State Representative Lynn Wachtmann (R-Napoleon) recently attended the 2011 State of the Cancer Program Address, which was given by Dr. Michael Caligiuri, director of the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and CEO of the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

Caligiuri discussed past accomplishments as well as future endeavors in the effort to create a cancer-free world.

“Here in Ohio we are blessed to have some of the best cancer centers in the world,” said Wachtmann, who serves as chairman of the House Health and Aging Committee. “With cancer touching almost every family in Ohio, whether directly or indirectly, it is comforting to know we have some of the best cancer care and cancer research available right here in our home state.”

Ohio State University Medical Center is one of only 41 National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated comprehensive cancer centers and one of only 7 centers funded by the NCI to conduct both phase I and phase II clinical trials. NCI rated Ohio State University’s cancer program as “exceptional,” which is the highest rating available. U.S. News and World Report ranked Ohio State University Medical Center as one of the top 20 cancer hospitals in the nation.

Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee and Executive Vice President and Provost Joseph A. Alutto also provided remarks at the event.