The Orthopaedic Oncology Division of the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation recently received a major campaign gift from Eliza and Hugh Culverhouse. The gift from the South Florida couple will support the work of H. Thomas Temple, M.D., in the area of orthopaedic oncology. Dr. Temple is chief of the Orthopaedic Oncology Division at the University of Miami School of Medicine and Co-Director of the UM Tissue Bank.

The gift will support Dr. Temple’s continuing work in musculoskeletal oncology research, specifically the study of tumor responses to chemotherapy. Temple’s work compares pre and post treatment MR images with pathologic specimens. The results play an important role in helping oncologists better predict which tumors might respond to treatment.

The use of chemotherapy in patients with non-metastatic soft tissue sarcomas has demonstrated potentially promising benefit for some patients. The Sarcoma Group at the University of Miami has been in the forefront of chemotherapeutic intervention for patients with non-metastatic bone or soft tissue sarcomas.