Sylvester was born in Rochester, NY in 1927 to the late Harcourt M. Sylvester, Sr. and Virginia Wagner Sylvester.  Upon completion of his education Sylvester joined his family’s company, Fasco Industries, where he would serve as President and COO prior to the sale of the company in 1980.  As president of the Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Foundation, in 1986, he pledged funds to build a new cancer center and enhance programs at the University of Miami Medical School.  In recognition of the largest gift to date to the University of Miami, at the time. The cancer center was renamed the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Sylvester opened as a dedicated, comprehensive cancer center in 1992 and today serves as the hub for cancer-related research, diagnosis, and treatment at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. Since opening 15 years ago, Sylvester has earned the respect of the international cancer community and has emerged as a magnet for today's leading cancer experts. Today there are nearly 200,000 outpatient visits at the cancer center and more than the 200 physicians and scientists working together to realize Harcourt Sylvester Jr.’s vision of a comprehensive cancer center. Click here for news release.

All of this would not have been possible without the generous, visionary leadership of Harcourt Sylvester, Jr., who passed away in August just a few months shy of our 15th anniversary celebration. Mr. Sylvester was an inspirational human being and a devoted philanthropist, and he will be greatly missed.

Scheiner first came to Sylvester in 1996 when she was diagnosed with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma. Physicians at the cancer center helped her beat her cancer, and in 2001 Scheiner realized she wanted to give back to the institution that saved her life. She began by becoming a donor and volunteer and eventually became a member of the Founders Society, chair of Sylvester’s Development Committee and co-chair of the cancer center’s five-year, $137 million capital campaign. She has served as a member of the Sylvester Board of Governors since 2004 and in 2005 she became a Grand Founder.

Scheiner noted, “I’m very pleased to be able to serve as chair of the board, and with my fellow board members I hope to advance the outstanding vision of Sylvester.” She added, “Sylvester is a relatively young institution, so for me to come into a place and become a builder is an incredible opportunity.”

“I am delighted that Joan has agreed to serve as Board chair,” says W. Jarrard Goodwin, M.D., F.A.C.S., Sylvester director. “Her commitment and enthusiasm for our institution’s mission is outstanding.” Goodwin adds, “Of course without Joaquin Blaya’s remarkable leadership over the past seven years we wouldn’t be where we are today. I am especially grateful to him for his many contributions.”  Recognized as one of the most influential Hispanic businessmen in the country and a legend in the media industry, outgoing chair Blaya is a visionary, a builder, and a creator. Blaya has long been active in national and local civic affairs.

Gloria Berkowitz, past president of the Papanicolaou Corps for Cancer Research, Inc., has joined the Board of Governors. Under her leadership, the Pap Corps announced a record-breaking gift of $3.325 million to fund cancer research at Sylvester in June of 2006. The gift brought the total raised by the Pap Corps over the past four years to nearly $11 million, exceeding their initial five-year pledge made in 2003 of $10 million. Berkowitz is deeply committed to and active in a number of charitable causes, though none more strongly than cancer research. “Cancer is something that affects everybody, whether directly or indirectly,” she says. “I believe that the cure will only come from research.”

Michele Chulick joined the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine in January 2007 as director of hospital operations and associate vice president for the UM health system. Chulick comes to UM from the William Beaumont Hospitals in Royal Oak and Troy, Michigan, where she was vice president of operations. She joined Beaumont in 1988, and held a variety of administrative and operations positions during her tenure, including, directing information services, adding new health care services and partnerships, and overseeing a $240 million hospital expansion. Her early background as director of financial and operations consulting with international public accounting firm KPMG provided Chulick with the expertise she used to redesign Beaumont’s supply and distribution system. Chulick has a master’s degree in business administration from Wayne State University and is a graduate of Duke University.

William J. Donelan, former executive vice president and chief operating officer of Duke University Health System and vice chancellor for health affairs of Duke University, joined the Sylvester Board of Governors after being named the University of Miami’s vice president for medical administration and the chief operating and strategy officer of the Miller School of Medicine and University of Miami Health System. Donelan comes to the University of Miami after more than 30 years at Duke University, where he was vice chancellor for administration and chief financial officer of Duke University Medical Center, and before that director and chief operating officer of Duke University Hospital.

David Fuente is the former CEO and Chairman of Office Depot, Inc. Under his leadership the company went public and became the largest U.S. retailer of office supplies. He is a director of Ryder Systems Inc. and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Before that, the Chicago native was president of Sherwin-Williams paint stores. The Fuentes are active philanthropists and support numerous arts and cultural initiatives. A member of the University of Miami Board of Trustees, Fuente and his wife Sheila helped create the Sheila and David Fuente Cancer Biology Graduate Program at the Miller School of Medicine with a generous gift of $1.6 million. The multidisciplinary graduate program will introduce the next generation of cancer biologists to clinical aspects of cancer in addition to basic research, and greatly facilitate the cancer center’s overall objective to train students for careers in translational cancer research.

Donald E. Kubit is currently a shareholder in the law firm of Fowler White Burnett P.A., and practices in the areas of Estate Planning, Probate, Administration of Trusts and Estates, Commercial Transactions, Real Estate and Corporate Law. Before beginning his law practice in 1977, Kubit worked for the University of Miami for eleven years, serving as Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, University Ombudsman and finally as Secretary of the University. He earned an A.B. degree in philosophy and literature from Dartmouth College, a M.Ed. degree from the University of Miami and a Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law. Kubit has been a member of the Orange Bowl Committee since 1981 and served as its president in 1995. He was a founding director of the Deering Estate Foundation, and is a member of the Board of Directors and past president of the Nat Moore Foundation. He also serves as a member of the University of Miami Citizen’s Board, and is deeply committed to raising funds for cancer research.

Joseph T. Natoli is Senior Vice President for Business and Finance and Chief Financial Officer at the University of Miami. Prior to joining the University in 2006, Natoli served as Chairman and Publisher of The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News. He previously served as President and Publisher of the San Jose Mercury News. Natoli spent the first 25 years of his newspaper career in Miami, first on the Knight Ridder corporate staff and then at The Miami Herald Publishing Company, where he was President from 1994 until moving to San Jose in 2001. He has long been active in community service. He has chaired community-wide United Way campaigns in Miami, San Jose and Philadelphia and was board chair in San Jose. He is a graduate of the University of South Florida and earned an M.B.A. from Nova (now Nova-Southeastern) University. He is a Florida CPA on retired status.

William O’Neill, M.D., recently joined the Sylvester Board of Governors after becoming executive dean of clinical affairs at the Miller School of Medicine. O’Neill is responsible for clinical operations at the school, and serves as a professor of medicine and a member of the division of cardiology. O’Neill comes to the University from William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, where he served as director of the division of cardiovascular disease, a position he held since 1987. O’Neill was previously director of the cardiac catheterization laboratory at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, and associate professor of medicine at the same school. He is a renowned interventional cardiologist, clinical investigator, and innovator.

“We are excited to welcome these outstanding citizens of the community to the Sylvester Board,” said Joan B. Scheiner, Chair, Sylvester Board of Governors. “Their leadership skills and wealth of experience will be an invaluable asset to Sylvester.”

We’d also like to welcome our most recently appointed board members, Marc E. Lippman, M.D., Jorge Guerra, M.D., and Aaron H. Wolfson, M.D. Read more about these new members in our next issue.

Each member of Young Philanthropists for Sylvester pledges a commitment of $2,000 (paid over 3 years).  The YPS mission is to increase awareness, raise funds, and create a meaningful legacy at Sylvester and in our community.

Friends for Sylvester (FY07 to present)
Deborah & Robert Cohen
Harold Commings
Betty & Mike Cooper
Alison & Mark Feiler
Lynn Griffin
Pam & Gil Jacobson
Justin Jones
Kathy & Richard Lesser
Marilyn & Herbert Potash
Rachel Jo Spear
Felicia & Blair Walker
Randi & Dan Weinbach

Grand Friends (FY07 to present)
Shirley & Jon Alexiou
Carol & Mark Brooks
Debbie & Daniel Finkle
Jordan Linn
Janie & James Tate
Joy & Matt Zucker

Founders (FY07 to present)
Julee & Sergio Akselrad
Bemnet Berhane
Artie & Sue Brown
Jodi & Bob Dickinson
Edward W. Smith Jr. Foundation
Lilia & Jose M. Fernandez
In Memory of Dorothy & Martin W. Spector
Eileen & Donald Kramer
Florence & Gilbert Kulick
Dorothy Rubin Levinson
Rita Lipton
Consuelo & P. Nelson Rodriguez
Lily & David Serviansky
The Zubizarreta Family

Grand Founders (FY07 to present)
Adam Carlin
Constance & Michael Fernandez
Doree & Malcolm Fromberg
Suzie & Scott Lustgarden
Macy's Fund/Federated Foundation
Northern Trust Bank of Florida, N.A.
Terry O'Grady
Freda & Yair Oren
Steven Posner 
Eva & Leon Rubach
Clara & Harvey Young

State Lawmakers and other VIPs in attendance:

Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick
City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz
State Senator J. Alex Villalobos
City of Miami Commissioner Angel Gonzalez
City of West Miami Commissioner Luciano Suarez
State Representative Julio  Robaina
State Representative David Rivera
Miami Beach Commissioner and soon-to-be State Representative Richard Steinberg
State Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera
Calder Race Track President Ken Dunn
Radio Personality Marta Flores

The top 10 poker tournament winners were able to choose prize packages that included:

·        Take Me Out to the Ballgame donated by Flagler Dog Track & Metrobank – 2 tickets to Miami Heat Game, 2 tickets to Miami Dolphins Game, 2 tickets to a Florida Marlins Game, 2 tickets to a Florida Panthers Game, and 25 pounds of pistachio nuts.

·        Famous Ballers donated by Janie and Tom Cundy – Andy Roddick autographed racquet, case, and set of tennis balls, Bobby Bowden autographed FSU football, Zach Thomas autographed football, Don Shula autographed Hall of Fame football, Tony Trabert autographed book, and Joe Dimaggio framed photos.

·        Sail Away with Me donated by Colleen & Richard Fain & Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines – 4 or 5 night Caribbean cruise for two aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise.

·        Life’s a Beach donated by Cricket & Marty Taplin – 2 night weekend stay in a suite at the Sagamore Hotel in the heart of South Beach.

·        Shop with Us donated by Joan & J. David Scheiner - $250 Macy’s gift certificate with a Waterford crystal jug.

·        Be A VIP at Joe’s donated by Jill & Robert Hertzberg – Front of line pass at Joe’s Stone Crab including dinner for two.

·        A Toast to You donated by Nelly & Mike Farra and Laurie Nuell – Case of Napa Valley Napanook 2003 Christian Moueix and case of Yellowtail Chardonnay 2005.

·        It’s About Time donated by Barbara Havenick – Philip Stein Teslar Watch with Mother of Pearl Face and tan leather wristband.

·        X Marks the Spot donated by Norman Goldfarb – 18” gold necklace with diamond accents.

·        A Pretty Picture donated by Valerie Foster & Studio 1791 – Orchid arrangement and portrait sitting.

When Fred Havenick died of lymphoma last June, the Flagler Dog Track family lost its leader.  Havenick was CEO of Flagler and Naples-Fort Myers Dog Tracks, along with being Chairman of MetroBank.  The 62-year-old was known for his civic and philanthropic commitments, including as a member of the Orange Bowl Committee.  He was --and his family continues to be-- strong supporters of the University of Miami and Founders of Sylvester.

Havenick’s wife and children are now turning their loss into something positive for the South Florida community. With the help of the Flagler Dog Track family, the Havenick family is raising money to build an ICU at Sylvester in memory of Fred Havenick.

Joining center Sylvester director, W. Jarrard Goodwin M.D., F.A.C.S. and his wife Sharon, were: Nancie Sturges, Lauren Sturges & fiancée Charles Fernandez, Nelly & Mike Farra and Terry O’Grady & Shelly Woolf.  Also in attendance were our 2008 “In the Garden Gala” chair, Lily Serviansky & her husband David, Barbara Havenick, Joni & Stanley Tate, Joy & Matt Zucker, Jennifer Stearns Buttrick, Florence Mufson, Helen & Sy Somerstein and Suzie Ormento, representing the Rachlin Foundation.

During the luncheon, the leadership of the Pap Corps presented a check to Sylvester director W. Jarrard Goodwin, M.D., F.A.C.S., Sylvester Board of Governors Chair Joan Scheiner, Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., F.A.C.C., senior vice president for medical affairs and dean of the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine.

 “We applaud the Pap Corps for its numerous accomplishments during the past 55 years,” added Scheiner.   “What these devoted women and men have done and continually do for cancer research is unparalleled. In addition to their very generous monetary contributions, the Pap Corps members are wonderful community ambassadors for Sylvester.”

This year’s Pap gift is funding the following initiatives and programs:  their floor commitment in the Research Building currently under construction; Molecular Targets & Developmental Therapeutics; Tumor Immunobiology & Immunology; Viral Oncology; Biobehavioral Oncology and Cancer Epiemiology; Clinical Research Services; Tissue Bank; Biostatistics; and, The Papanicolaou Corps for Cancer Research Developmental Grants Program.

The ongoing commitment of the Pap Corps funds critical research programs at Sylvester, including clinical trials focused on lymphoma, certain drug resistant cancers, new chemotherapies, gynecologic cancer, and lung cancer, among others. The Pap Corps also has helped fund investigations and new diagnostic tools for a variety of cancers at Sylvester, South Florida’s only university-based cancer center.

Papanicolaou Corps for Cancer Research Announces new Developmental Grants Program as part of their yearly commitment to Sylvester

Sylvester and the Papanicolaou Corps recently announced this year's Sylvester pap Corps Cancer Health Disparities Grant Awardees. These one-year developmental grants which are funded by the Pap Corps' $3.15 million gift, provide $50,000 for operating expenses, equipment, and laboratory needs to support promising research in studies targeting cancer health disparities. The three awardees for 2007 are Erin Kobetz, Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health and research scientist at the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute; Suzanne Lechner, Ph.D., research assistant professor  in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences: and Frank Penedo, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology. The Pap Corps is an all-volunteer, grassroots organization that believes today’s research brings tomorrow’s cures. 

Last May, a small group of young leaders organized a YPS fundraising event at Lucky Strike Lanes in Miami Beach by calling on friends and acquaintances to join in the cause.  Soon others followed suit.  The result was an event that attracted approximately 200 people.

Sylvester volunteers were also on hand to sign up bowlers who were interested in becoming YPS members, which requires a commitment to donate $2,000 to the cancer center over three years.

Our thanks to every one of the YPS members that organized and helped make this event one more strike against cancer!

"This was an event where I had real face-to-face contact with cancer survivors," says Austin. "Instead of just raising money for research - which is extremely important and part of everything I do - this time I was able to see first hand how much it means to these women to come together after they have recovered from cancer and help them through the recovery process. It was just amazing."

The foundation holds events throughout the year to raise money for numerous organizations, matching all contributions dollar for dollar.  Last summer, the Rachlin Foundation announced its pledge of $18,500 to Sylvester and presented its first installment of that pledge at a luncheon in Fort Lauderdale's Riverside Hotel in August.