Northwest Medical Specialties Advocacy Updates
COA Patient Advocacy Network – COA Patient Advocacy Network
Breaking News READ MORE CPAN Events & Updates READ MORE Get the Latest CPAN News & Updates Sign up today to get the latest cancer policy news and updates from CPAN direct to your inbox.
coaadvocacy.org
Upcoming Events:
CPAN Advocacy Chat – Cancer Wellness: A Focus on the Importance of Supportive Care
On Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 12 p.m. ET, MaryAnn Fragola, DNP, ANPc, ACHPN, Chief of Wellness Services at New York Cancer & Blood Specialists, will be joining the COA Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) for a conversation on the importance of caring for a patient’s whole health during and after cancer treatment. Cancer treatment is more advanced than ever, but patients and care providers have to go beyond chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and other direct treatments when considering a patient’s physical and mental health. Mary Ann will be talking to COA’s Director of Patient Advocacy and Education, Rose Gerber, MS, about addressing patient wellness, including creating dietary plans, exercise systems, mental therapy schedules, and more. They will discuss provider and patient perspectives on these issues, including ways for providers to address patient concerns about changes in routine.
To register for this event, please go to https://coacancer.zoom.us/webinar/register/6317063007076/WN_QMsDG1lPRpyjIR4R0e5waw
Stay Tuned for NWMS CPAN Chapter Meetings!
News
Community Oncology Alliance (COA) Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) News Bulletins
About Community Oncology
A community oncology practice is a private physician owned business not owned by a hospital, academic or medical teaching institution. The practice may have only one oncologist on staff or may employ more than 100 oncologists. A community oncology practice can be located in a rural location or a large city. Community oncology practices may have one location or in some states such as Florida, over 90 locations. Access to the most current treatment protocols, clinical trials, and comprehensive care is available in the community oncology setting.
In a community oncology practice, the mission is clear:
- Deliver up-to-date, safe, and effective cancer care in a community-based setting
- Provide value to patients and payers (insurance companies, Medicare or an individual)
- Provide excellent quality of care
The mission of patient care drives the operational details of a community oncology practice. Most community oncologists care for patients with a variety of cancers. Most also manage any side effects that come with cancer treatment and often function as the patient’s primary care physician, as an Oncology Medical Home, while the patient is in active treatment. Once active treatment has been completed, community oncologists will monitor patients in remission, often for the remainder of their lives.
Community Oncology Alliance Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN)
The Community Oncology Alliance Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) is a national advocacy organization committed to raising awareness of independent, community cancer care and the issues that affect it. A community oncology practice is a private, physician-owned cancer clinic that is not part of a hospital, academic center, or medical teaching institution. CPAN advocates — including patients, survivors, caregivers, nurses, pharmacists, oncologists, and more — share their personal stories and advocacy power so elected officials understand the importance of local, affordable, and accessible cancer care close to where they live and work.
CPAN was created in recognition of the vital role patients play in advocating for access to local, affordable cancer care. The network educates the community about policy issues affecting the quality and accessibility of cancer care at the local level. It also serves as a non-cancer type specific organization for individuals to learn how to become advocates for cancer care and provides community oncology practices with education regarding the economic and administrative pressures facing clinic operations.
CPAN chapters are based within local cancer centers where they educate, engage, and activate advocates around key national cancer care issues. The dedicated CPAN advocates empower the work of the Community Oncology Alliance and allow it to have an unprecedented record of advocacy success. Of great concern is the volume of community cancer clinics that have closed across the United States in recent years, and the bureaucratic burdens that overrule physician expertise and delay access to critical treatments. These create challenges for patients in active treatment, as well as survivors receiving long-term care. CPAN advocates regularly share their experiences with policymakers on Capitol Hill, in their local cancer centers, and through the media.
How can you get involved?
Your story is the most powerful advocacy tool for community oncology. No matter your desired level of commitment — advocate, chapter leader, policymaker liaison, storyteller, on-the-ground support and more — CPAN has a role for you. CPAN is actively recruiting motivated cancer care advocates. Advocates will join a community working together to positively influence cancer care policy across the country. Membership is free and everyone is welcome. Contact Abra Kelson at akelson@nwmsonline.com, (253) 200-3164 for more information about NWMS’ Patient Advocacy Group.
