Press Releases

Mercy Hospital Joins The Michigan Cancer Research Consortium

Port Huron, MI… Local cancer patients now have greater access to clinical cancer research trials through the Mercy Regional Cancer Center. Mercy Hospital is pleased to announce it has joined the Michigan Cancer Research Consortium (MCRC); a Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) led by St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital Ann Arbor and funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The MCRC-CCOP is a competitive, peer-review, comprehensive clinical trials grant program limited to medical centers, such as Mercy Hospital, that have met the highest standards of excellence in conducting cancer research trials.

One of only 50 CCOPs in the United States, the Michigan Cancer Research Consortium is administrated by St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital Ann Arbor. Locally, MCRC-CCOP activities are under the direction of Timothy Cox, MD, Principal Investigator, Blue Water Oncology, PC.

Clinical trials are coordinated at the Mercy Regional Cancer Center through Karen O’Donnell, RN, BSN, an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) and Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP). O’Donnell has been providing coordination for clinical research trials since 2004; and Dr. Cox has served as the Principal Investigator for the Mercy Hospital Clinical Cancer Research Trials programs since 1999.

In addition to participation by Dr. Cox, many local oncology specialists have successfully completed applications to participate in MCRC-CCOP as investigators, including: Anup Lal, MD, Blue Water Oncology, PC; Samir Alsawah, MD, Huron Medical Center, PC; Youssef Hanna, MD, Huron Medical Center, PC; Kanu Dalal, MD, Mercy Regional Cancer Center; Homeira McDonald, MD, Mercy Hospital. Their membership ensures local patients have access to hundreds of cancer and cancer-related clinical research trials.

The MCRC-CCOP focus is to participate in NCI-sponsored cancer treatment, prevention and control clinical trials. The program is designed to disseminate the latest cancer prevention and treatment research findings on the community level. MCRC-CCOP’s main affiliation is with Mayo Clinic Cancer Center’s North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG), in Rochester, Minnesota.

“In addition to providing local cancer patients access to the greatest numbers of prevention and treatment research trials available in the United States,” comments Timothy Cox, MD, Blue Water Oncology, PC; and Mercy Regional Cancer Center’s Principle Investigator, “this program allows our local specialists access to some of the most sophisticated and advanced cancer information and research imaginable. In addition to the resources of Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, the linkage with St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Ann Arbor and its operations office provides access to dedicated and experienced professionals.

“In short,” concludes Dr. Cox, “this is a terrific opportunity for both cancer patients and care providers throughout our community. Mercy Hospital’s affiliation provides patients access to hundreds of national clinical cancer trials; and it provides specialists the important vehicle to provide these services on a local level regardless of where a cancer patient was diagnosed.”

For more information regarding Mercy Hospital’s participation in the MCRC-CCOP; a list of current trials available; or how you might access program services, call Karen O’Donnell, RN, CCRP at (810) 984-1185.  To find out more about the Mercy Regional Cancer Center visit Mercy online at: www.mymercy.us.

Mercy Hospital. Focused on you. A member of Trinity Health.

About Mercy Hospital

Founded in 1954 by the Religious Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Hospital, Port Huron, MI, is a 119-bed acute care, community-based hospital providing adult medical/surgical services; emergency care; cancer care; cardiac care; inpatient rehabilitation services including stroke care; orthopedics and joint replacement; and a vast number of other testing, health, and medical services. Mercy Hospital was recently awarded accreditation from The Joint Commission and was provided the “Gold Seal of Approval.” Mercy Hospital’s Cancer program was named “best in cancer care” by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. Mercy Hospital’s commitment to its mission is evidenced in support of the Peoples’ Clinic for Better Health, which provides free health care to uninsured community members. Mercy Hospital is a member of Trinity Health, which affords many benefits including access to the Michigan Stroke Network, and the Trinity Cancer Network. For more information, visit: www.mercyporthuron.com. 

About Saint Joseph Mercy Health System

Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, a member of Trinity Health, is a health care organization serving Washtenaw, Livingston, Jackson, Lenawee, Monroe, western Wayne and southwestern Oakland counties. It includes 529-bed St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Saint Joseph Mercy Saline Hospital with 82 beds and Saint Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital in Howell, featuring 136 beds. Combined, the three hospitals are licensed for 747 beds, employ more than 6,700 individuals and have a medical staff of nearly 1,000 physicians.

Satellite sites include three Brighton facilities, Saint Joseph Mercy Woodland Health Center and Urgent Care, Saint Joseph Mercy Woodland Cancer Center, Saint Joseph Mercy Canton Health Center and Urgent Care and Saint Joseph Mercy Maple Urgent Care in Ann Arbor.

About Michigan Cancer Research Consortium

• St. Joseph Mercy Health System – Ann Arbor
• St. Joseph Mercy Hospital – Oakland
• St. Mary Mercy Hospital
• St. John Hospital & Medical Center
• Genesys Regional Medical Center
• St. Mary’s Hospital – Saginaw
• Oakwood Healthcare System
• St. John Macomb Hospital
• Sparrow Health System
• Hurley Medical Center
• Foote Health System