Columbia – The Alice Fischel Cancer Center and MU Health Care’s Siteman Cancer Center have formed a new collaboration to advance cancer research in Missouri.
The collaboration aims to improve cancer care statewide.
Siteman works at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
According to a press release, scientists from both institutions are working together on research projects and are striving for jointly competitively financed research funding.
“We have some really great opportunities to expand some of the key areas of research at Siteman,” said Timothy Eberlein, director of the Siteman Cancer Center.
Gerhard Hildebrandt, director of the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, said both institutions have strengths they hope to mutually benefit from.
“We really want to expand cancer care coverage in Missouri with more clinical pathways, with better access and better quality of care, I think those are the main pillars,” Hildebrant said.
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The press release also noted that the Siteman Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated comprehensive cancer center in Missouri. Since 2015, Siteman has also received the NCI’s highest rating — “Excellent” — based on a rigorous review of its research programs.
“By combining our expertise and the expertise that Mizo brings to nuclear medicine, we have the opportunity to open up an entirely new area to work in,” said Eberlein.
The Ellis Fishel Cancer Center is the only state-designated cancer center in Missouri. It is accredited as an academically comprehensive cancer program by the Commission on Cancer, a quality program of the American College of Surgeons that accredits health care systems to ensure their patients receive quality, coordinated care.
“We’re opening up these avenues on both sides and hopefully providing more patients with general treatment and trial treatment so that access is improved,” Hildebrant said.
This collaboration will help expand opportunities to bring better care to more patients across the state.