News Release

November 20, 2006

Contact: Maureen McGuire, 860-679-4523
e-mail: mmcguire@nso.uchc.edu

Dr. Petr Protiva Joins UConn Health Center

Gastroenterologist with Research Expertise in Colon Cancer Prevention

FARMINGTON, CONN. – Petr Protiva, M.D., a gastroenterologist with research interests in colon cancer prevention has joined the University of Connecticut Health Center. Dr. Protiva is now seeing patients in the Health Center’s Division of Gastroenterology and is pursuing new research innovations through the Colon Cancer Prevention Program.

Dr. Protiva joins the Health Center from Rockefeller University Hospital in New York City where he led a translational cancer prevention lab. His major research interests involve studying how interventions, such as exercise or medications, can affect an individual’s risk of developing colon cancer. In 2005, Dr. Protiva was recognized by the National Cancer Institute with the “New Investigators Award.”

“The future of translational research is more individualized. We are looking at ways in which an individual’s gene profile changes after specific interventions,” he explained. “This is especially important for a disease like colon cancer that is one of the leading cancer killers today.”

Dr. Protiva works closely with Joel Levine, M.D., and Daniel Rosenberg, Ph.D., co-directors of the Colon Cancer Prevention Program, who are pursuing new approaches to detect colon cancer in its earliest stages.

“Through the Colon Cancer Prevention Program, we have a very exciting opportunity to learn more about the factors that cause colon cancer and how men and women can lower their risk,” Dr. Protiva added.

The Colon Cancer Prevention Program offers highly personalized care for people who are concerned about their risk of colon cancer. To learn more or to make an appointment, call 800-535-6232.

Dr. Protiva earned his medical degree from Charles University in Prague. He completed a residency in internal medicine and a clinical fellowship in gastroenterology at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City.

In addition, Dr. Protiva completed a research fellowship in the Division of Gastroenterology at University Hospital Lausanne and the Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Epalinges, Switzerland.

Download a high resolution photo of Dr. Protiva at: http://www.uchc.edu/ocomm/images/images_news/protiva.jpg.

The University of Connecticut Health Center includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, John Dempsey Hospital, the UConn Medical Group and University Dentists. Founded in 1961, the Health Center pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service. To learn more about the UConn Health Center, visit our website at www.uchc.edu.

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