Refocus MD Anderson

Time to regroup

Regarding “Cancer Center reboot” editorial (Page A29, Sunday), I have spent a good part of the last year at MD Anderson as a support source for my significant other going through the arduous journey of therapy for breast cancer.

It is all behind us now and she has been declared “cancer free!” And, for this result, we are deeply appreciative and grateful! We were there at the hospital long enough to get a sense of the low morale among staff. It is definitely time for change at the top!

That said, with an MBA in hospital management, I sense that there is no one human being that can handle a situation like the one at Anderson. There definitely needs to be a chief operating officer to handle a $4 billion budget. With all the things mentioned in the editorial that are basic responsibilities of the president, I would urge a team of topflight people working together, with similar goals and a similar philosophical approach, to get this center back where it once was. I say that because on CBS “Sunday Morning” the entire program was about cancer. New approaches to diagnosis, therapy, nutrition and not one mention of MD Anderson Cancer Center.

There are remarkable advances in cancer therapy all over the country, and many of them were mentioned in the 90-minute program. We are very fortunate to have this cancer center in our community. That said, it is past time for new leadership. Alan Stuart Markoff, Houston

New leadership

I have two suggestions for the remaining MD Anderson Cancer Center leaders.

First, hire someone who is actually qualified, experienced and proven in managing and leading such a complex cutting edge organization — no short cuts.

Second, institute and adhere to an anti-nepotism policy.

The patients, employees and community deserve no less. M.L. Hodges, Houston