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On Monday, Sept. 25, leadership from the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services and the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center met to create a transformative partnership.

Cheryl Roberts, J.D., director of DMAS, encapsulated the spirit of the collaboration, stating, “Of all things folks struggle with, they shouldn’t have to struggle with healthcare.” Her words resonated as a call to action, emphasizing the collective responsibility to ensure that healthcare access is not an additional burden for those facing the challenges of illness.

During the initial meeting, key personnel from both organizations engaged in a discussion aimed to lay the groundwork for a multifaceted partnership. Katherine Tossas, Ph.D., director of catchment area data access and alignment and Harrison Scholar, Andrew Poklepovic, M.D., associate director for clinical research and medical oncologist, and Arnethea Sutton, Ph.D., a member of the Cancer Prevention and Control research program, were among those present from Massey and fielded questions from the DMAS team. The group discussed strategies to dispel misconceptions surrounding clinical trials, a commitment to bridge the gap between faith and science within the community and, most significantly, the development of targeted approaches to provide care to the most at-risk residents of Virginia.

 

Robert A. Winn, M.D., director and Lipman Chair of Oncology at Massey, brought a visionary perspective to the meeting, declaring, “Most folks think cancer centers are only for research, that maybe was true [in previous years], now we need to take the science and combine it with high-touch care. We need to get the data, not so we can get more grants, but so we can make better-informed care decisions.” His statement reflects a shift in the approach toward healthcare, signaling a commitment to incorporate cutting-edge research with compassionate patient care.

As a result of this initial meeting, Massey and DMAS leadership expressed eagerness to meet in the near future to plan scalable community focused projects addressing issues like health education and access. This collaborative effort represents a beacon of hope in the realm of healthcare, going beyond institutional boundaries to address the holistic needs of the community.

Written by: Keith Jones