Strategic Partnership: FCS and COA advance interests of patients

By Emma Witmer

Building a better system for cancer care is a job too big for one organization, no matter how dedicated its staff may be.

Given that reality, FCS partners with organizations such as the Community Oncology Alliance (COA).

Rose Gerber is Director of Patient Advocacy and Education for COA’s Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN), that works closely with FCS and other practices around the country to spearhead policymaking, innovation, and reform of the cancer care system.

“I just love the FCS chapter,” Gerber said. “They keep me inspired. A lot of what I do is educating and mentoring others. I try my best to keep leaders interested, and when I have leaders like Beth Wittmer, Dr. Mike Diaz and Dr. Lucio Gordan, who are high-ranking within the practice and truly support advocacy, I know we can accomplish great things.”

FCS launched its CPAN chapter in 2014 under the joint leadership of then Director of Care Management Don Champlain, RN, MHA and current Director of Care Management Beth Wittmer, RN, OCN. The two served as co-chairs of the chapter for three years until Champlain sadly lost his battle with cancer.

Over the last eight years, Wittmer and Gerber have worked side by side to educate clinicians, patients, survivors, and their families on the complex system of cancer care and empower them to act.

As the CPAN Chapter Leader for FCS, Wittmer is in constant contact with liaisons throughout the FCS network to garner support. She organizes quarterly physician-led speaking events with patients and families to provide education and identify what legislation is coming up that could be helpful or detrimental to their care. Even with the challenges posed by COVID-19 restrictions, Wittmer has persevered with virtual events.

​​“Our goal with CPAN is to make people more aware of what they can do by standing up and advocating for cancer care and the difference that it truly makes in the community setting,” Wittmer said. “We are always looking for ways to bring more awareness to the importance of this chapter and the need for more patients, families and FCS team members to get involved.

FCS doctors and nurses have added powerful voices to numerous state and national CPAN events by identifying patients willing to share their cancer stories through the “I AM Community Oncology” campaign. In addition, FCS has invited Sen. Rick Scott and Sen. Marco Rubio to experience FCS facilities through the Sit in My Chair event. Prior to the pandemic, live visits were hosted in FCS clinics throughout the state.

Time and again, CPAN advocates from FCS have espoused the importance of affordable and easily accessible care and the value of clinical trials, and regularly speak on CPAN patient advisory boards, at statewide events and on Capitol Hill.

One issue that the chapter has worked to address is the impact of pharmacy benefit managers on access to medication.

FCS and CPAN have also worked in tandem to block legislation like the Trump administration’s Most Favored Nation proposal, which would have barred at least 20 percent of cancer patients on Medicare from access to treatment.

“We want to de-complicate these issues so that patients and their families have a good understanding of what their rights are and so that their voices can be heard at the legislative level,” Wittmer said.

“The work we do with CPAN is so important,” added FCS President & Managing Physician Michael Diaz, MD. “The better we initiate and educate our patients, the better they can advocate for themselves. It helps them understand how and where they can turn for support, and it helps them understand that they are not alone in this process. If we can work together, we can help them navigate through what can be one of the most difficult times in anyone’s life.”

Email the FCS CPAN group for more information or to learn how you can get involved at CPAN@FLCancer.com