Nutrition Through the Cancer Journey

May is National Clinical Trials Month. During this month’s CPAN Advocacy Chat, Rose Gerber, COA's Director of Patient Advocacy and Education, was joined by Dinesh Kapur, MD, a medical oncologist, Director of Clinical Research at Eastern Connecticut Hematology and Oncology Associates, and the physician lead for OneCouncil, an initiative of OneOncology (a coalition of community oncology cancer centers).

On April 13, 2022, Rose Gerber spoke with Alan Balch, PhD, about the effects of discrimination in the health care system and what we can do to increase equity and decrease discrimination. Dr. Balch is the CEO of the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) and National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF), two organizations that are dedicated to strengthening patient voices in health care. Dr. Balch discussed the current work that his two organizations are undertaking to increase health equity, including the Trust and Equity Project, along with steps that you can take to make the health care systems in your area a more welcoming place.

On March 9 at 12 p.m. ET, Bo Gamble joined Rose Gerber to discuss the meaning of “high quality” in a community oncology practice and what practices are doing to provide for their patients. As Director of Practice Quality and Value Initiatives for the Community Oncology Alliance, Bo works with practice administrators and physicians around the country to develop and coordinate key standards for patient care. During the March chat, Bo and Rose discussed the challenges of managing competing care standards, integrating new information into existing models, ensuring the patient’s voice is heard, and more. Don’t miss this exciting chat!

A cancer diagnosis is life-changing. In addition to the emotional toll, patients rearrange schedules to accommodate treatment, adjust to new physical challenges, and reach out to friends and family for help. One of the biggest changes, though, is adjusting to the financial burden. On February 2, 2022 at 12 p.m. ET, Rose Gerber and Carla Tardif discussed about one organization helping those who need financial assistance with cancer.

The COA Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) started off 2022 with a familiar guest: Community Oncology Alliance (COA) Executive Director Ted Okon joined Director of Patient Advocacy and Education Rose Gerber to discuss COA’s legislative priorities in the new year as well as expected developments at the federal and state level.