Oncology Hematology Care (OHC) is at the forefront of cancer treatment and research, offering unparalleled care to cancer patients in Cincinnati, Ohio, and surrounding regions. With 8 cancer centers of excellence, OHC provides comprehensive, physician-led care through a practice model. Its collaboration with the Sarah Cannon Research Institute, a nationally recognized leader in the study of oncology, enables clinical investigators to conduct phase 1 to 4 trials and contribute to groundbreaking cancer treatments. This partnership has helped OHC to maintain a legacy of academic rigor and innovation in cancer care for over 40 years.

OHC is the first, most experienced, and only certified independent adult cancer practice in the region to offer 2 advanced forms of immunotherapy—chimeric antigen receptor T-cell and natural killer-cell therapy—that have transformed cancer treatment. Its commitment to excellence is reflected in its consistent recognition and accreditations. OHC has been certified as a Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Certification Program by the American Society of Clinical Oncology since 2010, and the American College of Radiology has recognized it as a gold-standard institution in medical imaging since 2020. Additionally, the OHC laboratory has held the Joint Commission accreditation since 1995, and its outpatient pharmacy has been accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Healthcare since 2019.

These pioneering efforts were commended as OHC became the only practice to receive the 2023 Innovation Award from the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC). This award recognized OHC’s groundbreaking quality improvement project that focused on comprehensive biomarker testing in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer—a program now being implemented in other cancer centers nationwide.

What truly sets OHC apart from other cancer centers is its unwavering commitment to quality. David Waterhouse, MD, MPH, director of OHC’s early-phase clinical trials, emphasized the practice’s dedication to both clinical research and quality care. “Good care is good business,” he said. “It’s really that simple. We’re very dedicated to clinical research and our quality initiatives.” Unlike large academic institutions with departments that may be siloed, OHC benefits from a vertically and horizontally integrated structure that fosters collaboration, transparency, and the shared goal of improving cancer care. Dr. Waterhouse added, “[With this structure], you share your best practices and compete on your services.”

Since joining OHC in 1994, Dr. Waterhouse has been passionate about changing the research landscape in Cincinnati. “[Quality] should be part of everything we do,” he emphasized, reinforcing OHC’s commitment to compassionate care as the cornerstone of its service.

Reimagining Supportive Care
At OHC, patient care extends beyond the treatment of cancer itself. “The supportive care program is designed to help patients maintain the highest quality of life throughout their cancer journey,” stated Molly Mendenhall, MBOE, LSSBB, BSN, RN, director of quality and compliance. The program offers a comprehensive approach to patient care, ensuring that patients remain under the guidance of their own physicians while receiving in-depth support for symptom management, treatment goals, and advanced care planning. The supportive care team works closely with patients to address a wide range of needs, from physical symptoms to social, emotional, and spiritual support. By collaborating with community resources, OHC helps patients to navigate the challenges of cancer treatment and maintain their dignity and well-being.

Pain and Symptom Care
The supportive care team at OHC is dedicated to helping patients manage pain and other symptoms that arise from their illness or treatment. Team members help to control a wide range of symptoms, including nausea, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and emotional distress.

Coordinating Caregiver and Provider Meetings
OHC recognizes the importance of involving family members in the decision-making process. The supportive care team facilitates family meetings to ensure that patients and their loved ones understand their condition, treatment options, and long-term goals. These meetings also allow the team to answer any questions and provide guidance on treatment decisions.

Spiritual and Social Support
The supportive care team works closely with a variety of cancer-specific organizations that offer individual and group support, spiritual counseling, and financial navigators to help minimize the stress of a cancer diagnosis. These resources help to alleviate some of the emotional and financial burdens of a cancer diagnosis.

Advanced Care Planning
The care team and family members should be aware of patients’ personal goals, preferences, and choices about their health care. The supportive care team members have expertise in advanced care planning. Working together with patients and their loved ones, OHC team members take the time to listen, answer questions, and provide guidance in the completion of an advance directive, ensuring that the patient’s wishes are respected and honored.

Timely, Effective Treatment for All Patients

The substantial number of cancer patients requiring care in the United States causes significant wait times from diagnosis to an oncology referral. This lag time leads to additional stress and delays in treatment for cancer patients. To minimize this issue, OHC has a set standard to get all new patients in for a consultation with an oncologist within 8 days of referral to provide a prompt diagnosis and treatment plan. Next, every patient is scheduled for a teaching visit with the advanced practice provider, nurse navigator, and financial navigator to review all aspects of care.

Along with in-office consultations, OHC offers a call center for patients who have questions or need immediate advice. If necessary, the practice can facilitate same-day appointments to address urgent concerns. To further enhance accessibility, OHC offers a weekend clinic on Saturdays and Sundays; providing immediate access for those patients who are experiencing side effects or need additional care outside normal office hours. This multifaceted approach ensures the highest level and quality of care and minimizes the need for emergency room visits.

“I think because we are small, we can be nimble,” said Aimee Brown, Director of Clinical Services at OHC. This agility enables them to quickly adapt and provide care to patients, especially when other practices have long wait times or lack the necessary treatments.

Addressing Location and Accessibility Challenges

The Cincinnati region houses a diverse population, resulting in a wide range of patient demographics and cancer types. Many OHC patients travel over an hour to reach the nearest cancer center, which can lead to financial and logistical challenges. Transportation services like Uber and Lyft may not be available in more remote areas, and county-based transportation services can be difficult to coordinate. To help address these challenges, OHC offers gas cards to patients who need assistance with transportation. In addition, the practice works with multiple local nonprofit organizations, including Cancer Family Care and Pink Ribbon Good to assist different communities. OHC’s community partners have exceptional volunteers that help transport patients to and from appointments.

Reflecting on OHC’s most impactful achievements, Dr. Waterhouse said, “What the OHC group can feel best about is that we have delivered the highest quality care to a very large number of patients in our community. I think that the group can be proud of simply being a champion for high-quality cancer care.”