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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 15, 2024) — The Lexington VA Health Care System is now affiliated with the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-certified Comprehensive Cancer Center in Kentucky.
By joining the UK Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network, the Lexington VA Health Care System becomes one of 20 affiliated hospitals in Kentucky.
This partnership provides Kentucky veterans expanded access to specialized cancer care, including clinical trials and advanced technology available only at NCI-designated cancer centers. Through this partnership, veterans can receive comprehensive cancer care – from prevention to treatment to survivorship – within the VA network and closer to home.
“Joining the UK Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network is a significant milestone,” said Russell Armstead, executive director of the Lexington VA Health Care System. “This groundbreaking partnership between a VA hospital and an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center is an important step forward in fulfilling our duty to provide the highest quality care to our veterans. Their sacrifices for our country are immeasurable and through this collaboration, we are ensuring they receive the excellent cancer care they deserve.”
With its two Lexington campuses and community clinics in Berea, Hazard, Morehead and Somerset, the Lexington VA Health Care System serves a population of nearly 83,000 veterans throughout central Kentucky. Since 2015, the Lexington VA Health Care System has treated an average of more than 500 newly diagnosed cases of cancer annually and provided care to more than 12,000 veterans diagnosed with cancer during over 150,000 visits. The system offers a wide range of cancer services – including various surgical specialties, medical oncology and chemotherapy infusions – to treat many types of cancer, as well as important ancillary services such as physical therapy, mental health care and social support.
“By joining forces with the UK Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network, we are combining our resources, expertise and commitment to provide comprehensive, cutting-edge cancer care specifically tailored to the unique needs of our veterans,” said Anna Rose, clinical nurse specialist at the Lexington VA Health Care System. “Our collaboration will increase access to cutting-edge treatments, advanced diagnostics and holistic support services, ensuring our veterans receive the best possible care throughout their cancer journey.”
This link builds on the long-standing partnership between the UK and the VA. Both institutions collaborate on research, education and patient care, with many UK faculty members holding joint appointments at the VA.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Lexington VA Health Care System to the UK Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network,” said Colleen Swartz, DNP, deputy chief operations officer for UK HealthCare. “This new alliance will accelerate our collaborative efforts in cancer research and treatment and ultimately improve outcomes for Kentucky’s veterans and all cancer patients in our region.”
The Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network was founded in 2006 to bring high-quality treatment closer to home to cancer patients and minimize the impact of cancer through prevention and education programs, excellent clinical care and access to research. This work is especially important in Kentucky, where cancer rates are among the highest in the nation.
War veterans are also heavily affected by cancer, with several types of cancer occurring at higher rates. In the Lexington VA Health Care System, lung cancer, prostate cancer and melanoma are the most common diagnoses. These patterns reflect national statistics on cancer among veterans and serve as the basis for targeted prevention, early detection and treatment efforts.
Markey is one of only 57 cancer centers in the country to receive the NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center designation. The designation gives Markey patients access to the latest treatments and clinical trials available only at NCI centers. The new alliance represents a groundbreaking collaboration between an NCI-designated cancer center and a VA health system.
“This innovative partnership is a model of how NCI-designated cancer centers and the VA can work together effectively to address the unique health challenges our veterans face,” said B. Mark Evers, MD, director of the Markey Cancer Center. “It embodies Markey’s mission to reduce the burden of cancer in Kentucky and ensure that every Kentucky resident, including our veterans, has access to world-class cancer care.”
As a member of the Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network, the Lexington VA Health Care System also receives assistance with accreditation from the Commission on Cancer (CoC). CoC accreditation recognizes cancer care programs that meet rigorous quality standards and provides many benefits, including access to reporting tools for benchmarking and improving patient care and implementation of standards that ensure multidisciplinary, high-quality, comprehensive patient-centered care.
“The addition of the Lexington VA Health Care System to our affiliate network marks a new chapter in our ongoing efforts to provide outstanding cancer care in communities across Kentucky,” said Timothy Mullett, MD, medical director of the Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network. “The partnership will open new ways to bring cutting-edge cancer care and research opportunities directly to our veterans and demonstrate how strategic collaborations improve the quality of care, accelerate research and ultimately improve health outcomes across Kentucky.”
The Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network includes 20 hospitals in the state of Kentucky:
- Clark Regional Medical Center, Winchester
- Georgetown Community Hospital, Georgetown
- Harlan ARH Hospital, Harlan
- Harrison Memorial Hospital, Cynthia
- Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center, Hazard
- Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center, Prestonsburg
- Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, Somerset
- Lexington VA Health System, Lexington
- Meadowview Regional Medical Center, Maysville
- Mercy Health-Lourdes Hospital, Paducah
- Middlesboro ARH Hospital, Middlesboro
- Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, Owensboro
- Rockcastle Regional Hospital, Mt Vernon
- St. Elizabeth Nursing, Ebersbach
- Taylor Regional Hospital, Campbellsville
- Bowling Green Medical Center, Bowling Green
- TJ Samson Community Hospital, Glasgow
- Tug Valley ARH Regional Medical Center, South Williamson
- British Royal Daughters, Ashland
- United Kingdom St. Claire, Morehead
