John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County (SHCC) stands as a crucial safety net hospital in Chicago, Illinois, dedicated to serving uninsured and underserved populations. Leading the charge in cancer research within this vital institution are Dr. Thomas E. Lad and Dr. Urjeet Patel, spearheading the Stroger Hospital of Cook County Minority Underserved NCI Community Oncology Program (MU NCORP). Established in 2002 and continuously funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the program exemplifies a commitment to clinical research and improving cancer care delivery for vulnerable communities. SHCC uniquely operates as a single-site NCORP, amplifying its focused impact on the local Chicago area without the support of affiliates.
SHCC MU NCORP Team
The NCI has awarded over $17 million to the program, with a recent renewal of $5 million in August 2019 to sustain its crucial work over six years. This substantial funding directly supports ongoing research and follow-up care for over 2,100 patients actively participating in clinical trials and cancer care delivery studies. A significant contribution of 582 accruals is credited to the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (EA), highlighting the program’s strong collaborative spirit and impact on broader research initiatives. Notably, John Stroger Hospital is recognized as a top enroller in the TrACER study, having contributed 148 patients and earning commendation from EA for its dedication to this important trial.
The expertise of the John Stroger Hospital team extends beyond patient accrual, with active participation in numerous ECOG-ACRIN committees. These include Cancer Care Delivery Research, Health Disparities, Health Equity, NCORP Community Advisory, Cancer Control and Survivorship, Patient-Reported Outcomes, and the Clinical Research Associates Core Committee. Wendy Rogowski, Physician Assistant/Clinical Research Associate, and Dr. Lad both contribute to maintaining high research standards by serving as auditors for ECOG-ACRIN member audits, ensuring rigorous and ethical research practices within the network.
John Stroger Hospital’s engagement with ECOG-ACRIN also encompasses protocol development. Erika Radeke, MPS, SHCC MU NCORP Administrator, and Dr. Ashlesha Patel lead the ECOG-ACRIN study E1Q11: Engendering Reproductive Health in Oncologic Survivorship (EROS). This currently active study has reached over half of its enrollment target, aiming to address critical reproductive health concerns in young female cancer survivors. Dr. Lad’s contributions extend to the design and development of EAQ161CD, a biomarker testing survey crucial for understanding the adoption of precision medicine in community settings. Furthermore, Dr. Lad provides invaluable scientific guidance and mentorship to the EA Health Equity Committee, focusing on the implementation of new studies involving minority and underserved populations, reinforcing John Stroger Hospital’s commitment to health equity in cancer research. His insights are also sought after by the Community Advisory Committee during concept development, ensuring community needs are considered in research directions.
John Stroger Hospital’s dedication to advancing cancer research and clinical trial participation has been consistently recognized through continuous accreditation by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer (CoC) since 2002. These commendations underscore the program’s enduring commitment to meeting and exceeding rigorous standards, solidifying John Stroger Hospital’s position as a leading institution in cancer care and research for underserved communities in Chicago and beyond.
