In 1991, the establishment of long-term, collaborative relationships with community hospitals and their medical staffs became a leading priority of the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania. The Penn Cancer Network evolved from this initiative. The goal of the Cancer Network is to improve the overall quality of cancer care, research and education in our community.
The Cancer Network brings together a select group of community hospitals, all of which have strong reputations in their respective communities and are strategically located throughout the region. The Penn Cancer Network provides the organizational framework for these community hospitals and their medical staffs to build upon their individual strengths and abilities. The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, one of the leading National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer centers in the country, offers clinical cancer services and other needed resources to complement those available at the community hospital, and serves as the Cancer Network member's tertiary care, research, education, and academic resource base.
The overall goals of the Penn Cancer Network are to:
There are several essential characteristics of the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania and its Cancer Network that are particularly important to participating community hospitals and their physicians.
In summary, the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania believes that the most effective and appropriate way to provide outstanding, comprehensive cancer care to the community is to establish formal relationships with community hospitals and their physicians. This belief continues to be the guiding principle of the Penn Cancer Network.
Among the benefits of membership in the Penn Cancer Network to participating community hospitals and their patients are:
Integrated Cancer Care. One of the greatest benefits of the Penn Cancer Network is the creation of an integrated system of cancer care services for cancer patients. Penn specialists work cooperatively with the community hospital physicians, maintaining communication and collaboration throughout the course of the patient's care at Penn. Patients are referred back to the Cancer Network physician and hospital to continue their care as soon as it is medically appropriate. This integrated cancer care approach allows the Cancer Network hospital and Penn to work together as a team to give the cancer patient the best possible care with the least inconvenience.
Physician Education. An important component to the long-term success of a Cancer Network relationship is the development of a comprehensive educational program for physicians at the Cancer Network hospital. In addition to providing important information about the latest cancer treatments and research findings, these educational activities serve as a critically important forum for Penn faculty and Cancer Network physicians to form personal relationships and collegial ties. In addition to these hospital-specific professional educational programs, physicians from Cancer Network hospitals are invited to attend a wide range of educational conferences sponsored by the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania throughout the year. To see upcoming physician educational conferences, please click here.
Nursing Education. Cancer Network Administrators work with the Cancer Network hospital to develop and implement staff development courses on-site for nurses who care for cancer patients. These in-service workshops help to enhance the knowledge, skills and understanding of the nurses. In addition to these hospital-specific nursing education programs, Cancer Network nurses are invited to attend special clinical skills training programs, such as the Cancer Center's chemotherapy administration course and the Cancer Center's continuing education conferences held periodically throughout the year. To see upcoming nursing educational conferences, please click here.
Participation in Clinical Research. A primary component of every Cancer Network relationship is the development or expansion of a community hospital's clinical research base. Cancer Network institutions that meet established criteria may be eligible to participate in national cooperative groups, such as ECOG, RTOG, NSABP, SWOG and GOG.
The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania provides ongoing training and support to the clinical research associates from Cancer Network hospitals. The Cancer Network's Clinical Research Associates Group sponsors training workshops as well as regular opportunities to share information and experiences.
Community Education and Outreach Services. Community education and outreach services are critical to the success of the Cancer Network relationship, particularly in establishing the Cancer Network hospital/institution as the preferred provider of cancer services in the community.
Participation in New Clinical Initiatives of the Cancer Center. Cancer Network hospitals may have the opportunity to participate in new clinical activities developed by the Abramson Cancer Center (e.g. Cancer Risk Evaluation Program).
Patient Referral and Appointment Scheduling. The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania has established an Information and Referral Office, which can be contacted by calling 1-800-635-7780. This streamlined system can be used by Network hospitals when scheduling consultations, second opinions and tertiary care.
Cancer Program Strategic Planning and Organizational Review. Because of their years of experience in developing and enhancing community oncology programs, Penn Cancer Network staff can provide expert advice to Cancer Network hospital leaders about ways to improve and expand their oncology programs.
Marketing and Public Relations. One of the goals of the Penn Cancer Network is to build the image of the Cancer Network as the preferred network of cancer providers in the region. The Cancer Network works with the Cancer Network hospitals to develop multiple marketing and public relations opportunities in their local communities throughout the year.
Criteria for Membership in the Penn Cancer Network
The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania is selective in inviting hospitals to join the Cancer Network. Among the criteria for selecting a Cancer Network hospital:
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