The Flint Animal Cancer Center (FACC) at Colorado State University’s James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital has earned a reputation as a global leader in veterinary oncology and comparative oncology. That legacy will continue with the center’s newly named director, Dr. Susan Lana.
“Dr. Lana’s deep expertise as a clinician, educator, and researcher uniquely positions her to advance all aspects of the center’s mission. She has been instrumental in developing the cancer biorepository, providing a tremendous resource for CSU and other partners across the world for the advancement of knowledge to combat both animal and human cancers,” said Dr. Susan VandeWoude, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
“I am certain she will foster programmatic growth and innovation, while enhancing collaborations across the country to continue positively impacting the lives of cancer patients – both human and animal.”
Lana has a long history with the FACC and is poised to continue building on the strong foundation forged by the center’s former directors, Drs. Stephen Withrow and Rodney Page. Lana has been at the University since 1994, working her way up from a veterinary student to an accomplished leader. With her proven dedication to service and experience, she is uniquely qualified to usher in a new chapter at the FACC.
As part of this transition, Lana will also assume the Stephen J. Withrow Presidential Chair in Oncology. This chair was established for the director position to support the programmatic growth of the FACC. Her work will center on creating a strategic and visionary plan and maintaining the high level of clinical care for patients, oncology specialty training programs, basic and clinical research programs, and advocacy focused on comparative oncology.
“We provide excellent and compassionate oncology care for patients from around the world, engage in cutting-edge cancer research, train the next generation of providers and researchers, and maintain outreach activities to further the fields of veterinary and comparative oncology. My goal is to build on these foundational pieces to further our lofty vision, conquering cancer for all,” Lana said.
From student to leader
Lana completed her D.V.M. at CSU in 1993. Following graduation, she completed a small animal internship at Texas A&M University and then returned to CSU for a residency in medical oncology. She joined the faculty at CSU in 1999, earning promotions as her career matured, becoming a full tenured professor in 2006; she also served as the oncology service section head for 15 years.
“Having worked with Dr. Lana over the last thirty years, I cannot think of a better choice to direct the FACC,” said Withrow, the founding director of the center. “Sue has the clinical acumen, research interest, and personnel skills to lead this group forward. We are lucky she has committed to our mission.”
Through it all, the one thing that has remained constant for Lana is her service to her patients, students, and team. She has spent the last three decades treating thousands of FACC patients and mentoring veterinary oncologists who now take care of patients and conduct research around the world.
In 2003, she established the FACC Biorepository. Under her direction, the program has accumulated approximately 30,000 samples that provide an important cancer research resource for scientists within CSU and at other universities and organizations across the country. In her new role, Lana will continue to manage this crucial service.
A testament to her commitment to the FACC, Lana was awarded the Stuart University Chair in Oncology in 2017. Colorado State University confers chairs to a rare few faculty members to acknowledge outstanding academic contributions, scholarship, and teaching practices, making the University Chair one of its highest honors.
The Stuart University Chair in Oncology was established in 2001 by the late E. Hadley Stuart, Jr., a long-time advocate and benefactor of the Flint Animal Cancer Center. It was the first endowed chair in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. With Lana’s transfer to the Withrow Chair, a plan will be developed to select a worthy recipient for the honor of holding the Stuart Chair.
Under Page’s direction, Lana was named associate director of the Flint Animal Cancer Center in 2021. In this role, she took over much of the internal oversight for the center. She also furthered her commitment to serving the university by accepting the role of assistant department head for resident and graduate education for the clinical sciences department in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
She has a long-standing reputation of being a fierce advocate not only for the oncology service but for all groups at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, understanding all units are interconnected and contribute to the care of patients no matter what primary service oversees their care.
In her role overseeing resident and graduate education, she successfully implemented pay raises for all trainees bringing compensation and support in line with the excellent reputation of the college’s specialty training programs and is working toward bolstering mentorship consistency across all specialty programs.
With Page’s retirement in 2023, Lana assumed the role of interim director of the Flint Animal Cancer Center and sustained the organization through the search for a new director.
“I had the pleasure of working closely with Dr. Lana for over a decade. She is devoted to the goals and vision of the FACC and has the skills and passion to keep CSU at the apex of veterinary and comparative oncology,” said Page, emeritus professor at Colorado State University.
Committed to the future
“I am honored to have been chosen to lead this team and continue the work of the FACC,” said Lana. “We have done amazing things since our humble beginnings in the early 1980s and I’m confident we will continue to push forward toward better cancer care for all. This is my life’s work.”
As the newly appointed director, Lana will lead the team in pursuit of the center’s vision, maintain and improve the excellent oncology service provided to patients, continue to champion all teaching and training efforts, and contribute to the research arm of the organization. She remains dedicated to expanding the reach of comparative oncology. She will also continue to build and strengthen relationships with those who support the FACC.
“The FACC is an important Veterinary Health System partner in advancing research-based oncology care for our patients,” said Sheila McMullan, senior associate dean of the Veterinary Health System (VHS) at CSU. As part of the VHS, the FACC will continue to provide industry-leading care and train the next generation of veterinary oncologists and researchers under Lana’s leadership.
Without the FACC’s supporters, none of this would be possible. “Everything we have done up to this point and all that we hope to accomplish in the future is thanks to our friends and the dedication of all who work or train at the FACC, said Lana. “To our friends, your support has allowed us to become the leading veterinary cancer center in the world – something we simply could not have done without you. I am grateful for you and hope you will continue to help us as we build towards the future.”
“We are writing the next chapter of the FACC. I thank you for your ongoing support and belief in our work,” she added. “Together, we will continue the fight against cancer for all.”