Through research and clinical practice the program contributes to an emerging and growing field of arts in healthcare evidence that the arts are a safe, cost-effective intervention that complements traditional medicine and enhances treatment compliance. This gift will build upon Lombardi's nationally recognized program by expanding it to provide patients, family members and caregivers with activities, resources, education and environments that encourage a creative and constructive response to illness, and offering a number of activities and events for patients including expressive writing, quilting, painting, dance and drama.

The program is designed to show the value of the arts as tools for self expression, coping and communication. Emotional coping is a significant issue for both patients and caregivers.

"When we meet emotional needs, our patients find the strength and courage to transcend the effects of cancer," Morgan added. "We are very grateful to the Foundation for their generosity and sensitivity to the needs of cancer patients and those who care for them."

Expanding Education at Lombardi
The gift also establishes the Jess and Mildred Fisher Cancer Genetics Fellowship for newly graduated genetic counselors to train at Georgetown for an intensive three-month summer program. The fellowship will combine training in clinical cancer genetics, behavioral science and exposure to basic science and clinical medicine with Lombardi faculty mentors.

Honoring a Longtime Volunteer
The Robert M. Fisher Memorial Foundation, Inc. gift honors Cecilia "Cookie" Fisher Rudman, a volunteer at Lombardi for nearly eight years, who died Oct. 2, 2002, at the age of 58. A major part of her volunteer work included working on a landmar
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Contact: Laura Cavender
lsc6@georgetown.edu
202-687-5100
Georgetown University Medical Center
15-Aug-2006