A vision to honor UNMC’s James Armitage, MD

It’s been 20 years since Robert Parnes, MD, received an autologous stem cell transplant – 20 years since the first day of the rest of his life.

But it’s been 25 years since he met “an amazing and humble human being,” the man who told him everything was going to be OK at the moment he needed to hear that most.

“He saved my life,” Dr. Parnes said of UNMC’s James Armitage, MD, who holds the Joe Shapiro Chair for the Study of Oncology and Clinical Research and the University of Nebraska Distinguished Cancer Research Professor.

Through the years, Dr. Armitage has done that for many people, as one of the world’s foremost experts in lymphoma and blood cancers.

“But I think it was more than that,” Dr. Parnes said.

“My interactions with Dr. Armitage over the past 25 years have made me a more thoughtful person and a better doctor to my own patients. I am very grateful for that.”

As the years went by, one mission remained: “I had the desire to give back in some way to Dr. Armitage and the entire transplant and oncology team.”

All he needed was to figure out how. All he needed was a little push.

And if you are reading this, he hopes you’ll join him in his “how.” He hopes this is the push you need, too.

Several months ago, Dr. Parnes was at home in Maryland, when the realization struck him. Now was the time. He found contact information for the University of Nebraska Foundation, and after some conversations with Tom Thompson, senior director of development, a vision took shape:

“A chair,” Dr. Parnes said, “in Dr. Armitage’s honor, that would last generations.” Those who would hold this chair, “would be honored to be chosen as someone who was a leader in research and treatment of blood related cancers.” But also, “highlighting their role in caring for patients.”

The establishment of the endowed James O. Armitage, MD, Chair in Hematological Malignancies at UNMC would support the work and legacy of his doctor and friend.

And what is that legacy?

Well, everyone knows Dr. Armitage is a UNMC legend.

Before she died in May, Debra Romberger, MD, who was the Henry J. Lehnhoff Professor of Internal Medicine, UNMC Department of Internal Medicine, and special adviser to the dean of the College of Medicine, spoke in Dr. Armitage’s support.

“Dr. Armitage has impacted UNMC in so many pivotal ways,” Dr. Romberger said. “He was essential to bringing bone marrow transplantation to our institution, which changed the lives of many patients as well as the future direction of the organization. Quite simply, Dr. Armitage is an icon.”

What sticks with those who know him, especially former patients he has saved, is his humanity. “His empathy,” Dr. Parnes said, “and his understanding of what I needed emotionally – it came across instantly.

“I felt a sincere connection to someone who was really going to care for me, someone who was going to try to help me.”

“Dr. Armitage is a great example of how much positive change one talented and dedicated person can make,” said Mark Rupp, MD, professor and interim chair of internal medicine.

Dr. Parnes was a young doctor himself, a retina specialist, when he first met Dr. Armitage. He’d just completed his fellowship and was working his first real job at an ophthalmology practice.

He was diagnosed with lymphoma and, perhaps like many others at the time of diagnosis, was told he had maybe eight or 10 years to live.

Eight to 10 years, when his kids were ages 2 and 3.

That realization … “It really hit me,” he said.

His oncologist told him, if you have lymphoma, you must go to Nebraska, to see Dr. Jim Armitage.

Nebraska?

Telling an East Coast person that the world’s foremost expert is in Nebraska?

“I live a half hour from Johns Hopkins,” Dr. Parnes said.

“That’s the person you have to go see,” a trusted colleague said.

Within a week he and his wife and dad were on a plane to Omaha. When they met Dr. Armitage, it hit them immediately.

“I meet a lot of physicians who are very intelligent and very talented,” Dr. Parnes said. “But his understanding of the need to offer me hope and the lifeline he extended by doing this made him exceptional and unique.

“It was a game-changer for me,” Dr. Parnes said.

While others talked about how many years of life he had left, Dr. Armitage said they were shooting for a cure. He oversaw Dr. Parnes’ treatment. A clinical trial was involved. It went well.

About five years later, there was a recurrence. But they went back to Dr. Armitage. “He assured me he was going to take care of me, and a cure was still his goal,” Dr. Parnes said.

This time, Dr. Parnes underwent a stem cell transplant.

“I’ve been blessed to be in remission since then,” Dr. Parnes said. “This Thanksgiving, it’ll be 20 years since the transplant.”

He’s gotten to travel and experience great things, have a long career and spend a lifetime with his wife, through dark days and bright ones.

“I’ve gotten to see my kids grow up.”

Now, he wants to do this for his doctor, an old and true friend.

“Establishing a chair in his name, it’s a lifelong thing that goes through generations,” Dr. Parnes said. He envisions, “the recipient would be honored to have the chair named for such a great researcher and person.”

That’s true, according to the NU Foundation.

The proposed James O. Armitage, MD, Chair in Hematological Malignancies will be awarded to a physician scientist specializing in blood cancers research and treatment. Funds from the chair will be utilized to advance the recipient’s work in education, diagnosis and treatment of blood cancers.

“Creation of this endowed chair will allow another faculty member to follow in his footsteps and make a similar beneficial impact,” Dr. Rupp said.

Dr. Parnes is excited to have started this effort. He is proud to write that first check, although he can’t fund it all.

“But I can plant the seed,” he said.

“He’s done more than that,” the NU Foundation’s Thompson said.

“Dr. Parnes has generously given the first significant gift towards something that, as some might say, is long overdue in honoring Dr. Armitage. Others who feel equally as grateful of the unique level of care they received from Dr. Armitage are joining Bob with the exact same sentiment.”

On that note, Dr. Rupp is asking those who have been healed, inspired, taught or befriended by Dr. Armitage to join in this effort.

“I encourage prior patients, students and colleagues of Dr. Armitage to express their thanks for his many contributions by donating to the endowed chair fund and enabling the good work to continue,” he said. “Endowed chairs are the foundation upon which the faculty is built, and contributions to the Armitage Chair are an investment in the future – excellent clinical care, inspiring education and breakthrough research – all of those things to which Dr. Armitage has dedicated his career.”

Giving to the proposed endowed Dr. Armitage Chair

For information on how to give directly to the establishment of the James O. Armitage, MD, Chair in Hematological Malignancies Endowment Fund via the University of Nebraska Foundation, go to this link.

Or contact Tom Thompson, senior director of development for the foundation, by email at this link or call or text 402-639-9592.