After negotiation with NCI/CDRP, our group was granted the Telesynergy system from Laredo Medical Center. While it is very unfortunate that Laredo did not succeed in replacing their PI, we are pleased that the system will be put to very good use. Dr. Schenken traveled to Laredo to oversee inventory and packing and the system arrived at Somerset Hospital safe and sound early in September. Installation for local use was completed recently and we are pleased to announce that Somerset Hospital has seamlessly integrated the system into their local tumor boards. IP interface will be complete in the near future to allow teleconferencing to/from that site.
Watch for Jameson Memorial Hospital system in the VERY near future as equipment trickles in to complete their "Version 4".
We are pleased to announce that over the summer, the NCI/CDRP has reappropriated one of the Telesynergy systems from the Laredo Medical Center to our program. Meetings were held with Dr. Schenken, Barb Klewien and Somerset Hospital CEO, Mike Farrell and once feasibility was established, the system was packed and shipped and arrived August 10.
A new scaled back version (Version 4 approved by NCI) has been configured for Jameson Hospital and once components have arrived, installation can begin.
All grant Telesynergy systems, including Washington University in St. Louis will soon transition to IP interface saving ISDN monthly line fees and telephone expense.
We will keep you update on all these exciting developments as the systems come on line.
Information regarding information and availability of clinical trials at the five Neighborhood Cancer Care Cooperative sites can be found at the following:
For Somerset Oncology Center contact: David S. Parda, MD Chairman and Program Director Allegheny General Hospital Department of Radiation Oncology West Penn AlleghenyHealth Sytem Radiation Oncology Network 412-359-6342
ROCOG is short for Radiation Oncology Community Outreach Group, This is a group of five hospital radiation oncology treatment centers in Southwest Pennsylvania that are organized to cooperate under a federal grant from the National Cancer Institute.
These grants address disparities in minority groups and encourage participation in clinical research programs. ROCOG members provide high quality treatment and care for both majority and minority populations in the cities and rural regions of southwest Pennsylvania.
This site serves to document the group's work, and to provide informatiom for healthcare professionals and the general public about cancer and cancer resources in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
This effort is funded by NCI, DHHS, NIH and FirstGov
