Several AON physicians and leaders shared new cancer research at one of oncology’s most influential gatherings

FORT MYERS, Fla., June 3, 2025 – American Oncology Network (AON), one of the nation’s fastest-growing networks of community oncology practices, is pleased to announce that multiple research studies co-authored by AON physicians and leaders were selected for presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025 Annual Meeting, held May 30-June 3 in Chicago.

The following abstracts were accepted after a rigorous review process and presented through poster discussions, oral presentations or online publication:

• Sunil Babu, MD, of Fort Wayne Medical Oncology and Hematology, co-authored:
  • “Safety and efficacy of ABBV-706, a seizure-related homolog protein 6 (SEZ6)—targeting antibody-drug conjugate, in high-grade neuroendocrine neoplasms.”
• Ruemu Ejedafeta Birhiray, MD, of Hematology Oncology of Indiana, co-authored “Advancing racial representation in clinical trials: An analysis of 53 ASCO plenary and late-breaking abstracts using the DRIVE score.”
• Ralph V. Boccia, MD, FACP, of The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, co-authored the following studies:
  • “Bria-IMT + checkpoint inhibitor: Phase I/II survival results compared to benchmark trials in metastatic breast cancer.”
  • “Impact of HLA matching on clinical outcomes in a phase 2 trial of Bria-IMT plus anti PD1 in advanced breast cancer.” 
• Jim Chen, MD, of Genesis Cancer and Blood Institute, authored “From trials to clinics: Real-world outcomes of neoadjuvant HER2 directed therapy in early-stage breast cancer using AI-enhanced data pipelines.”
• Puneeth Indurlal, MD, AON vice president of practice operations, authored this study:
  • “From data to dollars: Evaluating the predictive power of enhancing oncology model risk adjusters” and the following poster sessions:
    • “Cost-effective cancer care: The role of oncology biosimilars in generating cost savings.”
    • “The cost of convenience: Evaluating economic differences in SQ and IV biotherapeutic formulations.”
    • “Breaking down the 505(b)(2) drug price paradox.”
• Brian Mulherin, MD, of Hematology Oncology of Indiana, authored “Real-world data on bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) administration in community oncology settings.”
• Martin Palmeri, MD, MBA, of Messino Cancer Centers, chaired the “Speaking to Power with Power:  Advocating for your Profession” session and submitted material with the same title for the ASCO Educational Book.
• Shajadi Patan, MD, of MidAmerica Cancer Care, contributed to several pharmacovigilance and real-world evidence studies, including:
  • “Hepatotoxic adverse events with immune checkpoint inhibitors: Real world pharmacovigilance study using FAERS database.”
  • “Cardiac adverse events with PARP inhibitors: Real world pharmacovigilance study using FAERS database.”
  • “Radioimmunotherapy-associated myeloid neoplasms: Real-world multicenter retrospective study using TriNetX database.”
  • “Risk of second primary hematological malignancy post CAR-T cell therapy in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: Propensity-matched analysis using TriNetX database.”
  • “Radioimmunotherapy Associated Myeloid Neoplasms: Real-world Multicenter Retrospective Study using TrinetX Database.”
  • “Mortality and readmission rates post CAR-T cell therapy in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: Real-world, multicentre, retrospective cohort study using TriNetX database.”
  • “Incident reporting and outcomes of gastrointestinal adverse events with immune checkpoint inhibitors.”
  • “Trends of gastrointestinal secondary primary malignancy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients from 2000-2021: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.”
  • “Comparative efficacy of PARP inhibitors in BRCA mutated HER2-negative breast cancer: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.”
• Taral Patel, MD, of Zangmeister Cancer Center, co-authored the following studies:
  • “Assessing practice gaps and challenges for immunotherapy integration in treatment of metastatic urothelial carcinoma.”
  • “A quality initiative focused on biomarker testing in stage IB-IIIA resected and stage IV non-small cell lung cancer patients.”
• Anne Marie Rainey, MSN, RN, CHC, CPHQ, AON’s director of value-based care, participated in this poster session: “Cost-effective cancer care: The role of ongoing biosimilars in generating cost savings.”
• Susan Sabo-Wagner, MSN, RN, OCN, NEA-BC, AON’s vice president of clinical innovation, participated in this educational session: “Addressing Barriers in Palliative Care for Rural and Underserved Communities” and led the “Pragmatic Insights from Community Oncology: Designing Care Plans to Address Social Needs” portion.

“It’s an honor to share our research and latest findings with peers at ASCO,” said Dr. Boccia, who is also the chairperson of AON’s Research Committee. “This platform fosters collaboration, innovation, and the advancement of clinical oncology. Our participation reflects our ongoing commitment to improving cancer care through evidence-based practices.”

“Oncology research isn’t just about discovering new treatments—it’s about deepening our understanding of cancer itself,” said Dr. Stephen “Fred” Divers, AON’s chief medical officer. “Each study brings us closer to more precise care, better outcomes and, ultimately, a cure. We’re proud to contribute to this vital mission.”

“Having so many of our physicians and leaders featured at ASCO speaks volumes about the caliber of talent across our network,” said Todd Schonherz, AON’s chief executive officer. “We are proud to support their work, which not only advances the field of oncology but also reinforces AON’s culture of innovation and learning.”

ASCO is one of the leading professional organizations for oncology professionals, offering more than 145 hours of education, collaboration and research insights each year during its annual meeting.

AON has numerous practices actively participating in clinical research. Currently, AON practices offer access to more than 150 clinical trials, making cutting-edge treatment options available within local communities.

For more information about AON, visit www.AONcology.com.

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About American Oncology Network
American Oncology Network (AON) is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success and viability of community oncology and other specialties. Founded in 2018, AON’s rapidly expanding network represents more than 290 providers practicing across 21 states. AON pioneers innovative healthcare solutions through its physician-led model, fostering value-based care that improves patient outcomes while reducing costs and expanding access to quality care. AON equips its network physicians with the tools they need to thrive independently while providing comprehensive support, integrated revenue-diversifying ancillary services, and practice management expertise, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most – providing the highest standard of care for every patient. AON is committed to promoting health equity by addressing disparities in cancer care and ensuring that all patients have access to the care they need to achieve optimal health outcomes. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, AON is shaping the future of community oncology. For more information, please visit AONcology.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube.

Media Contact:
Karen Riley Sawyer
American Oncology Network
Karen.Sawyer@AONcology.com

FORT MYERS, Fla., May 15, 2025 – American Oncology Network (AON), one of the nation’s fastest-growing community oncology networks, today announced the appointment of Joe Verschleiser as chief growth and performance officer.

“We are excited to welcome Joe to AON’s leadership team,” said Todd Schonherz, AON’s chief executive officer. “His deep experience in driving growth, executing strategic initiatives and leading operational improvements within healthcare organizations will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our national presence and support the long-term success of our partner practices.”

In his new role, Joe will lead growth strategy and performance optimization for AON partner practices, with a focus on expansion and new business line opportunities to support continued practice growth. He brings more than a decade of experience in healthcare, including executive leadership roles in operations, financial strategy and mergers and acquisitions.

Before joining AON, Joe served as president of the West Division at Unified Women’s Healthcare, where he led strategy, growth and operations for more than 200 physicians. He also held several other senior positions at Unified, including senior vice president of financial operations and strategy and vice president of mergers and acquisitions and corporate development. Earlier in his career, he was an investment banker at global firms including Jefferies and Rothschild & Co., with a focus on healthcare and physician services M&A.

“I am honored to join AON and help advance its mission of expanding access to high-quality, affordable cancer care,” said Verschleiser. “I look forward to working with this exceptional team to drive growth and improve outcomes for patients and providers across the country.”

“Joe brings a strong track record of driving value-based growth and building scalable infrastructure,” said Stephen “Fred” Divers, MD, AON’s chief medical officer. “His strategic vision will strengthen our ability to meet the evolving needs of patients and practices.”

Joe holds Bachelor of Science degrees in finance and accountancy and a Master of Science in accountancy from Villanova University.

For more information about AON, visit AONcology.com.

About American Oncology Network
American Oncology Network (AON) is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success and viability of community oncology and other specialties. Founded in 2018, AON’s rapidly expanding network represents more than 290 providers practicing across 21 states. AON pioneers innovative healthcare solutions through its physician-led model, fostering value-based care that improves patient outcomes while reducing costs and expanding access to quality care. AON equips its network physicians with the tools they need to thrive independently while providing comprehensive support, integrated revenue-diversifying ancillary services, and practice management expertise, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most – providing the highest standard of care for every patient. AON is committed to promoting health equity by addressing disparities in cancer care and ensuring that all patients have access to the care they need to achieve optimal health outcomes. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, AON is shaping the future of community oncology. For more information, please visit AONcology.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube.

Media Contact:
Karen Riley Sawyer
American Oncology Network
Karen.Sawyer@AONcology.com

FORT MYERS, Fla., May 13, 2025 – American Oncology Network (AON), one of the nation’s fastest-growing community oncology networks, today announced the appointment of Terri Casey as chief human resources officer (CHRO).

“We are pleased to welcome Terri to the AON leadership team,” said Todd Schonherz, AON’s chief executive officer. “Terri’s impressive background in human resources, employment law, and healthcare allows her to bring a strategic and multidisciplinary perspective to leadership and talent development that makes her a perfect fit for this essential role. Her deep knowledge of HR will be invaluable as we continue to grow AON.”

Terri brings more than 15 years of experience leading HR teams, including executive leadership roles in several physician specialty practices such as orthopedics, rehabilitation, aesthetics, and mental health. Her expertise lies in partnering with executives and boards to achieve financial goals by fostering a workplace culture that attracts and retains top talent.

“I am honored to join AON’s executive team,” said Casey. “AON’s mission to make cancer care affordable and accessible in communities across the country is truly inspiring. I am excited to bring my expertise to the team, continue building a strong workplace culture and create meaningful relationships that drive positive outcomes for our patients and providers.”

“The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, creating new opportunities and workplace challenges that require the strategic HR leadership expertise Terri brings,” said Stephen “Fred” Divers, MD, AON’s chief medical officer. “Terri will be an invaluable strategic partner and will continue to strengthen our human resources function and organizational culture as AON grows and evolves.”

Prior to joining AON, Terri held positions at a boutique law firm and served as general counsel to clients on a wide range of employment matters, specializing in the healthcare industry. She also served as interim chief human resources officer for several healthcare organizations, including AON. She earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School.

For more information about AON, visit AONcology.com.

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About American Oncology Network
American Oncology Network (AON) is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success and viability of community oncology and other specialties. Founded in 2018, AON’s rapidly expanding network represents more than 290 providers practicing across 21 states. AON pioneers innovative healthcare solutions through its physician-led model, fostering value-based care that improves patient outcomes while reducing costs and expanding access to quality care. AON equips its network physicians with the tools they need to thrive independently while providing comprehensive support, integrated revenue-diversifying ancillary services, and practice management expertise, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most – providing the highest standard of care for every patient. AON is committed to promoting health equity by addressing disparities in cancer care and ensuring that all patients have access to the care they need to achieve optimal health outcomes. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, AON is shaping the future of community oncology. For more information, please visit AONcology.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube.

Media Contact:
Karen Riley Sawyer
American Oncology Network
Karen.Sawyer@AONcology.com

Strategic Thyme Care partnership strengthens AON’s leadership in value‑based care innovation while improving patient experience and reducing costs.

FORT MYERS, Fla.–April 22, 2025– American Oncology Network (AON), one of the nation’s fastest-growing community oncology networks, today announced strong results from the first performance period in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation’s (CMMI) Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM). AON practices participating in the program—in collaboration with value-based cancer care enabler Thyme Care—achieved nearly $6M in cost savings for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). AON also earned a performance-based payment while improving patient experience and outcomes.

“Our first performance period in the EOM yielded a positive outcome, validating our approach to value-based cancer care and demonstrating the strength of our leadership team, clinic staff, and partnership with Thyme Care,” said AON Chief Medical Officer Dr. Stephen “Fred” Divers. “This achievement reinforces AON’s leadership in alternative payment models, and we’re excited to implement new strategies to further enhance our performance in future performance periods.” 

The results build on AON’s proven track record in value-based care, following its success in the Oncology Care Model (OCM), the predecessor to EOM, where AON practices saw significant improvements in patient outcomes and a 2.6% decrease in expenditures compared with other OCM participants. Now in the EOM, AON practices represent approximately 10% of the total EOM population, highlighting the network’s leadership in advancing value-based oncology care.

Key drivers of success in the EOM program:

• Pharmacy interventions: Many cancer drugs have list prices exceeding $100,000 annually. AON’s oncologists and pharmacists  lead the  development and implementation of data-informed, patient-centric pharmacy interventions, in partnership with Thyme Care. These included drug waste minimization and therapeutic substitutions that reduced costs while maintaining clinical efficacy and improving adherence.

• Comprehensive care navigation: AON oncologists and clinic staff, supported by Thyme Care’s 24/7 virtual care navigation team—comprised of oncology nurses, social workers, and healthcare navigators–provided comprehensive care both in the clinic and between appointments. This proactive, wraparound approach identified patients’ clinical, emotional, logistical, and health equity needs, improving the overall care experience and outcomes. Every patient interaction was documented and shared among providers and care teams, ensuring they had the right information at the right time to make informed decisions.

• Real-time performance data: AON and Thyme Care used real-time analytics from electronic health records (EHR), electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs), admission-discharge-transfer (ADT) feeds, and claims data to quickly identify and address issues. By continuously reviewing performance data and refining care delivery, the team reduced avoidable emergency department visits and gained deeper insights into their performance in the EOM.

• Virtual palliative care support: AON and Thyme Care provided virtual palliative care to help patients and caregivers manage physical and psychological symptoms, offering an additional layer of support throughout the cancer journey. This approach ensured patients received compassionate, patient-centered care aligned with their goals and values.

“We are incredibly proud of our achievements in the first performance period of this program,” said Dr. Bobby Green, co-founder, chief medical officer, and president of Thyme Care. “We built the right systems, processes, and infrastructure from the ground up to support patients with 24/7 care, address their social needs, and use data to drive improvements. Collaborating with the AON team and combining their clinical expertise with Thyme Care’s technology and services enabled us to succeed in the EOM and deliver meaningful impact to patients. As we move forward together, we’re confident we’ll continue to improve both quality and costs.”

 

About American Oncology Network
American Oncology Network (AON) is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success and viability of community oncology and other specialties. Founded in 2018, AON’s rapidly expanding network represents more than 290 providers practicing across 21 states. AON pioneers innovative healthcare solutions through its physician-led model, fostering value-based care that improves patient outcomes while reducing costs and expanding access to quality care. AON equips its network physicians with the tools they need to thrive independently while providing comprehensive support, integrated revenue-diversifying ancillary services, and practice management expertise, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most – providing the highest standard of care for every patient. AON is committed to promoting health equity by addressing disparities in cancer care and ensuring that all patients have access to the care they need to achieve optimal health outcomes. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, AON is shaping the future of community oncology. For more information, please visit AONcology.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube.

AON Contact
Karen Riley Sawyer
American Oncology Network
Karen.Sawyer@AONcology.com

 

About Thyme Care
Thyme Care is the leading value-based care enabler, collaborating with payers and providers to transform the experience and outcomes for individuals living with cancer. The company partners with health plans, employers and risk-bearing providers to assume accountability for enhanced care quality, improved health outcomes, and reduced total cost of care. Thyme Care’s approach combines a technology-enabled Care Team and seamless integration with more than 800 oncologists in Thyme Care Oncology Partners, creating a hybrid collaborative care model that guides and supports the entire patient journey. Thyme Care empowers oncologists nationwide through purpose-built tech, advanced data analytics, and virtual patient engagement, driving better care and outcomes in value-based arrangements. Thyme Care is a founding member of CancerX, and is backed by leading investors. To learn more about how Thyme Care is enabling the shift to value-based care in oncology, visit www.thymecare.com.

Thyme Care Contact
Kimberly Dreisinger
Thyme Care Communications
press@thymecare.com

Local oncology practice opens new location to provide enhanced cancer care to the Kansas City community.

Kansas City, KS, April 2, 2025 – MidAmerica Cancer Care (MACC), a trusted name in cancer care in the Kansas City Metropolitan area and western Missouri, and a partner practice of American Oncology Network (AON), has opened a new medical oncology clinic in Kansas City, Kansas that is located at 8919 Parallel Pkwy, Suite 326W. Current or prospective patients can call (913) 804-4031 for inquiries or to schedule an appointment.

Board-certified medical oncologists Jaswinder Singh, MD, Nicholas Shuler, DO, Shajadi Patan, MD, and Benjamin Fangman, MD are now accepting patients at the new MACC location. The new clinic includes private exam rooms that provide dedicated space for patient-physician conversations, an infusion room, in-house lab and pathology services, and a specialty pharmacy for oral oncolytics.

“We are excited to welcome patients to our new Kansas City practice location, where we will provide the same high-quality care that we do in all of our clinics,” said Board-certified MACC medical oncologist and hematologist, Jaswinder Singh, MD. “We have a patient-first mindset, and we hold ourselves to a high standard of continuously providing exceptional, compassionate care, which is the standard in all of MACC’s clinic locations. We look forward to serving our patients at our new clinic in Kansas City, Kansas.”

MACC provides care to patients living in the Kansas City Metropolitan area, western Missouri, and surrounding areas. The practice ensures patients receive personalized care and treatment plans that are designed exclusively for their unique needs. As a community-based practice, MACC provides affordable care in a comfortable environment while offering high-quality, state-of-the-art treatment in convenient locations.

In January, MACC announced its partnership with American Oncology Network, one of the nation’s fastest-growing community-based oncology networks. This partnership allows MACC to enhance patient care by offering additional services such as access to the in-house specialty pharmacy with home delivery of certain medications among other benefits.

“We are looking forward to welcoming our patients to the new space, where we will continue to prioritize their health and well-being,” said Dr. Singh. “This new location will allow us to expand patient services and therapeutics and provide a large space for staff to deliver one-on-one care.”

For more information about AON, visit AONcology.com. For more information about MidAmerica Cancer Care, visit maccsp.com.

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About American Oncology Network
American Oncology Network (AON) is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success and viability of community oncology and other specialties. Founded in 2018, AON’s rapidly expanding network represents more than 290 providers practicing across 21 states. AON pioneers innovative healthcare solutions through its physician-led model, fostering value-based care that improves patient outcomes while reducing costs and expanding access to quality care. AON equips its network physicians with the tools they need to thrive independently while providing comprehensive support, integrated revenue-diversifying ancillary services, and practice management expertise, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most – providing the highest standard of care for every patient. AON is committed to promoting health equity by addressing disparities in cancer care and ensuring that all patients have access to the care they need to achieve optimal health outcomes. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, AON is shaping the future of community oncology. For more information, please visit AONcology.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube.

About MidAmerica Cancer Care
Established in 2019, MidAmerica Cancer Care (MACC) has one central mission: to provide compassionate cancer care to patients right in their own communities. Because tumors and cancers are unique, it is important to create a unique treatment plan for each patient. At MACC, treating the whole patient and not just the cancer itself, is an integral part of this approach. This is accomplished through leading-edge programs and technologies delivered in a highly personal and compassionate setting.

MidAmerica Cancer Care has six physicians and 16 advanced practitioners on staff, in three locations. With more than 50 years combined experience, MACC is dedicated to fighting for each patient as if they are family.

With its main location on the campus of St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, MO, MACC visits with patients in multiple locations. Learn more at maccsp.com.

Media Contact:
Karen Riley Sawyer
American Oncology Network
Karen.Sawyer@AONcology.com