US Oncology Research LLC

THE WOODLANDS, Texas--( BUSINESS WIRE )-- The US Oncology Network (The Network), the largest organization of its kind dedicated to advancing local cancer care and better patient outcomes, announced today that Tennessee Cancer Specialists (TCS) has joined The Network, effective August 1, 2024. The practice is the largest community-based oncology provider in eastern Tennessee and the third largest oncology practice in the state. With the addition of TCS, The Network significantly extends its reach into eastern Tennessee while the practice enhances its ability to provide cancer patients in the region convenient access to high-quality, cutting-edge cancer care. “We are pleased to welcome Tennessee Cancer Specialists to The Network, as it allows us to collaborate with a well-known, long-standing provider of high-quality community-based cancer care,” said Devon Womack, president, The US Oncology Network. “We share like-minded goals to advance cancer care while strengthening the practice’s ability to remain independent and viable in today’s challenging value-based landscape.” As part of The Network, TCS can now utilize the deep expertise and substantial resources of The Network. The practice’s clinical staff can collaborate with their colleagues across The Network, tapping into the collective knowledge and experience of more than 2,600 independent providers across the U.S. The practice can also access The Network’s clinical and business consulting services, as well as innovative technologies that support high-quality patient care, efficient drug management, and revenue cycle optimization. “We have had significant growth over the last few years, and we plan to continue this expansion by entering new markets, adding physicians, and building new service lines,” said Tracy W. Dobbs, MD , practice president, Tennessee Cancer Specialists. “The comprehensive resources and expert guidance from The Network will be invaluable as we move forward on this growth path while continuing to provide the high level of cancer care our patients and referring physicians have come to know and expect.” The Network is supported by McKesson Corporation , allowing TCS to benefit from a comprehensive suite of solutions and services. From access to Ontada’s cutting-edge technologies enabling enhanced patient referral, patient intake, and provider workflow as well as simplified genomic test ordering and result capture, to increased access to innovative clinical trial opportunities, McKesson’s unapparelled oncology portfolio can help community-based practices like TCS thrive, so they can best care for their patients. As announced in May , the practice is especially eager to engage in clinical research through Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI). Since its inception, SCRI has contributed to pivotal research that has helped advance the majority of new cancer therapies approved by the FDA today. In collaboration with SCRI, TCS will be able to provide patients convenient access to some of the most innovative investigational therapies in the communities where patients live. “The stability, experience, resources, and professionalism of The Network drew us to the organization,” Dobbs stated. “We are excited to collaborate with this highly respected group of independent providers to achieve our mutual goal of bringing advanced cancer care to more communities.” TCS is the premier provider of advanced cancer care in eastern Tennessee with 15 physicians and 45 advanced practice providers (APPs) delivering world-class cancer care across 16 locations. The practice is committed to putting the patient first by delivering high-quality, compassionate, evidence-based care designed specifically to meet the unique needs of each patient. A full-service, comprehensive medical oncology and hematology practice, TCS offers onsite infusion centers, cutting-edge clinical trials, on call 24/7 support, knowledgeable billing and insurance staff, financial counseling and patient assistance, plus in-office pharmacy services for added convenience. The practice also provides non-oncology injections and infusions for patients who require specialty infusion services for other conditions, giving patients the convenience of dealing with one facility for all their infusion needs. The physicians and APPs of TCS are among many who have recently joined The Network. Within the last 18 months, The Network has welcomed more than 400 new providers into the organization. This continued growth trajectory is significantly increasing the availability of advanced cancer care in local communities from strong, viable, and independent practices. About Tennessee Cancer Specialists Tennessee Cancer Specialists, PLLC was founded in 2004 when East Tennessee Oncology and Hematology merged with Cancer Care of East Tennessee to become the largest private, independent cancer practice in eastern Tennessee and the third largest oncology group in the state of Tennessee. The practice has offices in eight counties to conveniently serve patients in Knoxville and surrounding communities. At Tennessee Cancer Specialists, their mission is to provide the highest quality compassionate care, to meet the unique needs of patients with cancer, and to assist them and their families to focus on recovery. About The US Oncology Network Every day, The US Oncology Network (The Network) helps more than 2,600 independent providers deliver value-based, integrated care to patients — close to home. Through The Network, these independent doctors come together to form a community of shared expertise and resources dedicated to advancing local cancer care and to delivering better patient outcomes. The Network provides practices with access to coordinated resources, best business practices, and the experience, infrastructure, and support of McKesson Corporation . This collaboration allows the providers in The Network to focus on the health of their patients, while McKesson focuses on the health of their practices. The Network is committed to the success of independent practices, everywhere. About McKesson Oncology and Specialty Solutions It’s an unprecedented time for patients living with cancer as life sciences companies race to create new, cutting-edge therapies. With cancer care becoming more targeted, providers, life sciences companies, and payers face a multitude of challenges and complexity in the development of new treatments and making them accessible to patients in need. At McKesson , our unmatched portfolio of oncology businesses and partners provide research, insights, technologies, and services that are helping to address these hurdles and improve cancer and specialty care. McKesson is fueling discovery by helping patients participate in cutting-edge clinical trials closer to home through the joint venture between US Oncology Research and Sarah Cannon Research Institute . The US Oncology Network and McKesson Provider Solutions are advancing specialty care and high-quality cancer care in the communities where patients live by supporting the practices of thousands of independent, community-based providers. Ontada ® , a McKesson business dedicated to oncology, generates real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE), and provides clinical education and provider technology to inform and improve cancer care. As one of the largest distributors of oncology and specialty medicines, we are ensuring medicines make their way to those who are counting on them. And through CoverMyMeds , Biologics by McKesson , and GPO services , our work continues to help patients access, afford, and adhere to their medicines.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), one of the world’s leading oncology research organizations conducting community-based clinical trials, announced today a collaboration with Tennessee Cancer Specialists, an independent, private practice oncology group, based in Knoxville, Tenn. The collaboration will provide expanded research options to people facing cancer throughout the East Tennessee region. “Our talented physicians have long understood the importance of clinical trials and the cutting-edge options they can provide to patients,” said President Tracy W. Dobbs, MD, oncologist with Tennessee Cancer Specialists. “We’ve referred our eligible research patients to SCRI in Nashville for many years, and we are delighted that we can now offer these novel therapies right here in our community.” Tennessee Cancer Specialists is the third largest oncology practice in the state with 12 physicians across 15 locations in East Tennessee. “We look forward to working with the experts at Tennessee Cancer Specialists to further our mission of bringing clinical trials into the community,” said Dee Anna Smith, CEO of SCRI. “Through this new collaboration, we can provide eligible patients facing cancer access to novel therapies – without needing to travel so they can stay close to their home and support network.” SCRI’s research network brings together more than 1,300 physicians who are actively enrolling patients into clinical trials at more than 250 locations in 24 states across the U.S. Since its inception, SCRI has conducted more than 750 first-in-human clinical trials and contributed to pivotal research that has led to the majority of new cancer therapies approved by the FDA today. Tennessee Cancer Specialists will offer clinical trials with SCRI beginning in summer 2024. For more information on clinical trials at Tennessee Cancer Specialists please visit . About Tennessee Cancer Specialists Tennessee Cancer Specialists, PLLC was founded in 2004 when East Tennessee Oncology and Hematology merged with Cancer Care of East Tennessee to become the largest private, independent cancer practice in east Tennessee and the third largest oncology group in the state of Tennessee. To conveniently serve patients in Knoxville and surrounding communities, we have offices in eight counties. At Tennessee Cancer Specialists, our mission is to provide the highest quality, compassionate care, to meet the unique needs of patients with cancer, and to assist them and their families to focus on recovery. About Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) is one of the world’s leading oncology research organizations conducting community-based clinical trials. Focused on advancing therapies for patients over the last three decades, SCRI is a leader in drug development. In 2022, SCRI formed a joint venture with former US Oncology Research to expand clinical trial access across the country. It has conducted 750+ first-in-human clinical trials since its inception and contributed to pivotal research that has led to the majority of new cancer therapies approved by the FDA today. SCRI’s research network brings together more than 1,300 physicians who are actively enrolling patients into clinical trials at more than 250 locations in 24 states across the U.S. Learn more about our research offerings. View source version on businesswire.com: Contacts Hayley Lyons hayley.lyons@scri.com Source: Sarah Cannon Research Institute View this news release online at:

IRVING, Texas--( BUSINESS WIRE )--For the eighth consecutive year, McKesson has received approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to participate in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) as a Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR). The designation enables healthcare practices and providers utilizing iKnowMed℠ electronic health record (EHR) to efficiently submit data directly to CMS without engaging a separate registry vendor, streamlining data submission and minimizing administrative burden. As a CMS-approved QCDR, Practice Insights ℠, a performance analytics tool powered by Ontada ® , can collect and report clinical data on behalf of clinicians for standard MIPS measures. This designation also provides the additional ability to report on custom QCDR quality measures developed in partnership with physicians in The US Oncology Network (The Network) to drive improvements in quality and cost of care. In addition to quality measures, practices now have the opportunity to improve patient care by identifying social drivers of health via the integration of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Distress Thermometer in iKnowMed. In 2024, care teams can monitor patient needs through a comprehensive report dashboard and track screening rates based on the new MIPS 487 Screening for Social Drivers of Health measure. These efforts will help practices ensure all patients are screened and connected with community resources to assist them with health-related social needs. “As the only oncology-specific QCDR, we empower practices to focus on what matters – improving patient care by equipping them with actionable insights and performance measures that can help to reduce administrative burden for their practices,” said Christine Davis, president, Ontada. “Our work continues to focus on innovation and technology advancements that can help practices improve cancer care and deliver better patient outcomes.” A total of eight custom QCDR measures identified by physician leaders in The Network and submitted by McKesson were approved by CMS, including two measures approved for the 2024 Advancing Cancer Care MIPS Value Pathway (MVP) – Utilization of GCSF in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer and Mutation Testing for Stage IV Lung Cancer Completed Prior to the Start of Targeted Therapy. Practice Insights QCDR supports reporting of traditional MIPS and the new Advancing Cancer Care MVP, allowing practices to participate in the MIPS program a variety of different ways. It also continues to provide meaningful insights to improve care while simultaneously easing the burden of participating in CMS regulatory programs. Below are the eight Practice Insights QCDR measures approved for the 2024 MIPS program: Advance Care Planning in Metastatic Cancer Patients Hepatitis B Serology Testing and Prophylactic Treatment Prior to Receiving Anti-CD20 Targeting Drugs Patient-Reported Pain Improvement Supportive Care Drug Utilization in Last 14 Days of Life Mutation Testing for Stage IV Lung Cancer Completed Prior to the Start of Targeted Therapy ( Included in the Advancing Cancer Care MVP ) Utilization of GCSF in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer ( Included in the Advancing Cancer Care MVP ) Antiemetic Therapy for Low- and Minimal-Emetic-Risk Antineoplastic Agents in the Infusion Center - Avoidance of Overuse ( Developed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology and approved for the second year) Appropriate Antiemetic Therapy for High- and Moderate-Emetic-Risk Antineoplastic Agents in the Infusion Center ( Developed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology and approved for the second year) “As a result of our advocation for quality measures that are truly impactful to oncology care, we are proud that CMS announced in the Final Rule that two of our QCDR measures will be included in the Advancing Cancer Care MVP for the 2024 MIPS Program,” said Erin Crum, senior director of Quality Strategy and Innovation, McKesson and The US Oncology Network. “One of these measures aims to improve biomarker testing rates across non-small cell lung cancer and to ensure patients receive appropriate targeted therapy based on their test results. This is a critical area for cancer care where comprehensive biomarker panel testing rates continue to lag in comparison to the fast-paced innovation of targeted treatments. We aim to help practices close this gap by identifying patients eligible for testing and deliver targeted therapies to optimize their treatment, guaranteeing the best possible outcomes.” About McKesson Corporation McKesson Corporation is a diversified healthcare services leader dedicated to advancing health outcomes for patients everywhere. Our teams partner with biopharma companies, care providers, pharmacies, manufacturers, governments, and others to deliver insights, products, and services to help make quality care more accessible and affordable. Learn more about how McKesson is impacting virtually every aspect of healthcare at McKesson.com and read Our Stories . About McKesson Oncology and Specialty Solutions It’s an unprecedented time for patients living with cancer as life sciences companies race to create new, cutting-edge therapies. With cancer care becoming more targeted, providers, life sciences companies, and payers face a multitude of challenges and complexity in the development of new treatments and making them accessible to patients in need. At McKesson , our unmatched portfolio of oncology businesses and partners provide research, insights, technologies, and services that are helping to address these hurdles and improve cancer and specialty care. McKesson is fueling discovery by helping patients participate in cutting-edge clinical trials closer to home through the joint venture between US Oncology Research and Sarah Cannon Research Institute . The US Oncology Network and McKesson Provider Solutions are advancing specialty care and high-quality cancer care in the communities where patients live by supporting the practices of thousands of independent, community-based providers. Ontada ® , a McKesson business dedicated to oncology, generates real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE), and provides clinical education and provider technology to inform and improve cancer care. As one of the largest distributors of oncology and specialty medicines, we are ensuring medicines make their way to those who are counting on them. And through CoverMyMeds , Biologics by McKesson , and GPO services , our work continues to help patients access, afford, and adhere to their medicines.