Holly H. Gallion, M.D., Named Director of the Ovarian Cancer Center of Excellence at Magee-Womens Hospital

PITTSBURGH, August 22, 2001 — Holly Harbage Gallion, M.D., has joined the University of Pittsburgh faculty as a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences. Her immediate responsibility will be to build a new program as director of the National Center of Excellence in Ovarian Cancer at the Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She also has dual appointments with the Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI)and Universityof Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI).

“Dr. Gallion is an internationally recognized gynecological oncologist with a research interest in early detection and the genetics of ovarian cancer,” said Robert P. Edwards, M.D., associate professor and medical director in the division of gynecologic oncology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. “It is a major coup that we have been able to recruit her to Pittsburgh.”

In addition to her other duties, which will include seeing patients and teaching, Dr. Gallion will oversee MWRI’s and UPCI’s ovarian cancer translational research program.

Translational research targets ways to bring treatments out of the laboratory and to the bedside as efficiently as possible.

“For many years, there has been a big separation between what goes on in the laboratory and what the doctors taking care of patients need,” said Dr. Gallion, a former endowed professor in the division of gynecologic oncology at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington. “This is a superb institution with tremendous expertise, and this position gives me a unique opportunity to build a program within one of the top obstetrics and gynecology departments in the country.”

Dr. Gallion’s recruitment was made possible in part because of a $1.5 million Scaife Family Foundation grant to the Magee-Womens Health Foundation late last year. The grant was given specifically for the establishment of a National Center of Excellence in Ovarian Cancer at Magee.

“Dr. Gallion is a well-respected clinical investigator and care provider, and she will be adding both of these skills to the university and the institutes,” said James M. Roberts, M.D., director of the Magee-Womens Research Institute.

“As we expand the ovarian cancer research and clinical program, having someone with Dr. Gallion’s skills and level of enthusiasm is invaluable,” added Roberts, who also is professor and vice chairman for research in the department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Ronald B. Herberman, M.D., UPCI director and Pitt’s associate vice chancellor for research, health sciences, agreed that Dr. Gallion’s expertise is an asset to the university and to UPCI.

“We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Gallion, who excels as a scientist, clinician and administrator,” said Dr. Herberman. “Her innovative work in ovarian cancer genetics complements UPCI’s well-established initiatives in the epidemiology and treatment of this disease.”

Dr. Gallion said her goals include building a screening program for women at high risk for ovarian cancer and enriching genetics counseling efforts, as well as developing a comprehensive clinical trials program for ovarian cancer patients. She also is committed to recruiting high-quality faculty in gynecologic oncology. Specifically, she hopes to establish a fellowship program in gynecologic oncology at the university.

“I’m really excited about being here,” Dr. Gallion said. “It’s going to be a challenge, but a very good one.”

A graduate of the University of Kentucky School of Medicine, Dr. Gallion is a diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology with a Special Competency in Oncology. She is a member of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists’ 2001 strategic planning task force and is a reviewer for publications including Gynecologic Oncology, The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and The American Cancer Society Journal.