USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital
Keck Medical Center of USC
Geography
Location1441 Eastlake Ave., Los Angeles, California, United States
Organization
Care systemPrivate
Affiliated universityKeck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
Services
Beds60 as of 2009[1]
History
Opened1973, Comprehensive Cancer Research Center; 1983, Hospital
Links
Websiteuscnorriscancer.usc.edu
ListsHospitals in California

The USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center is a cancer center owned and operated by the University of Southern California (USC) through its Keck School of Medicine. It was one of the first eight comprehensive cancer centers in the United States, which is devoted to patient care, prevention, research, and education.

In 1971, the U.S. Congress passed the National Cancer Act (see War on cancer), which led the Dean of the School of Medicine, Dr. Franz K. Bauer, to begin the effort to develop a comprehensive cancer center at USC. He reached out to Dr. G. Denman Hammond of Children's Hospital Los Angeles to serve as the founding director to lead the effort.

Originally, the plan included a joint effort between USC and Los Angeles County (LAC) to build the center on county property near the Health Science Campus. The County Board of Supervisors initially agreed to what was projected to be 37 million to construct a new building, whereby the County supports half of the total from their general fund.

From that initial agreement with LAC, Dr. Hammond applied for federal funding, whereby USC received 11.8 million, and USC would fundraise the remaining 6.7 million dollars through private donations. However, in August 1976, the County Board of Supervisors rescinded their initial support from the project. The Board decided that the 18 million dollars from the county would be left to public vote in the November 1976 general election. In an effort to gain public support, USC recruited John Wayne for a public service announcement for Los Angeles radio. On November 2nd, County Measure C - Los Angeles County Bond Proposition failed, with a 56.6% approval rate by voters, needing two-thirds, or sixty-six percent, to pass. The hospital was downsized to a 20 million dollar project and relocated to HSC property, opening in 1983.[2][3] Kenneth True Norris Jr. provided the money to build the hospital after voters rejected a bond offering proposed by USC and Los Angeles County.[4]Dr. Hammond resigned from his directorship shortly before its opening and returned to practicing pediatric medicine.

Dr. Brian Henderson served as the inaugural director from 1983 to 1993.[5] He was succeeded by Peter Jones, a prominent researcher, who led as director from 1993 to 2010. [6]Following Jones, Dr. Stephen Gruber took the helm in 2011 until 2019.[7] Currently, Caryn Lerman holds the position of director, having been appointed in 2019. [8]

The facility on HSC property is composed of three parts: Norman Topping Tower (NTT), Harlyne J. Norris Cancer Research Tower (NRT), and the Ezralow Research Tower.

Tenet Healthcare acquired the center in 2003 and sold it, along with Keck Hospital of USC, to USC in 2009 for $275 million after three years of litigation between the parties.[1]

In 2015, film producer Nancy Bernstein supported the Call to Cure Fund at Norris. [9]

References

  1. 1 2 Girion, Lisa (2009-02-11). "USC buys 2 disputed hospitals on campus". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
  2. ↑ Gnerre, Sam (December 22, 2010). "Kenneth T. Norris Jr. - South Bay History". Daily Breeze.
  3. ↑ "About USC Norris : History". USC Norris. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  4. ↑ Gorman, Tom (24 September 1996). "Kenneth Norris Jr., Leading Philanthropist, Dies at 66". Los Angeles Times.
  5. ↑ Alicia Di Rado (2015-07-22). "HSC mourns Brian Henderson" (PDF). [Publisher, if available]. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  6. ↑ Servantez, Jared (November 30, 2010). "Norris director steps down after 17 years". Daily Trojan. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  7. ↑ Sara Reeve (2011-10-14). "The Weekly" (PDF). [Publisher, if available]. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  8. ↑ Melissa Masatani (February 11, 2019). "Caryn Lerman announced as USC Norris director". HSC News. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  9. ↑ "Nancy Bernstein Obituary". Los Angeles Times. September 24, 2015. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
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