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All Health Equity ACCCBuzz Articles

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FROM THE ACCCBUZZ BLOG

  • LUNGevity Health Equity Summit: A Focus on Biomarker Testing
    April 11, 2024
    LUNGevity invited ACCC and other stakeholders across the oncology world to Washington DC, for their second Health Equity Summit on Tuesday, March 12.
  • ACCC Recognizes National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month
    April 09, 2024
    ACCC recognizes April as National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month.
  • Clinical Meaningfulness: Insights from a Metastatic Breast Cancer Qualitative Study
    March 21, 2024
    Explore findings from a multi-stakeholder collaboration aimed at exploring clinical meaningfulness in comprehensive care delivery for patients with metastatic breast cancer.
  • ACCC & Inova Schar Cancer Institute Meet with Swedish Delegates
    By Molly Kisiel, MSN, FNP-BC
    March 14, 2024
    Explore key takeaways from a meeting between ACCC, Inova Schar Cancer Institute, and delegates from the Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs.
  • #AMCCBS: Recognizing Excellence + Leadership Training
    March 06, 2024
    Highlights from the final day of the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit (#AMCCBS).
  • #AMCCBS: The Future, Empathy, & Deep Dives
    March 05, 2024
    Highlights from the second day of the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit (#AMCCBS).
  • #AMCCBS: A Day on The Hill
    February 29, 2024
    To kick-off #AMCCBS, ACCC members traveled to Capitol Hill for the association’s first in-person Hill Day since 2019.
  • Workforce Diversity: African Americans in Healthcare
    February 14, 2024
    An overview of the modern healthcare workforce reveals a concerning disparity in the amount of African American medical professionals.
  • The Importance of Developing Health Equity Initiatives
    February 07, 2024
    Modern Healthcare's latest symposium on social drivers of health, gathered industry leaders to develop practical strategies for the promotion of health equity initiatives.
  • Talk About It: Cancer Care and Mental Health
    February 05, 2024
    BeiGene hosted its second annual Talk About It: Cancer and Mental Health LinkedIn Live event. This year’s theme focused on bridging cancer centers and community partners to help meet acute needs.
  • Examining Clinical Research for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia
    January 30, 2024
    Evaluate recommendations on improving clinical trial diversity among patients with acute myeloid leukemia.
  • Cervical Health Awareness Month: Highlighting American Indian + Alaska Natives
    January 25, 2024
    In recognition of January as Cervical Health Awareness Month, ACCCBuzz highlights cervical cancer among the American Indian and Alaska Native population.
  • Social Drivers of Health: The Role of Representation in the Healthcare Workforce
    By Rania Emara
    January 15, 2024
    This is the second post of a three-part series on Modern Healthcare’s Social Determinants of Health Symposium.
  • NCCN Patient Advocacy Summit: The Significance of Patient Navigation
    By Chidi Ike
    January 11, 2024
    This is the second blog post is on the NCCN Patient Advocacy Summit: Navigating the Care Continuum from Screening Through Survivorship.
  • A Look at the Emerging Role of Health Equity Institutes
    By Rania Emara
    January 10, 2024
    Sutter Health details innovative programs designed to drive health equity at the most recent Modern Healthcare Social Determinants of Health Symposium.
  • NCCN Patient Advocacy Summit: Navigating the Care Continuum from Screening Through Survivorship
    By Chidi Ike
    January 03, 2024
    For their final policy summit of 2023, the NCCN invited multidisciplinary stakeholders to Washington D.C. for a discussion focused on patients with cancer receiving comprehensive and equitable care.
  • The Cost of Biomarker Testing: Moving from Support-based to Sustainable Solutions
    December 12, 2023
    ACCC, ACS CAN, and LUNGevity, launched a series of focus groups earlier this year aimed at making the case for increasing access to comprehensive genomic profiling for Medicaid beneficiaries.
  • CAR T-Cell Therapy: A Significant Advance for Patients with Hematologic Malignancies
    By Nicole Tapay, JD
    November 15, 2023
    As CAR T-cell therapies provide new treatment options for patients with certain hematologic malignancies, it is important that more cancer centers and programs deliver them.
  • NCCN Policy Summit: Addressing the Social Needs of Patients with Cancer
    November 09, 2023
    Major takeaways from the NCCN Oncology Policy Summit in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, September 12.
  • Become a Welcoming Space: Small Steps Make A Great Impact
    November 07, 2023
    ACCCBuzz spoke with Scout, PhD, MA and Al Asante PA-C, MBA, ACP about their work on an innovative educational series that teaches providers how to deliver equitable gynecologic cancer care to transgender and gender non-conforming patients.
  • Comprehensive Cancer Care: The Role of Biomarker Testing
    November 06, 2023
    Equitable access to precision medicine should be a right to which all patients with cancer are entitled regardless of their insurance coverage or type. Read more about ACCC’s efforts to help Medicaid beneficiaries overcome financial barriers to biomarker testing.
  • ACCC Recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month
    October 25, 2023
    ACCC recognizes breast cancer awareness month.
  • Improving Care Delivery for Transplant-Ineligible Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia
    October 24, 2023
    ACCC in partnership with HealthTree Foundation for Acute Myeloid Leukemia, has launched an education program to explore the current barriers in care coordination and therapy options for patients with AML who are not eligible for transplant.
  • Highlights from the President’s Cancer Panel: Building on a Strong Legacy
    October 12, 2023
    ACCC president Olalekan Ajayi, PharmD, MBA, shared the association’s key priorities for impacting cancer care in the United States with the President’s Cancer Panel.
  • #ACCCNOC: Fostering Ingenuity + Collaboration
    October 11, 2023
    Highlights from the third and final day of #ACCCNOC.
  • #ACCCNOC: Financial Advocacy, Value-Based Care + Biomarker Testing
    October 05, 2023
    Key takeaways from day 1 of #ACCCNOC.
  • A Road Map for Newly Diagnosed Patients with Pancreatic Cancer
    By Let's Win Team
    September 26, 2023
    Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer provides a road map of resources to help newly diagnosed patients with pancreatic cancer obtain the resources they need throughout their care journey.
  • Patient Navigation Services Promote Equitable Access to High-Quality Care
    By Nicole Tapay, JD
    September 21, 2023
    The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has recently proposed reimbursement for Principal Illness Navigation services under Medicare to help patients navigate treatment for serious illnesses such as cancer.
  • Collaborative Care: A Model for Embedding Counseling in Oncology and Palliative Care
    September 20, 2023
    This cancer program adapted the University of Washington’s Collaborative Care model to embed counseling services into oncology and palliative care across six clinic locations. This model allows patients to receive counseling for depression, anxiety, or other psycho-social concerns while in active treatment and survivorship, eliminating many barriers to care.
  • Precision Medicine in Rural and Underserved Areas: Unique Solutions for Unique Challenges
    September 12, 2023
    Through a series of education projects, ACCC is committed to providing the resources the multidisciplinary cancer care team will need to navigate the complex precision medicine landscape and deliver next generation cancer care.
  • The Road to Comprehensive Biomarker Testing for All
    August 31, 2023
    In the era of personalized medicine, biomarker testing is a tool the oncology workforce can and should leverage to deliver next generation cancer care.
  • A Model for Demonstrating Sustainable Outreach for Cancer Screening
    August 24, 2023
    St. Elizabeth Cancer Center launched a comprehensive program to perform outreach to patients with outstanding orders for lung, breast, and colon cancer screenings.
  • Pancreatic Cancer: Why Clinical Trials Should Be a Patient’s Starting Point
    By The Let's Win Team
    August 15, 2023
    For patients with pancreatic cancer, clinical trials should be considered as a possible treatment option early on, not a last resort when all else fails. The Let's Win team discusses why.
  • Psychosocial Care in Oncology: The Impact of Social Determinants of Health
    By Jennifer Bires
    August 08, 2023
    Recognizing the effects of SDOH on patients and providers is key as studies show they can impact as much as 80% to 90% of health-related outcomes.
  • Psychosocial Care in Oncology: Advocating for Policy Changes that Improve the Culture of Care
    August 03, 2023
    To explore the current state of psychosocial care in oncology, ACCC, with its partners, AOSW and APOS, with support from BeiGene—held a multistakeholder meeting, ACCC’s Call to Action: Delivery of Psychosocial Care in Oncology Summit.
  • ABC’s of Health Disparities
    July 25, 2023
    ACCC is working with multidisciplinary care teams to assess the impact of SDOH on equitable access to cancer care and clinical trials among minority populations.
  • Trans-Inclusive Cancer Care: Why It’s an Important Part of Health Equity
    June 21, 2023
    For National Pride Month this year, the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) is highlighting the transgender community and what it means for cancer programs and practices nationwide to provide trans-inclusive care.
  • Raising Cancer Awareness in Black Communities Through #BlackFamCan
    June 14, 2023
    National Black Family Cancer Awareness Week is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of clinical trial participation and specimen donations for cancer research among Black Americans.
  • Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer: A Partner for Patients and Care Teams
    By The Let's Win Team
    June 13, 2023
    Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer is an advocacy organization that works with patients, providers, and researchers to share the latest information and treatment options for pancreatic cancer.
  • A New Decade for Advancements in Immunotherapy
    June 08, 2023
    June is Cancer Immunotherapy Month, and ACCC is highlighting the important work that it and its partners are doing to increase patient access to these novel therapies.
  • National Cancer Survivors Day: Stories from ACCC Staff
    June 01, 2023
    ACCC recognizes National Cancer Survivors Day with stories from two survivors who are members of its staff.
  • ACCC Recognizes National Cancer Research Month
    May 23, 2023
    ACCCBuzz spoke with Erika Siegrist at Luminis Health Research Institute to learn more about how technology has helped expand patient access to cancer clinical trials.
  • Telehealth Improves Access + Affordability in Cancer Care
    May 18, 2023
    Telehealth can improve the experience of patients with cancer by facilitating access and reducing cost.
  • ACCC Recognizes Bladder Cancer Awareness Month
    May 16, 2023
    This May, ACCC is recognizing Bladder Cancer Awareness Month with a message highlighting the importance of awareness, patient education, and support.
  • 2023 NMQF Summit: Patient Education to Achieve Health Equity
    May 10, 2023
    As efforts to promote health equity continue to grow, educating patients with cancer about the importance of clinical trials and cancer screenings is of the utmost importance.
  • 2023 NMQF Summit: Improving Diversity in Cancer Clinical Trials
    May 03, 2023
    At the 2023 National Minority Quality Forum Summit on Health Disparities and Spring Health Braintrust, panelists discussed strategies that can be implemented to improve diversity in clinical trials.
  • Entrepreneurs Tackle Workforce Issues and Lung Cancer Screenings
    May 02, 2023
    ACCC Buzz had an opportunity to speak with Jonathan Govette, co-founder and chief operating officer at Oatmeal Health, to learn more about its virtual clinic and patient engagement services and cancer screenings.
  • Achieving Health Equity in Oncology with Precision Medicine Stewards
    April 20, 2023
    ACCCBuzz spoke with Luis E. Raez, MD, FACP, FCCP, to learn more about the importance of closing the gap in access to biomarker testing and strategies to improve equity and inclusion in precision medicine.
  • (Re)Building the Oncology Workforce: ACCC President Dr. Ajayi’s 2023-2024 Theme
    April 12, 2023
    Dr. Olalekan Ajayi has dedicated his 2023-2024 ACCC President's Theme to the oncology workforce—mentoring a new generation of leaders and diversifying cancer care teams to ensure better representation of the different communities within which patients live.
  • Health for All: Addressing Health Equity Among American Indians + Alaska Natives
    By Chidi Ike
    April 06, 2023
    April 7 marks the 75th anniversary of World Health Day, with this year's theme centered around achieving health for all. This directive can be accomplished in part by increasing access to high-quality healthcare nationwide.
  • Cancer's Economic Impact Among Adolescents and Young Adults
    By Chidi Ike
    April 04, 2023
    The rising costs of anti-cancer treatment in the United States have placed adolescents and young adults with cancer at an increased risk for financial toxicity.
  • ACCC Recognizes Social Work Month
    March 30, 2023
    In recognition of March as social work month, ACCCBuzz discusses the value of social workers as a member of the multidisciplinary cancer care team with Sarah Conning, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, APHSW-C.
  • First Oncology-Focused, Age-Friendly Health Systems Action Community
    March 28, 2023
    The U.S. population is aging. So ACCC—in partnership with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)—developed the Oncology Action Community to help participating cancer programs and practices become age-friendly health systems.
  • ACCC Spotlights Critical Lung Cancer Screening Needs in Appalachia
    March 23, 2023
    ACCC held a LinkedIn live event on March 13, 2023, with subject matter experts, who shared strategies for tackling lung cancer disparities in the Appalachian Region and beyond.
  • Effective Patient-Provider Communication for Colorectal Cancer Screening
    March 15, 2023
    ACCC is recognizing National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month by highlighting the importance of cancer screenings and early detection.
  • #AMCCBS: A Robotic Oncology Pharmacy, NYC Nursing Strike, & More
    March 14, 2023
    On Friday, March 10, the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) concluded its ACCC 49th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center. The conference came to a close with a keynote on leveraging robotics in the pharmacy, as well as a session discussing the challenges of the recent nursing strike.
  • #AMCCBS: The CRISPR Revolution, Cancer Moonshot, & More
    March 10, 2023
    On Thursday, March 9, the Association of Community Cancer Centers welcomed its members in D.C. for its 49th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center—the oncology conference dedicated to exploring cutting-edge solutions to persistent challenges and navigating the shifting cancer care landscape.
  • #AMCCBS: Clinical & Operational Updates in Oncology
    March 09, 2023
    Before opening the ACCC 49th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit to its membership, ACCC held two pre-conference events on Wednesday, March 8. Learn more about what was discussed among invited speakers during these events.
  • ACCC Announces its 2023 Advocacy Agenda
    March 07, 2023
    For 2023, ACCC members have identified four core areas of focus (e.g., reimbursement, utilization management, provider-patient choice), among a larger set of issues and concerns, that the association will be supporting this year.
  • The American Healthcare Cost Crisis: Addressing Administrative Waste and More
    March 02, 2023
    Marty Makary, MD, MPH, discusses the American healthcare cost crisis, in his keynote address at the North Carolina Oncology Association and South Carolina Oncology Society annual joint conference.
  • ACCC Recognizes National Caregivers Day: Analyzing a Mental Health Crisis
    February 17, 2023
    Today is National Caregivers Day, and ACCCBuzz analyzes the current mental health crisis that is affecting the caregivers of loved ones everywhere.
  • ACCC Recognizes National Cancer Prevention Month: A Focus on Smoking + Taxes
    By Chidi Ike
    February 15, 2023
    In recognition of National Cancer Prevention Month, the continued effort toward preventing cancer must be characterized by actions not words.
  • Oncology Care Models: Moving the Needle on Alternative Payment
    January 19, 2023
    The breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in recent years has been accompanied by an increased interest in new avenues to pay for these lifesaving services—giving way to The Enhancing Oncology Model.
  • ACCC Recognizes Cervical Health Awareness Month
    January 17, 2023
    Approximately 13,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually, with the highest incidence rates among the Appalachian region. Learn how the ACCC Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance is working to improve cancer care delivery in this region and beyond.
  • Patient Navigation: Taking Stock of the Past and Looking to the Future
    By Chidi Ike
    January 11, 2023
    Dr. Harold P. Freeman channeled his experience growing up in a segregated society to implement the first patient navigation program in the United States.
  • NCCN Policy Summit: The Value of Empathy and LGBTQ+ Representation
    December 22, 2022
    NCCN summit panelists share compelling stories, as they highlight the barriers that can prevent LGBTQ+ patients with cancer, as well as survivors, from accessing high-quality, equitable care and the need for greater representation.
  • NCCN Policy Summit: Addressing the Barriers to Care LGBTQ+ Communities Face
    December 13, 2022
    The NCCN closed out 2022 with a patient advocacy summit focused on sexual orientation and gender identity, highlighting the barriers that can prevent LGBTQ+ patients with cancer, as well as survivors, from accessing high-quality, equitable care.
  • ACCC President-Led Forum Addresses RPM Technologies + Health Equity
    December 08, 2022
    On November 10, 2022, ACCC President Dr. David R. Penberthy, MBA, held his third in a series of four Tech Talks, where invited subject matter experts and ACCC members discussed remote patient monitoring (RPM) in cancer care.
  • Pancreatic Cancer Awareness: A Digital Community for Patients + Caregivers
    November 28, 2022
    In recognition of pancreatic awareness month, ACCCBuzz sat with Cindy Gavin, founding executive director of Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer to discuss the platform’s efforts toward raising awareness for the disease.
  • Recognizing National Nurse Practitioner Week Through Thought Leaders
    November 16, 2022
    November 13 to 19 is dedicated to National Nurse Practitioner Week, and the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) is taking this opportunity to recognize its nurse practitioner (NP) members—highlighting the work NPs do to improve access to care, the patient and clinician experience, and patient outcomes.
  • ACCC Honors National Lung Cancer Awareness Month
    November 10, 2022
    Every November we remember National Lung Cancer Awareness Month. So ACCCBuzz spoke with Caroline Wolf to learn more about CHI Memorial's lung screening outreach efforts and Breathe Easy Mobile Lung Screening Program.
  • Rare Cancer and the Cancer Patient Equity Act of 2021
    October 25, 2022
    Introduced in 2021, the Cancer Patient Equity Act seeks to provide coverage of certain cancer diagnostic and laboratory tests under Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program, and more.
  • The Multifaceted Role of an Oncology Pharmacist
    By Chidi Ike
    October 20, 2022
    In recognition of American Pharmacists Month, ACCCBuzz spoke to Dr. Sarah Hudson-DiSalle at The James Cancer Hospital to learn more about her role on the cancer care team.
  • #ACCCNOC: Honoring Awardees + Supporting the Oncology Workforce
    October 19, 2022
    ACCC President Dr. David Penberthy, honors the 2022 ACCC Award winners for their significant contributions to the oncology community. Speakers share key strategies to enhance the role of the oncology pharmacist and prepare for population health in oncology.
  • ACCC Recognizes Pharmacy Technician Day
    October 18, 2022
    In recognition of Pharmacy Technician Day today (October 18), ACCCBuzz spoke with Danielle Duy, CPhT, to learn more about her role on the multidisciplinary cancer care team.
  • #ACCCNOC: Little Big Bangs—Innovation in Action
    October 14, 2022
    Healthcare—especially oncology—is rife with competing demands that make it particularly challenging to engage oncology staff in innovation. #ACCCNOC keynote speaker Julie Holmes shares her principles for innovating in healthcare through “little big bangs” (or micro-innovations).
  • #ACCCNOC: What Does the Future of Cancer Care Look Like?
    October 13, 2022
    The ACCC 39th National Oncology Conference opened with two pre-conferences, covering financial advocacy in oncology and the future of cancer care. Learn what care delivery may look like in 2040 and how ACCC is supporting cancer programs and practices through its Financial Advocacy Network.
  • Effective Practices to Improve Equitable Cancer Screening
    October 11, 2022
    While achieving equitable cancer screening is difficult, community partnerships and at-home testing could provide an effective solution.
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    ACCC Webinar Series Bridges Oncology Care Knowledge Gaps
    October 06, 2022
    An ACCC Oncology Practice Transformation and Integration Center (OPTIC) program webinar series is supporting oncology professionals, so they can provide the highest quality of care to their patients. Find out what experts are saying in strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and quality improvement.
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    Challenges to Advancing Cancer Risk Identification & Reduction
    October 04, 2022
    ACCCBuzz shares highlights from the NCCN Policy Summit: Reducing the Cancer Burden through Prevention and Early Detection, highlighting the real impacts felt by patients and providers in cancer risk identification and reduction.
  • Technological Strategies to Improve Health Equity
    September 27, 2022
    Technological solutions can be used to identify and mitigate the effects of health disparities, helping clinicians understand the factors that affect care delivery.
  • Quality Improvement in Stages III & IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Care
    September 23, 2022
    Care optimization is everything in today’s rapidly changing healthcare landscape. Learn how ACCC's nationwide quality improvement (QI) initiative helped Southern Ohio Medical Center Cancer Center develop and implement plans to support the optimization of care for patients diagnosed with Stages III and IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
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    Converging Goals: Public Health & the Cancer Moonshot Initiative
    September 22, 2022
    On September 16, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network convened experts and stakeholders in D.C. for a policy summit spotlighting today’s cancer screening and prevention landscape. Learn what speakers discussed, including what changes need to happen to create an equitable future for all people at risk—or not—for cancer.
  • ACCC Recognizes Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
    September 21, 2022
    In recognition of September as prostate cancer month, ACCCBuzz reviews the current landscape of prostate cancer care.
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    Utilizing Data in the Pursuit of Health Equity
    September 20, 2022
    The use of data to address health disparities and improve access to clinical trials could optimize care delivery and improve health outcomes.
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    Digital Solutions Connect Resources to Patients at the Right Time
    September 15, 2022
    Cancer programs and practices can leverage technology to mitigate the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH). Learn about three companies and their technology that is developed to advance equity in cancer care delivery.
  • Enhancing Advanced Ovarian Cancer Care Delivery
    August 30, 2022
    September is Ovarian Cancer and Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month. In recognition, ACCC shares how its Barriers to Quality Care in Ovarian Cancer Phase II will test the model developed in the previous phase to optimize care for patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.
  • Financial Advocacy Strategies to Maximize Charitable Patient Assistance
    By Audrey Quartey
    August 17, 2022
    Around half of patients with cancer and survivors of cancer are dealing with financial toxicity, and one of the best ways to handle this is through financial navigation. For 18 years, the Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation has helped patients pay their out-of-pocket treatment costs.
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    Optimizing Telehealth for Older Adults with Cancer
    August 09, 2022
    ACCCBuzz shares a brief on the its" Digital Bridges: Optimizing Telehealth for Older Adults With Cancer," including more about the benefits of developing a telehealth-based geriatric oncology clinic.
  • ACCC Commemorates World Lung Cancer Day—10 Years Strong
    August 01, 2022
    Communities around the globe recognize August 1 as World Lung Cancer Day—a day to commemorate, educate, and support individuals and families impacted by lung cancer. Read highlights on a few ACCC initiatives that are helping cancer care teams better support their patients with this disease.
  • Riding to Victory: One Man’s Journey to Surviving Cancer
    July 28, 2022
    Tom Vibert was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic colon cancer in 2014. Learn how participating in a clinical trial allowed Vibert to get back on the bike and beat his cancer.
  • Advocating in Oncology: The Importance of State-Based Grassroots
    July 26, 2022
    Dr. David Eagle shares why grassroot advocacy efforts are so important to furthering health equity and person-centered care in oncology, including how state-based efforts curbed harmful pharmacy benefit manager practices in New York.
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    Chemotherapy Care Companion: An Oncology Remote Patient Monitoring Program
    July 21, 2022
    The complex needs of patients with cancer require a more proactive approach to their care. Ochsner Health, Ochsner Cancer Institute in Louisiana implemented a program—Chemotherapy Care Companion—to identify and meet patients’ needs in real time.
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    How Does the EOM Compare to the OCM?
    By Matt Devino, MPH
    July 20, 2022
    ACCC Director Cancer Care Delivery and Health Policy Matt Devino, MPH, lays out the four key differences between the OCM and EOM that interested applicants need to consider.
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    Rapid Access Diagnostic Clinic Expedites Cancer Treatment
    July 19, 2022
    To fill a care gap, The James Cancer Hospital opened a new set of front doors to its facility—The James Cancer Diagnostic Center—to ensure all patients with a concern for cancer could be quickly evaluated, even if they didn’t have a confirmed diagnosis.
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    A Collaborative Primary and Cancer Care Model
    July 12, 2022
    Learn how ChristianaCare has embedded primary care within its cancer service line to help oncology patients manage their comorbidities to maximize their anti-cancer treatment.
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    VCU’s Medical-Legal Partnership Meets Oncology Patients’ Needs
    July 07, 2022
    The VCU Massey Cancer Center incorporated a legal service at their center because more work had to be done to address social determinants of health rooted in legal problems in order to offer comprehensive services that met the full gamut of its patients’ needs.
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    MRD Testing in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
    By Eva Pan, PharmD, BCOP
    June 29, 2022
    With data already demonstrating the role of MRD for CLL response assessment and prognosis, cancer programs should prepare themselves for implementation of MRD testing for appropriate patients.
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    Bringing Hospital Care Home: Transitional or Transformative?
    June 28, 2022
    Through a virtual panel on advancing acute care into the home, Modern Healthcare's Hospital at Home virtual briefing lays out three key needs any cancer program or practice should address when implementing an acute care hospital-at-home program.
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    2022 ACCC Hill Day: Members Meet with Congress
    June 24, 2022
    Advocating on behalf of their patients and programs, ACCC members from 14 states participated in Virtual Hill Day, speaking with Congress and their staff on key legislation asks regarding access to care, telehealth, prior authorizations, and more.
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    Examining LGBTQ+ Disparities in Cancer Care
    June 22, 2022
    ACCCBuzz had an opportunity to speak with B.J. Rimel at Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center about the organization's LGBTQ+ Cancer Symposium and barriers to oncology care members of these communities face.
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    Medicare Ahead: Equity, Accountability, Sustainability
    June 21, 2022
    Looking to the future, CMS is seeking to leverage the agency’s strength to advance health equity; drive high-quality, person-centered care; and promote the affordability and sustainability of the Medicare Program.
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    ACCC Promotes Cancer Awareness Through #BlackFamCan
    June 16, 2022
    June 16 to 22 is National Black Family Cancer Awareness Week—a week dedicated to increase awareness of the importance of clinical trial participation and specimen donations for cancer research among Black Americans. Learn what ACCC is doing to address health disparities for all underserved populations across America.
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    PCP Insights Needed to Improve Cancer Screening in Rural Appalachia
    By Richard Ingram, MD
    June 15, 2022
    Dr. Richard Ingram shares why he got involved in ACCC's Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance and why it's so important for this initiative to collaborate closely with primary care providers in the region.
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    ACCC Forms Alliance to Improve Cancer Care Continuum
    June 08, 2022
    ACCC has partnered with several of its oncology state societies to establish the Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance—a key effort to address disparities in cancer screening and care delivery in the region.
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    Hospital at Home: Success Factors & Challenges
    June 07, 2022
    During a recent virtual briefing by Modern Healthcare, one session explored the current trends and models of excellence in at-home care. ACCCBuzz highlights panelists' insights on the common characteristics and challenges of successful hospital-at-home programs.
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    Hospital Care Comes Home
    June 02, 2022
    Before the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with cancer received care in three settings: hospital inpatient, hospital emergency room, and the outpatient clinic. But just as the pandemic overturned deep-rooted barriers to telehealth uptake, it also brought renewed attention to the hospital-at-home model.
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    Leading Through Trust
    By Barbara Schmidtman, PhD
    May 31, 2022
    The last time I wrote for ACCCBuzz, I shared that I would try to find nuggets of wisdom that were inspiring me in my work and day-to-day life in hope of inspiring you. One topic that keeps coming to my mind: building trust among our teams and colleagues.
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    Speaker Reflections: Attending ACCC’s Oncology Reimbursement Meetings
    By Wendi Waugh, RT(R)(T), CMD, CTR
    May 27, 2022
    ACCC Board Member Wendi Waugh tells ACCCBuzz about her experience speaking at and attending the in-person Oncology Reimbursement Meetings this spring, covering topics from financial advocacy in oncology to formulary management and networking with colleagues to address workforce concerns at your cancer center.
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    Achieving Health Equity in Bladder Cancer Care
    May 26, 2022
    In recognition of Bladder Cancer Awareness Month, ACCC would like to stress the importance of reducing existing disparities in bladder cancer care.
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    ACCC Celebrates Oncology Nursing Month
    May 17, 2022
    May celebrates Oncology Nursing Month, and ACCC recognizes the integral role oncology nurses play in cancer care delivery.
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    NOLA + Pathways Partnership: Meeting Patients’ Needs Locally
    May 11, 2022
    The final post in a three-blog series, ACCCBuzz spoke to Megan Morava, PA-C, and Alexandra Greenawalt who share how one independent oncology practice and local community center are taking action to improve equitable cancer care delivery at the local level.
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    Optimizing Cancer Care Delivery in 2022, Part 2
    May 03, 2022
    Technology has a key role to play in the future of cancer care delivery. Read how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to help cancer programs and practices stay financially viable, while offering high-quality care.
  • Figure Breaking Through Wall (Barriers)
    Local Action Improves Access to Key Oncology Services
    April 28, 2022
    The second post in a three-blog series, ACCCBuzz shares how Carolina Blood and Cancer Care Associates' NOLA initiative is addressing access to care, clinical trials, biomarker testing, and more.
  • Hospital Illustration_Buzz
    Optimizing Cancer Care Delivery in 2022, Part 1
    April 26, 2022
    This blog is the first in a two-part series on value-based care transformation, focusing on new site of care settings like patients' homes.
  • COA Patel
    Act Locally: No One Is Left Alone
    April 20, 2022
    Carolina Blood and Cancer Care Associate's No One Left Alone (or NOLA) initiative is a multi-phase pilot program aimed at lessening disparities in cancer care in three key areas: care access, biomarker testing, and clinical trials.
  • NMHM2022
    ACCC Recognizes National Minority Health Month
    April 12, 2022
    ACCC—which has made mitigating disparities in cancer care a core component of its mission—recognizes the importance of National Minority Health Month and National Minority Cancer Awareness Week this April.
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    Recap: ACCC’s 48th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit, Part 2
    March 15, 2022
    After convening its members, sponsors, and industry partners in Washington, DC, for the first time since the dawn of COVID-19, ACCC Buzz shares a glimpse of the activities and insights the final day at ACCC’s 48th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit.
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    Black History Month Addresses Health and Wellness in Oncology and Beyond
    February 09, 2022
    Each year, February 1 marks the start of Black History Month, for which a specific theme is chosen. The theme for 2022—health and wellness in the Black community—mirrors ACCC’s mission of reducing health disparities in cancer care and outcomes.
  • world-cancer-day-240x160
    World Cancer Day: How ACCC is Helping Close the Cancer Care Gap
    February 03, 2022
    To address the steadily increasing rates of cancer incidence and death worldwide, World Cancer Day (celebrated February 4) has taken on a multi-year campaign to “close the care gap” and bring awareness to the large treatment and outcome disparities that exist in cancer care.
  • mary-bird-perkins-2-mobile-medical-clinics-240x160
    The Long Road to Recovery, Part I: Cancer Screening in the U.S. (Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Louisiana)
    January 05, 2022
    To obtain an on-the-ground perspective of how cancer programs’ screening and outreach education efforts are reacting to pandemic pressures, ACCCBuzz spoke to four cancer programs across the country that will be featured in four separate blog posts in January 2022. For the first blog in the series, we spoke to Renea Duffin, MPA, vice president of cancer support and outreach at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, an ACCC member organization located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
  • Marquez Blog Image
    Offering Free Patient Services Can Be Rewarding and Compliant
    By Rachel Marquez, MPH
    December 09, 2021
    Because transportation disruptions can result in missed appointments, treatment delays, and potentially adverse health outcomes, we must help ensure that our patients have access to safe and reliable means of transportation.
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    ACCC Pursues Health Equity Through ACORI
    October 05, 2021
    In 2021, ACCC launched the ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute (ACORI), which builds on ACCC’s mission to achieve equitable cancer care for all patients by forming key community partnerships. As part of this mission, ACCC hosted the ACORI Call to Action Summit, a two-day virtual event held September 13-14, 2021, to garner participant feedback and guide the future of the institute.
  • Researcher in laboratory
    Health Equity Summit: Conversations on Representation in Clinical Trials
    September 30, 2021
    Although clinical trials have been used for decades to determine the safety and efficacy of drugs and medical devices, the lack of a diverse population in such studies has failed to represent the population suffering the burden of the diseases being studied.
  • prostate-cancer-awareness-ribbon-240x160
    ACCC Recognizes Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
    September 14, 2021
    ACCC has long highlighted the racial and ethnic disparities that exist in oncology and hematology care delivery to advocate for true health equity for all patients with cancer. Through various programs, ACCC helps teach members of the multidisciplinary cancer care team how they can help patients overcome barriers and disparities in various treatment settings.
  • Food Collage
    Medical Nutrition Therapy Act Would Benefit Medicare Recipients
    August 24, 2021
    If passed, the Medical Nutrition Therapy Act could expand Medicare Part B to cover medical nutrition therapy services for patients with cancer, who need to maintain their strength and keep a health body weight during treatment. ACCCBuzz shares more about this legislation and why its benefits are essential for oncology.
  • blog image_mackler-emily (1)
    How Quality Improvement Can Reduce Inequities in Care
    By Emily Mackler, PharmD, BCOP
    August 17, 2021
    In a recent summit addressing the role of advanced practitioners (APs) in eliminating health disparities, participants felt strongly that APs have an important part to play in ensuring patient access to quality cancer care.
  • Blocks Spelling Policy
    State by State: Colorado Expands Scope of Practice for Pharmacy Professionals
    By Matt Devino, MPH
    August 03, 2021
    Led by the Colorado Pharmacists Society and the sponsorship of Colorado state senators Faith Winter and Joann Ginal and Representatives Dylan Roberts and David Ortiz, Senate Bill 94 was signed into law June 24, 2021 by Colorado Governor Jared Polis, greatly expanding the scope of practice for state pharmacy professionals. Read how the expansion of collaborative practice agreements under the new legislation can enhance oncology patient care in several key ways.
  • Pills on Bills
    Using Medicaid to Help Uninsured Patients Afford Their Care
    July 27, 2021
    ACCC worked with members of the ACCC Financial Advocacy Network to provide guidance on how to help patients access much-need financial assistance regardless of their insurance status. Here, a financial navigator at Kettering Cancer Care in Kettering, Ohio, discusses how to help patients afford their cancer care if they are uninsured or underinsured and if they are eligible to participate in their state’s Medicaid program.
  • Marquez Blog Image
    Catch a Ride, Save a Life: Transportation Program Reduces No-Shows
    July 20, 2021
    Cone Health Cancer Center—a 2021 ACCC Innovator Award winner—is fighting for health equity by addressing the barriers to care that unequally affect lower-resourced communities in the rural and urban setting of Greensboro, N.C. Learn how the cancer center has built a transportation program that provides free round-trip rides to all patients from their homes to their medical appointments.
  • New Legislation Expands Access to Clinical Trials
    By Matt Devino, MPH
    July 14, 2021
    Beginning January 2022, CMS will be required to cover for Medicaid patients the routine costs associated with participating in clinical trials. Learn what states and provider organizations can do to leverage this mandate to address barriers to care in the community and reduce inequities in clinical trial participation.
  • debra-patt-240x160
    Cancer Care’s Road to Recovery from the Global Pandemic
    July 01, 2021
    An interview with Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA, FASCO, Executive Vice President, Public Policy and Strategic Initiatives, at Texas Oncology. Learn about what you can expect from Dr. Patt's keynote at the 38th ACCC National Oncology Conference.
  • advocacy-for-patient-access-240x160
    State by State: Advocacy for Patient Access to Quality Cancer Care
    By Matt Devino, MPH
    June 30, 2021
    “State legislators play a significant role when it comes to health insurance oversight, regulation, and innovation.” – National Council of State Legislatures. Learn how oncology state societies are advocating for greater access to fertility preservation services for patients with cancer, including insurance coverage for these services.
  • Scout-240x160
    Pride Month & Equality in Cancer Care
    June 28, 2021
    “I had difficulty trusting providers enough to seek the care that I needed. When my partner saw something unusual on my back and I had to try a new dermatologist, I had to be dragged kicking and screaming to his office,” says Scout, PhD, MA, executive director of the National LGBT Cancer Network. Learn more about the needs of LGBTQ patients and how you can help create a safe, inclusive space.
  • Douglas Holt Headshot
    Virtual Reality Brings Patient Education to Life
    June 23, 2021
    Effective patient education helps patients better understand their diagnoses and participate in shared decision-making with their providers. Douglas Holt, MD, chief resident of radiation oncology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, UCHealth-Oncology Services, is taking patient education to the next level: virtual reality.
  • black-family-cancer-awareness-240x160
    ACCC Raises Awareness for National Black Family Cancer Awareness Week
    June 14, 2021
    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Oncology Center of Excellence, Project Community, has designated June 17 to June 23 as National Black Family Cancer Awareness Week. The week coincides with Juneteenth—an important date in our nation’s history that marks and celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. By participating in the #BlackFamCan social media effort, ACCC is building support and sharing knowledge with key stakeholders about the importance of including Black patients in cancer clinical trials and genetic databases for oncology research to improve access and effect change in cancer care delivery.
  • Cancer cells
    Older Adults with Cancer & Clinical Trials
    April 27, 2021
    Older adults with cancer are consistently precluded from participating in clinical trials for promising new treatments. A multi-pronged approach is required to ensure trials are developed for all patients, including paying specific attention to inclusion/exclusion criteria and creating clinically meaningful endpoints that can enhance enrollment efforts in underserved populations.
  • Taking-Action-on-Disparities-in-Prostate-Cancer-240x160
    Taking Action on Disparities in Prostate Cancer
    April 20, 2021
    The disparities in prostate cancer are striking. In the United States, Black men continue to experience a far greater incidence of new prostate cancers and are 2.2 to 2.5 times more likely to die from the disease than any other racial/ethnic group. Taking action to close these gaps is an imperative for moving toward equitable cancer care.
  • geriatric-assessment-guide-240x160
    New Geriatric Assessment Guide Gives Cancer Care Teams Tools to Help Aging Patients
    April 08, 2021
    ACCC released its compact geriatric oncology guide for community cancer centers to help cancer care teams improve treatment decision-making, guide supportive care interventions, and improve patient and caregiver satisfaction. This guide will provide you with the information you need to efficiently conduct comprehensive geriatric assessments in your cancer program or practice.
  • hands-creating-circle-of-support-240x160
    ACCC Cosigns Joint Letter on COVID-19 and Cancer on World Health Day
    April 07, 2021
    While the coronavirus has negatively affected many healthcare services, it has had a particularly significant impact on patients previously diagnosed with other diseases—including cancer. In some cases, that impact has had devastating consequences for patients.
  • Lilibeth Torno Headshot
    The Role of Community Partners in Serving AYA Patients
    By Lilibeth Torno, MD
    April 01, 2021
    Poor access to care among AYA patients is not only evident in low clinical trial enrollment. The struggle to access much-needed care continues when treatment concludes. Most AYA cancer survivors must learn to navigate follow-up medical care on their own.
  • Bench-to-bedside-article-ThinkstockPhotos_AA049519-1-1014x1024
    Another Health Disparity: Clinical Trials
    February 28, 2020
  • Nurse talking to elderly couple
    Age Disparities in Cancer Clinical Trials Continue to Grow
    August 23, 2019

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