Cancer Life Center at MCCG Joins UAB Cancer Care Network

It's One of the First Affiliates MACON, GA (June 27, 2011) - The Cancer Life Center at The Medical Center of Central Georgia (MCCG) has joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Care Network as one of four inaugural affiliates in the network to expand access to leading cancer care. MCCG will hold a press conference today at 11 a.m. in the Albert Luce, Jr. Heart Institute lobby. UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center Director and American Cancer Society, Inc. President Dr. Edward Partridge will speak. This is not a public event, but media are invited to attend. The UAB Cancer Care Network, with affiliates in Alabama and Georgia, provides a program to support community-based oncology services, by offering broader access to clinical trials, continuing medical education for nurses and oncologists, and access to the latest education about advancements in the treatment and detection of cancer in the local community. ""We are very excited about this collaboration with UAB in the area of comprehensive cancer care,"" Central Georgia Health System/MCCG CEO and President Don Faulk said. ""As central and south Georgia's leader in many health care services, including cancer care, MCCG believes this affiliation with a national leader in cancer care and research is natural and will bring great value to our patients and families. Better and localized disease management coupled with much greater availability of research and educational opportunities will now be present for the benefit of patients and clinicians alike."" The Cancer Life Center at The Medical Center of Central Georgia is accredited with commendation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. The range of services provided includes personalized care that results in healing and improvement of the quality of life for patients, comprehensive and compassionate care provided through a dedicated interdisciplinary team, proactive care, and faster diagnosis and treatment. ""We look forward to working with the Cancer Life Center at The Medical Center of Central Georgia to leverage each other's strengths and offer access to leading-edge care and research to the central and south Georgia community,"" Dr. Partridge said. ""UAB's 350 cancer scientists and clinicians are making discoveries every day, and with the UAB Cancer Care Network, we will collaborate with cancer care providers across the region to increase access to those discoveries, ultimately saving more lives."" As Alabama's only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center, and the only one in a six-state region, the UAB Cancer Center will work closely with each affiliate to support their cancer center program's growth by providing access to UAB's best practices in cancer care, expanded access to leading-edge clinical trials and support services, physician and nursing education, and access to research expertise and resources at a local level. The Cancer Life Center at MCCG is one of the first four UAB Cancer Network affiliates. Other affiliates include Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, Ala., Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center in Anniston, Ala., and Russell Medical Center in Alexander City, Ala. The UAB Cancer Care Network anticipates announcing additional affiliates later this year.