History of the Masonic Cancer Center Fund
at the University of Minnesota
The Masons in the State of Minnesota established the Masonic Hospital in 1958 as a care facility for medical management of patients with advanced cancers.
In 1967 the hospital was enlarged to 120 beds and research laboratories were added and a clinic was established in the basement.
In 1970, the Masonic Memorial Hospital Fund, Inc. provided a Masonic Professorship in Oncology designated for Dr. B.J. Kennedy, who became known internationally as “The Father of Oncology.”
The support of the University faculty resulted in a Medical Oncology Division that has provided cancer education to medical students and physicians, attaining recognition of Medical Oncology as a new subspecialty in Internal Medicine. The Masonic Memorial Hospital Fund, Inc. provided additional support for education and cancer research projects in Medical Oncology designed to develop new methods for the management of patients with cancer.
In the spring of 1982, the Oncology Clinic was moved to the fifth floor of the Phillips Wangensteen Building and connected by a ramp to the Masonic Hospital. This facility was a gift of the Masonic Memorial Hospital Fund, Inc. It made possible the care and treatment of patients on an ambulatory basis, reduced hospitalization time and provided an opportunity for the development of new concepts of ambulatory cancer management.
In the fall of 1982, the Oncology Research Laboratories were opened on the fourth floor of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Cancer Research Center. The gift of these laboratories from the Masonic Memorial Hospital Fund, Inc. made possible the advancement of research in breast cancer and provided new space for the addition of new research scientists. These laboratories connected directly with the Masonic Oncology Clinic and the laboratories on the fourth floor of the Masonic Hospital.
In 1987 a parking ramp was completed on the corner of Harvard and Delaware Streets across the street from the Masonic Cancer Center . An underground tunnel was built that connected the ramp to the hospital. A direct entrance to the basement of the Masonic Building provided convenient, easy access to the Main Hospital . The Masonic Day Hospital was opened on the first floor. Health care economic changes and progress in cancer management resulted in reduced hospitalization of patients. The Clinic Research Center located on second floor of the Masonic Cancer Center Building was expanded to meet the needs of clinical research supported by the National Institutes of Health. Additionally, during 1987, unfinished space in the Oncology Clinic was completed to provide for additional patient care needs.
In 1989 a conference room and library were constructed on the fourth floor of the Masonic Hospital building. This was possible because of a grant from the Masons in the amount of $10,000. Extensive remodeling and construction on the third floor of the Masonic Hospital allowed for relocation of the Medical Oncology Service. Included in this construction project was office space for the Division of Medical Oncology on the fifth floor. This project was financed through cooperative efforts of the Masonic Cancer Center Fund, Inc., the University of Minnesota Hospital, and the Minnesota Medical Foundation Oncology Fund.
In 1992, in addition to its nearly 40 years of funding support for Medical Oncology, the Masonic Cancer Center Fund, Inc. pledged $5 million towards the construction of the Masonic Cancer Research Center (with completion in 1996).
In 1997 Medical Oncology and Hematology merged to become the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation (HOT). The combined Division allows for the delivery of superb medical care and the development of new therapy for cancer patients.
From 1997 to the present, an annual budget has been developed by the Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation Division and supported by the Masonic Cancer Center Fund, Inc. This budget allows the Division to focus efforts on the recruitment of medical oncologists. These faculty members are responsible for the treatment of patients with cancer as well as the clinical testing of new cancer therapy.
Additionally, support has been provided by both the Minnesota Masons and Eastern Star to hire specialized cancer research nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. These specially trained personnel support medical oncology teams engaged in treating patients with lung cancer, colorectal and gastrointestinal cancer, skin, renal, bladder or prostate cancer. These research nurses help to ensure excellent patient care, compliance with clinical protocols, collections and analysis of treatment results.
Finally, the budget supports the appointment of a cancer clinic Medical Director, who has participated in the creation of the new Masonic Cancer Clinic and leads day-to-day clinical medical activities.
The Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation is deeply grateful for the Masonic Family's past, present and continued support of cancer treatment and care.