Advancing Equity in Cancer Care: Kashyap Patel, MD [Video]

Health inequity is one of the biggest challenges facing healthcare today—and community oncology clinics play a significant role in addressing it, according to Kashyap Patel, MD, CEO of Carolina Blood and Cancer Care Associates.

“Independent cancer clinics don’t just serve a community, they’re an integral part of it,” explains Dr. Patel. “With the right tools and resources, there’s no provider better positioned to move the needle on health equity.”

As the COVID-19 pandemic shed light on disparities in access, affordability, and outcomes, Dr. Patel created the No One Left Alone Foundation (NOLA) to improve health equity in his community and empower other community oncology clinics to do the same.

With the support of the Community Oncology Alliance, Dr. Patel launched two pilot programs designed to reduce financial, transportation, and other barriers to care patients may face. Community oncology practices across the country now implement NOLA’s successes and learnings to launch their own health equity initiatives.

“Community oncology always has—and always will—put patients first,” says Dr. Patel. “Creating a more equitable cancer care system is a natural, necessary next step that community oncology clinics are committed to taking.”