COA Relaunches Patient Advocacy Chapter at Northwest Medical Specialties
In-person advocacy event revitalizes chapter to educate patients on the value of community oncology
The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) and Northwest Medical Specialties (NWMS) have relaunched the CPAN chapter based in Puyallup, WA. The chapter was first launched in 2017. Attendees of the launch heard from practice leaders, including physician Mohammed Kanaan, MD; Director of Quality and Value-Based Cancer Care Abra Kelson, LICSW; and CEO Amy Ellis alongside, COA’s Director of Patient Advocacy and Education Rose Gerber, MS.
NWMS serves patients with cancer in the Pacific Northwest, operating six locations in Washington state. The practice provides care in a setting that is close to home for many Washingtonians and operates at the forefront of cancer care, participating in clinical trials and payment reform initiatives. Running a CPAN chapter empowers NWMS patients to speak about the care they receive and important issues facing those with cancer. To accommodate patients who could not attend the chapter relaunch in person, the event was also broadcast virtually.
“Since 2017, NWMS leaders have worked to provide their patients with the tools and information they need to protect access to high-quality, locally based cancer care,” said Rose Gerber, MS. “I was happy to join the practice as they rededicated themselves to CPAN’s mission and invited a new cohort of advocates to join an organization that empowers them to speak on the important issues facing patients with cancer.”
“Providing care for cancer patients is the baseline expectation here at Northwest,” said chapter co-leaders Kimberly Ngouv, MSW, LSWAIC, and Sifa Herady Bandale, LSWAIC. “We’re working to give the patient a voice in their care and give them the tools to advocate for policies that make care more accessible, and having access to CPAN’s network and resources makes that work easier than ever.”
The chapter will offer a range of national and practice-based advocacy opportunities, including quarterly CPAN Advocacy Chats, where experts from across the industry provide education on COA advocacy and policy initiatives, including PBMs, site of care, and topics like survivorship and health equity. Advocates from all parts of the country also gather at the annual COA Conference to learn more about the current state of community cancer care.
CPAN is a national advocacy organization committed to raising awareness of independent, community cancer care centers and how national and local health care policy issues may affect patient care. CPAN’s network of community cancer practice-based chapters spans 20 states, connecting and activating committed, passionate people who advocate for the protection of locally delivered cancer care. CPAN advocates include patients, survivors, caregivers, and members of the oncology care team. CPAN advocates share personal stories to help policymakers and the community understand the importance of personalized, affordable cancer care close to where patients live and work.
To learn more about CPAN or inquire about the potential to open a chapter at your local community oncology practice, visit www.COAAdvocacy.org.
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About the Community Oncology Alliance (COA)
The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for community oncology practices and, most importantly, the patients they serve. COA is the only organization dedicated solely to community oncology, where the majority of Americans with cancer are treated. The mission of COA is to ensure that patients with cancer receive quality, affordable, and accessible cancer care in their own communities. Learn more at www.communityoncology.org.
About the COA Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN)
The Community Oncology Alliance Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) is a chapter-based national advocacy organization committed to raising awareness of independent, community cancer care centers and how national and local health care policy issues may affect patient care. CPAN’s network of community cancer practice-based chapters spans 20 states, and connects and activates committed, passionate people who advocate for the protection of locally delivered cancer care. CPAN advocates include patients, survivors, caregivers, and members of the oncology care team. CPAN advocates share personal stories so policymakers and the community can understand the importance of personalized, affordable cancer care close to where patients live and work. Sign up to become an advocate or find your local chapter at www.COAAdvocacy.org.
About Northwest Medical Specialties
Northwest Medical Specialties, PLLC (NWMS) is a leading community oncology practice with six locations across the South Puget Sound in Washington state. Dedicated to delivering high-quality and innovative cancer care, NWMS actively participates in value-based care models, more than 100 phase I–III clinical trials, and multiple national quality initiatives. NWMS holds accreditations from the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI), the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). As an engaged member of the ONCare Alliance and Exigent Research, NWMS collaborates with national experts to expand access to advanced treatments and ensure the best possible care for the communities it serves.
Learn more at https://www.nwmedicalspecialties.com.
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