$2 million gift establishes “Shari & Stanley Finsilver and Family Oncostat” at Henry Ford Cancer

DETROIT (Feb. 13, 2024) – Henry Ford Health today announced a $2 million gift from philanthropists Shari and Stanley Finsilver to establish the Shari & Stanley Finsilver and Family OncoStat, a program that provides cancer patients same-day support for the side effects and symptoms of treatment, such as nausea, fatigue, or dehydration.

Patients can access real-time support through phone consultations, in-person visits at various locations, or virtual appointments via MyChart. OncoStat’s team of oncology-trained advanced practice providers and nurses will fast track blood work and imaging tests, and provide medications, infusions or other treatments to help patients feel better as quickly and safely as possible.

OncoStat has proven to be a critical resource for cancer patients, and the Finsilvers’ gift enables Henry Ford Health to expand the program to reach more patients when and where they need it most. OncoStat is currently available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, as well as 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, which are expanded hours of operation that were recently added.

“We are profoundly grateful to Shari and Stan for their continued generosity and leadership in support of Henry Ford Health, and especially our cancer care services,” said Mary Jane Vogt, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Henry Ford Health. “Their generous gift has already helped make this vital care option even more accessible and will continue to greatly benefit our patients for years to come. I can think of no better way to celebrate this tremendous impact than naming this unique program in their honor.”

Over the next three years, this gift will have significant impacts on improving patient care, including investing in resources that strengthen operational efficiencies, increasing patient access through expanded hours of operation and regional presence, and supporting novel cancer research through patient reported outcomes.

“This generous gift from Shari and Stan is a catalyst for our efforts to take the next step forward, which will have a tremendously positive impact in the lives of patients for years to come,” said Benjamin Movsas, M.D., Medical Director of Henry Ford Cancer.

“We’re grateful to be able to make this gift to support something that’s very close to our hearts,” said Shari Finsilver, Henry Ford Health Foundation Board member and philanthropist. “We watched our daughter-in-law face challenges firsthand through her cancer journey. Being able to support the expansion of OncoStat to create access to real-time care for our community and beyond means the world to us.”

This most recent gift to Henry Ford Health follows a separate fundraising initiative that established the Lindsey and Brett Finsilver HIPEC Program in honor of Lindsey Finsilver, wife of Shari and Stanley’s son Brett. Lindsey led a campaign to raise $1.5 million for creating a comprehensive HIPEC program at Henry Ford Cancer before she sadly passed away in December 2016 following a courageous battle against a rare form of appendix cancer.

“The Finsilvers have been incredible partners to Henry Ford Health,” said David Kwon, M.D., Deputy Director, Surgical Oncology at Henry Ford Cancer, and Brigitte Harris Endowed Chair for Pancreas Cancer. “From helping to drive a community initiative that allowed us to bring the Lindsey & Brett Finsilver HIPEC program to Henry Ford, to this incredible gift that will establish the Shari & Stanley Finsilver and Family OncoStat, we are grateful for the impact that they are having on our ability to provide comprehensive care to all we serve.”

One of the ways Henry Ford aims to enhance OncoStat is leveraging the power of patient reported outcomes (PRO) scores to get ahead of cancer treatment side effect symptoms before they escalate. By responding early to signals in PRO scores that indicate concern, Henry Ford clinicians can move beyond providing a reactive response to cancer treatment side effects and more toward a proactive approach. Addressing potential cancer side effects before they escalate will ultimately help improve the care experience for patients.

“Being able to help the team achieve their vision for an expanded OncoStat and the impact that will have on not only patients at Henry Ford, but also in our larger community, is very meaningful for us,” said Stan Finsilver. “We’re glad to be a part of Henry Ford Health’s commitment to advancing cancer medicine and patient care.”

To learn more about the Shari & Stanley Finsilver and Family OncoStat at Henry Ford Cancer, visit henryford.com/oncostat.