HNN: Controversial director of UH Cancer Center resigns

In a hastily called faculty and staff meeting at the Cancer Center at about 2:30 p.m. Friday, Carbone said he will remain at the center but concentrate on his research….

It's unclear if Carbone was forced to step down from the director post….

It's unclear whether Carbone's $412,008 salary will be reduced since he's no longer in charge of the center…. (It’ll prolly be doubled.)

A UH spokeswoman said his new salary is still being determined….  (See.  Told you.)

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The following is a statement from UH Manoa Chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman:

Dr. Michele Carbone has resigned his position as Director of the UH Cancer Center so that he can return to his faculty position and devote time to his research. I would like to acknowledge the critical role that Dr. Carbone has played in developing the Cancer Center to where it is today -- one of only 68 NCI-designated cancer centers, with an excellent faculty. We are grateful to Dr. Carbone for his essential leadership that led to the construction of our new Cancer Center building, which is considered one of the most beautiful and functional research buildings in the country, and for establishing a consortium partnership with the Queens Medical Center, Hawaii Pacific Health, Kuakini Medical Center, and the John A. Burns School of Medicine in order to improve the delivery of clinical trials to Hawai‘i cancer patients.

A successful cancer center is essential to the health of the people of Hawai‘i and to the contributions that Hawai‘i can make to the world.

Under Dr. Carbone's leadership, we have made great progress toward our dream of a world without cancer through research, education, and care, and we are in an excellent position to do even more.

I have asked Jerris Hedges, Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine, to assume responsibility as Acting Director of the UH Cancer Center.

I would like to express my personal thanks to Dr. Carbone for his service as Director of the Cancer Center, and to wish him great success as he returns to the faculty.

The following is Statement from Dr. Carbone:

It has been a great privilege to lead the cancer center since December 2008. I am proud of what we have accomplished working together with our faculty, UH leadership, supporters in the community, and with our Consortium partners.

There are cycles in life. Now my focus is on finding a cure for cancer.

I'm proud of what we've accomplished in the past 8 years. We have today an excellent cancer center, one of only 68 in the country with an NCI designation, and we have a state of the art research building in which all of us work.

The faculty here is excellent. I think everything is here for this cancer center to become one of the best in the country. We have to continue to work hard, we need to have the support of the community, and of the Legislature.

Jerris Hedges is a good friend to all of us and a personal friend of mine. I trust the cancer center will be left in good hands for the time being.

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