OHSU Knight Cancer Institute

12/12/2025

For Matt Hazard, there may not have been a better decision than listening to his cousin, who urged him to get a colonoscopy.

“Matt’s story is one of perseverance. He has a fantastic attitude, and we are so proud of him,” says Dr. Nima Nabavizadeh.

He received targeted, specialized care at OHSU for his colorectal cancer diagnosis, all while training for the Boston Marathon.

“I’m not going to stop running. I’m going to trust my body and try to put myself in the best position to fight this.”

After completing the marathon, Matt is on the road to recovery and has since turned his attention to advocacy for early cancer screenings.

Matt Hazard received personalized, multidisciplinary care at OHSU that allowed him to overcome cancer, inspire others to get colonoscopies.

12/12/2025

“We’re now identifying many survivors six years out, which is remarkable for a population that had very few options and very limited expectations for any meaningful survival.”

- Dr. Richard Maziarz on new data confirming the success of OHSU's CAR-T therapy.

Five-year data from clinical trial for adults with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma confirms lasting remissions in high-risk patients.

12/08/2025

“Health care in this country is facing obstacles like never before. The attack on biomedical research funding is unprecedented.”

Drs. Lisa Coussens, Shivaani Kummar, and Shannon McWeeney discuss the challenges and opportunities impacting our state’s cancer research ecosystem and what is needed to maintain and accelerate the pace of innovation with the Portland Business Journal:

Recently, The Kuni Foundation sponsored a conversation with the Portland Business Journal about the challenges and opportunities impacting our state’s cancer research ecosystem, and what is needed to maintain and accelerate the pace of innovation.

12/04/2025

Oregon is a place where nature, science, and technology thrive together. Our state is home to a vibrant community of world-class researchers and innovators across our public universities.

Link Oregon is Oregon’s state-of-the-art fiber optic network for government, research, and education, providing the speed and capacity necessary for advanced research initiatives among our universities and institutions. The ability to share data is helping researchers and students alike innovate across the state.

Dr. Shannon McWeeney, Chief Data Officer and Associate Director of Data Science, discusses the importance of data sharing and collaboration.

“To me, science is absolutely a team sport,” Dr. McWeeney said. “We cannot do this alone, given the vast complexities of the problems we’re trying to tackle to improve the outcomes of our patients."

12/02/2025

This , the OHSU community is uniting to make an impact, and we hope you’ll join us.

Begin your season of giving by benefiting life-saving programs, new treatments and cures, and education for tomorrow’s health leaders at OHSU.

Donate today: https://bit.ly/493XlNL

11/28/2025

: Christina R. MacRosty, DO, FCCP, Asst. Professor of Medicine, Interventional Pulmonologist

What is your favorite part about working in your field?

Learning from and getting to know our patients while helping them breathe easier. I love working within a multidisciplinary team to deliver the best possible care to patients.

What led you to ?

They have a reputation for excellence in patient care, education, and research, and are at the cutting edge of lung cancer care.

Interventional Pulmonology is a relatively new subspecialty of pulmonary medicine and is at the forefront of lung cancer care. I wanted to be a part of their efforts to advance lung cancer care in the state of Oregon.

What inspired you to become a doctor, specializing in pulmonary medicine?

I was inspired by great mentors and felt privileged and humbled by the work to help patients breathe easier. Lung cancer and other lung diseases affect people from many different backgrounds and life experiences; it is always a pleasure to get to know patients as we work together to improve their lung health.

What is the importance of screening/early detection?

Screening and early detection of lung cancer is one of the most important parts of caring for patients with lung diseases. Finding lung cancer in its earliest stage, before it can grow or spread, means we can cure lung cancer for those patients, which is the ultimate goal.

What was your “Dream Job” as a kid?

My dream job was to become an astronaut and a ballerina. Imagine the grand leaps and turns you could accomplish in space!

What do you like to do for fun?

I love to read and I love being outside, even in the rain. Nothing restores my soul better than a long walk outside.

What is your favorite thing to do in Oregon?

I’m working to try as many restaurants as possible around Portland. I plan to do more hiking and camping on the coast and in the eastern part of the state to experience the different landscapes and climates.

What is the emoji you use most often?

I use 💪 often. We have a strong team here at OHSU!

11/21/2025

Today, our researchers, clinicians, and staff showed up in purple for World Pancreatic Cancer Day. 💜

We’re proud to stand together to raise awareness, honor patients and families, and push for earlier diagnosis and better treatments.

Every photo represents hope, solidarity, and the shared commitment that drives the team at OHSU.

Thank you to everyone who wore purple today—you’re helping raise awareness for a disease that urgently needs it. 💜✨

11/20/2025

Where great discoveries are made 🧠🔬

📸

11/14/2025

: Paul Schipper, Professor of Surgery, Medical Director for Lung Cancer, Program Director Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency, Section Chief for General Thoracic Surgery

What is your favorite part about working in your field?

Helping people get better and get back to life.

What inspired you to become a surgeon, specializing in thoracic (chest and lung) surgery?

My mom was an elementary teacher, and my dad was a Lutheran minister; I liked fixing things and helping people.

What is the importance of screening/early detection?

We’ve been able to cure lung cancer for a long time; we just have to find it early. Screening is what lets us find it early.

What was your “Dream Job” as a kid?

This is it!

What do you like to do for fun or as a hobby outside of work?

I enjoy mountain biking, road biking, cyclocross, river rafting, hiking, traveling, scuba, snorkeling, and playing the ukulele and banjo.

What is your favorite thing to do/eat/explore in Oregon?

Exploring the forest, the mountains, and the streams. I follow forest roads and trails to see where they go.

11/14/2025

11/14/2025

We’re excited to announce that OHSU has received funding through the American Cancer Society-Pfizer Addressing Barriers to Cancer Care for American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) Individuals Grant Program.

“American Indian and Alaska Native people have higher rates of cancer and worse clinical outcomes than other populations,” says Dr. Amanda Bruegl.

“This project empowers our team to support AI/AN patients and their families by educating them about the cancer center and teams, in addition to providing cultural education to cancer treatment team members.”

Dr. Bruegl, whose family background includes the Oneida and Stockbridge-Munsee tribes, is one of the first Native American gynecologic oncologists in the U.S.

“Engaging in this work will allow our team the opportunity to provide culturally based navigation into our existing treatment teams to help support patients and their families as they navigate a cancer diagnosis."

11/13/2025