Portland, Ore.

Katie Harman visited OHSU Cancer Institute to talk with researchers and patients

Miss America 2002, Katie Harman, visited OHSU on May 16 and spoke with cancer researchers and health care providers about the latest in breast cancer research, prevention and treatment. She also spent time with patients receiving cancer treatments.

The visit began with a presentation by Gail Clinton, Ph.D, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology about the preventive research taking place at OHSU. After the presentation, Harman spoke with many of the cancer researchers, including Brian Druker, M.D., JELD-WEN Chair of Leukemia Research at OHSU who developed the leukemia treatment Gleevec.

She then joined Susan Hedlund, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., for a tour of OHSU's Hematology/Oncology Clinic where she met Lisa Domenico, a breast cancer survivor. Harman talked extensively with Domenico about her cancer treatments, outreach programs available to her and familial support. The visit concluded with a walk through the infusion unit of the clinic where Harman spoke with cancer patients. The surprised patients tried on her crown and commended Harman for her efforts in raising awareness of breast cancer.

Gresham native Harman served a Saturday Academy summer apprenticeship at OHSU in 1998. She studied the effects of aluminum on calcium-sensing receptors in colon cancer cells alongside Donald Trunkey, M.D., and Brett Sheppard, M.D. Her platform as Miss America is "Breast Cancer in America: Caring Community by Community."

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