Five founding partners announced for cancer effort

Jan 29, 2008

Health care organizations from across Kansas join Midwest Cancer Alliance

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Today in separate press conferences across Kansas, five hospitals and health care organizations were recognized as founding partners of the Midwest Cancer Alliance (MCA).

The founding partners are:

• Goodland Regional Medical Center, in Goodland;
• Hutchinson Hospital, in Hutchinson;
• Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center, in Pittsburg;
• Stormont-Vail HealthCare, in Topeka; and
• The University of Kansas Hospital, in Kansas City.

Founding partner executives joined MCA officials to make the announcements and Governor Sebelius participated in the final press conference in Topeka at the Cotton-O'Neil Cancer Center at Stormont-Vail HealthCare.

As the only cancer alliance in the Heartland, the MCA will foster collaboration and provide strong support to community oncologists in an effort to enhance care for patients across the region. Patients will have access to cutting-edge clinical trials, innovative prevention, early detection and survivorship techniques, cancer screenings and the delivery of comprehensive care right in their own communities.

"Access to the latest advancements in cancer care is very important for patients who are fighting this horrible disease," said Gary Doolittle, MD, medical director of the Midwest Cancer Alliance. "Our goal with the MCA is to push these advancements out into the state and encourage collaboration among the network so that oncologists can provide the best care possible for their patients."

The MCA strengthens the link from the University of Kansas Cancer Center's research laboratories to community-based oncologists across the Heartland by pushing new discoveries out to partner sites through clinical trials.

"The Midwest Cancer Alliance gives patients throughout the Heartland access to the latest advancements in cancer care that their oncologists can offer in their communities," said Roy Jensen, MD, director of the University of Kansas Cancer Center. "We are pleased to reach all corners of the state with these first, five outstanding health care providers joining the MCA."

In addition to accelerating the translation of cancer research discoveries to alliance members, MCA partners have access to second-opinion and consultation services through on-site tele-oncology, allowing patients to see a University of Kansas Cancer Center oncologist without having to travel. Patients will also be able to enroll in clinical trials at various partner sites.

Cancer screenings and community education on cancer-related topics, as well as continuing education courses for physicians and nurses, will be offered through the MCA.

"As we discover and develop new methods to treat and prevent cancer, and translate these discoveries into new and innovative clinical trials, we want to ensure everyone in our region has access to these discoveries," said Jensen.

For more information about the Midwest Cancer Alliance, visit http://www.midwestcanceralliance.org/.