Onmark and Cancer Center of Kansas Assemble Experts to Discuss Effective Cancer Treatment Strategies

“Our #1 goal is to ensure cancer patients have access to the most relevant treatments available,” states Dr. Shakir Dakhil, president of CCK.  “By partnering with Onmark to bring the latest clinical updates and education to local colleagues, we build the Kansas provider community and will collectively be able to serve more patients and positively impact more lives.”

During the program, leading experts will share clinical updates and best practices in oncology treatment.  Topics will include:

1. Updates in Breast Cancer - Edith Perez, MD, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
   Dr. Perez has developed a wide range of clinical trials exploring the use of new therapeutic agents for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. She recently developed studies to evaluate the role of genetic markers in the development and aggressiveness of breast cancer.  A recipient of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation Research Grant Award (1998-2006), she also received the 2002 Horizon Achievement Award in Cancer Research presented by Bristol-Myers Squibb Oncology and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.  Dr. Perez has been a member of the Mayo Clinic’s and NCI-Central Institutional Review Boards.
   
   
2. New Advances in Colon Cancer Treatment - Patrick J. Loehrer, MD, Indiana University Cancer Center
   Dr. Loehrer is recognized as a prolific clinical researcher in a variety of malignancies, including genitourinary, gastrointestinal and thymic tumors and has extensive clinical research experience with the anti-neoplastic agent, ifosfamide, which led to FDA approval.  Dr. Loehrer has received numerous awards including the Flick Family Fund Award, American Cancer Society Fellowship and the American Cancer Society Junior Faculty Award, the Glenn Irwin Experience Excellence Award, the ECOG Young Investigator Award, the Danielson Award, the Collaborator of the Year Award from the Walther Cancer Institute and the Exceptional Service Award of the Foundation for Thymic Research.
   
   
3. Innovations in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer - W. Robert Lee, MD, M.S., M. Ed., Duke University
   Dr. Lee’s clinical efforts are focused on the treatment of genitourinary neoplasms (especially prostate cancer) with radiotherapy. His current research interests include image-guided techniques that integrate bio-anatomic information into the treatment planning and delivery processes, indicators of quality in low-dose rate prostate brachytherapy and novel fractionation schedules in the treatment of prostate cancer. Dr. Lee is a past-president of the American Brachytherapy Society and is the incoming chairman of the Radiation Oncology Residency Review Committee.

This year’s Mid-America Cancer Symposium marks the third year the Cancer Center of Kansas and Onmark have teamed to provide education to oncology providers in the region.  Last year’s Symposium saw a 50% increase in attendance over the 2007 program, with more than 85 attendees including pathologists, oncology surgeons, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists.  Onmark is a leading provider of education to community-based practices, delivering 93 programs with over 3500 total attendees in 2008.

“Onmark is committed to providing our members with access to unique educational forums that deliver the latest information on clinical advances and treatment strategies,” says Mike Cunningham, Pharm. D, vice president and general manager of Onmark.  “We are excited to partner with the Cancer Center of Kansas for the third consecutive year to bring cutting-edge education directly to oncology providers in the greater Wichita area.”

About Onmark
Onmark, a McKesson Specialty Care Solutions company, is a leading national group purchasing organization (GPO) for community-based practices with more than 3000 members representing over 4,800 physicians and in excess of $8 billion in annual drug purchases.  Through strategic relationships with McKesson Corporation, pharmaceutical companies and industry experts, Onmark provides its members with access to a full portfolio of competitive contracts for pharmaceutical products and medical/surgical supplies, the most aggressive pricing available through McKesson, practice management resources, clinical tools and educational programs.  Onmark operates in NC as Onmark McKesson, Inc. For information about the products, services and programs available to Onmark members, visit www.onmarkservices.com.

About McKesson and McKesson Specialty Care Solutions
McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 15th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and healthcare information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and improving the quality and safety of patient care. McKesson has been in continuous operation for more than 175 years, making it the longest-operating company in healthcare today. Over the course of its history, McKesson has grown by providing pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients.  A division of McKesson Corporation, McKesson Specialty Care Solutions including Onmark delivers the services manufacturers, payors and providers need to ensure specialty pharmaceutical products, coordinated reimbursement and clinical services are available to patients with complex diseases. For more information on McKesson, visit http://www.mckesson.com. 

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