Background and History

In 2001, the Georgia Cancer Coalition challenged the Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology (GASCO), the state organization of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) to lead the development of a model for a statewide research network of multidisciplinary care providers and scientists from academic and community settings. Support for the project was provided by the Georgia Cancer Coalition, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Cancer Society.

Based on interviews and focus groups conducted across the state, a business plan was developed for the Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education. The concept was presented for review and comment at the Georgia Oncology Research Network Summit in 2002. The resulting affirmation from physicians, care providers, educators and scientists led to funding for implementation from the Georgia Cancer Coalition, the Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology, the Oncology Nursing Society, Siemens Medical Solutions, and the Schools of Medicine at Emory, the Medical College of Georgia and Mercer University.

In the intervening years Georgia CORE has worked to implement the business plan. Key accomplishments include expanding Georgia’s focus on clinical research; developing a network of clinical investigators; creating partnerships between academic centers and community-based oncologists; creating and adapting information technology for clinical trials tracking and data management; building a strong leadership team of Board members, staff and consultants.

The mission, vision and goals of Georgia CORE are aligned with those of the State Cancer Plan which seeks to make Georgia a national leader in cancer prevention, treatment, research and education. The plan enumerates five priorities:

• Prevent cancer and detect existing cancers earlier;
• Improve access to quality care for all Georgians with cancer;
• Save more lives in the future;
• Train cancer researchers and caregivers;
• Realize economic benefits from eradicating cancer.

The Georgia General Assembly, based on recommendations from the Governor, allocates funding annually to the Georgia Cancer Coalition for implementation of the State’s Strategic Cancer Plan from the Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund. Georgia CORE is a recipient of these funds through grants from the Georgia Cancer Coalition.

The Georgia Cancer Coalition has also funded Regional Programs of Excellence, Centers for Excellence, Distinguished Cancer Clinicians and Scientists, cancer researchers and BRAG-Onc, a statewide tumor and tissue bank. These programs amplify the efforts of Georgia CORE and expand the infrastructure and resources available for cancer research. For further information see www.georgiacancer.org.

In 2005 the Georgia Cancer Coalition received a report from the Institute of Medicine entitled Assessing the Quality of Cancer Care: An Approach to Measurement in Georgia. This document enumerates 52 cancer quality measures, one of which is specific to clinical trials enrollment. Georgia CORE is actively engaged in developing methods for quality measurement through the creation of the Georgia Cancer Quality Information Exchange.

In 2007 Georgia CORE will update its business plan and create an accompanying marketing plan to chart the organization’s course through 2010.

Historical Note:

The first meeting to discuss the creation of the Georgia CORE business plan was held in early 2002 between Tom Andrews, then President of Independent Physician Strategies and Jane Clark, PhD, RN, a private consultant who is still with Georgia CORE. Jane’s “back-of-the-envelope” notes from that meeting are reflected below and capture succinctly the essence of today’s organization. Working with a highly engaged Board of Directors, led by Frederick M. Schnell, MD, Tom and Jane authored the business plan which guided the organization in its formative years and was used to secure GCC funding, physician members and pharma support. Most of the Board members involved in the creation of the organization still serve on the Board including William J. Hoskins, MD (Vice-Chair), Thomas E. Seay, MD, PhD (Treasurer), Stephen C. Peiper, MD (Secretary), Robert C. Hermann, MD, John S. Kennedy, MD, David H. Lawson, MD, Matthew P. Mumber, MD and Kathy Russell.