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Julie Chase
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Anita Weissman
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Chase Communications
CANCER PATIENTS AND FLORIDA CANCER SPECIALISTS FORM A LOCAL
CHAPTER OF NATIONAL ADVOCACY GROUP
Patients, Survivors and Physicians Advocate for Access to Local Affordable Care
for All Cancer Patients
WASHINGTON, DC – January 31, 2014 – The Community Oncology Alliance (COA)
and its advocacy organization the COA Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN), together
with Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), launched a local chapter
for community cancer patient advocacy. The CPAN signature event “How to Become
a Cancer Care Advocate” was held yesterday in The Villages, Florida. CPAN is a
nationally recognized patient advocacy group that utilizes the patient’s voice along
with community oncologists, nurses and healthcare professionals to advocate for
access to local affordable care for all cancer patients. Rose Gerber, COA director of
communications and patient advocacy, and representatives from FCS met with
those interested in becoming advocates.
Presentations by FCS oncologists, Jennifer Cultrera, MD, Michael Diaz, MD, Maen
Hussein, MD, and Shelly Glenn, FCS chief marketing and sales officer, Jeri Francoeur,
CPAN Florida state president and Rose Gerber covered such topics as the advocacy
role of patients, physicians and staff as well as an explanation of CPAN’s message
and how CPAN will support local cancer advocacy efforts.
“There are over 13.7 million Americans living with cancer. Cancer survivors
represent a powerful advocacy on a most critical issue -- the survival of community
cancer care providers who treat over 60% of all cancer patients,” said Rose Gerber
of CPAN. “These patients and survivors provide the local perspective on the impact
of national healthcare policy issues.”
“Our cancer patients understand only too well how decisions made at the national
level impact their care,” said Dr. Michael Diaz. “Recent changes in Florida now
demand strong advocates to protect access to affordable care for all cancer
patients.”
About Community Oncology Alliance (COA)
Community Oncology Alliance (COA) is a non-profit organization dedicated solely to
community cancer care, where about 60% of Americans with cancer are treated.
Since its formation over a decade ago, COA has helped community cancer clinics
navigate an increasingly turbulent environment by working together to become
more efficient, advocating for their patients, and proactively providing solutions to
Congress and policy makers. COA members have testified before both chambers of
Congress, authored cancer care demonstration projects, and been instrumental in
the passage of oral cancer drug parity legislation, among many other initiatives.
COA also leads a multi-stakeholder group that is developing and implementing an
Oncology Medical Home (OMH) cancer care model and is advancing payment reform
for cancer care. More information can be found at www.CommunityOncology.org.
The COA Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) was created in 2010 to advocate for
access to local affordable care for all cancer patients. More information can be found
at www.COAadvocacy.org.
About Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute
Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) is the largest independent
privately-held oncology/hematology practice in the United States. With over 170
physicians, 100 nurse practitioners/physicians assistants and more than 80 clinical
sites in our network, we are committed to providing world-class cancer care in
community-based settings close to home. Recognized by the American Society of
Clinical Oncology (ASCO) with a national Clinical Trials Participation Award, FCS
offers patients access to more clinical trials than any private oncology practice in
Florida. FCS physicians are consistently ranked nationally as Top Doctors by U.S.
News & World Report. Trained at prestigious medical schools and research
institutes such as Duke, Stanford, Harvard, Emory, M.D. Anderson, Moffitt and
Memorial Sloan-Kettering, the physicians of Florida Cancer Specialists provide
leadership and consultation in the state’s leading hospitals. Established in 1984, FCS
serves patients on the Gulf Coast from Naples to the greater Tampa Bay area, north
as far as Tallahassee, in Orlando and surrounding Central Florida communities, and
on the east coast in Palm Beach County and Daytona/Palm Coast communities. In
2012, FCS was recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the 40 fastest growing
healthcare companies in the United States. The FCS primary purpose – and passion –
is to provide the most advanced cancer treatment, using cutting-edge technologies,
in a setting where patients can be close to home and surrounded by family and
friends. More information can be found at www.flcancer.com.
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