The Community Oncology Alliance (COA), a nonprofit advocacy group dedicated solely to independent oncology practices and the patients they serve, recently announced the election of Kashyap Patel, MD, as President. A longtime COA Board of Directors member and community oncology champion, Dr. Patel is a full-time practicing medical oncologist and Chief Executive Officer of Carolina Blood and Cancer Care in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He took office for a 1-year term on January 1, 2021.
“I am honored and humbled to serve community oncology patients and practices in the important role of COA President,” said Dr. Patel. “This is an exciting and challenging time for independent community oncology practices, with every day bringing new opportunities. The spirit of resilience, resourcefulness, and innovation that is at the very core of community oncology is what will ensure the continued success of our important work going forward.”
Dr. Patel is a full-time practicing medical oncologist, board certified in hematology, oncology, and internal medicine. In addition to his work with COA and its committees, he volunteers with many other leading national cancer and quality organizations. Dr. Patel has extensive expertise in value-based care, including having successfully led multiple oncology payment pilots. He has a special interest in health-care policy, racial and ethnic disparities, and end-of-life care. Dr. Patel has published extensively in national and international journals and regularly presents original research and articles at meetings. He is an accomplished author, recently publishing Between Life and Death: From Despair to Hope, a firsthand chronicle of real patients who have faced the end of life with understanding and acceptance.
Other Officers and Board Members
The COA Board of Directors is also pleased to announce the election of Miriam Atkins, MD, FACP, a practicing medical oncologist at Augusta Oncology in Georgia, as Vice President and Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA, a practicing medical oncologist and Executive Vice President, Policy and Strategic Initiatives at Texas Oncology in Austin, Texas, as Secretary.
During the same meeting, the COA Board of Directors also elected a slate of new and reappointed members to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. COA welcomes a new member of the Board, Emily Touloukian, DO, a practicing medical oncologist and President-Elect at Coastal Cancer Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Because the majority of Americans battling cancer receive treatment in the community setting, ensuring the vitality of the community cancer care delivery system is imperative for patient well-being. The officers, committees, and board members of COA further its mission to protect and foster the community oncology delivery system in the United States through public policy, advocacy, and education.
