April 2008 Feature: A Chat with Cam Enarson, Vice President for Health Sciences
by Mark Crawford
When Cam Enarson accepted the position of dean at the Creighton University School of Medicine in 2003, he knew it was a rare opportunity. "It was a very dynamic situation," says Enarson. "The health sciences division was full of innovative ideas and lofty goals, and also had the energy and focus to fulfill them."
Some of these accomplishments include providing the first accredited web-based Pharm.D. program in the country and implementing a paperless patient management system at the School of Dentistry. The School of Medicine has expanded its number of clinics and is serving a record number of patients. Regarding outreach, Creighton medical students initiated an all-volunteer Magis Clinic to provide medical care for the homeless. And recently the American Medical Association announced that the Creighton University School of Medicine will be one of four Centers of Excellence for Physician Information related to drug addiction and awareness in the country.
"Without question, this is a tremendously exciting time to be part of such a commitment to innovation, compassionate medical care, and service," he adds.
Cutting Edge Research
Originally from Alberta, Enarson holds degrees in medicine (University of Alberta School of Medicine) and business administration (M.B.A., Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania). Not only is he dean of the School of Medicine, he also serves as vice president of Health Sciences, overseeing the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy and Health Professions. As demanding as his administrative duties are, Enarson loves to stay connected with students and residents by teaching anesthesiology and health policy.
Under Enarson's watch, scientists at the School of Medicine are making breakthrough discoveries in bacterial resistance, cancer, hearing loss, and bone health. Other key fields of research include allergic inflammatory disease, cancer biology, immunology, obesity, and infectious diseases.
"Our research is also expanding into cardiovascular diseases, neuroscience, solid tumor cancers, nutrition, and airway diseases," says Enarson.
For more than a decade the School of Medicine has been a well-known leader in osteoporosis research.
"Our Osteoporosis Research Center has made landmark contributions in this field," Enarson comments.
The School of Medicine recently released compelling research data that shows a strong correlation between the lack of vitamin D and the risk of developing cancer, which may lead to new therapies and treatments. As its reputation grows, medical research at the School of Medicine continues to expand as more funds become available. "We have received over $39 million in grant awards, which is a new record," says Enarson. A core mission of Creighton University is service to others.
"Health Sciences faculty and students, through the Institute for Latin American Concern and Project CURA, are providing medical assistance to families in Latin America, South America and Africa," states Enarson. "Here in Omaha, our medical students are expanding the Magis Clinic and just raised more than $40,000. The Magis Clinic provides medical care and physical exams to the homeless. Medical students and physicians volunteer at the clinic, seeing about 20 patients each Saturday. In addition, the School of Pharmacy is doing outreach with Native American tribes."
Technology Transfer
Creighton Intellectual Resources Management (IRM) -- formerly the Office of Technology Transfer is instrumental in developing and commercializing the inventions created by the faculty. This involves raising additional funds, often through government grants or research agreements with private-sector companies.
"Our technology transfer capabilities provide Creighton University with tremendous opportunities for improving people's lives by commercializing our discoveries - in all departments across the university, not just health sciences," says Enarson.
The School of Medicine accounts for more than three-quarters of Creighton Intellectual Resource Management's activity. During the 2006-2007 fiscal year, Creighton IRM helped create two start-ups, issued five licenses, disclosed 17 inventions, filed 12 new patent applications, and received one patent. Licensing revenue totaled nearly $353,000, a 31 percent increase over 2005-2006.
"We are extremely fortunate to have Lee Fenicle, director of Creighton Intellectual Resource Management, associate director Mary Ann Wendland, and operations specialist Darlene Golden working with our faculty," says Enarson. "Their experience in protecting ideas and discoveries through copyrights and patents, and taking them through the development and commercialization process, is invaluable."
Some exciting projects IRM is working on with researchers include a human estrogen receptor variant that will improve breast cancer treatment, a genetic mutation causing high bone mass to reverse osteoporosis, methods to identify and overcome bacterial resistance, and a method to restore hearing to many deaf people.
"Our vision at the Creighton University School of Medicine is to improve the human condition by being not only the premier Catholic Jesuit medical school, and also one of premier medical schools in the country," says Enarson. "This is accomplished by providing an excellent education to our students, delivering the most comprehensive medical care possible, and advancing medical knowledge. The role of our technology transfer office is absolutely critical in taking us to this next level."