The US Oncology Network in The News

Dr. Debra Patt shared expertise on the event’s Support Services and Survivorship Panel

The Woodlands, Texas (January 11, 2017) — Representatives from McKesson and The US Oncology Network (The Network) were invited to participate in a community oncology event as part of the White House “Making Health Care Better” Series, which highlights progress made in improving the health system over the past eight years. The President’s Health Policy Team collaborated with the Cancer Moonshot program to host the event and put a spotlight on the role and importance of community oncology in cancer care. The event was held on Wednesday, January 11 from 8am to 12pm ET at the White House and was only open to invited attendees.

Debra Patt, MD, MPH, MBA, vice president of Public Policy and Academic Affairs at Texas Oncology and chair of The US Oncology Network Pathways Taskforce for Breast Cancer, participated in the event’s Support Services and Survivorship Panel.

“This was an exciting opportunity to collaborate with others who are passionate about improving healthcare as well as showcase the importance of community cancer care,” said Dr. Patt. “Most cancer care occurs in the community setting, and many patients can receive state-of-the-art care in their home towns, including access to clinical trials. This allows patients to be treated in and supported by their communities. Additionally, research shows that outpatient services cost significantly more when provided in the outpatient hospital setting without any meaningful improvement in quality of care or health outcomes. This is one of many reasons healthcare stakeholders must continue events like this and learn about progress and innovation in community cancer care.”

The event focused on improving innovation and access to quality cancer care in the community setting and featured panels to explore the unique aspects of community oncology, including cancer disparities, survivorship and support services, advancing clinical trials and innovative models of care delivery in the community setting, and the future of healthcare for people affected by cancer.

Representatives from McKesson and The US Oncology Network invited to attend the event include:

• Ben Jones, vice president, Government Relations & Public Policy, McKesson
• Diana Verrilli, senior vice president, Payer and Practice Management Solutions, McKesson
• Nicholas J. Robert, MD, medical director, Health Economic Outcomes Research and Health Informatics, McKesson and The US Oncology Network
• Debra Patt, MD, MPH, MBA, vice president of Public Policy and Academic Affairs at Texas Oncology and chair of The US Oncology Network Pathways Taskforce for Breast Cancer
• R. Steven Paulson, MD, president of Texas Oncology, a practice in The US Oncology Network
• Alex Spira, MD, PhD, FACP, director of the Virginia Cancer Specialists Research Institute and chair of The US Oncology Network Pathways Taskforce for Lung Cancer
• Sandy Smith, senior director, Site Services, US Oncology Research and McKesson

To continue the conversation around community oncology, immediately following the event McKesson and The US Oncology Network are hosting a Hill briefing in collaboration with the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), American Cancer Society-Cancer Action Network, Cancer Support Community, Community Oncology Alliance (COA) and Sarah Cannon. Key members of Congress plan to attend the briefing including Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI).

“McKesson is committed to working with all stakeholders across the healthcare system to strengthen care as we are all in this together,” said Nick Loporcaro, president, McKesson. “Being invited to the White House ‘Making Health Care Better’ Series is a testament to the leading role McKesson and The US Oncology Network are playing in the industry. Our people and their expertise and dedication help drive the movement of improving and sustaining specialty care in the community setting.”

About The US Oncology Network
Every day, The US Oncology Network helps more than 1,400 independent physicians deliver value-based, integrated care for patients — close to home. Through The Network, these independent doctors come together to form a community of shared expertise and resources dedicated to advancing local cancer care and to delivering better patient outcomes. The Network provides doctors with access to coordinated resources, best business practices, and the experience, infrastructure and support of McKesson. This collaboration allows the doctors in The Network to focus on the health of their patients, while McKesson focuses on the health of their practices. Together, The Network and its affiliated physicians are committed to the success of independent practices, everywhere. For more information, visit www.usoncology.com.

About McKesson
McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 6th on the FORTUNE 500, is a global leader in healthcare supply chain management solutions, retail pharmacy, community oncology and specialty care, and healthcare information technology. McKesson partners with pharmaceutical manufacturers, providers, pharmacies, governments and other organizations in healthcare to help provide the right medicines, medical products and healthcare services to the right patients at the right time, safely and cost-effectively. United by our ICARE shared principles, our employees work every day to innovate and deliver opportunities that make our customers and partners more successful — all for the better health of patients. McKesson has been named the “Most Admired Company” in the healthcare wholesaler category by FORTUNE, a “Best Place to Work” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and a top military-friendly company by Military Friendly. For more information, visit www.mckesson.com.

Media Contact
Claire Crye
281-825-9927
Claire.Crye@usoncology.com