Medical and radiation oncologists at the Saint Francis Cancer Institute recently received recognition for clinical trial accruals (enrollments) through the National Cancer Institute's National Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP).
The awards were announced at NCORP's annual meeting, recognizing investigators (providers) who enrolled patients in NCORP-sponsored clinical trials from August 1, 2021, to July 31, 2022. NCORP is comprised of 7 research bases and 46 community sites. Saint Francis has been designated as an NCORP site since 2013 and belongs to Heartland Cancer Research.
Michael J. Naughton, MD, medical oncologist at Cape Medical Oncology, a Saint Francis Medical Partner, received a Gold Award for 10-39 accruals. Mark A. Meadors, DO, medical oncologist at Cape Medical Oncology, received a Silver Award for five-to-nine accruals.
Carlos Robles, MD, medical oncologist at Cape Medical Oncology, and Benjamin D. Goodman, DO, and Sagar C. Patel, MD, radiation oncologists at Cape Radiation Oncology, a Saint Francis Medical Partner, all received Honorable Mention for one-to-four accruals.
"Clinical trials are a centerpiece to any good oncology program, bringing cutting-edge treatments to the standard of care," said Meadors. "Clinical trials allow us to utilize treatments before hitting the market on a broader scope. The patient benefits from receiving treatment they would not otherwise receive and earlier. Many times, that makes the difference."
The Saint Francis Cancer Institute is dedicated to providing the highest quality cancer care in southeast Missouri and the surrounding five-state region. Accredited as the only Comprehensive Community Cancer Program in the region by the Commission on Cancer, a quality program of the American College of Surgeons, the Cancer Institute focuses on raising care standards that improve outcomes for patients, from the first detection through treatment and into remission. The primary goal is to provide patients with excellent, patient-centered care close to home and the support of loved ones.
Saint Francis Healthcare System is guided by our Mission to provide a ministry of healing, wellness, quality and love inspired by our faith in Jesus Christ. Founded by Franciscan Sisters in 1875, our priority remains the same: serve all who enter with dignity, compassion and joy. Serving nearly 713,000 people across Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas, our focus is on patients' outcomes, experience and value.
Anchored by Saint Francis Medical Center, a 306-bed tertiary hospital, and supported by nearly 3,000 employees and more than 250 providers in ten communities, the Healthcare System is a driving economic force in the region. Major services include the Cancer Institute, Emergency and Level III Trauma Center, Family BirthPlace and Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Heart Hospital, Neurosciences and Orthopedics.
