[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 80 (Wednesday, May 8, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DR. MATTHEW B. RETTIG

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 8, 2024

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations to 
Dr. Matthew B. Rettig, Medical Director of the Prostate Cancer Program 
at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, 
Los Angeles and Chief of Hematology-Oncology at the Veterans Affairs 
Medical Center in Greater Los Angeles, on receiving the Department of 
Veterans Affairs' Office of Clinical Science Research and Development 
John B. Barnwell Award in recognition of his significant contributions 
to the field of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.
  Dr. Rettig began his Veterans Affairs (VA) career as a staff 
physician in the Division of Hematology-Oncology at the VA Greater Los 
Angeles Health Care System in 1996. He became a leader within the 
department, and his unwavering commitment to improving health outcomes 
for veterans diagnosed with prostate cancer led to the development of 
the VA Precision Oncology Program Cancer of the Prostate (POPCaP) 
network. Dr. Rettig is credited for fostering the partnership between 
the VA and Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), which has resulted in the 
PCF committing $50M to support this program and expanding services to 
over 20 centers across the nation to meet the critical care needs of 
American veterans with prostate cancer.
  Along with his leadership of the Prostate Cancer Program, Dr. Rettig 
is also a Professor of Medicine and Urology at UCLA where he is 
training the next generation of clinicians and researchers. Dr. Rettig 
has dedicated himself to the future of the field, having generously 
mentored and trained over 31 residents, fellows, post-doctoral 
scholars, and junior faculty in veteran-centered clinical research, a 
majority of whom continue to serve the VA to meet the healthcare needs 
of veterans while also conducting their own independent cutting-edge 
research in various disciplines. The impact of his work is far-reaching 
and truly immeasurable.
  Dr. Rettig is ranked among the top ten clinical investigators 
nationally both within and outside of the VA and is a major asset for 
the VA and the veterans they serve. His expertise and achievements in 
genitourinary oncology and research are evidenced by invitations to 
serve on local and national committees and boards including the VA 
National GU Cancer Working Group Steering Committee, Brentwood 
Biomedical Research Institute, Greater LA Research & Education 
Foundation, Department of Defense, and the Prostate Cancer Foundation, 
among many others. Additionally, he serves on an editorial capacity for 
13 scientific and medical journals.
  It is with great honor that I congratulate Dr. Rettig upon receiving 
the Barnwell Award, the highest honor conferred by the VA Clinical 
Science Research and Development Service, in recognition of outstanding 
scientific achievements in clinical research. I ask that all Members 
join me in congratulating Dr. Rettig on his award and his service to 
our Nation's veterans.

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