UA oncologist receives $1M endowed chair

[Source: FAYANA RICHARDS, Tucson Citizen] - A University of Arizona professor of medicine was awarded the $1 million John Norton Endowed Chair for Prostate Cancer Research at the Arizona Cancer Center.

The gift was made to the UA Foundation.

The chair will go to oncologist Dr. Frederick "Rick" Ahmann, professor of medicine and surgery.

"Virtually no other oncologist in the U.S. has devoted his or her career to preventing and treating prostate cancer more than Dr. Rick Ahmann," said Dr. David S. Alberts, director for Arizona Cancer Center, in a press release.

Alberts, who appointed Ahmann to the chair position, said that "there is no more deserving physician scientist to receive a named prostate cancer chair."

The new chair position hits close to home for John Norton and his family.

Norton, a 17-year prostate cancer survivor, said he was referred to Ahmann by his Phoenix physician.

"We are on the threshold of new and better ways to treat prostate cancer," said Norton in a news release. "We must financially support people with the qualities and abilities of Dr. Ahmann."

Donors John and Doris Norton have participated in various philanthropic efforts including the donation of $4 million to UA's College of Agriculture.