Midwest Cancer Alliance Partners Advisory Board Members Sign Charter Demonstrating Historic Collaborative Effort

Sep 9, 2008

KANSAS CITY, Kan.-- Marking a significant milestone in regional cancer collaboration and meeting criteria set forth in the Time To Get It Right report, regional hospitals and research institutions joined together today to sign a charter creating the Midwest Cancer Alliance (MCA) Partners Advisory Board.

Initial board members are:

• Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics
• Kansas Bioscience Authority
• Kansas State University - Terry C. Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research
• Saint Luke's Health System
• Stormont-Vail HealthCare
• Stowers Institute for Medical Research
• The University of Kansas Hospital
• Truman Medical Center
• University of Kansas Medical Center
• Via Christi Health System

The MCA Partners Advisory Board advances the pursuit of National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation for the region by demonstrating collaboration of key hospitals and research institutions in the areas of research and education.

"The regional community asked that we create a collaborative partnership with area hospitals and research institutions in the Time To Get It Right report," said Roy Jensen, MD, director of the University of Kansas Cancer Center and Chief Executive Officer of the Midwest Cancer Alliance.

"By creating the MCA Partners Advisory Board, we meet this objective and have created a collaborative model that will move us closer to our goal of achieving NCI designation for this region and improve the health of our community."

In addition to signing the charter, the MCA Partners Advisory Board held an open meeting after the signing ceremony and passed a resolution in support of the Johnson County and Education Research Triangle. In addition to expanding programs on the Kansas State University's Olathe Innovation campus and the University of Kansas' Edwards campus, the Triangle initiative would also create a clinical and translational research center, allowing the University of Kansas Cancer Center to expand its Phase I clinical trials program.

The MCA Partners Advisory Board will help with strategic planning toward achieving NCI designation and will provide input on research programs to leverage unique regional strengths in areas such as drug discovery and development.

"The regional hospitals and research institutions play an important role and are significant elements in the region's life sciences and cancer effort," said former Lt. Gov. Gary Sherrer, chair of the MCA Partners Advisory Board. "All members of the new board should be commended for recognizing the importance of collaboration and seeing this effort as the right thing to do for people battling cancer in this region."

The board will serve in an advisory capacity to Dr. Jensen to comply with criteria established by the NCI.

MCA Partners Advisory Board Signed Charter

Johnson County Education and Research Triangle Resolution