Grand Rapids, Mich., May 18, 2005 – Gilbert D.A. Padula, M.D., a lead radiation oncologist at The Lacks Cancer Center at Saint Mary’s, was recently appointed to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) Head and Neck Committee. The committee is responsible for determining which new clinical trials for head and neck cancer will emerge in the coming years from RTOG.

“I am extremely honored to be part of a committee that will play a vital role in determining which new approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment are safe and effective for patients with head and neck cancer,” said Padula. “I look forward to putting the knowledge I gain from being on this committee into practice here at Saint Mary’s.”

The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) is a research group, which is funded by the National Cancer Institute, with almost 30 years of experience in running clinical trials. RTOG is composed of 250 major research institutions nationally and in Canada.

The Lacks Cancer Center at Saint Mary's, which opened in January 2005, is West Michigan’s only comprehensive, dedicated cancer hospital. The Lacks Cancer Center brings together the best clinicians, latest protocols, state-of-the-art technology and the essential psychosocial care necessary to treat the whole patient.

Saint Mary’s Health Care, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is committed to providing health care that is more complete and personally satisfying by providing the latest technology and most highly skilled physicians in a patient-centered environment. The network encompasses more than 2,500 employees, a 324-bed hospital, The Lacks Cancer Center, The Hauenstein Parkinson’s Center, the Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology, 18 primary care physician offices, three fitness centers and six community outreach centers. Saint Mary’s is a member of Trinity Health, the country’s fourth-largest Catholic health care system.