Estelle Vernon

Letter to the Editor

The November 25 article “Colleagues defend Califf amid criticisms of industry ties” does not provide a full picture of Dr. Califf’s lifelong commitment to patients, his reputation for being a person of great integrity and the scientific rigor he has insisted upon as a researcher his entire life. As members of Duke Cancer Institute’s Board of Advisors, and as individuals who have been profoundly impacted by cancer—Ellen having lost her sister and Estelle a 19 year survivor—we felt compelled to make sure that the Duke community fully appreciates the incredible contributions Dr. Califf had made to science and patient care.