Chicago Melanoma Consortium (CMC)

Skin of Steel and Melanoma specialists from Rush University Medical Center, Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Loyola University Medical Center, Children's Memorial and Advocate Lutheran General gathered to discuss how to better leverage city-wide resources for Melanoma treatment and research.  Dr. Howard Kaufman, Director of Cancer Programs at Rush and GlaxoSmithKline hosted the event. 

Dr. Tim Kuzel of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine gave a keynote presentation that introduced a new clinical trial available in Chicago.  Dr. Kaufman introduced the concept of an electronic portal for patients wanting to access Chicago-based resources. Susan Steel, Founder of Skin of Steel, outlined the challenges patients face in securing enough treatment options to develop viable treatment sequences necessary to survive while a cure is sought.  Alicia Oberman shared the concerns of new patients in terms of identifying and assessing the level of Chicago's Melanoma expertise.  The Melanoma specialists included Clinical Dermatologists, Pathologists, Surgeons, Oncologists, Hematologists, Clinical Trial Research Managers, Industry Researchers and Nurse Practitioners.  Skin of Steel also had representation from our Board of Directors and Advisors present.  The next Chicago Melanoma Consortium meeting will be scheduled for the Fall.

For more information please contact Susan Steel at ssteel@skinofsteel.org