Grand Island, Neb. — The CHI Health St. Francis Cancer Treatment Center is one of only three community oncology practices in the country recognized by the Conquer Cancer Foundation of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for its commitment to high-quality clinical trials programs.
Dr. M. Sitki Copur and several members of his Oncology team were presented with the ASCO Clinical Trials Participation Award (CTPA) during the national ASCO annual meeting June 3-7 in Chicago.
As a recipient of the Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO Clinical Trials Participation Award, St. Francis Cancer Treatment Center is being honored for its contribution to the improvement of cancer care through clinical research in a community-based setting. St. Francis was the first to receive the CTPA award in 2010 and is now a two-time recipient. The team consists of four full-time oncologists, more than 20 years of experience and currently has 59 clinical trials open for enrollment.
“We are pleased to recognize St. Francis Cancer Treatment Center with the Clinical Trials Participation Award, aimed at honoring community practices that bring cutting-edge, clinical cancer research practices to their patients,” said Thomas G. Roberts, Jr., MD, Chair of the Conquer Cancer Foundation Board of Directors. “Through participation in clinical trials, St. Francis not only brings support and groundbreaking therapies to its local community, but also directly contributes to cancer research at large.”
Practices that receive the CTPA are selected based on a variety of criteria including quality research performance, high-quality audit reports, investigators performance and high enrollment rates. Preference is given to research sites that have demonstrated the ability to overcome barriers in clinical trials accrual, as well as to provide care and outreach to underserved populations in their communities.
Through the CTPA, the Conquer Cancer Foundation aims to recognize and increase both awareness of and participation in clinical trials among physicians.