Penn Medicine - Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute

01/07/2026

"Oncology is truly an art,” reflected Dr. Efrat Dotan, medical oncologist and executive medical director of Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health’s Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute. “It’s a lot of sitting and really understanding who is the individual in front of you, because you are making very critical decisions.”

Dr. Dotan brings a powerful blend of expertise and leadership to her role. As a GI medical oncologist, she cares for patients with complex gastrointestinal cancers, including pancreatic, biliary, and colon malignancies. She also plays an active role in advancing cancer research, developing novel therapies, and leading clinical trials.

And as executive medical director, she oversees the Cancer Center’s services, ensuring every patient receives the highest level of care, compassion, and innovation."

01/05/2026

Lancaster County resident Susan Reese says the coordination between her doctor at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health and her care team at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania made all the difference during her treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

“I never had any question in my mind that one doctor didn’t know what the other doctor was doing,” Susan shared. She received CAR T cell therapy at HUP in September 2022—a treatment now available at our Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute—and returned in 2023 for a stem cell transplant.

Even though another medical center was closer to her home in Willow Street, Susan chose to stay within Penn Medicine because of the seamless, connected care she experienced.

Her story reflects exactly what Penn Medicine strives for: truly integrated cancer care across a region that stretches from central New Jersey to central Pennsylvania, ensuring patients receive the right care, from the right experts, at the right time, no matter where they live.

The projects will add a proton therapy center at Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia and a cancer center at Princeton Medical Center.

12/26/2025

Sometimes the most powerful moments in sports happen long after the final whistle.

The Northern Lebanon School District Girls Soccer team joined forces with Donegal High School for a special PINK OUT game, dedicated to breast cancer awareness and supporting those who need it most. Their message was clear: it’s truly .

In a beautiful show of teamwork and compassion, Northern Lebanon’s senior players visited the Suzanne H. Arnold Center for Breast Health to deliver a donation made possible through t-shirt and cake pop sales, and door contributions. Their gift supports the Mammogram Fund, which helps ensure that patients facing financial hardship can still receive the screening and diagnostic mammograms they need.

Thank you to the athletes, families, and supporters who made this possible. Your kindness reaches far beyond the field and will make a meaningful difference in the lives of women in our community.

12/23/2025

ICYMI: A new clinical trial at the Abramson Cancer Center has shown it's possible to identify breast cancer survivors who are at increased risk of their cancer coming back due to the presence of dormant cancer cells. The trial also found a way to effectively treat these dormant cancer cells with repurposed, existing drugs.

“We want to be able to give patients a better option than ‘wait and see’ after they complete breast cancer treatment,” said Penn Medicine principal investigator Angela DeMichele, MD. “We’re encouraged by these results that we’re on the right track.”

On Giving Tuesday, you can accelerate research like Dr. DeMichele’s that gives patients and their families hope, backed by cutting-edge science. Please consider a gift to The Fund for the Abramson Cancer Center today: http://spr.ly/618870j9p

12/21/2025

A walk to raise money to help a York County police officer battling cancer recently made its way from the Hellam Township municipal building in York County to the Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute. The ruck walk, which refers to walking while carrying a weighted backpack, benefited Hellam Township police officer Sgt. Justin Golder, who is being treated at the Cancer Institute for colon cancer. Walk participants traveled a total of 26.3 miles to represent Golder’s badge number, 26-3.

Wishing all the best to Sgt. Golder. 💙
http://spr.ly/6181C3Cmz

12/19/2025

We are incredibly grateful to Rosenberger North America for their ongoing support of our patients at the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute. Recently, team members came together to present a generous donation to our Cancer Patient Support Fund. This fund is a vital resource, providing a financial safety net for patients facing daily expenses while battling cancer.

The gift is a true reflection of teamwork and generosity, made possible through:
✨ Employee contributions from a 50/50 raffle
✨ A company match
✨ Proceeds from the sale of breast cancer awareness t-shirts

Thank you to everyone at Rosenberger NA for making a real difference in the lives of our patients.

12/18/2025

At this time last year, Nicholas Patterson could barely walk from chemotherapy. Now, he is dancing with the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Philadelphia Ballet's annual staging of The Nutcracker.

After months of aggressive treatment at Penn Medicine, Patterson became cancer-free in March. Rebuilding his strength was grueling, but with relentless determination and support from his community, Patterson is dancing again at the highest level.

“As ballet dancers, [we] spend most of our youth pursuing this career that is not that long," he said. “I realize how precious each day is after spending so much of my time last year sitting on a couch, barely able to walk up the stairs.”

Read the full story from WHYY: http://spr.ly/6186CzsTO

12/16/2025

When Don Naslanic’s large B-cell diffuse non-Hodgkin lymphoma came back, he turned to the team he trusted most. His oncologist, Dr. Timothy Beer at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health’s Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute, recommended a promising option: CAR T cell therapy.

Using Don’s own immune cells, Dr. Beer and his team guided him back into remission, a journey Don describes with deep gratitude.

“When I had the opportunity to get CAR T in Lancaster, I was really grateful,” he said. “Knowing they are on top of innovation is very comforting.”

Today, Don and his wife are back to doing what they love most: traveling the world together. It’s all a testament to the power of advanced cancer care delivered close to home and the renewed possibilities it brings.

Learn more about the advanced treatments at the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute.

12/15/2025

"The best gift I can think of is a house cleaning," said cancer survivor Elizabeth Wadsworth when asked what gifts she found most helpful and meaningful when undergoing treatment. "I was too exhausted to clean when I was actively getting treatments, and it was so satisfying to have a clean house!"

Kind gestures can be so appreciated, especially during the holiday season. But friends and family members can find it challenging to know what gifts would be best. Please share your suggestions! 🎁

12/12/2025

Generosity is shining especially bright at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health this holiday season. Our amazing employees are supporting co-workers facing challenging times through our food pantry, employee assistance fund, and long-standing Spirit of Giving program.

Now in its 20th year, this anonymous giving tradition brings together departments across LG Health to provide gifts and a holiday meal (including a turkey this year!) for families experiencing serious or emergent needs.

Moments like these remind us why our community is so special.

12/09/2025

There was a whole lot of pink shining at York Container recently, and it was all for a cause close to many hearts.

Not only did the team host a company bake sale filled with sweet treats, but employees also turned out in pink, proudly standing together in honor of breast cancer awareness. For every person who dressed in pink, York Container made a donation to the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute.

Their generosity will directly support our Cancer Patient Support Fund, which helps patients facing the financial burdens that can accompany cancer treatment. From assisting with daily living expenses to easing unexpected costs, this fund gives patients and their families the chance to focus on healing.

A heartfelt thank you to York Container and its incredible employees for making such a meaningful difference.

12/05/2025

Kind gestures that offer comfort and support can be so appreciated by people undergoing cancer treatment during the holiday season. But knowing what might be best can be challenging. We asked cancer survivor Amy Grove for her thoughts.

"I know one thing that is free: spend time with me. Talk to me, tell me what's going on, take me out for lunch, or bring lunch," she shared. She said she also appreciated cozy blankets, socks, and things to help pass the time.

What gifts have been most meaningful to you or a loved? Your experience could inspire others.