The Rogel gift: Five years later

In March 2018, Richard and Susan Rogel made a significant financial commitment to help realize a vision of fostering innovative cancer research and to develop the next generation of leaders in clinical care and research. The $150M gift was the largest ever to Michigan Medicine, and one of the largest in the history of U-M. 

To honor the couple’s many years of giving and service, the cancer center was renamed the Rogel Cancer Center.

Five years on, the effect has been dramatic.

“The gift from Rich and Susan Rogel is truly extraordinary and transformational,” said Eric R. Fearon, M.D., Ph.D., Emanuel N. Maisel Professor of Oncology and director of the Rogel Cancer Center. “It has had a remarkable impact over the past five years and, given its legacy nature, it will have an ever-greater impact in the years ahead.”

This sentiment was echoed by Julie C. Brabbs, M.B.A., chief administrative officer and associate director of administration at the cancer center.

“It has had a tremendous impact across our cancer center,” she said. “We are so proud to be named the Rogel Cancer Center and thankful to Rich and Susan for their generosity and vision.”

The gift funds multiple programs focused on:

• improving treatment and care for cancer patients
• helping to develop promising scientists
• leveraging the university’s broad and deep strengths in science, innovation, and patient care

“The funding provided by the gift is intended to support broad-based efforts to improve treatment and outcomes for cancer patients and survivors, develop the next generation of cancer pioneers and providers, and leverage the university’s broad and deep strengths in science, innovation and patient care,” explained Fearon.

The gift has already supported the launch of eight new initiatives, including:

• vital faculty and trainee support
• enhanced patient care and community outreach and engagement initiatives
• innovative efforts to enhance health equity and improve access to cancer screening
• clinical and translational research infrastructure and precision health technologies

In addition, the gift funds programs for faculty and trainee development. 

“It’s allowed us to establish mechanisms to directly support people and projects,” said Brabbs, “and we are delighted with the ability to support these initiatives.”

Some of the programs currently supported include:

• two new Richard and Susan Rogel Professorships
• Rogel Scholars (30 faculty supported to date)
• Rogel Scholarships (19 awarded to date)
• a Rogel Fellow

“We are so grateful to Rich and Susan Rogel for their amazing generosity and partnership,” said Fearon. “We seek to generate new knowledge of all aspects of the cancer problem and develop new approaches to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients treated at the Rogel Cancer Center, as well as the many others around the U.S. and the world who will benefit from Rogel efforts and advances.”

Read more about the Rogel gift.