Rockville, MD — The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) today announced the launch of the ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute (ACORI), building on its existing mission to close the gap in cancer research through optimal community oncology partnerships.
ACORI works to establish clinical trials as a standard of care in treatment plans and to help achieve equitable cancer care delivery for all patients.
The Institute evolved from ACCC’s year-long examination of equity and access to clinical trials in the community under the direction of its Immediate Past President Randall A. Oyer, MD., who will lead the team of recognized multidisciplinary cancer team professionals.
“Communities belong in cancer research and cancer research belongs in the community,” said Oyer. “Connecting community cancer centers through partnerships will help overcome persistent barriers that exist to conducting research in the community. Regardless of a cancer center’s size, location, or resources, community oncology research cannot flourish on its own. Partnerships are needed between academic and research centers of excellence, other community integrated networks, and others working in all aspects of cancer research, most importantly, patients and community organizations who can bi-directionally inform research design and conduct. By sharing resources, we can help make any community oncology program research-ready.”
The ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute is focused on three primary domains:
Through the robust ACCC network of partnerships, ACORI enables community oncology programs and their multidisciplinary teams to access the tools, resources, learning, knowledge sharing, best practices, and mentorships to increase their ability to offer trials to patients.
As its foundational project, ACCC has collaborated with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) to increase cancer clinical trial participation among patients from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. The two organizations are currently recruiting 40 oncology research programs to be part of a pilot testing a site assessment tool and/or an implicit bias training program. ACCC and ASCO are seeking a mix of small and large oncology programs from diverse regions around the country, and participating programs will receive a stipend.
Interested programs may
by June 11, 2021.
More information about this Institute can be accessed on the ACCC website.
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