were in attendance. For many, it was the first opportunity for people in this field to gather together and discuss their work with their counterparts in labs and clinics from both institutions. “The gathering allowed clinicians and scientists to speak and discuss their interests in an informal, collaborative setting,” said Carolyn E. Reed, M.D., Hollings Cancer Center director. Among her first duties as director, Reed helped coordinate a similar retreat gathering 190 campuswide researchers, scientists and cancer clinicians in an effort to bring people together for interaction and discussion. Reed is leading the effort to establish HCC as the state’s first NCI-designated cancer center. Currently, the gathering dovetails expanded opportunities for cancer research efforts and collaboration with resources throughout the state.  Last month’s retreat was led by Reed and USC’s Bill Butler, M.D., director of the S.C. Cancer Center, a partnership between USC and Palmetto Health. The retreat focused on three areas of study: clinical trials, clinical/translational research and prevention and control. The meeting began with a review of current research activities and programs by both institutions. Later, participants attended break out sessions and discussed specific topics from diet/nutrition and behavioral/survivorship studies to clinical/translational research on specific diseases like breast, GYN/cervical malignancies, thoracic and a range of GI cancers.  “The climate is right for collaboration,” said Reed. “Dr. Butler has been instrumental in helping us to coordinate this retreat and bring people together. Our respective institutions have different strengths that need to be shared. Everyone involved is committed to making this succeed.” In addition to the presentation was a review of grants and other funding activities. Last year, USC was named an NIH-designated Center for Biomedical Research in Excellence (COBRE) to study the cause, prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.  Both institutions plan to continue with more open discussion and interaction. Organizers were able to garner immediate feedback through a short evaluation and survey. It is hoped that they can maintain both the positive energy and momentum built by participants through the planning of future retreats and communications.    Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.