Partnership to enhance breast cancer treatment for Veterans

VA has launched a new strategic partnership with Duke University and Baylor College of Medicine toward building VA’s National Women Veterans Oncology System of Excellence, integrating the best of the public and private sectors to serve patients.

This partnership will recruit the nation’s top breast cancer oncologists to advance and improve health outcomes for women Veterans.

Through a shared commitment to transform cancer prevention, treatment and outcomes while providing highly coordinated, integrated patient centered care, this partnership will recruit the nation’s top breast cancer oncologists to advance and improve health outcomes for women Veterans. It will also launch new collaborative research programs.

“VA is steadfast in building bold and innovative partnerships such as this one with Duke and Baylor, which is consistent with VA’s vision to address the public health crisis presented by cancer,” said VA Deputy Secretary Pamela Powers.

Fighting cancer a top priority

“It is among our top priorities to fight cancer, serve our Veterans, build world class partnerships and hire innovative and well-respected cancer care professionals,” Powers said.

In addition to prioritizing co-recruitment efforts, developing national tumor boards and increasing Veteran access to clinical trials, VA, Duke University and Baylor will create a multi-disciplinary steering committee for implementation of these partnerships.

The National Women Veterans Oncology System of Excellence will also partner with the National Cancer Institute, other federal agencies, academic organizations and pharmaceutical and health care technology companies.

These partnerships will provide tele-oncology, decentralized clinical trials and personalized cancer care to women Veterans nationwide.