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PITTSBURG —
Via Christi Hospital hosted members of the Midwest Cancer Alliance, University of Kansas Cancer Center and Via Christi Cancer Center Friday morning to talk to the community about KUCC’s new designation as a National Cancer Institute, and the benefits it will provide southeast Kansas residents.
At the discussion were Dr. Roy Jensen, medical director of the KUCC and a Pittsburg State University graduate, and Dr. Boban Mathew of Via Christi. Mathew said KUCC’s new designation is the culmination of years of work that started around 2002 with a $20 million donation from the Kansas Masonic Foundation. Jensen was brought in to the fold in 2004, and laid out an eight-year plan to get the designation. He also helped raise more than $350 million to pay for researchers, scientists and facilities, Mathew said.
The new center now is located in Sprint’s former world headquarters on Shawnee Mission Parkway, and is the only center in Kansas or in the region with that designation.
Mathew said Via Christi is one five hospitals originally to join with the KUCC to form the Midwest Cancer Alliance, which is directed by PSU graduate Dr. Gary Doolittle, in 2007. That means Via Christi’s Cancer Center will have access to the latest clinical trials and the newest cancer treatments.
“It’s the best cancer care you can find anywhere in the world,” Mathew said, adding that there are only 67 such centers in the United States. “And you don’t have to go to KU. You can get it here.”
Doctors will get the latest training in treatments and will learn about the benefits and side effects of the latest treatments before they become available nationally, Mathew continued. The KUCC also will be able to apply for federal research grants only available to NCI-designated cancer centers, he said.
“The best way to describe it is to say ‘A rising tide lifts all boats,’” Mathew said. “The winners, of course, are the cancer patients of the region.”
Mathew said the next step is for KUCC to become designated as a National Comprehensive Cancer Center, which would mean even more research and clinical trials. There are only 20 such centers in the U.S.
Mathew said local patients are already seeing the results of work being done at KUCC.
“They can have teleconferences with cancer doctors,” Mathew said, pointing at a large flat-screen TV. “And they also have genetic counseling. There will be more and more as time goes by. The ultimate goal is for the patients to get the best care possible, and the alliance is one of the best ways to do that.”
Via Christi Hospital hosted members of the Midwest Cancer Alliance, University of Kansas Cancer Center and Via Christi Cancer Center Friday morning to talk to the community about KUCC’s new designation as a National Cancer Institute, and the benefits it will provide southeast Kansas residents.
At the discussion were Dr. Roy Jensen, medical director of the KUCC and a Pittsburg State University graduate, and Dr. Boban Mathew of Via Christi. Mathew said KUCC’s new designation is the culmination of years of work that started around 2002 with a $20 million donation from the Kansas Masonic Foundation. Jensen was brought in to the fold in 2004, and laid out an eight-year plan to get the designation. He also helped raise more than $350 million to pay for researchers, scientists and facilities, Mathew said.
The new center now is located in Sprint’s former world headquarters on Shawnee Mission Parkway, and is the only center in Kansas or in the region with that designation.
Mathew said Via Christi is one five hospitals originally to join with the KUCC to form the Midwest Cancer Alliance, which is directed by PSU graduate Dr. Gary Doolittle, in 2007. That means Via Christi’s Cancer Center will have access to the latest clinical trials and the newest cancer treatments.
“It’s the best cancer care you can find anywhere in the world,” Mathew said, adding that there are only 67 such centers in the United States. “And you don’t have to go to KU. You can get it here.”
Doctors will get the latest training in treatments and will learn about the benefits and side effects of the latest treatments before they become available nationally, Mathew continued. The KUCC also will be able to apply for federal research grants only available to NCI-designated cancer centers, he said.
“The best way to describe it is to say ‘A rising tide lifts all boats,’” Mathew said. “The winners, of course, are the cancer patients of the region.”
Mathew said the next step is for KUCC to become designated as a National Comprehensive Cancer Center, which would mean even more research and clinical trials. There are only 20 such centers in the U.S.
Mathew said local patients are already seeing the results of work being done at KUCC.
“They can have teleconferences with cancer doctors,” Mathew said, pointing at a large flat-screen TV. “And they also have genetic counseling. There will be more and more as time goes by. The ultimate goal is for the patients to get the best care possible, and the alliance is one of the best ways to do that.”
