The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute has been recognized by the McLaren Health Care system with the President's Trophy.

The trophy is awarded annually to the top McLaren subsidiary based on accomplishments in clinical, operational, service and financial performance.

Members of the KCI executive team and representatives of the governance board received the trophy at the McLaren Health Care Annual Meeting on Jan. 16.

"This award means we have been recognized as the top subsidiary in the entire McLaren Health Care system, as a result of exceeding expectations in clinical quality, patient safety, operations, fiscal responsibility and patient satisfaction," said Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of KCI and chair of the Wayne State University Department of Oncology.

"To achieve results like this, it takes engaged staff who are passionate about their jobs to deliver the highest quality care. And, it takes physicians who have dedicated their careers to finding and delivering treatment regimens and protocols to extend the lives of our patients," Dr. Bepler added. "This award would not have been possible without all of you, and it is further evidence of the dedication of our entire team - our employees, leaders, physicians and members of governance."

The trophy - a 200-pound black granite and crystal structure - will be inscribed with the KCI name and displayed for the next year on the Karmanos campus.

The honor includes $100,000, and Dr. Bepler said KCI leadership will meet next week to determine how best to use the money.

"We are truly humbled that the hard work of the entire team at KCI/Karmanos Cancer Center has been recognized by the McLaren system," Justin Klamerus, M.D., M.M.M., president of the Karmanos Cancer Hospital and Network said. "Congratulations! We earned this together. Thank you for your incredible commitment and for making this profound achievement possible."

Karmanos' basic science researchers and clinicians are all faculty members at WSU's School of Medicine, allowing the longtime partners to work together to break new ground in cancer treatments.