Pulling the Strings.

• Author: LUSKY, MARK
• Position: Brief Article

Denver dOC begins where others give in

Dr. Robert Berris and his associates at Denver-based Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers take people off death row.

"We have many cases where patients have been told they have only months (to live). Given appropriate cancer treatment, they may gain years of useful life," Berris said. "For instance, some breast cancer cases are still here 15 to 18 years later."

In full-time cancer practice for 30 years, Berris has seen, participated in and often led advancements in cancer research and treatment. Berris, 82, continues to see 10 to 15 patients per week, participate in teaching events at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and attend medical meetings in Colorado and across the United States, offering 60 years' medical experience.

Berris began specializing in 1972, when he and two colleagues formed the first oncology, or cancer care, practice in a six-state region. "At that time, we were getting cases from Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico and Utah in addition to Colorado," Berris said.

That practice, Hematology Oncology Associates, served as nucleus for the organization that later became known as Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers. It also served as a model for oncology practices nationally, and helped establish US Oncology.

A national network with 60 cancer centers in 26 states, US Oncology (NASDAQ: USON) provides care for nearly 15% of all U.S. cancer patients. It is the nation's largest network of physicians, clinicians, nurses and administrators focused exclusively on oncology.

In his role as chairman of US Oncology's Quality Oversight Committee, Berris is responsible for making sure research is done correctly -- that all serious drug reactions are appropriately reported and tended to, and that research protocols are amended accordingly. With participation of...