The monthly update of the Minnesota Cancer Alliance, including MCA
highlights, policy updates, partner news, educational events, and more.
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September 2015
MCA Highlights
Nominations deadline fast approaching
September 18 is the deadline for filing Minnesota Cancer Alliance steering committee applications. If
you know someone who is committed to reducing the impact of cancer on Minnesotans and is willing
to serve, please urge them to apply.
To keep the board strong and well-rounded, the Nominating Committee has identified a list of
priorities that complement the perspectives and expertise of current board members. They include:
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Leadership experience in public policy
Media or public relations expertise
Knowledge about the health care delivery system and innovation(s) in the system
Health equity and disparities, especially someone who brings cultural diversity
Geographic diversity, especially rural representation
Expertise or knowledge about the affordability of care and/or bioethics
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Executive or senior leadership experience, or someone on the rise as a future leader.
The roles and responsibilities of Steering Committee members can be found here. For more
information, please contact Jeanne Steele (Jeanne.steele@state.mn.us).
Next policy and systems change workshop set for Sept.
21
Space is limited for the Alliance’s fall “Working toward Change” workshop at the Wilder Center in St.
Paul, so the time to register is now. Participants will engage in exercises and gain tools to help them
move their policy, systems, and environmental change initiatives forward.
MDH receives grant to increase colon cancer screening
CDC has awarded the MN Department of Health's Sage Scopes program a five-year grant to increase
colon cancer screening rates. Grant funds will be used to support systems changes that encourage
screening and pay for screening services provided to eligible patients. The department will work in
partnership across the state to increase screening rates among populations that experience the
greatest disparities. (For more information, contact Mike Flicker at Michael.flicker@state.mn.us or
651.201.5612).
Partner Updates
Jim Chase elected Vice Chairman of NQF board of
directors
MCA Steering Committee member Jim Chase will begin a two-year term as vice-chair of the National
Quality Forum (NQF) board of directors in November. Chase is president of Minneapolis-based
Minnesota Community Measurement.
Allina- 100% sugar-sweetened beverage free by January
Allina Health aims to do away with sugar-sweetened drinks and deep-fried foods in its cafeterias by
next year. http://www.startribune.com/allina-ready-to-dump-sugary-drinks-and-frenchfries/321324221/
Keynoters announced for Many Faces conference
Pedro Jose Greer, Jr., M.D. and John R. Finnegan, Jr., Ph.D. will open and close the Many Faces of
Community Health Conference, scheduled for Oct. 20-22 at the Minneapolis Marriott
Southwest. Greer, a physician, professor, author, award-winning innovator and presidential advisor,
will talk about creating health care programs for underserved populations. Finnegan, who is dean of
the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, will focus on community centered
care. Register before September 30 and save.
Request for Comments on state's Radon Licensing Rules
The first draft of Minnesota's Radon Licensing Rules has been posted for public comment. The MN
Department of Health expects to appoint an advisory committee to help with the rule-making.
Contact Joshua Kerber in the Indoor Air Unit for more information (Joshua.kerber@state.mn.us or
651.201.5613).
Worth Noting
New emphasis on value in cancer care
In response to rising health care costs, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has
released a framework for assessing the value of cancer treatment options. Developed by a 22member task force, with input from patients, physicians, payers and drug companies, the approach
is described in the June issue of Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Reactions to CMS’ Oncology Care Model
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship has published three perspectives on the Oncology
Care Model, a new payment model for chemotherapy services released by the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services in February. The blog posts were written by physician John Cox and Michael
Ybarra, and NCCS CEO Shelley Fuld Nasso.
Preventive services is focus of ASTHO brief
The Association for State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) has published a 6-page
brief highlighting ways public health agencies can work to expand access to preventive services. In
addition to extending access to health insurance and expanding Medicaid coverage for services like
smoking cessation, the brief offers suggestions for collaborating with hospitals on programs that
meet the IRS' "community benefits" standard, among other options. Minnesota's approach to
integrating community health workers into the healthcare ecosystem is cited as an example of
innovative approaches.
Health Care Financing Task Force members named
Governor Mark Dayton has appointed the following members to the state’s new Task Force on Health
Care Financing: Lynn Blewett,U of MN; Elizabeth Doyle, TakeAction Minnesota; Monica Hurtado,
Voices for Racial Justice; Sheila Kiscaden, Olmsted Country Commissioner; Sahra Noor, People’s
Center Health Services; Dr. Marilyn Peitso, CentraCare health; Rosemarie Roach, MN Nurses
Association; Jim Schowalter, MN Council of Health Plans; Larry Schulz, Lake Region Healthcare; Dr.
Todd Stivland, Bluestone Physician Services; and Dr. Penny Wheeler, Allina Health.
Millennial stereotypes just that -- stereotypes
According to a study conducted by Carat, a global media company, the millennial generation is not
as homogenous as once thought. According to Carat's research, only 42% of millennials fit
the "hyper-connected optimistic digital extroverts” stereotype. Rather, the marketing firm breaks 15to-34 year olds into four categories: “Trend-Netters,” “Alter-Natives,” “Lifepreneurs,” and
“BetaBlazers.”
Education Programs and Events
Tobacco Research Studies Meeting- September 8
John Kingsbury, PhD., a tobacco policy evaluator at the Minnesota Department of Health, will present
findings from an evaluation study of a SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Program)
funded Smoke-Free Housing Initiative of Policy Implementation Effects for Affordable Housing
Residents. Contact Kathy Longley at klongley@umn.edu for more details.
Webinar: Quality Resource and Use Reports- September
9
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) disseminate the Quality and Resource Use
Reports (QRURs) every fall to help practitioners better understand their performance in quality and
cost metrics. Stratis Health is conducting a webinar to help physicians and provider organizations
understand the report and use it for practice improvement. Click here to register.
Mini-webinar on colon cancer screening – September 10
Registration is open for an NCCRT 80% by 2018 “mini webinar” on Exemplary Health Plan Practices. The
webinar is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, at noon. You must be pre-registered to join the
webinar:https://acsevents.webex.com/acsevents/onstage/g.php?d=668025787&t=a
During this webinar, Andrew Zinkel, MD, MBA, Associate Medical Director of Quality at HealthPartners, an
early supporter of the 80% by 2018 effort, will share HealthPartners experience with colon cancer
screening efforts, including work they have done to use data to address disparities issues. They will also
highlight an NCCRT 80% by 2018 resource document, What can insurers do to advance 80% by 2018?
How Essentia Health Increased Colon Cancer Screening
Rates- September 29
Like many Minnesota Medical Groups, Essentia Health has been working on colon cancer screening
for years. In this webinar, presenters will share the recommendations, office policies and reminder
strategies that helped them improve from 63 percent in 2013 to 71 percent in 2015. If you are
interested in joining the webinar, please RSVP to Matt Flory at matt.flory@cancer.org or call at 651255-8190.
Advance Care Planning Trainings – October 7 & 8
Honoring Choices will offer a First Steps Facilitator Training and an ACP Program Design and
Implementation Course. The facilitator class is directed at healthcare professionals and volunteers
who assist people in considering their healthcare options. CEUs are available, register now.
2015 Food Summit- November 8-10
The 2015 Food Summit, Networking for Change, is now open for registration. Organizers expect 500
participants from a variety of backgrounds to gather at the Duluth Convention Center for two-days of
learning and partnering to continue building an equitable food system for all.
HIA Coalition Conference- November 16-17
The state’s first Health Impact Assessment (HIA) conference will include in-depth training
opportunities, speakers and sessions on the challenges and lessons learned in HIA in Minnesota and
across the United States. Register by September 1 to get the early bird discount for this two-day
conference in Minneapolis.
Connecting to Transform Communities- November 16-17
The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation and Allina Health are co-sponsoring a two-day conference
on collaborating to make systems change. With keynote speakers Mick Cornett, Zubin Damania, MD,
Richard Jackson, MD, MPH, and Tim McKinney, the topics will be diverse in perspective. Mick Cornett
is the Oklahoma City major who worked to reduce the impact of obesity and inspired an $800 million
investment in quality of life projects. Zubin Damania, MD, is founder of Turntable Health, a
membership-based healthcare delivery model led by Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh. Richard Jackson,
MD, MPH, author and policy leader, is recognized for his role in assessing how environment affects
public health. Tim McKinnew is leader of United Global Outreach’s Bithlo Transformation (UGOBT), a
collaborative effort between businesses, communities, and political partners that aims to reduce
poverty in rural Florida. Register by September 30 to save $20.
Resources and Publications
Survivorship materials now available
“Treatment’s Over. Now What?” is a 45-minute online presentation that goes over information that
may be useful for survivors. Developed by the George Washington University Cancer Institute, the
program addresses some of the physical and psychosocial late and long-term effects cancer patients
may encounter and where to find resources for a healthy life. Resources for providers also are
available.
Update on cancer in Preventive Services Task Force
report
In its annual report to Congress, the Community Preventive Services Task Force this year includes a
"special update" on its work to prevent cancers, that group of diseases the authors describe as "alltoo-common illnesses that place a great burden on individuals, their families, places of work,
communities, and our healthcare system." The update identifies effective approaches to increase
appropriate screening services, reduce known risk factors, and moderate the health and economic
burden of cancer.
New video series: Historical Trauma and Cultural Healing
The University of Minnesota-Extension has produced a series of videos that consider historical trauma
past and present. Experts answer questions about what historical trauma is, how people experience
historical trauma, and the meaning of cultural healing?
Physician e-cigarette policy toolkit now available
The Twin Cities Medical Society (TCMS), through its Physicians Advocacy Network, has developed
atoolkit for physicians interested in speaking out about e-cigarettes. The kit includes fact sheets, ecigarette policy maps, research articles, and sample physician testimony.
Announcements
Advance Care Planning Request for Proposals
The Minnesota Department of Health is seeking proposals for a $250,000 grant to develop and
implement a statewide advance care planning initiative in 2016. Organizations with experience in
convening and coordinating community-based strategies to encourage individuals, families,
caregivers, and health care providers to begin conversations regarding end-of-life care choices are
encouraged to apply. Deadline is October 1.
Abstracts on smokeless & spit tobacco sought
Organizers of the National Summit on Smokeless and Spit Tobacco are looking for abstracts that help
advance leadership, research, and programs aimed at mitigating the effects of smokeless and spit
tobacco. Abstracts are due by September 30 for the summit, scheduled for April 18-20 in
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Hearst Health Prize call for applications
Jefferson College of Population Health (JCPH) is partnering with the Hearst Health Prize to identify
and promote outstanding work that improves health outcomes. Applications for the $100,000 cash
prize for Excellence in Population Health will be accepted through October 23.
Open call for proposals to build a culture of health
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is taking applications for Evidence for Action: InvestigatorInitiated Research to Build a Culture of Health. The aim of the program is to address the key
determinants of health identified in the Culture of Action Framework. Submissions are taken on a
rolling basis.
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