​Outstanding achievements in improving lives earns award in large system category.

Congratulations to The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSU – The James), which was recently name the 2022 recipient of the Health System – Patient Support Team of the Year Award (Large system). OSU-The James collaborates with ACS to provide programs and services that engage communities across Ohio with a special focus on health equity. 

Last year, OSU – The James embarked on a unique collaboration with the American Cancer Society, which included programmatic and financial elements to amplify impact across the state. In addition to robust event support in the amount of $250,000, the OSU-The James also donated $100,000 earmarked for health equity projects. This strengthened the partnership between ACS and the Center for Cancer Health Equity at OSU-The James as we worked together on three projects for the year. 

• The Ohio State University participated in the nation’s first ECHO series dedicated to improving cancer related care for the LGBTQ+ community. 
• OSU also shared its expertise in health equity to partner with Heart of Ohio and the African American Male Wellness Agency in support of the Health Equity Community Project ECHO on Medical Mistrust in Relation to Colorectal Cancer Screening. They also provided resources for a cervical cancer Get Screened campaign targeting underserved women across the state. 
• The Ohio State University helped introduce young women across Ohio to careers in oncology as a partner in SHE: Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology Program, a two-week program the engages young women in careers in STEM.  

On the advocacy front, OSU - The James has supported several pieces of legislation at the state level that increases access to care for cancer patients and is currently supporting a legislative effort to ensure every cancer patient in Ohio has access to public or private insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing. Their advocacy on issues that impact cancer treatment is helping to reduce the burden of cancer and saving lives.

In 2023, Black Impact 2.0 will build on the success of Black Impact 100 and will recruit black men seeking to improve their health. ACS will join the effort by educating on the importance of screenings. The project also addresses social determinants of health, offers implicit bias training to providers, and increases the enrollment of Black men in clinical trials.  

In addition, OSU – The James partners with ACS to promote patient support services and initiatives by solely using ACS educational materials throughout the entire comprehensive cancer center, utilizing the emergency lodging and transportation grants, and recruiting Road To Recovery drivers through the OSU VolunteerMatch program. Also of note is the amazing volunteer leadership provided to ACS from OSU-The James. Kris Kipp, executive director, Clinical Services of OSU-The James, has served as the Chair of the Ohio/West Virginia Board and Dr. Elecktra Paskett was chosen by CEO Dr. Karen Knudson to sit on the Steering Committee for the National Patient Navigation Roundtable. 

Award background

The Health System / Patient Support Team of the Year Award recognizes a health systems partner that has made astounding achievements in improving the lives of cancer patients and their families. Awardees provide exemplary healthcare to their patients in alignment with the American Cancer Society mission.