Blog posts that are not press releases.

A Smooth Path for Onboarding New AON Practices

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When an oncology practice joins American Oncology Network (AON), how clinical and administrative operations are brought under the AON umbrella can have a significant and long-term impact on staff, clinician, patient, and community satisfaction. To help ensure a positive and smooth experience, AON’s transition team leverages its deep experience and proven processes to anticipate obstacles and clear hurdles with minimal disruption to day-to-day clinic operations.

A typical transition takes up to four months. And while each transition is unique, over the course of onboarding more than 20 new AON practices we have established a proven formula that is effective, flexible and, most importantly, customer centric.

Project Management at the Helm

The first step in every transition strategy is establishing a dedicated project management team responsible for bridging all communications between the practice and AON. That team also oversees the project roadmap, ensuring all milestones and deadlines are met, managing change and practice expectations, and triaging priorities.

The team is the face of the more than 200 individuals involved in the transition process, each of whom brings to the table a unique set of skills and expertise. It also represents more than 20 departments, ranging from operations and legal to finance and revenue cycle.

The project management team is in constant contact with every individual involved in the transition process and works closely with representatives from the practice, typically office administrators with involvement from physician and clinical leadership.

A 3-Stage Roll Out

Under the guidance of the dedicated project management team, the transition process will typically roll out in three stages:

  1. Due Diligence: This starts with creating a communications plan that forms the foundation upon which AON’s relationship with the practice is built. This is also when we collect necessary data such as provider, payer and facility information, employee census, contracts, and marketing materials – everything there is to know about the practice and its operations.
  2. Implementation: Next is acting on the data collected during due diligence. This includes meetings with employees, establishing new contracts with payers and pharmaceutical companies, setting up other legal contracts and assignments, etc. The implementation checklist encompasses more than 1,000 individual tasks which the project management team manages behind the scenes, ensuring every item is completed on time and without overwhelming the practice team.
  3. Go-Live: At this point, it is time for the clinic to open its doors under the AON footprint. To deliver a positive experience for everyone – including patients – we expand our on-site presence to conduct staff training on new processes and workflows and assist with change management needs. This ensures the practice’s clinical and administrative staffs are proficient with new systems and processes and can proceed with confidence under the AON banner.

Once go-live is complete – the staff is fully trained and there are no more kinks to work out – a regional team takes over for the project management team, remaining engaged with the practice and serving as its dedicated AON liaison for any future needs.

Putting the Customer First

Change is hard, especially when it involves transitioning from an independent practice to one that is part of the AON network. Staff and patients alike will be impacted by the move, which is exacerbated by the growing pains that are change management’s constant companion – especially when the transition means learning new EMR and other information systems.

To calm fears and keep the transition as painless as possible, we put the customer first in everything we do. Each transition is undertaken as a partnership rather than a top-down corporate approach. We focus on the employee and patient experience from the start, for example by ensuring the employee onboarding journey is smooth and providing patients with transparent communications about AON. Finally, we make sure the facility is ready to operate under the AON banner so there are no glitches that can impact the practice’s ability to provide care or patient satisfaction.

Our transition strategy is centered on making sure all practice stakeholders are comfortable with every step of the process. We approach change management with sensitivity and positivity, communicating clearly why the move to AON is a good thing for everyone involved. We anticipate and address bumps along the way, so the transition experience is defined by our team’s ability to resolve issues – and not by the issues themselves.

This customer-centric, proactive, and transparent approach helps align cultures under a shared vision of what the future can be for patients, staff and the communities served.

AON Partnership Lets Messino Cancer Centers Maintain Independence and Achieve Expansion Goals

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Founded by Michael Messino, M.D., Messino Cancer Centers (MCC) in western North Carolina provides treatment for adults diagnosed with all types of cancers and blood disorders. The physicians have a 30-year history of providing highquality, research-backed, personalized care to patients in the community setting— close to their loved ones and where they live and work.

The MCC staff is comprised of experienced physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses and a clinical support staff dedicated to providing the most advanced and innovative treatments. Its physicians provide cutting-edge, evidencebased treatment that incorporates personalized medicine, standard and nationally accepted guidelines, and clinical trials. Through its care management team and oncology-certified staff, MCC supports its patients through all phases of diagnosis and treatment.

Based in Asheville, MCC also offers care at five additional sites in WNC—Brevard, Franklin, Marion, Spruce Pine and Sylva.

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The Benefits of Clinical Trials at Community Practices

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Clinical trials are essential to advancements in treating — and ultimately eradicating — cancer. And patient participation is key to ensuring their efficacy and accuracy.

However, patients aren’t as willing to enroll in trials as they have been in the past. One study conducted in 2020 found that 49% of respondents were willing to participate in trials, which was down from 85% in 2019. One reason could be patient education; that same study showed 36% of those polled didn’t understand clinical research very well or at all. That number was at 10% in 2019.

The best way to make patients feel more comfortable enrolling in trials is participation by community oncology practices, which allows them to take part in trials close to home and alongside nurses and physicians who they already know and trust.

Getting Trials into the Communities

About 90% of cancer patients are treated at community practices — yet most clinical trials are performed at academic institutions, where they can be accessed by only about 10% of patients. This not only limits the number of patients who can enroll, but it puts the additional burden of travel on those who do participate, especially those who live in rural areas.

By administering trials at community oncology practices such as those that comprise the American Oncology Network (AON), pharmaceutical companies can provide patients with access to cutting-edge and innovative therapies and medications in the comfort and familiarity of their local clinic.

This benefits scientists and oncologists too, as they can get a clearer picture of the efficacy of a certain medication or therapy when a large number of patients enrolls in a trial.

Addressing Patient Concerns

Before enrolling in a clinical trial, patients are put through a rigorous screening process to make sure it is safe for them to participate.

Once patients are cleared, scientists, oncologists and nurses outline the process, explaining why the design of a certain drug fits their particular case and how it may aid in their treatment. If a patient has any concerns — for example, many fear they will be placed in a placebo group — it is covered in that discussion.

Once those conversations take place and their fears fully addressed, patients are typically very willing and engaged in the trials — especially when they realize that their participation can help millions of others who are also fighting cancer.

Partnering with a Network can Benefit Trials

Some local clinics may not have the manpower, time or resources necessary to participate in clinical trials, especially clinics located in rural areas. Partnering with a network such as AON can alleviate those issues.

Whether it’s financial support or assistance recruiting the necessary personnel, AON can help lay the groundwork for a community practice to start administering trials. The network can also assist with laboratory or tech support and the implementation of any hardware or software.

Clinical research is another way community oncology practices can take better care of their patients while contributing to the body of scientific knowledge. Through these trials, oncologists can continue to learn new and innovative ways to treat cancer and provide more optimistic and successful outcomes for their patients.

What Women Need to Know About Gynecological Cancers

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World Ovarian Cancer Day takes place May 8 — just before Mother’s Day — and marks the start of National Women’s Health Week (May 9 – 15). This confluence of events makes this an excellent time to shine a light on the symptoms of gynecological cancers and the preventative measures women can take to lessen their risk.

There aren’t many options when it comes to gynecological screenings. That is one reason why knowing the warning signs and keeping up with annual examinations is so important.

Symptoms of Gynecological Cancers

Endometrial cancer, which starts in the inner lining of the uterus, is one of the most common gynecological cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 66,000 cases of endometrial cancer will be diagnosed in 2021 and nearly 13,000 women are projected to die from it. The good thing about endometrial and cervical cancers is they are often easy to identify because they present very specific symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge.

Ovarian cancer, which ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, is far more challenging to diagnose because its symptoms including bloating, diarrhea and weight gain can all be attributed to less serious conditions. Consequently, ovarian cancer is often diagnosed when it is already in an advanced — and sometimes untreatable — stage.

Vulvar cancer is exceedingly rare, accounting for less than 1% of cancers in women.  However, the American Cancer Society projects more than 1,500 women will die from vulvar cancer in 2021. Symptoms of vulvar cancer include the presence of unusual moles, itching and irritation. Women, especially those 60 years or older, should see their physician if they are experiencing any of these symptoms.

Remaining Vigilant and Proactive

The healthcare industry has made great strides in understanding the genetic components of many cancers — gynecological cancers included.

Genetic predispositions can be traced to 25% of ovarian, Fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers. This allows women in the high-risk category to be screened earlier with the cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) blood test. In some cases, risk-reducing surgeries can be performed.

However, while they are the best option right now for diagnosing these cancers, data has shown that these tests aren’t always effective. Because there aren’t many options in regards to screenings for these cancers, it is important that women remain proactive about their annual check-ups, including a full examination of the uterus and ovaries — especially since malignancies in these areas may go undetected during a Pap smear.

Being proactive means living a healthy lifestyle as well. Obesity can be traced back to conditions such as endometrial cancer, so eating right and getting plenty of exercise can help reduce the risk of a diagnosis. When it comes to staving off cervical cancer, physicians highly recommend the HPV vaccine that prevents the human papilloma virus — the primary cause of cervical cancer.

We are always looking at new and enhanced ways to prevent and ultimately eradicate cancer – a quest that has led to the development of medications such as PARP (poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase) inhibitors, a targeted therapy that can be taken orally and prevents cancer cells from repairing themselves. Without patient participation in clinical trials, however, advanced treatments such as PARP wouldn’t be possible, which is why patients are encouraged to participate in these trials whenever and wherever they can.

Clinical trials allow patients access to innovative and cutting-edge treatment methods while also helping the healthcare industry move forward in its quest to better treat — and ultimately eradicate — cancer.

The Benefit of Comprehensive Cancer Care

Similar to the other community-based practices in the American Oncology Network (AON), Cancer & Blood Specialists of Arizona offers comprehensive whole-person care.

Our nurses and multidisciplinary oncologists accompany patients on every step of their journey, from initial diagnosis through chemotherapy and, if needed, surgical procedures. We also provide cancer surveillance and survivorship programs to help guard against a recurrence.

Because our patients receive treatments and follow-up in one nearby, convenient location, they are able to form trusting relationships with our nurses, physicians and staff — the greatest benefit to working with a community oncology clinic.

Cancer is one of the most challenging and scariest experiences a person can endure. Doing so in a safe and comfortable environment, however, can go a long way toward lessening some of the emotional and physical burden.

The Crucial Role Nurses Play in Oncology

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Nurses Week takes place May 6 – May 12 and spotlights the millions of nurses across the country who devote their lives to helping others in their time of physical, emotional and spiritual need.

Nurses play an essential role in oncology care, especially throughout the community-based clinics that make up American Oncology Network (AON). They forge meaningful, trusting relationships with our patients — as well as with their families and caregivers — and provide comfort and hope to those battling through some of the most difficult and scariest times of their lives.

While the role of an oncology nurse has expanded and changed over the years, one thing remains constant: the complete commitment and compassion they have for each patient they help treat.

The Role of an Oncology Nurse

Oncology nurses pride themselves on providing whole-person care, which encompasses nurturing the patient’s spiritual and emotional well-being while also addressing their physical needs. This begins at a patient’s very first visit to one of our practices, where they have a thorough meeting with a nurse practitioner to go over their course of care. When the patient undergoes their first chemotherapy infusion — which can be a frightening and overwhelming experience — the nurse remains by their side to guide them through it.

Unlike those at a hospital, nurses who work at community oncology clinics see the same patients several times a week, giving them a chance to earn their trust and tailor their treatment. For example, if a nurse notices one of their patients isn’t feeling particularly well, they can confer with the physician about IV hydration or perhaps delaying the patient’s treatment until they are feeling better. Most nurses get to know their patients so well that they can tell how they’re feeling just by looking at them.

Along with providing care and support, oncology nurses assess a patient’s health and, in consultation with the physician, decide which members of a multidisciplinary team should be involved with their care. To succeed in this expanded role, nurses must listen to their patients, earn their trust and provide them with the tools needed to get the most success out of their treatment.

Getting Your Nurses Involved

More than 500,000 experienced registered nurses are set to retire by 2022, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that an addition of 1.1 million nurses will be needed to help avoid a shortage.

While the impact of a nursing shortage will cause ripples throughout the healthcare industry, it will have a greater affect on oncology. Because our nurses deal with patients who are being treated for a potentially terminal illness, many young nurses and nursing students mistakenly believe that working each day at an oncology practice is a sad and arduous task.

This is a misconception that needs to be addressed. The truth is, because our patients rely so heavily on a nurse’s care and compassion, working as an oncology nurse is an extremely rewarding career, and the relationships nurses build with patients can last long after treatment is completed.

To help attract more nurses to oncology, many of our nursing society groups offer scholarships to nursing students with an interest in cancer care. AON practices are also very involved with their local oncology nursing societies, many of which offer free memberships to nursing students. Nurses from our clinics visit local colleges and nursing schools and meet with nursing students so they can get an entry-level view of life as an oncology nurse.

The Power in Joining a Network

Oncology nurses who work in practices that partner with AON benefit from working with a national network.

AON offers several different opportunities for nurses to advance their careers while working directly with patients. We also provide financial assistance for nurses who choose to further their degree and also pay membership and certification fees to help nurses become certified in oncology.  AON also pays membership fees for oncology nursing societies, giving our nurses the opportunity to exchange ideas and share new approaches to patient care.

At AON, our nurses take great pride in what they do and understand the role they play in providing compassionate care and support to those who need it the most. They are essential to our ability to deliver high-quality oncology care to patients right in their own community.

How Specialty Infusions Can Best be Provided by Community Oncology

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By Jenny Li, Clinical Oncology Pharmacist, and Camilo Rodriguez, Director of Pharmacy Operations, American Oncology Network

At American Oncology Network (AON), we take pride in providing high-quality care to cancer patients right in their own community. As an extension of that care, we offer specialty infusions throughout our clinics across the country.

Specialty infusions are not associated with a cancer diagnosis and are often used to treat a wide range of illnesses including asthma, genetic and skin disorders, rheumatoid diseases such as arthritis, and Crohn’s disease and other gastrointestinal problems.

Receiving these infusions at one of our practices will make for a convenient, cost-effective experience for oncology and non-oncology patients while they’re being treated by nurses and physicians based right in their own community.

A One-Stop Shop for all Patients

Because the infrastructure is already in place, there are many benefits to receiving specialty infusions at our practices as opposed to a hospital or other outpatient setting.

One important distinction is that the biologic drugs that make up specialty infusions are often similar in nature to the oncology medications we prescribe and administer at AON. Consequently, our staff is already familiar with the procurement processes for these drugs, as well as the pertinent administration preparations.

Furthermore, if a patient receiving a specialty infusion starts experiencing side effects—especially when they mirror those that accompany oncology medications—our staff has the expertise and equipment to begin immediate treatment. And by receiving these treatments in a community setting, patients won’t be hit with the extra facility fees they would have to pay at a hospital. This helps ease the financial burden and enrich a patient’s physical and mental health.

For oncology patients who also need treatment for non-oncology disorders, providing specialty infusions lets us serve as a one-stop shop where they can receive comprehensive care in one convenient, familiar location. Rather than going to an infusion center or hospital to receive treatment from staff they’re not familiar with, our patients will see the AON physicians and nurses with whom they’ve already built a trusting relationship.

The Enhanced Benefits of a Network

Joining a national network such as AON offers a whole host of benefits for independent community-based oncology practices that wish to also provide specialty infusions to their patients.

AON has contracting power that gives our practices access to a wide formulary of non-oncology medications that may not be available to smaller private practices.

Some independent practices may not have the time or manpower to research and investigate the specifics regarding specialty infusions. AON manages all that with standardized education and training, as well as a reference library our clinicians can access at any time to learn more about a medication. That includes such important information as preparation instructions and monitoring parameters under the Food and Drug Administration’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. REMS is a drug safety program required by the FDA for certain drugs to help ensure the benefits outweigh the risks.

Ultimately, supporting our practice partners in offering specialty infusions is another way AON provides top-shelf service to our patients right in their own backyard—which is precisely what community-based care is all about.

The Importance of a Patient-Centric Approach

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At American Oncology Network (AON), we encourage our practices to adopt a patient-centric approach and deliver exceptional care with compassion and kindness. It’s a method of care delivery that supports the value-based care model, which has revolutionized healthcare by rewarding providers based on their delivery of the highest quality patient care.

One of our practices, Oncology Hematology Associates (OHA), located in Springfield, Missouri, has long embodied this approach by embracing patient-centered care. By placing its patients first, OHA continuously earns high patient satisfaction scores of 96.1% and above.

Treating the Whole Person — and Their Family

As part of our patient-centered approach, AON practices embrace the Whole-Person Care model, which is defined as taking care of a patient’s mental and spiritual health as well as treating them physically. At OHA, whole-person care permeates every aspect of care management, including financial burdens. Battling cancer is stressful enough without patients having to concern themselves with how they are going to pay for treatment. That’s why OHA helps its patients connect with local organizations that provide financial assistance ranging from utility bills and groceries to mortgage payments and even affordable housing. Alleviating a patient of some of their financial burdens can be a great boost to their physical and mental health.

The practice also offers nutritional assistance for patients who are undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments by recommending which foods to eat and which they should avoid when it comes to managing side effects. OHA also works with a local organization that supplies mental and spiritual support to those recently diagnosed with cancer.

Understanding that caregiver fatigue is a very real, very serious issue, OHA includes members of a patient’s support team when it comes to nurturing mental and spiritual health. Its infusion centers are open to a patient’s caregivers, friends and family, allowing our nurses to interact and bond with whomever accompanies the patients to their treatments.

Building Relationships with Patients

One of the many benefits of a community oncology practice is that patients often see the same physicians, nurses and other clinical team members during their visits, which leads to meaningful relationships built on trust.  OHA focuses on establishing these relationships when a patient walks into the practice for the first time — regardless of where they are in their diagnosis.

Cancer patients are taking a journey, and OHA employees will be there to support them every step of the way. Because OHA’s clinics offer a variety of services, patients do not need to go anywhere else for blood work or infusions, which allows them to become more comfortable each time they walk into the office and interact with our staff. OHA wants its patients to feel like they’re visiting family — not just physicians and nurses. Part of that is encouraging patients to reach out anytime. For example, our nurse practitioners are standing by and ready to assist any patient suffering through uncomfortable side effects from treatment by sharing tips on managing symptoms and offering up a library of educational collateral to share.

Strength in Numbers

Joining a national network such as AON can supply local, independent practices with the structure and resources they need to enhance a patient-centric approach to oncology care — which is the backbone of community-based care.

For those who work at OHA and in other practices across AON, oncology is more than just a job — it has become a very important part of their lives. They love the bonds they get to forge with their patients and are proud to be a part of their journey, regardless of where or how that journey ends.

Racial Disparities in Cancer Care and Research: The Causes and Possible Solutions

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February was Black History Month, making this an important time to note the racial disparities that exist in cancer care and research. Black people have higher death rates than members of all other ethnic groups for most types of cancer — specifically multiple myeloma and prostate cancer — and black women are more likely to die from breast cancer than white women despite a similar rate of diagnosis.

While there has been progress toward erasing these inequities in treatment and care, a great deal more work remains to be done. To that end, it is important to stay informed of these disparities so we can learn how to eliminate them forever.

The Causes of Racial Disparities

There are many reasons why racial disparities exist in cancer care, one of which is based in socioeconomics. The reality is that a wide wealth gap remains between black and white households, even within the same income class, which can put higher quality medical care out of financial reach. This is especially true for those seeking treatment for costly cancer care.

Another reason is an inherent distrust African Americans have traditionally had with the healthcare industry. While this distrust dates back to the highly unethical Tuskegee syphilis study in 1932, more recent research has provided additional reasons why it persists: an implicit bias in healthcare that black people often receive lower quality care than their white counterparts. According to a survey conducted by Genentech and published by WebMD in partnership with the All of Us Research Program, 1 in 3 medically disenfranchised black and Hispanic people said they didn’t participate in clinical trials or receive vaccinations because of their lack of trust in the healthcare industry.

The restoration of trust in the healthcare industry would be a huge step forward in greatly reducing or eliminating racial disparities.

The Need for Diversity in Research

While social and economic barriers do play a role in higher rates of cancer in the U.S., it is also true that African Americans are more susceptible to the disease than other ethnic groups. This can be attributed to genetics, limited access to quality care and, most importantly, substandard care stemming from a lack of diversity in clinical research and drug trials.

Black people make up about 13% of the U.S. population, yet we seldom see that portion of the population represented in research. Notably, African Americans make up just 1-2% of the participants in clinical trials. This lack of diversity makes it impossible to see what effect certain drugs may have on people of African-American descent, especially when trying to treat multiple myeloma, of which African Americans account for approximately 30% of the patients.

One way to combat this is to assign a diversity officer to all research studies and clinical trials. Currently, there are data safety and monitoring boards for studies to ensure the patients and participants are being properly cared for and protected. The diversity officer can play a similar role by ensuring study populations don’t heavily skew in the direction of one race or another. This helps ensure that all patients are represented equally, making available the data that lets researchers know the effect a certain drug or treatment has on all members of the population.

Steps in the Right Direction

Disparities and gaps in care do exist, but for the first time, we are seeing progress toward rectifying this problem. While the Food and Drug Administration cannot mandate population-based studies, it is beginning to encourage drug manufacturers and the healthcare industry to focus research on generating data applicable to African Americans. The industry seems to be listening, too, as evidenced by the creation of think tanks and advisory boards to learn how to be more inclusive.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology, which is the world’s largest cancer society that features representation from 150 different countries, recently announced the addition of a diversity and inclusion officer to its administrative structure. This role will address some of these racial disparities and work toward solutions to eliminate them.

At American Oncology Network (AON), we are in a unique position because of our diverse patient population and geographic footprint. This combination allows all patients, but especially African Americans, to participate in trials right in their own community – trials that are being conducted by physicians and doctors they know and trust.

This sort of inclusion is a significant step toward making sure patients from all walks of life are receiving the care they deserve.

COVID Pandemic Has Negative Impact on Cancer Care

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According to a national study conducted by Avalere Health and published in the November 2020 issue of the journal JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on cancer care with a decline in screenings, diagnosis and treatments — problems that could lead to an increase in cancer morbidity and mortality for years to come.

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The COVID-19 Vaccine: Safe for Cancer Patients?

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As we approach the one-year mark of the pandemic, nearly 60 million doses of the two currently approved COVID-19 vaccines have been administered nationwide. However, public opinion differs on the efficacy and safety of these vaccines, and some people have expressed reluctance — or outright refused — to receive one.

For cancer patients and survivors, who are at a high risk of becoming severely ill from a COVID-19 infection, this is an extremely important decision. It is essential that they and their caregivers know all the information regarding these vaccines and whether they are safe to take.

The Safety of the Vaccine

In short, it is safe for cancer patients and survivors to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Nor does it matter which one they receive.  Vaccines created by both Moderna and Pfizer have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and report an efficacy rate of approximately 95%. Cancer patients and survivors of all ages are encouraged to get vaccinated whenever they can.

The vaccine is also safe for anyone currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment. However, patients receiving very intensive cytotoxic chemotherapy, such as 7+3 regimen for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), should wait until their absolute neutrophil count (ANC) recovers before getting the vaccine.  Those receiving bone-marrow transplants or cellular therapy such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy should wait at least three months after their therapy has been completed.

There may be side effects to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, such as pain and swelling at the injection site, as well as headaches, chills and fever. These aren’t expected to be any worse or different for cancer patients and survivors.

Caregivers and Vaccines

COVID-19 is highly contagious, so it is important that caregivers also be vaccinated in order to mitigate the risk of exposing patients or loved ones to infection. It is safe, too, because receiving a vaccine will not turn a caregiver into a carrier.

However, data from trials have shown that while vaccines decrease the incidence of COVID-19 and its ensuing complications, it is unclear if they prevent infection and possible transmission. Consequently, people should continue to wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and wash their hands regularly even after they have been vaccinated.

Cancer patients are also at a high risk of developing serious complications from the flu, so it is important that they and their caregivers receive a flu shot. This is especially true during the pandemic; while the flu shot won’t stave off COVID-19, it will lessen the severity of the flu and ease the burden on hospitals and healthcare organizations that are already overwhelmed treating the millions fighting COVID-19.

Keeping our Patients Safe

Since the pandemic was first declared last March, American Oncology Network (AON) has prioritized the safety of our staff and patients. We continue to do so by encouraging all employees to get vaccinated as soon as they can, which allows us to continue administering top-quality care to our patients right in their own community.

In the future, we hope to be able to administer the vaccines to patients and staff all throughout our network.