American Oncology Network (AON) Partners With Annexus Health to Help Patients Get the Financial Assistance They Need to Afford Lifesaving Treatment

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AON has selected Adparo®, a tech-enabled solution from Annexus Health, to optimize its patient financial assistance workflow process

Sewickley, Pa., Apr. 19, 2022 – Annexus Health, Inc., the leading healthcare technology company that is revolutionizing the patient access journey through its innovative solutions, today announced a partnership with American Oncology Network, LLC (AON), a high-growth medical oncology provider with a focus on supporting the long-term viability of oncology treatment in community-based settings. Through this partnership, the Adparo® team of experienced financial counselors—leveraging the Annexus Health workflow platform, AssistPoint®—will support AON practices to enhance their patient financial assistance workflow process and secure more financial assistance for more patients.

“The financial toxicity faced by cancer patients has dramatically increased over the years,” said AON Chief Executive Officer Todd Schonherz. “At AON, we’re committed to minimizing the financial impact of cancer on families. This partnership with Annexus Health will help to overcome these financial barriers and reduce these burdens.”

Adparo® will provide trained, experienced staff with in-depth knowledge of revenue cycle and access service complexities to assist AON practices by:

  • Proactively working up each patient prior to treatment to assess financial assistance needs
  • Conducting eligibility verification and benefit investigation for patients on treatment
  • Managing patient assistance and free drug programs through AssistPoint®
  • Providing financial cost estimates for treatment
  • Billing, posting payment, and transferring the final balance to the patient “

Annexus Health is in hyper-growth mode, and we’re excited to partner with AON for an incredible expansion of efforts to generationally disrupt how the patient access journey is managed,” said Annexus Health Co-Founder and CEO Joe Baffone. “Our Adparo® services division will utilize our market-leading technology platform, AssistPoint®, to manage the entire cycle of important financial assistance and other access services for AON’s rapidly growing membership in order to help patients get the care they deserve.”

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About American Oncology Network, LLC: AONcology.com
American Oncology Network, LLC (AON) is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success of community oncology. Launched in 2018, the rapidly expanding AON network currently represents 107 physicians and 85 nurse practitioners and physician assistants practicing across 16 states. The executive management team of AON encompasses more than three decades of oncology practice management experience, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most—providing the highest quality care for patients.

The organization provides unique and comprehensive protocols for managing administrative procedures and enhancing ancillary services for its affiliates. AON is able to aggregate volume and attain economies of scale, as it guides its member physicians and practices through the transition to value-based reimbursement models that improve the patient experience and help to reduce the per capita cost of cancer care.

AON also provides a unique model of physician-led, community-based oncology management. With services such as a centralized specialty pharmacy, diagnostics, pathology, fully integrated electronic medical records, a care management team and a variety of financial assistance programs, an alliance with AON ensures that patients’ experiences will be at the very pinnacle of cancer care today. 

About Annexus Health
Annexus Health is the leading healthcare technology company that is revolutionizing the patient access journey by delivering innovative solutions, including tech-enabled services, that reduce financial and administrative burdens to improve access, speed, and adherence to critical care. Learn more at annexushealth.com.

American Oncology Network Vice President of Pharmacy Operations Melody Chang Co-Authors Study Examining Cost of Care in Hospital Outpatient Versus Community Oncology Among Commercially Insured Patients with Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

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Study reveals total cost of care is 29% lower in community oncology settings.

Fort Myers, Fla., Apr. 11, 2022 – American Oncology Network, LLC (AON) Vice President of Pharmacy Operations Melody Chang, RPh, MBA, BCOP is co-author of a study that examined the total cost of care among commercially insured patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer receiving NCCN® Category 1 preferred regimens in hospital outpatient versus community oncology settings. Results from the research study were presented at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) 2022 annual meeting recently held in Chicago March 29 – April 1, 2022.

Research shows that cancer treatment costs among commercially insured patients vary depending on where patients receive care. There is limited research evaluating cost of care for commercial patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer receiving NCCN® Category 1 preferred regimens.

The study’s analysis indicates that across all regimens, mean total cost of care was 29% lower in community oncology centers than in hospital outpatient settings. This difference in cost was most pronounced for patients receiving 1L FOLFIRINOX and least for patients receiving 1L gemcitabine monotherapy. Chang and her fellow co-authors concluded: “Mean total cost of care is lower for patients receiving treatment with the same regimens at community oncology centers compared to hospital outpatient settings.”

To read the complete research poster, visit: https://www.jmcp.org/doi/pdf/10.18553/jmcp.2022.28.3-a.s1 page 15.

American Oncology Network and Low Country Cancer Care Expand to Waycross Georgia Opening New Office

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Fort Myers, Fla., April 5, 2022 – American Oncology Network, LLC (AON) and its partner, Low Country Cancer Care (LCCC), are pleased to announce the opening of their sixth cancer center located at 1206 Alice Street in Waycross, Ga. Medical oncologist and hematologist Dr. Asit Jha will be joining LCCC and practicing at this new site.

Dr. Jha obtained his medical education from Grant Medical College, University of Bombay in India. He is Board certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology.

Other LCCC locations are in Savannah, Hinesville, Statesboro and Pooler, Ga., and Bluffton, S.C. Including Dr. Jha, the team now consists of five medical oncologists. LCCC offers a comprehensive range of treatments for patients diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders.

Dr. Jha of the LCCC Waycross office said, “This clinic will offer patients advanced treatment and care, close to where they live. Patients will not only have access to clinical research and innovative therapies, but they’ll also benefit from 24/7 pharmacy assistance and in-house pathology, laboratory and specialty pharmacy services.”

AON President & Chief Development Officer Brad Prechtl, MBA said, “Dr. Jha moved to Waycross so he could provide high quality cancer care to patients living in rural areas where medical resources are scarce which is the foundation of Low Country Cancer Care and AON—making him a perfect fit to join our team.”

AON Chief Executive Officer Todd Schonherz added, “The addition of Dr. Jha and the expansion into the sixth clinic in Georgia will help ensure our patients have access to the latest advancements and affordable cancer care where they live.”

LCCC is committed to providing the community with innovative cancer care that is based on research, evidence-based medicine and focused on the whole person. Cancer patients will now have access to a diverse range of services for diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials, survivorship and patient support, giving them unparalleled access to comprehensive, integrated cancer care, close to home.

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About Low Country Cancer Care: (LCCCSav.com)
Low Country Cancer Care has six locations, including an office in Savannah and Waycross and four satellite offices in Hinesville, Statesboro and Pooler, Georgia and Bluffton, South Carolina. The team includes five medical oncologists and five advanced practice providers who provide a comprehensive range of treatment for patients diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders.

About American Oncology Network, LLC: (AONcology.com)
American Oncology Network, LLC (AON) is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success of community oncology. Launched in 2018, the rapidly expanding AON network represents 107 physicians and 85 nurse practitioners and physician assistants practicing across 16 states. The executive management team of AON encompasses more than three decades of oncology practice management experience, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most – providing the highest quality care for patients.

The organization provides unique and comprehensive protocols for managing administrative procedures and enhancing ancillary services for its affiliates. AON is able to aggregate volume and attain economies of scale, as it guides its member physicians and practices through the transition to value-based reimbursement models that improve the patient experience and help to reduce the per-capita cost of cancer care.

AON also provides a unique model of physician led, community-based oncology management. With services such as a centralized specialty pharmacy, diagnostics, pathology, fully integrated electronic medical records, a care management team and a variety of financial assistance programs, an alliance with AON ensures that patients’ experiences will be at the very pinnacle of cancer care today.

For More Information, Contact:
American Oncology Network, LLC
Caroline Hewitt, Vice President of  Marketing
Caroline.Hewitt@AONcology.com

American Oncology Network Remains Committed to Closing the Gap in Cancer Care

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Fort Myers, Fla., Mar. 16, 2022 – Overshadowed in recent years by the pandemic, cancer remains the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1.8 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer each year and 600,000 die from the disease. Out of those 1.8 million Americans, many continue to face barriers to receiving care.

Despite the rapid advances in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, long-standing health inequities such as access to care caused by geographical location and income are just a few of the factors that can negatively impact cancer care.

Community oncology practices, where most Americans battling cancer receive treatment, are key to this effort in closing the gap in cancer care. Research has shown that having easy and convenient access to expert physician care and a comprehensive range of treatments and support services close to home is vital to a cancer patient’s well-being. In addition to providing a comfortable, more personalized environment, community oncology practices provide innovative therapies including immunotherapy, precision medicine and access to research, all at a lower cost to patients and payers.

American Oncology Network, LLC (AON), a high-growth medical oncology provider with a focus on supporting the long-term viability of oncology treatment in community-based settings remains committed to closing the gap in cancer care ensuring every patient has access to the care needed to help fight their cancer.

Just over three years since its inception, the AON network has expanded to include more than 190 physicians and advanced practice providers in over 70 clinics across 16 states. With practices in some of the most densely populated cities to more rural areas where medical resources are scarce, AON’s mission is to provide the best cancer care that is affordable and close to where patients live.

“We have made great strides in just three years,” noted AON Chief Executive Officer Todd Schonherz. “Close to 160,000 patients have received treatment at AON clinics across the country and we’ve welcomed over 70,000 new patients. Our in-house laboratory has processed over 7.7 million clinical lab tests and almost 6,100 pathology specimens. And our specialty pharmacy has delivered over 63,540 scripts.”

While diagnostic and therapeutic advances have led to increased cancer survival and remission rates, as well as a higher quality of life, these advances can too often result in exorbitant treatment costs, particularly when delivered by a hospital system. According to data by Health 2018, 62% of cancer patients report being in debt due to their treatment, 55% accrue at least $10,000 in debt, while 3% file for bankruptcy. In fact, each year cancer costs in America exceed $80 billion.

AON practices are focused on providing the best oncology care while also responsibly controlling cancer costs for patients and associated insurance plans. This combination ensures the best possible outcomes while reducing financial burdens. Through strategic partnerships, AON and its practices continue to help patients with rising out-of-pocket costs. In 2021 alone, as patients endured even greater financial difficulties resulting from the pandemic, AON sourced over $26 million in free medications and $22 million in financial assistance for patients.

“As the Oncology Care Model terms this year with no clear replacement in sight and as pharmacy benefit managers continue their extortion of oncology pharmacies, I am thankful to be part of a larger team such as AON with the resources and talent to navigate these waters,” said Genesis Cancer and Blood Institute Medical Oncologist Dr. Stephen “Fred” Divers. “AON’s visionary drivers are founded on helping community oncology practices thrive ensuring patients have access to exceptional cancer care close to home.” Dr. Divers also serves on the Board of Directors for the Community Oncology Alliance dedicated to advocating for community oncology practices and the patients they serve and is Chairman of the AON Advisory Board.

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About American Oncology Network, LLC: (AONcology.com)
American Oncology Network, LLC (AON) is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success of community oncology. Launched in 2018, the rapidly growing AON network represents 107 physicians and 85 nurse practitioners and physician assistants practicing across 17 states. The executive management team of AON brings more than three decades of oncology practice management experience, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most – providing the highest quality care for patients.

The organization provides unique and comprehensive protocols for managing administrative procedures and enhancing ancillary services for its affiliates. AON is able to aggregate volume and attain economies of scale, as it guides its member physicians and practices through the transition to value-based reimbursement models that improve the patient experience and help to reduce the per-capita cost of cancer care.

AON also provides a unique model of physician led, community-based oncology management. With services such as a centralized specialty pharmacy, diagnostics, pathology, fully integrated electronic medical records, a care management team and a variety of financial assistance programs, an alliance with AON ensures that patients’ experiences will be at the very pinnacle of cancer care today.

Contact:
American Oncology Network, LLC
Caroline Hewitt, Vice President of Marketing
Caroline.Hewitt@AONcology.com 

American Oncology Network & Hematology Oncology of Indiana Welcome Ashwin Vasudevamurthy, MD

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Indianapolis, Ind., Mar. 1, 2022 – The physicians of Hematology Oncology of Indiana (HOI) , Drs. Ruemu E. Birhiray, Jenelle S. Miller, Daniel T. Milton, Brian P. Mulherin, Deng Zhang and M. Sarfraz Nawaz welcome Medical Oncologist Ashwin Vasudevamurthy, MD to the practice.  HOI is an American Oncology Network, LLC (AON) partner.

Dr. Vasudevamurthy will be seeing patients at the Lebanon, Harcourt, Logansport and Breast Center locations.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Indiana University and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Ross University School of Medicine. Dr. Vasudevamurthy continued his training with the completion of his internal medicine residency at St. Vincent Hospital Indianapolis.  He then worked as a hospitalist for two years at the Indiana Hemophilia & Thrombosis Center, followed by a fellowship in oncology and hematology at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans.

“I met Dr. Vasudevamurthy during his residency training in 2009 and was impressed with his innate ability to connect with his patients.  I am excited to collaborate with him to help bring the latest advancements in cancer treatments to our patients,” said Dr. Birhiray of Hematology Oncology of Indiana.

AON President & Chief Development Officer Brad Prechtl, MBA added, “Dr. Vasudevamurthy found his calling by matching his love of science with his desire to help others.  We are thrilled to have his high level of passion for patient care.”

HOI provides high quality cancer care at six locations, including two offices in metropolitan Indianapolis, and additional offices in Logansport, Lebanon, Noblesville, and Fishers, Indiana.  The practice offers infusion therapy, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, an in-house laboratory performing all routine blood work on-site and an in-house specialty pharmacy. Patients also have access to care management support services including behavioral health therapy, nutrition guidance and financial counseling.

AON Chief Executive Officer Todd Schonherz continued, “Dr. Vasudevamurthy’s philosophy aligns with HOI and AON’s focus on delivering top quality cancer care with convenience and efficiency so patients can get the care they need locally while helping to preserve their quality of life.”

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About Hematology Oncology of Indiana: (www.HematologyOncologyIN.com)

Specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders and cancer, Hematology Oncology of Indiana (HOI) has six offices in the Central Indiana area. Hematology Oncology of Indiana is the Hematology/Oncology practice of Ruemu Birhiray, MD, Jenelle Miller, MD, Daniel Milton, MD, Brian Mulherin, MD, Deng Zhang, MD, PhD., M. Sarfraz Nawaz, MD and Ashwin Vasudevamurthy, MD. The practice’s highly trained and experienced clinical staff includes Nurse Practitioners, Oncology-Certified Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses and Medical Assistants. In addition, HOI’s Financial Counselors assist patients in navigating through insurance benefits coverage and identifying financial assistance options and opportunities.

About American Oncology Network, LLC: AONcology.com

American Oncology Network, LLC (AON) is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success of community oncology. Launched in 2018, the rapidly expanding AON network currently represents 107 physicians and 83 nurse practitioners and physician assistants practicing across 16 states. The executive management team of AON encompasses more than three decades of oncology practice management experience, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most – providing the highest quality care for patients.

The organization provides unique and comprehensive protocols for managing administrative procedures and enhancing ancillary services for its affiliates. AON is able to aggregate volume and attain economies of scale, as it guides its member physicians and practices through the transition to value-based reimbursement models that improve the patient experience and help to reduce the per capita cost of cancer care.

AON also provides a unique model of physician-led, community-based oncology management. With services such as a centralized specialty pharmacy, diagnostics, pathology, fully integrated electronic medical records, a care management team and a variety of financial assistance programs, an alliance with AON ensures that patients’ experiences will be at the very pinnacle of cancer care today.

For More Information, Contact:
American Oncology Network, LLC
Caroline Hewitt
Vice President of Marketing
Caroline.Hewitt@AONcology.com

American Oncology Network & Oncology/Hematology of Loudoun and Reston Welcome Pranitha Naini, MD

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Loudoun, Va., Mar. 1, 2022 – Drs. Rangappa Rajendra and Jeffrey White of Oncology/Hematology of Loudoun and Reston (OHLR) an American Oncology Network, LLC (AON) partner, welcome Medical Oncologist and Hematologist Dr. Pranitha Naini.

Dr. Naini will be seeing patients at 44055 Riverside Parkway, Suite 224, Lansdowne, Va. She earned her medical degree from Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad, India. After completing her residency in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins University at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore she then completed her fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine.

“Dr. Naini has over 15 years’ experience in treating all tumor types, additionally she brings our patients extensive expertise in breast, lung and neurological cancers,” said Dr. Rajendra of Oncology/Hematology of Loudoun and Reston.

AON President & Chief Development Officer Brad Prechtl, MBA added, “Dr. Naini’s passion is to give hope, educate and bring happiness to her patients. She experienced cancer within her own family, both her aunt and her father, and treats every patient as she would treat her loved one.”

OHLR provides comprehensive medical oncology care all under one roof—an in-house laboratory performing all routine blood work on-site, centralized pathology for accurate and timely reports, immunotherapy, infusion services and 24/7 assistance from an in-house specialty pharmacy. Patients also have access to care management support services including nutrition guidance and financial counseling.

AON Chief Executive Officer Todd Schonherz continued, “The addition of Dr. Naini helps OHLR continue to provide the best cancer care that is also affordable and conveniently located in the communities where patients live.”

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About Oncology/Hematology of Loudoun and Reston: (LoudounOncology.com)
Oncology/Hematology of Loudoun and Reston, founded in 1997, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of adults with cancer or hematological abnormalities. State-of-the-art treatment is administered by knowledgeable and professional staff in a warm, compassionate atmosphere. Patients, family members and caregivers are treated with dignity and respect towards the common goals of health and healing.

About American Oncology Network, LLC: (AONcology.com)
American Oncology Network, LLC (AON) is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success of community oncology. Launched in 2018, the rapidly growing AON network represents 107 physicians and 83 nurse practitioners and physician assistants practicing across 16 states. The executive management team of AON brings more than three decades of oncology practice management experience, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most – providing the highest quality care for patients.

The organization provides unique and comprehensive protocols for managing administrative procedures and enhancing ancillary services for its affiliates. AON is able to aggregate volume and attain economies of scale, as it guides its member physicians and practices through the transition to value-based reimbursement models that improve the patient experience and help to reduce the per-capita cost of cancer care.

AON also provides a unique model of physician led, community-based oncology management. With services such as a centralized specialty pharmacy, diagnostics, pathology, fully integrated electronic medical records, a care management team and a variety of financial assistance programs, an alliance with AON ensures that patients’ experiences will be at the very pinnacle of cancer care today.

For More Information, Contact:
Caroline Hewitt, Vice President of  Marketing
Caroline.Hewitt@AONcology.com

American Oncology Network Partners with InfuSystem to Provide Patients Ambulatory Infusion Pumps

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Enabling continuity of care for cancer patients from clinic to home

Fort Myers, Fla., Feb. 28, 2022 – American Oncology Network, LLC (AON), a high-growth medical oncology provider with a focus on supporting the long-term viability of cancer treatment in community-based settings, announced today it has entered into an agreement with InfuSystem Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American: INFU) (InfuSystem), a leading national health care service provider, facilitating outpatient care for durable medical equipment manufacturers and health care providers, to provide ambulatory infusion pumps and services, effective January 1, 2022. As part of the agreement, InfuSystem will provide its ambulatory infusion pump service, which includes electronic infusion pumps for continuous chemotherapy treatment, a 24/7 clinical hotline, biomedical services, accompanying supplies and revenue cycle management.

Richard DiIorio, Chief Executive Officer of InfuSystem, said, “We are pleased to partner with AON to provide ambulatory infusion pumps and services across their network of oncology facilities in the U.S. This agreement will be a third-party payer model and serviced from our existing fleet of more than 100,000 infusion pumps to effectively manage the utilization of our fleet and our turnkey services. We believe this agreement further validates our value proposition for our customers to cost effectively provide infusion pumps and manage their fleets with best-in-class service in safely facilitating clinic-to-home care. We value this new partnership with AON and look forward to a long and successful relationship to improve patient wellness.”

Todd Schonherz, Chief Executive Officer of AON, said, “We are excited to be working with InfuSystem as they have a long history of providing industry leading customer service and patient support. Their commitment and skill set from providing infusion pumps to managing the revenue cycle will deliver significant efficiencies for AON. This allows us to focus on our expertise in delivering the best treatments to improve patient care and outcomes.”

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About InfuSystem Holdings, Inc.
InfuSystem Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American: INFU), is a leading national health care service provider, facilitating outpatient care for durable medical equipment manufacturers and health care providers. INFU services are provided under a two-platform model. The lead platform is Integrated Therapy Services (“ITS”), providing the last-mile solution for clinic-to-home healthcare where the continuing treatment involves complex durable medical equipment and services. The ITS segment is comprised of Oncology, Pain Management, Wound Therapy and Lymphedema businesses. The second platform, Durable Medical Equipment Services (“DME Services”), supports the ITS platform and leverages strong service orientation to win incremental business from its direct payer clients. The DME Services segment is comprised of direct payer rentals, pump and consumable sales, and biomedical services and repair. Headquartered in Rochester Hills, Michigan, the Company delivers local, field-based customer support and also operates Centers of Excellence in Michigan, Kansas, California, Massachusetts, Texas and Ontario, Canada. Additional information about InfuSystem Holdings, Inc. is available at www.infusystem.com.

About American Oncology Network, LLC: (AONcology.com)
American Oncology Network, LLC (AON) is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success of community oncology. Launched in 2018, the rapidly growing AON network represents 105 physicians and 79 nurse practitioners and physician assistants practicing across 17 states. The executive management team of AON brings more than three decades of oncology practice management experience, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most – providing the highest quality care for patients.

The organization provides unique and comprehensive protocols for managing administrative procedures and enhancing ancillary services for its affiliates. AON is able to aggregate volume and attain economies of scale, as it guides its member physicians and practices through the transition to value-based reimbursement models that improve the patient experience and help to reduce the per-capita cost of cancer care.

AON also provides a unique model of physician led, community-based oncology management. With services such as a centralized specialty pharmacy, diagnostics, pathology, fully integrated electronic medical records, a care management team and a variety of financial assistance programs, an alliance with AON ensures that patients’ experiences will be at the very pinnacle of cancer care today.

Contact:
American Oncology Network, LLC
Caroline Hewitt, Vice President of Marketing
Caroline.Hewitt@AONcology.com 

American Oncology Network (AON) and VieCure Announce Strategic Collaboration to Accelerate Adoption of Precision Oncology and Personalized Cancer Care

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Collaboration offers clinicians access to a state-of-the-art, cloud based oncology decision support platform that fully integrates the latest codified clinical content and generates patient specific treatment plans at point of care. AON and VieCure have also committed to jointly advancing a multi-year technology development roadmap to ensure the latest clinical tools and content needed are available to participating clinicians and their patients

Denver, CO and Fort Myers, FL, February 23, 2022 – American Oncology Network, LLC (AON) , a high-growth medical oncology provider with a focus on supporting the long-term viability of oncology treatment in community-based settings, announced today a strategic collaboration with VieCure, a national leader in the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI), codified clinical content and point-of-care clinical decision support in oncology. The collaboration is designed to facilitate the delivery of precision oncology and personalized care and treatment for patients across the ever-expanding AON network.

Foundational to the future of oncology treatment is the execution of a vision for personalized medicine. Realizing this vision requires access to patients, oncologists and robust molecular information and patient outcomes data. This strategic collaboration will serve as a key vehicle to do just that. AON oncologists and staff will improve clinical decision-making at the individual patient level, while standardizing care plans and associated care delivery across the patient population to better outcomes. Longitudinal information which tracks the same type of information on the same patient at multiple times will be generated in real time as patients move throughout their complex cancer care journey. This information will be used to evaluate treatment approaches, create new value-based care funding options, improve overall treatment outcomes and provide insights into next generation prevention, screening, diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities. Given the value of the data and associated insights, AON and VieCure will work jointly with industry on transformational initiatives.

The parties have strategically aligned to accelerate the adoption of three critically important paradigm shifts that are currently underway in oncology, including: (1) the compliant use of next generation tumor sequencing, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and emerging therapies such as radio-ligands; (2) the transition to value-based care, and (3) increasing patient participation in the management of their care given more and more patients are living longer with their disease and being treated at home. While these transformational changes are improving overall survival and quality of life for patients, they are also driving the need for change at the point of care given oncologists are having to evaluate an ever growing amount of patient data and clinical evidence.

“Clinicians want to do what’s best for their patients, for their staff and for practices,” said Dr. Stephen “Fred” Divers, Chairman of the AON Advisory Board and a practicing Medical Oncologist. “They want to make the right decisions at the right time, but they’re often overwhelmed by data which is poorly accessible and manageable, leading to clinical workflow burdens which get in the way of achieving the best outcomes for their patients. They need a technology solution that helps simplify cancer’s complexities and empowers them to do their best. At AON, we partner with physicians and their practices to help them navigate the complex oncologic landscape, improve quality of care and elevate oncology in community settings. VieCure aligns perfectly with that mission.”

AON leadership recognized the need for 21st century clinical decision making tools and turned to VieCure to be their partner. The two entities will work together to codify AON’s unique clinical content including but not limited to therapeutic and drug contracts, commercial payer rules and clinical trials.

“We understand that knowledge is the secret to beating cancer,” said Dr. Fred Ashbury, Chief Scientific Officer at VieCure. “That’s why we’re embracing the power of clinical inferencing to do what the human brain cannot, which is to enable clinicians to easily sift through the overwhelming amount of information to find the right answers for every patient, every time. At VieCure we’re about creating simplexity in cancer care, which means we use AI technology to cut through the dense fog of information that holds clinicians back; we help to superpower them to do their best work. By codifying the latest in clinical evidence and financial rules, we can envelop our clinicians with a halo of knowledge in real time which can be easily and quickly interpreted and actioned right at the point of care.”

The multi-year strategic collaboration will not only serve to meet the clinical needs of the AON community today but will ensure the VieCure™ platform evolves over time. Together the parties have committed to:

  • Joint research and development, creating and deploying new features and technology innovations as the oncology landscape changes.
  • Advancing access to, and administration of, the latest codified content including national and international evidence, therapy (eg. drug/bio-similar) agreements, and phase I, II, and III clinical trials.
  • Centralization of precision oncology infrastructure including one-click order entry for next generation tumor sequencing and the return of relevant discrete data to facilitate real-time clinical inferencing of results to help guide treatment selection and management decisions. 
  • Facilitation of joint/new partnerships with industry collaborators – clinical research, radiation therapy, radioligand, pharma and molecular diagnostic partners.
  • Facilitating clinical paradigm shifts and appropriate adoption of radioligand therapy, proteomics, biology guided radiotherapy, digital transformation at the patient/family level, and more.
  • Advancing value-based care in a personalized cancer care and precision oncology environment.

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About American Oncology Network, LLC: (AONcology.com)
American Oncology Network, LLC (AON) is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success of community oncology. Launched in 2018, the rapidly growing AON network represents 105 physicians and 79 nurse practitioners and physician assistants practicing across 16 states. The executive management team of AON brings more than three decades of oncology practice management experience, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most – providing the highest quality care for patients.

The organization provides unique and comprehensive protocols for managing administrative procedures and enhancing ancillary services for its affiliates. AON is able to aggregate volume and attain economies of scale, as it guides its member physicians and practices through the transition to value-based reimbursement models that improve the patient experience and help to reduce the per-capita cost of cancer care.

AON also provides a unique model of physician led, community-based oncology management. With services such as a centralized specialty pharmacy, diagnostics, pathology, fully integrated electronic medical records, a care management team and a variety of financial assistance programs, an alliance with AON ensures that patients’ experiences will be at the very pinnacle of cancer care today.

About VieCure
VieCure has developed a proprietary artificial intelligence informatics software platform in conjunction with a clinical inference engine and point of care decision support system in oncology. The VieCure™ platform combines the latest in clinical knowledge with patient data to assist clinicians in generating personalized treatment plans and better managing a patient’s treatment throughout diagnosis, cancer therapy, and ongoing follow-up care. VieCure was launched in 2015 and has contracted with leading community oncology cancer centers like the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (Fort Worth, Texas), Alabama Cancer Care (Tuscaloosa, Alabama), Clermont Oncology (Clermont, Florida), and several others including the American Oncology Network. The VieCure contracted cancer center network now includes more than 100 locations in the United States, the Bahamas and Antigua. Active implementation of the VieCure platform is occurring in network locations across the United States and the Caribbean. For more information, please visit viecure.com and connect with VieCure on LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

American Oncology Network Joins Forces with Rapides Cancer Center to Expand Cancer Services

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Rapides Regional investing $10 million to enhance cancer program

Alexandria, La., Jan. 20, 2022 – Rapides Cancer Center and American Oncology Network are joining forces to provide advanced, comprehensive and convenient care for patients in Central Louisiana.

A Division of American Oncology Partners, Hematology Oncology Clinic (HOC) at Rapides will begin seeing patients in January in a new clinic inside Rapides Cancer Center located on the campus of Rapides Regional Medical Center. Rapides Cancer Center is a Division of Rapides Regional Medical Center and has been accredited by the Commission on Cancer since 1972.

HOC at Rapides will be part of the American Oncology Network, a growing medical oncology provider with a focus on supporting the long-term viability of cancer treatment in communities across the country. With AON support and ancillary services, HOC at Rapides will provide improved access to advanced oncology care in Central Louisiana. AON includes an expanding team of 105 physicians providing care at numerous locations in 16 states.

The HOC at Rapides team will include Medical Oncologists Michael Castine III, M.D., Pavani Ellipeddi, M.D., Christopher McCanless, M.D. and Gerald Miletello, M.D. and Nurse Practitioner Kasey Gill. This will be HOC’s third location in Louisiana, joining clinics in Baton Rouge and Zachary.

“This partnership represents a new day in cancer care for our community,” said Jason Cobb, Chief Executive Officer of Rapides Regional Medical Center. “Our community will be able to receive world-class care based on a patient-centered care model without having to leave home. With the recent Rapides Cancer Center renovations and upgrades in technology, we are proud to offer Central Louisiana cancer care on a higher level than ever before.”

Rapides Regional Medical Center is investing $10 million to enhance its cancer program. The upgrades include the first TrueBeam linear accelerator in Central Louisiana to provide the latest technology in radiation oncology. Coming in early 2022, RRMC will open the Rapides Breast and Diagnostic Center and install the first 64-slice PET CT Scanner to be located in a cancer center in Louisiana, allowing oncologists to pinpoint the precise tissue location of tumors.

The 7,700 square-foot HOC at Rapides practice is expected to open in mid-January. The state-of-the-art facility will include six exam rooms and 14 chemotherapy chairs, and will offer infusion therapy, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, an in-house laboratory performing all routine blood work on-site and an in-house specialty pharmacy. Patients will have access to clinical trials, care management support, including nutrition guidance, Oncology Care Model participation and financial counseling.

“The entire Hematology Oncology Clinic at Rapides team is committed to enhancing the patient experience in order to have a greater impact on those who need care,” said Dr. Castine. “We hope to create the type of experience that patients expect and deserve, placing them at the very pinnacle of cancer care today.”

HOC at Rapides is committed to providing the community with the highest quality care that is based on research, evidence-based medicine and focused on the whole person. Cancer patients will now have access to a diverse range of services for diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials, survivorship, patient support and amenities under one roof, giving them unparalleled access to comprehensive, integrated cancer care, close to home.

“A key differentiator of AON is flexibility for our partner practices,” said AON Chief Executive Officer Todd Schonherz. “Hematology Oncology Clinic at Rapides is able to leverage AON support for pharmaceutical purchasing strategies, revenue cycle, payer negotiations, human resources and technology to form a strong hospital partnership that will enable practice growth while bringing comprehensive cancer care services to Alexandria residents.”

“With these entities joining forces, it will advance the mission of both organizations,” said Cobb. “Together, we are transforming the future of cancer care in our region and it is our cancer patients who will reap the benefit of this partnership.”

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About American Oncology Network, LLC: (AONcology.com)
American Oncology Network, LLC (AON) is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success of community oncology. Launched in 2018, the rapidly growing AON network represents 105 physicians and 79 nurse practitioners and physician assistants practicing across 16 states. The executive management team of AON brings more than three decades of oncology practice management experience, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most – providing the highest quality care for patients.

The organization provides unique and comprehensive protocols for managing administrative procedures and enhancing ancillary services for its affiliates. AON is able to aggregate volume and attain economies of scale, as it guides its member physicians and practices through the transition to value-based reimbursement models that improve the patient experience and help to reduce the per-capita cost of cancer care.

AON also provides a unique model of physician led, community-based oncology management. With services such as a centralized specialty pharmacy, diagnostics, pathology, fully integrated electronic medical records, a care management team and a variety of financial assistance programs, an alliance with AON ensures that patients’ experiences will be at the very pinnacle of cancer care today.

About Hematology/Oncology Clinic: (HOCBR.com)
Specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders and cancer, Hematology Oncology Clinic (HOC) serves patients from offices in Baton Rouge, Zachary and Alexandria. HOC is the practice of Dr. Gerald Miletello, Dr. Christopher McCanless, Dr. Michael Castine, III and Dr. Pavani Ellipeddi. The practice’s highly trained and experienced clinical staff consists of Nurse Practitioners, Oncology Certified Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses.

HOC’s exceptional quality care includes access to innovative clinical trials, an in-house specialty pharmacy, timely labs and pathology reports, and on-site infusion therapy. The practice also offers comprehensive supportive care such as access to Care Management, nutrition counseling, and much more.

About Rapides Regional Medical Center: (rapidesregional.com)
Rapides Regional Medical Center is a 380-bed acute care hospital located in Alexandria, La., providing healthcare on a higher level for families in approximately 16 central Louisiana parishes. Our mission is to provide high quality, efficient and compassionate health care services for our patients and community through the efforts of our employees, physicians and volunteers.

Rapides Regional Medical Center has provided state-of-the-art, comprehensive medical services to our community for 118 years. Our campus is home to Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Rapides Cancer Center, Rapides Outpatient Center, Rapides Regional Trauma Center, 51-bed emergency department, NICU, PICU and ICU. Read about these services and more at rapidesregional.com.

For More Information, Contact:
Rapides Regional Medical Center
Charla Ducote, Vice President of  Marketing, Public Relations & Business Development
charla.ducote@hcahealthcare.com

American Oncology Network, LLC
Caroline Hewitt, Vice President of  Marketing
Caroline.Hewitt@AONcology.com

American Oncology Network Appoints New Executive Board Member

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Fort Myers, Fla., Jan. 19, 2022 – The American Oncology Network, LLC (AON), whose mission is to support the long-term viability of community oncology, is pleased to announce that Medical Oncologist Shalin R. Shah, DO has been named to its Executive Board, providing strategic guidance to its growing network of over 100 physicians across 16 states. He joins current Executive Board members: Stephen Orman, MD, Douglas Heldreth, MD, Vipul Patel, MD and Daniel Spitz, MD. Dr. Craig Reynolds who joined the Board in 2020, has stepped down from the position.

After graduating from the University of Miami, Dr. Shah completed his residency at the University of Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., followed by a fellowship in oncology. Dr. Shah is a medical oncologist and hematologist with Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute and practices in Tampa, Fla. He focuses on the treatment of adult solid tumor malignancies, both benign and malignant hematology, and has an interest in clinical trial participation as well. He has served multiple terms on the Executive Board of the largest privately held oncology group in the United States and is a former member of their Finance Committee. He is also a board member of the Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO) and was the previous Vice President of the Clinical Practice Committee for FLASCO. Dr. Shah actively serves on several other boards in healthcare, technology, and education.

AON Chief Executive Officer Todd Schonherz said “With more than three decades of expertise in all areas of oncology practice management, AON empowers physicians to make cancer care better and provide the best possible patient experience. The addition of Dr. Shah to our Board strengthens our ability to ensure the long-term success of community oncology.”

AON Board Member & Chairman Dr. Stephen Orman added “We’re thankful for Dr. Reynolds’ commitment and leadership and so pleased to welcome such an experienced and highly respected physician as an addition to the Board. Our Board members do an excellent job helping our partners successfully navigate today’s rapidly changing healthcare landscape while serving the needs of their patients.”

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About American Oncology Network, LLC: (AONcology.com)
American Oncology Network, LLC (AON) is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success of community oncology. Launched in 2018, the rapidly growing AON network represents 105 physicians and 79 nurse practitioners and physician assistants practicing across 16 states. The executive management team of AON brings more than three decades of oncology practice management experience, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most – providing the highest quality care for patients.

The organization provides unique and comprehensive protocols for managing administrative procedures and enhancing ancillary services for its affiliates. AON is able to aggregate volume and attain economies of scale, as it guides its member physicians and practices through the transition to value-based reimbursement models that improve the patient experience and help to reduce the per-capita cost of cancer care.

AON also provides a unique model of physician led, community-based oncology management. With services such as a centralized specialty pharmacy, diagnostics, pathology, fully integrated electronic medical records, a care management team and a variety of financial assistance programs, an alliance with AON ensures that patients’ experiences will be at the very pinnacle of cancer care today.

For More Information, Contact:
American Oncology Network, LLC
Caroline Hewitt, Vice President of Marketing
Caroline.Hewitt@AONcology.com