The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute retains its coveted designation as a federal Comprehensive Cancer Center , an award that places it in the nation\'s top echelon of cancer programs. With it comes a $13.9-million grant, a fourfold increase above the previous federal grant from the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda , Md. Four years ago, the institute received such low scores from the NCI that it risked losing its federal funding and status. Karmanos changed leadership and in July 2002 brought in nationally recognized lung cancer specialist Dr. Jack Ruckdeschel as president and chief executive officer. Ruckdeschel recruited new faculty and broadened efforts to reach minority patients, which helps the institute attract national cancer research grants. Karmanos, based on the Detroit Medical Center campus in Detroit , is affiliated with the Wayne State University School of Medicine. It is metro Detroit \'s largest cancer program.