Meet Karen Beard of Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology (GASCO)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Beard.

The Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology (“GASCO”) was founded in 1986 when hematology and oncology professionals determined a cancer focused organization was required to be the most effective voice of the cancer care community. GASCO is also the state affiliate of The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), although we operate independent of ASCO

Since its inception, GASCO has established itself as one of the leading state societies for cancer care professionals. Our effectiveness is expressed by the words innovation, communication, collaboration and education. The society was created to educate our members and their staffs on clinical and healthcare economic issues and participate in programs to enhance quality of care for patients. We create or support policy initiatives at the local and national level, create a forum of communication among our members, promote research and develop collaborative relationships within Georgia’s cancer prevention and treatment community. GASCO members are active at the national level as faculty and advisors on research for clinical improvement and creation of public policy affecting cancer patients.

As a professional society, GASCO is unique, with membership open to physicians, clinical affiliates, practice administrators, business staff and cancer patient navigators. GASCO’ Board members include community cancer care physicians as well as representatives from the Emory University School of Medicine’s Winship Cancer Institute and the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.

GASCO created the Cancer Patient Navigators of Georgia (CPNG) in 2009, the first statewide cancer patient navigators’ association with membership extended to anyone providing clinical, psycho-social and financial navigation to cancer patients throughout the continuum of care. CPNG support is provided in partnership with GA Center for Oncology Research & Education (“GA CORE”). Its leadership is frequently requested to serve as speakers and advisors to other states on building such an organization. Its statewide multi-disciplinary Steering Committee creates opportunities each year to share best practices, emerging therapies and complementary alternative care.

GASCO has recently formed The Cancer Foundation of Georgia, Inc. to build revenue sources to benefit the projects and educational programs to benefit the cancer care professionals and their patients.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Historically, the organization was focused on management and health plan and other third-party payor issues. Therefore, most of the participants in the society were practice administrators, managers and billing staff. This was during a time of significant change in management of oncology practices and drastic modifications in the way Medicare decided to reimburse cancer care. Keeping up with the economic roller coaster in regulatory policy continues to be one of our most important roles.

Over the past few years our focus has been on maintaining our relevance to our members on clinical as well as economic issues. We have done so by enhancing our offerings for clinical education and promotion of access to clinical trials in the communities where patient live. Our physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants and other clinical staff recognize us for the high level of educational content we provide.

I remember a clinical education meeting ten years ago. We had five (5) physicians attend. This followed a practice manager meeting with over 100 attendees. By focusing our efforts on clinical education and providing important topics for our professional members and their clinical staff, our clinical meeting attendance has soared. A very popular meeting is our annual review of the presentations at the Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Our meeting provides discussions of the most significant findings at San Antonio that are likely to change the way in which breast cancer patients will be treated. Our San Antonio review meeting last January had well over 100 medical and surgical physician attendees.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology (GASCO) – what should we know?
GASCO is a not for profit 501(c)(6). We serve oncology providers in Georgia. We are committed to serving the needs of oncology providers in order to ensure delivery of the highest quality of compassionate cancer care.

Our Vision:

– To Advocate for Cancer Care Providers
– To Guide Integration of Cancer Care through Collaboration
– To Be The Acknowledged Provider of Supportive Resources for Members of the Cancer Community
– To Support Attainment of State Cancer Control Plan Objectives

GASCO is committed to:

– Promoting quality care initiatives
– Enhancing access to care
– Improving access to research clinical trials
– Integrity and transparency regarding resources
– Encouraging an environment of collaboration among colleagues
– Providing services that meet the needs of members
– Addressing issues of relevance to the cancer care community

Our basic function is to provide clinical education to our members. In addition, GASCO is known for our advocacy efforts on both a local and national basis with Board and other members involved with legislation affecting the delivery and financing of cancer care.

Our sponsors and members have access to our Georgia State Lobbyist on areas of common concern throughout the year. We have often provided improvements in the initial language of bills that would have had very adverse and unintended consequences when applied to the needs of cancer care patients. Over the past 10 years, GASCO has become a trusted resource for state legislators and agencies for potential rule changes which may affect our members and their patients. GASCO’s past successes the Georgia legislature have included a limit on the out-of pocket cost to patients on high priced oral chemotherapy, passage of the Honorable Jimmy Carter Act to provide easier access to advanced therapies for Stage 4 cancer patients, important legislative language on quality control in compounding pharmacies, and creation of a new State supported Palliative Care Advisory group to improve access to these valuable services throughout Georgia. In 2017 GASCO played an important role in reviewing and modifying the language of the state bill to control administration of opioids in Georgia without adversely affecting pain management of cancer and hospice patients. GASCO’s immediate past president also worked with ASCO to provide testimony and information to the US Congress on the national opioid bill.

We have members and staff in leadership and advisory positions on ASCO’s Board, State Affiliate Council, their Governmental Relations, Education and Workforce Committees.

GASCO members were also instrumental in the founding and the ongoing work of the Community Oncology Alliance and also had representatives on a three year Atlanta Business Leadership Initiative on Cancer Care. There is an innovative NCI funded patient access project in rural northwest Georgia, in conjunction with Georgia Tech that utilizes mobile technology for communication with cancer care patients on symptom management, We are active on the task force to write, amend and implement the Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan and participate on the colorectal and Lung Cancer Round tables to attack two of the most preventable causes of these tumor types.

We have much to be proud of. The involvement and unselfish contributions of our Board and general membership and a willingness to engage in collaborative projects set us apart from similar organizations. What sets us apart is the depth of knowledge and proficiency at both the leadership and member level expressed in a commitment to improving the care experience of all cancer patients in Georgia and nationally.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Over the last several years, many medical systems have retreated into their own silos, A touchstone of our mission is GASCO’s commitment to foster a climate of collaboration among all segments of the cancer care continuum. We have conducted meetings and projects performed in conjunction with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education (GA CORE), the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and Augusta University. The Morehouse School of Medicine has also added to our mission of caring and reduction of disparities in care. Our educational collaboration with GA CORE and the state medical schools is aimed toward providing less duplication on content while allowing each part of the team to contribute based on their core competencies. This has provided more robust meetings for all our constituents as well as success in the research and translational fields.

We are also willing to change our course to meet new demands and challenges. In addition to our refocusing on clinical education we have also created a new group under our membership umbrella. In 2010, after several years of planning we, along with The Georgia Cancer Coalition (GCC) and the Georgia Cancer Foundation (GCF) launched the Cancer Patient Navigators of Georgia. CPNG is a statewide organization of people who guide individuals and their families through the continuum of cancer care. CPNG’s mission is to connect, educate and share best practices among patient navigators in Georgia, so that together we can successfully reduce barriers and increase access to services specifically related to cancer.

Contact Info:

• Address: 3330 Cumberland Blvd.,
  Suite 225, Atlanta, GA 30339
• Website: www.gasco.us
• Phone: 770-951-1018
• Email: russ.still@gasco.us | karen.beard@gasco.us

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