Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1087868
Oneida Health Continues to Improve Local Access to Higher-Level Cancer Care BY THOMAS CROCKER A S AN AFFILIATE OF ROSWELL PARK COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER, THE ONLY NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI)-DESIGNATED COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER WITH A PRESENCE IN UPSTATE NE W YORK, ONEIDA HE ALTH CANCER CARE PROVIDES CUT TING-EDGE, PERSONALIZED TRE ATMENTS FOR PATIENTS CLOSE TO HOME. BEFORE ONEIDA HE A LTH partnered with Roswell Park, individuals in Central New York often had to endure long com- mutes to larger cities to access advanced cancer treatments and new technologies. Oneida Health Cancer Care eliminates many of those elements by creating access to Roswell Park's nationally recognized cancer care in a community setting. Patients have the benefit of access- ing a Roswell Park-affiliated medical oncologist, medical oncolog y services and consulting with certain surgica l oncologists close to home — not the other way around. "Cancer patients experience enough tribulation, so if we can help them avoid additional disruptions and still deliver the highest quality care, everyone wins," says Thomas Schwaab, MD, PhD, Chief of Strategy, Business Development and Outreach at Buffalo, NY-based Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. AFFILIATION WITH A COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER As a medica l oncolog y aff iliate of a n NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center that focuses on laboratory research, population science and clinical research, Oneida Hea lth Ca ncer Ca re ex tends Roswell Pa rk 's dedication to employ the cancer team's research in the dual areas of cancer prevention and cancer care. Access to Roswell Park's advanced clinical research furthers Oneida Health Ca ncer Ca re's objective to promote a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach to oncologic medicine. The first dedicated cancer center in the U.S., Roswell Park contributes regularly to the Nationa l Comprehensive Ca ncer Network 's g uidelines for cancer care a nd detection — impor ta nt g uida nce that other healthcare institutions and insurance companies follow, according to Mohamed El-Naghy, MD, PhD, Medical Comprehensive Patient Benefits PATIENTS BENEFIT FROM access- ing a Roswell Park-affiliated medical oncologist, medical oncology services, such as chemotherapy infusion, and pre- and postoperative consultations with surgical oncologists close to home, as well as: + Multidisciplinary team approach + NCI guidelines + Advanced technology + Local access + Nurse navigation + Patient education Debra A. Walz, AOCNP, WHNP-BC, advanced oncology nurse practioner 1 4❱❱❱❱❱ S P E C I A L F E A T U R E 1 4