Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

Detroit-based Karmanos Cancer Institute, a network of 16 treatment locations across Michigan and Ohio that is part of McLaren Health Care, is using artificial intelligence to elevate risk assessment and is surfacing high-risk breast cancer patients who would benefit from supplemental care and imagery. With women having a one in eight chance of developing breast cancer over their lifetimes, according to the American Cancer Society, finding breast cancer at earlier stages has moved the needle on survival rates, and can also improve patient treatment journeys and outcomes. "It's not cliche, it's a reality," said Brown. Breast cancer often remains obscured in the annual mammograms of women with high levels of breast tissue density, which prompts health systems to send letters to patients that explain the challenges in standard screening. However, aiming additional screening efforts at women who have a direct family history has proved to be not enough to increase early-stage breast cancer diagnosis rates. As Brown notes in this podcast interview, many women who are at high risk due to many other factors aside from a family history of breast cancer often have no idea. "Screening them once a year might not be enough to identify them early," he said. "Identification of breast cancer early not only means better long-term survival, but many times, it means less treatment to cure that cancer." Karmanos is one of the first cancer hospitals to deploy Volpara's artificial intelligence-driven risk assessment software at the point of mammogram screenings. Brown said that while it has only added two to three additional minutes to patient appointments, the ability of the AI to combine multiple risk-assessment tools provides women and their primary care physicians with five-year and lifetime risk scores. At the time of the interview, Brown said the institute rolled out the AI risk assessment tool at two centers to test integration with the network's electronic health records and "work out the kinks" communicating results with PCPs. Using the AI tool, Karmanos screened 7,000 patients and identified 700 as high-risk through the software. It will continue to roll it out to all screening locations. Those women who come in for their annual mammograms and have risk scores above 20% are funneled into the women's wellness program at Karmanos, where they have a better chance to be diagnosed and treated early – or have the chance to prevent breast cancer – and reach the apex of survivorship. Like what you hear? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify or Google Play ! Talking points: Partnerships with the Detroit Tigers and others increase screening. Combining risk assessments into one AI-driven tool. How capture of additional health history factors improves risk models. Why scoring women can result in reaching other high-risk family members, including men. How data-driven assessment unlocks prior authorization for additional imaging. More about this topic: AI shows it can improve predictions for invasive breast cancer New York approves AI-driven breast cancer diagnostic Breast cancer technologies that improve patient outcomes UPMC is using AI model for breast cancer sentinel node biopsies AI helps radiologists improve accuracy in breast cancer detection with lesser recalls

86% of women say they would travel up to 50 miles to a hospital for patient experience. DETROIT, Dec. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute has been named one of America's 2024 Best Hospitals for Cancer Care and one of the country's 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience by the Women's Choice Award®, America's trusted referral source for the best in health care. This is the 11th consecutive year Karmanos has been recognized by the Women's Choice Award® since the inception of the national list. Continue Reading For the 11th year in a row, Karmanos Cancer Institute has been recognized by the Women's Choice Award, America's trusted referral source for the best in health care. Karmanos was awarded for outstanding cancer care, patient experience mammogram imaging, and minimally invasive surgery. "A woman's influence on where she chooses to receive health care is powerful, and we are once again honored to be recognized as an awardee of the 2024 Women's Choice Award," said Brian Gamble, president of the Karmanos Cancer Hospital and Network. "Every single staff member at Karmanos is dedicated to providing the best cancer care and experience for every patient, and this designation shows we're on the right track." America's Best Hospitals for Cancer Care Karmanos, part of McLaren Health Care, was ranked among the top 4% of 4,728 hospitals offering cancer care services in the U.S. To qualify as one of America's Best Hospitals for Cancer Care, a hospital must be designated by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer Classification (ACS CoC) as one of four specific types of cancer programs. The Women's Choice Award® measures hospitals on the presence of specific cancer-related services offered onsite, infection rates, and patient recommendation ratings on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) Survey. The award is unique in that criteria also include primary research about women's healthcare preferences. Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women's Choice Award® and a breast cancer survivor, emphasized that Karmanos and all 2024 Best Hospitals for Cancer Care deliver the most important care to women. "The very first step on a cancer journey is knowing where to go for the best care," said Passi. "We're empowering women to make confident decisions about the best hospital for cancer care for themselves and their loved ones. We help them make smart, informed choices during a stressful time." The award-winning hospitals "provide the care that women value most, including easily accessible services onsite to avoid multiple trips for their treatment, which is so important to women faced with a cancer diagnosis." Accreditation required for the award ensures that a hospital or facility offers a full range of diagnostic and treatment services or provides integrated cancer care and comprehensive services. Low infection rates compared to the national average are another critical measure. America's 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience The Women's Choice Award® recognizes the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute as one of the 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience in the U.S. The methodology used to select Karmanos evaluates specific HCAHPS Survey results and primary research about women's healthcare preferences. The Women's Choice Award® collects the data for the following HCAHPS survey measures and uses a weighted average to award the best hospitals for patient experience: Effective communication with nurses and doctors. Responsiveness to requests for help. Providing patient recovery information. Explanation about medications before being administered. Bathroom and room cleanliness. Peacefulness of room at night. Patient recommendation rating. "Our mission at Karmanos is to provide the best cancer care along the entire continuum of care. We strive every day to demonstrate to our patients that we care about them and their families. We are honored that patients have chosen us to treat their disease and they inspire us to provide the best cancer care anywhere," said Gamble. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, good patient experience positively correlates to disease management, adherence to treatment plans and health outcomes. Providing a good patient experience also benefits business as it results in greater employee morale and satisfaction, thereby reducing turnover and helping recruit top talent. It also keeps patients loyal and happy and less likely to change providers or systems, supporting the bottom line. In a survey of healthcare consumers, 82% would switch healthcare providers due to a bad experience. At the same time, 86% of women would travel up to 50 miles for a hospital rated best in patient experience. "To help women simplify their choices, the 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience are awarded because they excel in the patient's willingness to recommend, as well as doctor communications, staff help, cleanliness, providing recovery information, explanation of medications, communication by nurses and peacefulness of the room at night," said Passi. The Women's Choice Award® also gave the Karmanos Cancer Center's Walt Comprehensive Breast Center the 2024 Mammogram Award for ranking in the top 1% of breast care centers, and Karmanos also received the Minimally Invasive Surgery Award for ranking in the top 4% of hospitals across the country. View Karmanos' listing on the Women's Choice Award® website here. For more information on Karmanos Cancer Institute's cancer services and programs, call 1-800-KARMANOS or visit karmanos.org. About the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute Karmanos Cancer Institute is a leader in transformative cancer care, research and education through courage, commitment and compassion. The Karmanos vision is a world free of cancer. As part of McLaren Health Care, Karmanos is the largest provider of cancer care and research in Michigan. For more than 75 years, the administrative and research headquarters, along with the premier specialty cancer hospital, have been located in downtown Detroit. With 16 network sites, Karmanos delivers world-renowned care and access to clinical trials throughout Michigan and northern Ohio. The National Cancer Institute recognizes Karmanos as one of the best cancer centers in the nation with a comprehensive cancer center designation. Its academic partnership with the Wayne State University School of Medicine provides the framework for cancer research and education – defining new standards of care and improving survivorship. For more information, call 1-800-KARMANOS (800-527-6266) or visit . Follow Karmanos on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. About the Women's Choice Award® The Women's Choice Award for Best Hospitals™ is a trusted referral source and coveted credential that identifies the nation's best hospitals based on robust criteria that includes relevant clinical performance, patient satisfaction and appropriate accreditations. The Best Hospitals demonstrate exceptional ratings, providing the highest level of care and commitment to their patients' health and well-being. The Women's Choice Award is the only designation that takes into consideration the preferences of women when selecting a hospital. Visit womenschoiceaward.com to learn more. SOURCE Karmanos Cancer Institute

The new vice president will head up the largest cancer care and research network in Michigan DETROIT, Dec. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute has appointed Doris Ranski-Zazula, RN, MSA, as the vice president of the Karmanos Cancer Network, part of McLaren Health Care. The Karmanos Cancer Network is one of the largest cancer care and research networks in the United States, with 15 locations anchored by the Karmanos Cancer Institute freestanding cancer hospital headquartered in Detroit. Ranski-Zazula began her role as Lauren Lawrence retired after 10 years with McLaren and Karmanos in November. Ranski-Zazula transitioned to this position, having been the regional director of Cancer Services for Karmanos locations in Flint, Pontiac and Lapeer. "I am so honored to step into the VP position after much guidance and an extremely productive stint of working closely with my predecessor," said Ranski-Zazula. "Lauren has accomplished tremendous growth for the Network, and I want to continue that momentum. I am looking forward to providing the Karmanos advantage to many more Michigan residents by working on expanding into additional communities and enhancing and adding to the services we currently offer to our patients across the state." Ranski-Zazula will report to Brian Gamble, president of the Karmanos Cancer Hospital and Network. She will provide oversight for the Karmanos locations near McLaren Bay Region, McLaren Central Michigan, McLaren Clarkston, McLaren Flint (including the McLaren Proton Therapy Center), McLaren Greater Lansing, McLaren Lapeer, McLaren Macomb, McLaren Northern (in Petoskey and Gaylord), McLaren Oakland, McLaren Port Huron and McLaren Thumb Region. Her responsibilities include the daily operation of all network sites in accordance with Karmanos' policies and standards; conducting site certification visits to ensure locations deliver the highest quality of care; standardizing workflows, policies and procedures; recruiting the best oncologists to join Team Karmanos and McLaren; ensuring Network physicians are certified and offer clinical trials to patients in their local communities; further developing relationships with Michigan State University and partners in Northwest Ohio; enhancing the cancer screening programs and genetic counseling services throughout the Network; and strengthening the connection of the Network sites to many Karmanos programs and departments, including the Clinical Trials Office, Office of Cancer Health Equity and Community Engagement, and more. "Doris' familiarity with the Network and her background as a physician recruiter and business development professional gives her an immediate advantage to enhance and grow the Karmanos footprint," said Gamble. "We are thankful for Lauren's work in her 10 years with us and appreciate the dedication and work it took to stand up the cancer network. We are very confident that Doris has the experience and ability to take the Network to the next level, giving our patients the best cancer care, regardless of location." Ranski-Zazula has over 30 years of experience in health care. She joined McLaren in 2018 as the director at McLaren Oakland (overseeing the respiratory therapy department, outpatient specialty clinic and hospital information desk) and as the regional director of Cancer Services. Before joining McLaren, she provided medical recruitment support for various Ascension hospitals, including serving as the director of Physician Recruitment and Business Development at St. John Providence Health System. As the vice president of Practice Operations and Physician Practice Planning at the Detroit Medical Center (DMC), she oversaw the day-to-day management of 110 employed physicians, 150 full-time staff members and 34 practice locations. She also managed the transition of private practices into DMC-employed practices. Earlier in her career, Ranski-Zazula worked at Oakwood Healthcare, Inc., advancing from a clinical nurse to the Regional Director of Ambulatory Administration. Ranski-Zazula received a Master of Science in Health Care Administration from Central Michigan University in Dearborn and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northern Michigan University. About the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute Karmanos Cancer Institute is a leader in transformative cancer care, research and education through courage, commitment and compassion. The Karmanos vision is a world free of cancer. As part of McLaren Health Care, Karmanos is the largest provider of cancer care and research in Michigan. For more than 75 years, the administrative and research headquarters, along with the premier specialty cancer hospital, have been located in downtown Detroit. With 16 network sites, Karmanos delivers world-renowned care and access to clinical trials throughout Michigan and northern Ohio. The National Cancer Institute recognizes Karmanos as one of the best cancer centers in the nation with a comprehensive cancer center designation. Its academic partnership with the Wayne State University School of Medicine provides the framework for cancer research and education – defining new standards of care and improving survivorship. For more information, call 1-800-KARMANOS (800-527-6266) or visit . Follow Karmanos on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.