Greenebaums' Generosity and Passion

First Endowed Professorship in Radiation Oncology

Originally Published in Foundations, Volume 6, Issue 1

“My greatest hope is that our names get taken off the wall,” says Marlene Greenebaum, at the dedication of the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center. “And, people will be able to say, ‘This is one of the places where cancer was conquered.’ And the dreaded word cancer is spoken of only in the past tense.”

The world renowned University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center is moving inexorably toward making itself a thing of the past. Groundbreaking research and the implementation of new techniques and technologies in the Department of Radiation Oncology are tremendously encouraging.

Dr. Mohan Suntharalingam, associate professor and vice chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and associate director for Multidisciplinary Program Development and Outreach for the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center and an expert in the field of radiation oncology, spearheads the efforts and oversees the daily activity of an elite team of medical research professionals. “The fundamental principle in our department is to develop tomorrow’s technology,” says Dr. Suntharalingam, known affectionately as Dr. Suntha by faculty, staff and patients. “We translate technological advances to clinical practice.”

People Cure People

“Hospitals and medical schools do not cure people. People cure people. Mohan Suntharalingam is an extraordinary individual, a brilliant scientist and physician who is curing people of cancer,” says Stewart Greenebaum. This is the man who inspired the Greenebaums to make yet another generous donation to the center: the first endowed professorship for the First Endowed Professorship in Radiation Oncology Greenebaums’ Generosity and Passion Department of Radiation Oncology. “The endowed professorship is critical to the continued success of the department,” says Dr. Suntharalingam. “It will help to continue to drive our translational research efforts as we design novel approaches in the management of cancers.”

“This department serves as a cornerstone for the cancer center,” says William Regine, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. “Future success will be driven by our radiation oncology program; and our program will be exponentially enhanced by this new endowed professorship.”

“So many great things are coming together here,” says Dr. Regine. “This is one of the oldest radiation oncology departments in the country, and it is renowned for its outstanding programs in technology, its Medical Physics Groups, and its Radiobiology Group, as well as its strong clinical faculty. It is without a doubt a top flight program.” The new Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Endowed Professorship in Radiation Oncology underscores this reality and adds prestige to a program that is already recognized as a center of excellence.

Continued funding is essential. As Greenebaum points out, “Just like orchestras cannot live by ticket sales alone, a world-class medical center cannot survive on its third party billings. There has to be a significant amount of endowment to enable the brightest and best people to do special things, to make the discoveries that will alter the course of medicine.”

Beyond Writing the Check 

The Greenebaums have proven to be a vital force behind the success of the center. They provided initial funding and played a pivotal role in helping to establish the cancer center that is named in recognition of their generosity. “The easy part, if you’ve been blessed in life, is to write the check. That’s not hard to do. It takes only a few seconds and you feel good doing it. But I like to go beyond that. I want to be as helpful as I can. I like to offer my assistance to the center especially in areas where I can help them. Making connections for them. Getting others involved and contributing,” says Greenebaum. “Mr. Greenebaum has been incredibly generous to this cancer center with both his money and his time,” says Dr. Suntharalingam. “More important than anything else however, is the passion he brings to make this a world class, nationally recognized cancer center.”

A Stepping Stone to More Funding 

Indeed, Stewart Greenebaum has proven indispensable in raising awareness of the center within the community and persuading others to give generously. His energy and efforts have resulted in tangible benefits in terms of resources and recruiting. “I say, ‘come with me for a visit to the center,’ and I take them for a personal tour,” says Greenebaum. “It is not a sad tour, rather it is a tour of hope. They walk away encouraged, enlightened and impressed by all the accomplishments.”

 “The Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Endowed Professorship in Radiation Oncology is a stepping stone. Based on the success of this one we will see more. We are already far along in the development of a second endowed professorship. The fact that we now have one in place incites others to be more willing to commit resources,” says Dr. Suntharalingam. This endowment will engender more accomplishments, more success, and give us all a greater reason to hope that perhaps one day the Greenebaum’s name will be removed from the wall and cancer will be relegated to the dustbin of ancient diseases.

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