The oncologist-led program will significantly expand patient access to an advanced cellular therapy known as CAR-T cell therapy, which harnesses the body’s immune system to fight cancer. CAR-T therapy modifies a patient's T-cells to target and destroy cancer cells, offering a cutting-edge approach to personalized cancer care. This program marks the latest milestone in the collaboration between Tennessee Oncology and Ascension Saint Thomas.
Tennessee Oncology and Ascension Saint Thomas began offering this innovative treatment in August. The partnership aims to increase access to potentially curative treatments for more patients battling cancer across Tennessee. Patients covered by traditional Medicare and most managed care insurance plans are now eligible to receive CAR-T treatment at Tennessee Oncology, with continued care through Ascension Saint Thomas.
“This community-based CAR-T program is a significant step forward in our mission to provide every patient with access to the highest quality cancer care and the most advanced treatments available,” said Dr. Natalie Dickson, president and CEO of Tennessee Oncology. “By expanding the reach of CAR-T therapy into the community through this partnership, we are fulfilling our commitment to bring innovative, life-saving treatments closer to home for our patients.”
The new CAR-T care delivery model allows for seamless monitoring and care coordination between the Nashville-based clinic and hospital, ensuring patient safety and improving treatment outcomes.
“Patients eligible for CAR-T therapy often face aggressive cancers, and providing them with this advanced treatment as quickly as possible is critical to achieving the best outcomes,” said Dr. Mike Byrne, a Tennessee Oncology CAR-T subspecialist spearheading the initiative. “This partnership with Ascension Saint Thomas ensures our patients have easy access to advanced treatments and follow-up care.”
“Serving the needs of our patients and community is always our primary objective,” said Dr. Shubhada Jagasia, CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas. “This partnership not only reinforces our commitment to delivering excellent care but also brings advanced treatment options closer to home.”
Tennessee Oncology is an authorized treatment center for four CAR-T cell therapies, all FDA- approved for treating various types of blood cancers in patients who experience disease relapse after initial treatment.
About Ascension Saint Thomas
Ascension Saint Thomas is a leading health care system with a 125-year history of providing care to the community, and is the only faith-based, non profit health system in Middle Tennessee. Today, the health system offers a highly comprehensive system of care, with more than 250 sites of care that cover a 45-county area in Tennessee consisting of 16 hospitals and a network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, clinics and specialty facilities. Across the state, Ascension Saint Thomas and its partner organizations employ more than 13,000 dedicated associates who care for millions of patients each year. Ascension Saint Thomas is part of Ascension, one of the nation’s largest faith-based healthcare organizations committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension includes approximately 134,000 associates, 35,000 affiliated providers and 140 hospitals, serving communities in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visitwww.ascension.org.
About Tennessee Oncology:
Tennessee Oncology, one of the nation’s largest community-based cancer care practices, is home to one of the leading clinical trial networks in the country. Established 1976 in Nashville, Tennessee Oncology’s mission remains unchanged: To provide access to high-quality cancer care and the expertise of clinical research for all patients, at convenient locations within their community and close to their home. Our growing network of physicians and locations is based on this mission. For more information, visit www.tnoncology.com.
For media inquiries, please contact:
- Tennessee Oncology: Eric Hoffman at ehoffman@oneoncology.com
- Ascension Saint Thomas: Sherri McKinney at sherri.mckinney@ascension.org
