Commonwealth Cancer Center Joins UK Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 14, 2012) — Commonwealth Cancer Centers of Kentucky has joined the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network. The affiliation is established with an emphasis on clinical research, with the goal of providing cancer patients in Commonwealth’s network of centers throughout the state expanded access to new clinical trials and emerging therapies in their own communities, as well as greater exposure to additional specialty and subspecialty physicians.
 

Commonwealth Cancer Centers of Kentucky becomes the eighth in the state to become a Markey Cancer Center affiliate, but is uniquely the only private network of cancer clinics among them. CCC offices are located in Danville, Frankfort, Russell Springs, Somerset, Corbin, London, Harrodsburg and Columbia.

Dr. Dennie Jones, medical director of the UK Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network, says the relationship between Markey and Commonwealth Cancer Centers also allows the opportunity for Commonwealth physicians to collaborate on this research, combining the center’s clinical expertise with the support of UK academic research.

“This affiliation enables us to bring together the resources and expertise of a major cancer center and an advanced network of clinical practices to offer to patients in Danville, Frankfort, Somerset, Corbin, London, Columbia, Harrodsburg and Russell Springs, allowing them to receive top-notch care closer to home,” Jones said. “By partnering with Commonwealth Cancer Centers of Kentucky, we’re taking another huge step toward making sure every Kentuckian has access to high-quality cancer care.”

Dr. Thomas Baeker, medical director of Commonwealth Cancer Center, said the partnership is beneficial to all parties involved, especially patients.

“For the past 17 years, Commonwealth Cancer Centers of Kentucky has endeavored to deliver the very best possible cancer care to cancer patients in non-urban areas of central and southeastern Kentucky, taking advantage of the most recent advances in oncology treatments and protocols,” Baeker said. “In that effort, we have always maintained a strong relationship with our colleagues at the University of Kentucky.  Our new status as a Markey Cancer Center Network Affiliate will allow us to grow that relationship even further, in a collaborative effort that will include sharing of ideas and experiences, and participation in active clinical trials, ensuring that our patients will be receiving care at the cutting edge of oncology – right in their own communities.”
 

“This affiliation gives greater enhancement to the personalized care Commonwealth already has in place,” said Mark Allen, practice administrator for Commonwealth Cancer Centers. “The convenience of receiving the most up-to-date, comprehensive cancer treatment close to home is a major benefit for our patients. Now, with this collaboration and greater access to clinical research, professional education and training programs, we can offer even more to meet the needs of our patients - and they won’t have to travel out of the area to receive that care.”

For more information on the UK Markey Cancer Affiliate Network, visit our website.

MEDIA CONTACT: Allison Perry, (859) 323-2399 or allison.perry@uky.edu.