Theatre hosts Field's medical lecture, dedication ceremony

September 25, 2006 —

Dr. Malcolm Field was on hand Thursday for the dedication of SVSU's performing arts theatre, which bears his name.

He used the event to give a lecture from the O'Neill Lecture Series entitled "The Quest for a Cure," placing attention on his work, rather then on himself. The "Cure" which Field and his colleagues are researching is for a form of brain cancer called Glioblastoma Multiforme. It is a tumor that grows in the brain and is often fatal.

With nearly 17,000 new cases in 2002, Field found it necessary for "everyone to have an idea of what Glioblastoma is, and how serious it can be."

"Since Glioblastoma is essentially a death sentence," Field said, "it is important to continue looking for a cure."

Much of his lecture was devoted to informing the audience as to how Glioblastoma Multiforme is treated, and the advances that are currently being made in improving treatment.

The tumor is very difficult to operate on due to its position in the brain: medicine has a difficult time getting through to the brain to fight it, and most of the available drugs have proven of little help in fighting the tumor.

"What is available [through the FDA] is not very good," he said.

Only recent advances in medical technology have allowed doctors to identify the problem before it became irreversible. Through an MRI, it is now possible to identify the problem, but according to Field, that is only half the battle. There has yet to be a drug found that has a lasting effect.

However, he did give some hope to his listeners, saying "If there is a new drug that can help, we will find a way to make it work."

After his speech concluded, Field gave his audience a taste of what the theatre will be used for, giving a piano performance of Mozart's "Alleluia," accompanied vocally by SVSU graduate Hope Comerford (Jacobs).

Following his performance, President Gilbertson presented Field with an honorary plaque that commemorated the theatre's dedication.

An internationally renowned neurosurgeon, Field is a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School, and has been serving the city of Saginaw and its surrounding areas since 1961.

This service includes a donation of over $3 million to SVSU in August 2005. The donation was the largest gift from a private donor.

Field also serves as Medical Director of the Field Neurosciences Institute (FNI), which is dedicated to the prevention, early diagnosis, care, and cure of neurological diseases, disorders, and injuries.

Field was also presented an Honorary Doctorate of Science degree in 2000 for his excellence in the Medical Arts field and his devotion to SVSU.

He also helped establish the James E. O'Neill Jr. Memorial Lecture Series in 2003. The series promotes neurosciences.