West Clinic Receives Clinical Trials Participation Award from ASCO

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The West Clinic, a world-class center of excellence in oncology, hematology, radiology and other advanced medical care, announced today that it is one of only 10 community oncology practices nationwide to receive an honor from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and The ASCO Cancer Foundation for efforts to improve care of people with cancer through participation in clinical trials. ASCO's 2010 Clinical Trials Participation Award (CTPA) was presented to The West Clinic on June 6, 2010 during ASCO's 46th Annual Meeting in Chicago.

According to Lee S. Schwartzberg, MD, FACP, Medical Director, "The West Clinic has been the Mid-South's leading provider of ongoing clinical research for over 25 years.  We are proud to accept this recognition from ASCO, the premier worldwide organization of cancer providers.  Clinical research is a vital endeavor for The West Clinic as we recognize that today's clinical trials hold tomorrow's successful cancer therapies."  

The West Clinic was nominated by ACORN Research for this award.  "We conduct clinical trials with many oncology research sites around the country and are consistently impressed with the commitment to the research mission we observe at The West Clinic," explained Edward J. Stepanski, PhD, Chief Operating Officer of ACORN Research.

The Clinical Trials Participation Awards, supported by a grant from the Coalition of Cooperative Groups, enable ASCO to recognize 10 practices based on several factors including patient accrual rates, accrual of minority and underrepresented populations, and innovative techniques in overcoming barriers to participation in clinical trials. Of the 1.3 million people who will be diagnosed with cancer this year, only 3 to 5 percent will participate in cancer-related clinical trials.

About The West Clinic

The West Clinic is the Mid-South's premier provider of multidisciplinary cancer care with 30 specialty providers in medical oncology, hematology, gynecologic oncology, diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, endocrinology, rheumatology, pain & palliative care, internal medicine, and psychology. West Clinic currently has eight clinics in Memphis, the Mid-South, and North Mississippi. As a nationally-recognized leader in cancer research, West Clinic has consistently been one of the first centers nationally to gain experience with most of the major advances in adult cancer. For a list of available clinical trials at The West Clinic visit www.westclinic.com.

About ACORN Research, LLC

ACORN Research, LLC is a multi-faceted research organization that combines a network of committed oncology research sites with centralized site management, a BioBank with a commitment to the advancement of bioscience, HOPE [Health Outcomes PharmacoEconomics], and a Contract Research Organization [CRO] into one seamless research operation. ACORN Research, LLC includes an infrastructure of medical oncologists, doctoral level scientists, statisticians, and other professional staff with many years of oncology specific research experience. www.acornresearch.net.

About The ASCO Cancer Foundation

The ASCO Cancer Foundation funds research and education programs both in the U.S. and abroad. By harnessing the knowledge of more than 28,000 oncology professionals in the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), we help deliver physician-approved information directly to those in need. Through these efforts, we improve the lives of those affected by cancer. For more information visit www.ascocancerfoundation.org.

About ASCO

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world's leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. With more than 28,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs, and peer-reviewed journals. For ASCO information and resources, visit www.asco.org. Patient-oriented cancer information is available at www.Cancer.Net.

For additional information please contact Deborah Coble, 901-683-0055 ext. 1312.

SOURCE The West Clinic