Inspira Medical Centers Mullica Hill, Vineland and Elmer have been recognized with the American...
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Vineland, NJ (January 16, 2025) – Inspira Health is featured in a national colorectal cancer care report issued by Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC), with a case study authored by Sami Abate, Ph.D., M.S.H.S., M.S.N., R.N., Assistant Vice President of Clinical Research and Nursing Excellence at Inspira. The report acknowledges Inspira’s innovative and tailored efforts in colorectal cancer outreach to rural communities.
The report was created in response to the persistently high nationwide burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) and is part of Fight CRC’s Colorectal Cancer Care Initiative, a powerful collaboration aimed at mobilizing collective expertise and resources to tackle challenges in CRC screening, diagnosis, and treatment. This initiative includes a diverse coalition of survivors, caregivers, health care providers, researchers, and industry leaders, all united to drive meaningful progress against the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Colorectal cancers kill more than 50,000 Americans each year.
“On behalf of Inspira Health, it’s an honor to be featured in Fight CRC’s national report on colorectal cancer,” said Abate. “Thank you to Fight Colorectal Cancer for the opportunity to join such an important cause. We are looking forward to transforming the health and wellness of our communities by achieving the goals outlined in the report and collaborating to promote equitable access to care.”
Inspira has implemented transportation solutions for patients, created convenient drop-off programs for non-invasive screening tests, enhanced its community outreach, and addressed the sometimes-inconsistent performance of commercial pick-up and delivery services in rural areas. Additionally, Inspira administers the New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection (NJCEED) program for its service area, making free cancer screenings available to uninsured and underinsured members of the community.
The free screenings and Inspira’s robust outreach efforts benefit hundreds of residents of rural communities each year. Since 2012, Shelly Evans of Cumberland County, N.J., has received her mammograms through NJCEED. In 2022 when NJCEED Outreach Coordinator Judy Santos called Shelly to schedule her annual mammogram, she also asked Shelly if she would like to receive a non-invasive kit to screen for colorectal cancer.
“Judy asked if I wanted to get a colon cancer test. And I said yes,” Shelly said. “I wanted to be proactive and know what was coming my way. The NJCEED process has been wonderful.”
The non-invasive colorectal screening test is delivered to a participant’s home and can be sent back at no cost. And if circumstances require it, the test kit can be delivered to or picked up from the patient’s home by Judy, the outreach coordinator.
Inspira’s involvement in the national discussion about the burden of colorectal cancer on rural communities began in March 2023 when Abate attended the White House Cancer Moonshot Colorectal Cancer Forum. At this gathering of experts from around the country, discussions centered on opportunities for colorectal cancer awareness, screening, access, and treatments. In early January, Inspira Health formally joined Fight CRC’s Colorectal Cancer Care Initiative.
The Colorectal Cancer Care Report introduces ambitious goals for increasing rates for screenings, timely follow up, and treatment. These bold targets are designed to help stakeholders assess progress and guide strategies that will significantly improve prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and care nationwide. Supporting these goals means committing to tangible action that will transform outcomes for millions.
Key Goals to Support and Achieve:
Goal 1: Timely Colorectal Cancer Screening
- Achieve an 80% screening rate for average-risk patients.
- Ensure that 80% of patients with a positive non-invasive screening test receive a follow-up colonoscopy within 90 days.
Goal 2: Accurate, Informative Diagnosis and Timely Treatment Initiation
- Ensure 80% of CRC patients start treatment within six weeks of diagnosis.
- Ensure 80% of patients diagnosed with stage 3 or stage 4 CRC receive biomarker testing.
- Ensure 80% of CRC patients undergo genetic testing (germline at diagnosis, somatic at advanced stages).
“At Fight CRC, we know that using real-world data and setting bold, actionable goals can change the game in colorectal cancer care and save lives,” said Anjee Davis, President of Fight CRC. “This report emphasizes the importance of providing timely screening, diagnosis, and treatment. These are critical steps that we must take to reduce the burden of CRC and create meaningful change for patients and their families.”
The Colorectal Cancer Care Report urges all partners to take action, leverage data, and collaborate effectively to improve patient care and outcomes.
Moving forward, Inspira Health will actively support the achievement of these goals, fostering collaboration across the health care community to accelerate progress and promote equitable access to care.
The Colorectal Cancer Care Report was developed through unrestricted funding and in-kind contributions, reviewed by a diverse group of stakeholders to ensure its evidence-based, patient-centered recommendations reflect the best available data.
Learn more about supporting these goals and joining the initiative by visiting FightCRC.org/CRCCI.
About Inspira Health
Inspira Health is a charitable nonprofit health care organization committed to providing an exceptional experience for patients and their loved ones. Tracing its roots to 1899, the system comprises four hospitals, two comprehensive cancer centers, nine multi-specialty health centers and locations throughout South Jersey.
Inspira’s surgical teams provide a wide array of innovative robotic and minimally invasive surgeries, including nationally accredited bariatric services at Inspira Medical Centers Mullica Hill and Vineland. In partnership with Cooper University Health Care, Inspira provides comprehensive neuroscience and cardiology services throughout the region.
Inspira’s extensive ambulatory services include urgent care; ambulatory surgery centers; physical and occupational therapy; comprehensive behavioral health; primary and specialty physician practices; and extensive outpatient imaging in partnership with Atlantic Medical Imaging (AMI). Inspira EMS covers communities throughout South Jersey. Inspira’s Population Health and Community Impact departments address social drivers of health that impact individuals and families in our region.
Inspira’s more than 1,400 physicians and advanced practice providers, and 8,000 employees, provide evidence-based care to help each patient achieve the best possible outcome. As a regional leader in physician training, Inspira Health educates and provides extensive clinical opportunities for more than 280 medical residents and fellows in 16 nationally accredited programs. Accredited by DNV Healthcare, the system’s clinical and support staff are focused on providing quality care as a High Reliability Organization. To learn more about Inspira Health, visit InspiraHealthNetwork.org or call 1-800-INSPIRA.
About Fight Colorectal Cancer Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) is a leading patient-empowerment and advocacy organization in the United States, providing balanced and objective information on colon and rectal cancer research, treatment, and policy. We are relentless champions of hope, focused on funding promising, high-impact research endeavors while equipping advocates to influence legislation and policy for the collective good. Learn more at FightCRC.org.
