The Hirshberg Foundation’s relationship with UCLA began in 1998, when the first Hirshberg Laboratory focused on pancreatic cancer translational research was established in the Department of Surgery under the direction of Howard Reber, MD. Subsequently this program was incorporated into the clinical program of the UCLA Center for Pancreatic Diseases. Under the continued support of the Hirshberg Foundation, the research and education program flourished and were integrated with the clinical program of the UCLA Center for Pancreatic Disease. In 2015, in recognition of the endowment provided by Agi Hirshberg and the Hirshberg Foundation, the UCLA Center for Pancreatic Diseases was renamed the UCLA Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases.
With the naming of the Center, the Hirshberg Foundation continues to advance UCLA’s multidisciplinary approach to evaluating and treating patients with pancreatic diseases, conducitng leading-edge research, and training the next generation of pancreatic disease experts.
UCLA Center for Pancreatic Diseases
The UCLA Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases provides a critical hub for advancing pancreatic cancer research and treatment breakthroughs. The center is now one of the nation’s premier comprehensive programs for pancreatic cancer and diseases.
Basic Research
The Ronald S. Hirshberg Chair in Translational Pancreatic Cancer Research helps guide basic science in developing new therapies and finding a cure for pancreatic cancer.
Translational Research
The Ronald S. Hirshberg Translational Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory opened in February of 1998 with research goals to help to find a cure for pancreatic cancer and to extend the lives of those diagnosed with this disease.
Sahin-Toth Laboratory
The Sahin-Toth laboratory forms a strategic alliance with the Ronald S. Hirshberg Translational Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory to understand and fight pancreatic diseases, with a focus on genetics and inflammation.
UCLA Pancreas Tissue Bank
Since 2005, the UCLA Pancreas Tissue Bank has accrued a repository of high quality archival pancreas tissues and tumors that are made available to researchers for the purpose of facilitating basic and translational research in pancreatic diseases.
UC Pancreatic Cancer Consortium
The UC Pancreatic Cancer Consortium harnesses the collective power of research and clinical activities conducted across five University of California medical campuses to accelerate the progress and impact of their work. The aim is to improve the lives of persons diagnosed with pancreatic cancer by translating innovative research into improved clinical care.
Psychosocial Care via Simms/Mann
The Hirshberg Foundation provides financial support for psychosocial care through the Simms/Mann–UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, where individualized medical and psychosocial interventions are available to patients and families dealing with various cancer diagnoses and treatments, including pancreatic cancer.