UC Health's Cory Shaw wants to make Cincinnati 'healthiest city in America'
As UC Health CEO and President Cory Shaw marks his first year as head of the region's academic medical center, he said there's been "tangible progress" on the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center's journey toward garnering a National Cancer Institute designation.
Cincinnati is the largest metropolitan area in the nation without an NCI-designated cancer center. The designation would give the center, and in extension, the region, millions of federally funded dollars to tackle cancer through research and clinical trials, The Enquirer previously reported. And the medical talent such a center would attract would have an astronomical effect on the region's care, experts agree.
There are 72 NCI-Designated Cancer Centers in 36 states, but none in Cincinnati, according to the National Cancer Institute.
"We're right on the cusp of that (designation)," Shaw said. The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center is a collaboration among UC Health, the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children's Health Medical Center.
Shaw joined The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast where he talked about his first year as the head of UC Health and the large health system landscape in the region.
The process of gaining the NCI designation will begin this year with the creation of an external advisory board that consists of scientists from other cancer centers across the country who will help UC Health prepare the first draft of an application.
"There's a there's a certain set of milestones that we need to hit along that line before our position to be able to submit," Shaw said. He could see the designation be awarded in the next five years, he said.
As for what else is next, Shaw said he's committed to establishing Cincinnati as the "healthiest city in America."
"It fits right in with our mission, training the next generation health care professionals, advancing the art of science and medicine through innovative research and then delivering exceptional patient care," Shaw said. "Then coming alongside others in the community to make sure that we eliminate disparities where we can and really create a vibrant and dynamic economy. That's what we should be doing, and that's where we're going to spend our time focusing our energy."
Listen to Shaw's full conversation where he talks about the healthcare landscape in Cincinnati. Follow Cincinnati.com editor Beryl Love on X @beryllove and City Hall reporter Sharon Coolidge @SharonCoolidge.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC Health's Cory Shaw: Cincinati Cancer Center closer to NCI status
