What is the MCA?
The MCA is a membership-based cancer networking, professional education, and clinical trials organization serving Kansas and western Missouri. It is administered by the University of Kansas Cancer Center.
Who should join the MCA?
Hospitals and physician groups across Kansas and western Missouri are eligible to become MCA members. Three membership categories are currently offered including: Community Partner, Clinical Research Partner and Major Clinical Research Partner. Hospitals and physician groups with an interest in and infrastructure to support clinical trials should considered applying for membership as Clinical Research Partners and Major Clinical Research Partners.
Cancer support, advocacy, industry and government organization membership levels are in development and will be available in the near future. Please contact Amy Gaier, MCA Program Director, at agaier@kumc.edu or 913-588-5440 if your organization is interested in joining.
What are the benefits of joining the MCA?
There are numerous benefits to joining the MCA for oncologists, primary care physicians, hospital administrators, and cancer care professionals.
ONCOLOGISTS//
- Increases access to innovative clinical trials
- Enhances network of research and clinical oncologists working together
- Increases access to consultative services and second opinions
- Provides latest evidence-based guidelines
- Provides continuing medical education opportunities
HOSPITALS//
- Increases visibility, recognition as center doing research
- Supports market share growth by retaining patients in community setting
- Enhances ability to recruit and retain outstanding cancer physicians and nurses
- Provides access to network IRB, clinical trials management software
CANCER CARE PROFESSIONALS//
- Enhances network of cancer care professionals working together
- Increases access to comprehensive cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis and care information and resources
- Provides the latest information on cancer care
- Improves the usage of regional cancer data
- Increases opportunities to expand knowledge base
- Provides continuing professional education opportunities
How will joining the MCA benefit my cancer patients?
- Advances comprehensive treatment locally
- Offers multidisciplinary care for every diagnosis
- Enables immediate state-of-the-art care to patients for whom standard therapy has failed
- Improves access to cancer screening and prevention
How will joining the MCA benefit my community?
- Helps attract and retain top oncology-trained talent in rural areas
- Reduces the "brain drain" of highly skilled medical professionals from Kansas
- Creates and maintains jobs
- Spurs related economic development
Will patients have to come to the University of Kansas Cancer Center for tests or treatment?
A core principle of the Midwest Cancer Alliance is to facilitate advanced treatment for cancer patients as close to home as possible and to not disrupt patient flow. In many cases, oncologists affiliated with MCA Clinical Research Partners and Major Clinical Research Partners will have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and treatment protocols at their location. For more complicated cases, patients may receive part of their diagnosis and treatment at the University of Kansas Cancer Center's locations in Kansas City or Wichita.
What are the expectations once an organization has joined the MCA?
The MCA expects all member organizations to engage in the process of building and expanding the MCA to best meet the members' needs by contributing ideas and feedback. Each member will need to name a contact person for their institution. Dues must be paid by June 30th each year to remain a member in good standing. There are additional expectations for MCA Clinical Research Partners and Major Clinical Research Partners participating in clinical trials.
Why are western Missouri sites included in the MCA?
Cancer doesn't stop at the Kansas/Missouri border and there are many underserved populations in western Missouri that also will benefit from being associated with the University of Kansas Cancer Center. Including western Missouri hospitals and oncology groups in the MCA broadens the expertise of the network and enables greater information and best practice sharing.
Do any Kansas tax dollars support the MCA?
Kansas tax dollars support the MCA via the $5 million annual State of Kansas appropriation provided to the University of Kansas Cancer Center and the state funds allocated to the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
In the FY 2007 budget, the University of Kansas Cancer Center invested $1 million in the initial development of the MCA. For FY 2008 budget, the University of Kansas Cancer Center will invest $1 million, which will be used to provide a 50 percent match on membership fees to Kansas organizations, and support education and outreach programs.
Missouri-based members are not eligible for the Kansas matching program.
How can my organization join the MCA?
An online application form is available at www.midwestcanceralliance.org. Once the application is filled out and submitted, the MCA's program director will make contact with the named point person from the organization to complete the approval process. To become a member in good standing, the prospective organization must sign a contract and pay the respective annual dues.
For MCA Clinical Research Partners and Major Clinical Research Partners, a site visit must also be completed to assess the clinical trials research infrastructure before the membership process is finalized.
