By Keith Gushard
Meadville Tribune
Meadville Medical Center is teaming up with one of the nation’s leading cancer treatment hospitals to provide access to leading cancer research, education and prevention activities.
Meadville Medical Center and Roswell Park Cancer Institute of Buffalo, N.Y., have signed an affiliation agreement that is effective Jan. 1. Roswell Park is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“Our collaboration will bring state-of-the-art treatments and knowledge to the Meadville Medical Center,” said Dr. Donald Trump, president and chief executive officer of Roswell Park. “Together, we will be able to enhance the quality of cancer care to patients, their families and communities throughout northwest Pennsylvania.”
Meadville Medical Center will become an affiliate of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute Regional Network.
While Meadville Medical Center has offered its own cancer treatment center — the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute — since 2007, Meadville will be able to enter into collaborative relationships with Roswell Park on medical education, cancer prevention and outreach, as well as clinical care of patients in Meadville’s geographic service area.
Also, Meadville Medical Center’s patients, employees and medical staff physicians will be able to participate in Roswell Park’s outreach and network programs including community education, cancer prevention, clinical care and professional educational programs.
The affiliation builds on Meadville’s commitment to the area, said Anthony DeFail, chief executive officer and president of Meadville Medical Center.
“We recognize that the key to optimizing patient care extends beyond our unique combination of board certified oncologists, interdisciplinary staff, advanced technology and whole person approach,” said DeFail. “This agreement with a renowned National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center offers ongoing educational and collaborative opportunities for ensuring the best care in our community.”
The Roswell Park Cancer Institute Regional Network currently has partnerships with 10 institutions, including regional cities Jamestown and Olean in New York and Bradford in Pennsylvania, as well as international organizations in China, Jordan and Puerto Rico.
Roswell Park Cancer Institute was founded in 1898 and was one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. It’s also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs.
Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.
n More information: Visit Roswell Park Cancer Institute online at www.roswellpark.org or Meadville Medical Center online at www.mmchs.org.
