News

Gail Purtan suffered from metastatic ovarian cancer for the better part of two decades, and it was because of her diagnosis that the Purtans became involved with the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. Dick Purtan, Gail’s husband, celebrated radio personality and philanthropist, recalled that time. “Well, actually, it goes back quite a few years,” he described. After Gail’s diagnosis in 1997, Dick’s attorney and long-time friend, Henry Baskin, told him about a magnificent cancer doctor at Karmanos na...

When most people think of CrossFit®, they picture athletes lifting massive weights and competing at elite levels. But CrossFit® isn’t just for fitness fanatics; it can also be a powerful tool for healing. That’s the idea behind the CrossFit® and Physical Activity: A Better Life Experience (CAPABLE) study, which is helping cancer survivors regain strength, confidence, and quality of life. “I created CAPABLE because I believe in the impact that exercise has on wellness, both physically and mentally,” said...

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute welcomes Paige Aiello, M.D. , breast surgeon and member of the Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) at Karmanos. Not only does Dr. Aiello specialize in the surgical removal of breast cancer, but she also adds to the multidisciplinary team with a specialization in axillary lymph node surgery. She began seeing patients at the Karmanos locations in Detroit, Dearborn, Farmington Hills, and Roseville in July 2025. “The diagnosis of breast cancer in itself can b...

Patient Power When going through lung cancer treatment, patients may learn that they must change their diet to assist with minimizing side effects and maintaining strength. Tarik Hadid, M.D., MPH, MS, FACP , medical oncologist and member of the  Phase I Clinical Trials  and  Thoracic Oncology  Multidisciplinary Teams at Karmanos, explained why lung cancer patients should consider working with a dietitian. Read the article here .

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute welcomed one new leader and appointed two seasoned leaders in 2025: Azeddine Atfi, Ph.D., Elizabeth Cunningham, MS, CCRP, and Benjamin Herring, MA. Deputy Center Director of Research Azeddine Atfi, Ph.D., has joined Karmanos as the new deputy center director of Research and a tenured professor of research at Wayne State University. With over 25 years in research education, Dr. Atfi’s research interests are uncovering the molecular mechanisms that drive pancreati...

Though he tried to stop dozens of times, smoking was part of Steve Hollenbeck’s life for decades. “When I was a teenager, the macho man had to smoke, had to be the Marlboro man,” said Steve. “I tried to quit probably 30 times, but when my wife, Nora, got throat cancer, and she quit smoking, I quit cold turkey. I didn’t want to smoke in front of her. That time it just worked.” In 2015, just two years after giving up cigarettes for good, Steve was stunned to find out that he had lung cancer.  “I was ...

WDIV Local 4’s Rhonda Walker challenged women who were overdue for their mammogram to make their appointment. She participated in her own challenge and scheduled her mammogram, speaking with Celeste Titus, patient navigator and representative of the screening and prevention team at Karmanos. When she came in for her appointment, Kylee Slusarczyk, mammography technician, explained the process of getting a mammogram at Karmanos. Rhonda also sat down with Kamila Skalski, M.D., radiologist and member of the...

With less than 60 days in her new job, Lisa Whitmore Davis found herself in the emergency room. It was a medical mystery. At the time, she was a 57-year-old healthy woman living her life full of travel, fun and family. But that time was unexpectedly interrupted when, in August 2023, she began experiencing severe chest pain and struggled to breathe. While having trouble breathing on the phone, her daughter, Allantѐ, suggested that Whitmore Davis go straight to urgent care. When she arrived, the staff rec...

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University present the annual Head and Neck Cancer Symposium on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Detroit Marriott Troy (200 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, Michigan). This year’s symposium features two guest speakers. Robert Haddad, M.D. , professor of Medicine, chief of the Division of Head and Neck Oncology, McGraw Chair in Head and Neck Oncology at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School in Boston, will deli...

WWJ Eric Brown, M.D., FACS , breast surgeon and co-leader of the  Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Team at Karmanos, explained stage 0 breast cancer, or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). He explains the difference between DCIS and invasive cancer by comparing both to a neighborhood with houses that have roofs caved in. Listen to the interview here .