#USA #Hartford #Cancer Institute #Hartford HealthCare #MSK Care Partner

Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute's Groundbreaking Achievement

Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute has reached a remarkable milestone, becoming the first healthcare system in the United States to earn designation as a Care Partner from the renowned Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). This distinction was granted after a comprehensive evaluation by MSK to ensure that the oncology services provided at Hartford HealthCare align with the MSK Standards of Care™.

This achievement is the culmination of a decade of collaboration between both institutions, initiated when Hartford HealthCare joined the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance as its inaugural member. The Fairfield Region location of Hartford HealthCare was the first to successfully complete the alignment process with MSK Standards of Care™, setting a new precedent for the expansion across their entire system. Jeffrey A. Flaks, President and CEO of Hartford HealthCare, shared, “This marks a defining moment for cancer care in Connecticut. By broadening our partnership, we can eliminate barriers to innovation and deliver leading-edge therapies, alongside advanced clinical trials and research right where our patients reside.”

Enhancing Community Cancer Care

MSK designates Care Partners as healthcare organizations committed to upholding their rigorous standards to ensure patients receive top-tier cancer care within their communities. As a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated center, MSK possesses the most extensive access to clinical trials, now made available to patients through Hartford HealthCare’s collaboration. Shelly Anderson, President of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, expressed her enthusiasm for Hartford HealthCare’s commitment to advancing MSK-level cancer care, predicting significant benefits for patients and their families throughout Connecticut.

Key Benefits of the MSK Care Partnership

1. Sub-specialty Oncology Care: Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute adopts a sub-specialty model focusing on specific cancer types. MSK will contribute by providing specialists dedicated to these major cancer types, ensuring swift access to MSK expertise.
2. Increased Clinical Trial Access: Patients will gain improved access to MSK clinical trials while remaining under the care of their Hartford HealthCare doctors, expanding treatment options significantly.
3. Collaborative Tumor Boards: Complex cancer cases will be evaluated during multidisciplinary meetings known as tumor boards. The partnership will facilitate connections between their tumor boards to enhance collaborative reviews by experts across numerous specialties.
4. Rapid Adoption of Advanced Treatments: This relationship accelerates the integration of the latest and most effective care standards, broadening access to innovative research and treatment options.
5. Improved Quality of Care: Since the inception of their alliance with MSK, Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute has made significant improvements in care quality by aligning practices with MSK standards. The objectives now extend beyond alignment to prioritize what truly matters—patient health outcomes.
6. Innovative Clinical Trials: MSK is leading advancements in the participation of clinical trials. This effort, shared with Hartford HealthCare, aims to reduce barriers and allow more patients to engage in local clinical studies.
7. Committed to Enhancing Patient Care: The essence of the MSK Care Partner initiative is to improve patient experiences across Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute through shared learning and seamless access to MSK expertise.
8. World-Class Standards of Care: By sharing knowledge, guiding care delivery, and collaborating with top-tier cancer specialists, Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute implements MSK Standards of Care™ in all aspects of oncology.
9. Collaborative Opportunities: Physicians from Hartford HealthCare will benefit from enhanced collaboration opportunities with MSK’s specialized experts.

Conclusion

Though the Manchester and Rockville facilities are not currently included in this designation, the overarching goal of this groundbreaking partnership remains clear: to ensure that every patient in Connecticut receives equivalent health outcomes to those from MSK. As Hartford HealthCare continues its mission of transforming healthcare, the ultimate aspiration is to enhance quality, accessibility, and innovation in cancer care, truly reimagining the patient journey within their communities.

For more information about Hartford HealthCare and its services, visit HartfordHealthCare.org. Join us on this journey toward redefining healthcare.