Gateway to Hope is proud to partner with the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) and the University of Kansas Cancer Center (KUCC) on an exciting initiative aimed at strengthening support for patients living with metastatic breast cancer.
Co-led by Ashley Holmes, Gateway to Hope’s Chief of Research, Strategy & Impact, and Dr. Jamie Myers of KUMC, this two-year project brings together healthcare providers, researchers, social workers, patient navigators, and experts in the community to better understand how social and financial challenges impact a patient’s ability to stay engaged in cancer treatment.
Together, teams at Gateway to Hope and KUMC are documenting patient experiences, evaluating current support systems, and identifying ways to improve the coordination of care between healthcare providers and community organizations. This project will ultimately develop and test a new model of care that combines KUMC’s clinical expertise with Gateway to Hope’s community-based navigation and financial assistance services.
This collaboration is a powerful example of what is possible when healthcare systems and nonprofit organizations work together as equal partners to address the real-world challenges patients face, both inside and out of the doctor’s office. By combining data, patient experiences, and the insight of frontline providers, Gateway to Hope believes this project will create a model that helps patients stick to treatment plans, strengthens support for patients and families, and promotes equity in cancer care.
We are grateful to the many clinicians, social workers, navigators, and staff members who have contributed their time and expertise to make this work possible. We look forward to sharing updates as the project continues.
Interested in learning more about Gateway to Hope’s Research and Learning efforts? Click here!
