March is colorectal cancer awareness month, and Ohio is one of many at the forefront increasing awareness and improving screenings of colorectal cancer, for those 50 years and older. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the third leading cancer killer in the United States. In 2018, it is expected to cause roughly 50,630 deaths.
Recently, the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians was awarded the 80% by 2018 National Achievement Award, a national honor recognizing leadership in the ongoing effort to increase colorectal cancer screening rates across the United States, by the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT), an organization co-founded by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the CDC.
“We are honored to recognize the OAFP for their dedication and efforts to continue to increase awareness that colorectal cancer screening saves lives, but only if people get tested,” said Richard Wender, MD, chief cancer control officer of the ACS.
The 80% by 2018 National Achievement Award recognizes individuals and organizations who dedicate their time, talent, and expertise to advancing needed initiatives to reach the national goal of regularly screening 80% of adults age 50 or over for colorectal cancer. Over 1,600 organizations, including medical professional societies, academic centers, survivor groups, government agencies, cancer coalitions, cancer centers, and payers have signed a pledge to make this goal a priority.
“It’s about saving lives,” said Donald Mack, MD, president of the OAFP. “We are proud to have nearly 100 primary care offices across Ohio contribute significantly to increase screenings for colorectal cancer.”
Since 2008, the OAFP has organized a physician-led practice improvement project to increase colorectal cancer screenings in family physician practices across Ohio. The goal of the project is to assist family physicians and their care teams to increase colorectal cancer screening rates.
“The ACS is proud to partner with and support the OAFP in their efforts to save lives by increasing colorectal cancer screening in Ohio. We have seen the success of their project first hand, and cannot think of a more deserving organization to be honored by the NCCRT,” said Anna Fetzer, senior manager with the ACS.
The program not only improves patient health outcomes, but also helps strengthen practice efficiencies, and team communication. Other partner organizations include the Ohio Department of Health (ODH); ACS, North Central Ohio Region; the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers; and the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians.
“The OAFP has inspired partners across the nation with their collaborative and highly-successful approach to increasing colorectal cancer screening rates,” said Leigh Anne Hehr, Health Systems Manager, State-Based, North Central Ohio Region of the ACS. “It has been a pleasure to support their project over the years and congratulations on this much deserved award.”
“We are proud partner and support the OAFP and their efforts in promoting strategies through their quality improvement programming to increase colorectal cancer screenings,” said Clint Koenig, MD, medical director of the ODH. “We are pleased to add our congratulations to them for receiving this honor from the NCCRT.”
Additional recipients who were awarded include the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic, Oklahoma City, OK, as the grand prize winner; and AltaMed Health Services, Los Angeles, CA; Ameren, St. Louis, MO; The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH; Samuel C. Pace, MD, Tupelo, MS; and the Partnership for a Healthy Lincoln, Lincoln, NE.
The OAFP will be recognized, along with other award recipients, during the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month kickoff event on Thursday, March 8, in Los Angeles, CA. The event will feature celebrities, survivors, and medical experts. The event will be broadcast live on Facebook.com/MayoClinic from 4:00 – 4:20 p.m. and the panel discussions will broadcast on Facebook.com/AmericanCancerSociety from 4:20 – 5:00 p.m.
- Akron General Medical Center for Family Medicine
- Albert Weisbrot, MD
- Archbold Medical Group
- Arrowhead Clinic
- Aultman Family Medicine
- Bachtel and Associates Inc.
- Beavercreek Family Physicians
- Berger Family Medicine
- Bow Tie Medical
- Byron B. Morales, MD
- Care Alliance
- Center for Family Medicine – Fairview Hospital
- Chillicothe Family Physicians
- Cincinnati Health Department
- City of Cincinnati Health Department – Elm Street Health Center
- Cleveland Clinic Beachwood Department of Family Medicine
- Diamond Family Practice
- Weinberger & Vizy LLC
- East Dayton Health Center
- Eastside Family Medicine
- Fairborn Medical Canter
- Fairfield Medical Associates
- Family 1st Healthcare
- Family Health Care Inc.
- Family Health Center (Clinton Memorial Hospital/University of Cincinnati Family Medicine Residency)
- Family Medicine Care
- Family Medicine Center of Akron
- Family Physicians of Gahanna
- Family Physicians Inc.
- Family Practice Associates of Southwest Ohio
- Findlay Family Practice
- Flower Family Physicians
- Freeda J. Flynn, MD
- Glenwood Family Practice
- Green Primary Care
- Heart of Ohio Family Health Centers
- Heather A. Haynes, MD, LLC
- Henry County Family Physicians Inc.
- Huber Heights Family Practice
- Jitendra Patel, MD, Inc.
- Johnstown Family Practice
- Kenmore Family Medicine
- Knox County Health Department
- Lifecare Family Health and Dental Center
- Logan Family Medical Center
- Madison Health Primary Care
- Mason Family Health Center LLC
- Mercy Family Physicians Isaac Streets
- Mercy Primary Care – Swanton
- Mercy West Park Family Physicians
- Metropolitan Family Care
- MHMC Family Medicine Center
- Middletown CBOC
- Montrose Family Practice
- Mound Family Practice
- Muskingum Valley Health Centers
- Neighborhood Family Practice
- New London Family Practice LLC
- NOMS Family Medicine Associates
- North Canton Family Physicians Inc.
- North Hills Family Medicine
- Northeast Family Practice
- Northeast Ohio Neighborhood Health Association Inc.
- Northern Ohio Medical Specialists
- OhioHealth Primary Care Physicians
- OSU Rardin Family Practice Center
- Pearl Family Practice
- Pedro A. Ballester, MD Family Practice
- Physician Associates of Kemper Inc.
- Premier Physician Center
- Primary Care Specialists Inc.
- Provider Physicians East
- Rittman Family Practice
- Riverside Family Medicine
- Riverside Family Practice Center
- Scioto Family Physicians
- Scioto View Family Physicians
- South Pointe Primary Care
- Springfield Center for Family Medicine Inc.
- Elizabeth Family Medicine Residency/Youngstown Primary Care
- Luke’s Hospital/ University of Toledo Family Medicine Center
- Stephen C. Ulrich, MD
- Sugarcreek Family Medicine
- Summa Center at New Seasons: Center for Health Equity
- Sylvan Lakes Family Physicians
- The HealthCare Connection Inc.
- The Toledo Clinic
- University of Cincinnati Health Family Medicine – West Chester
- University Hospitals Ghent Family Practice
- Versailles Medical Center
- Waynesville Health Care
- Western Family Physicians
- Wyoming Family Practice Center.
Registration is still open to participate in the colorectal cancer screening improvement track at the 2018 Quality Improvement Summit, but space is limited. Register today or sign-up for another track such as hypertension management, breast and cervical cancer prevention and early detection, or diabetes prevention and management.