Clinical Excellence at Scale: Building Our Cancer Institute
By Keith Bricking, MD, chief clinical officer, Premier Health
The launch of the Premier Health Cancer Institute represents a defining moment in our evolution as an integrated academic health system. It brings together clinical care, research, and education in a unified strategy designed to elevate outcomes, accelerate innovation, and ensure that the most advanced cancer care is available right here in our communities. This work is not simply about expanding services—it is about shaping the future of care across our region.
Under the leadership of Tarek M. Sabagh, MD, chair of the Cancer Institute, and Amanda Musser, system vice president, our dyad model strengthens our ability to deliver consistent clinical excellence and drive systemwide program growth. This approach deepens collaboration among physicians, caregivers, and operational teams, creating a more seamless and patient-centered experience that reflects the best of who we are and the organization we are becoming.
Today, Premier Health supports 126 active clinical trials, including 91 focused on oncology. These opportunities bring cutting-edge therapies to patients facing some of the most complex diagnoses. Recent achievements—such as Miami Valley Hospital South becoming the first international site to open two gynecologic oncology trials, including the BELLA study, and the introduction of histotripsy for noninvasive liver tumor treatment—demonstrate the strength of our academic and research portfolio and our commitment to advancing care.
Our longstanding partnership with Wright State University continues to expand training programs that shape the next generation of physicians and advanced practice providers. This investment fortifies our workforce, strengthens recruitment and retention, and builds a strong foundation for the health system’s future.
The growth of our clinical trial program gives patients access to innovative therapies without leaving their community. By integrating research with clinical care, we improve outcomes, expand treatment options, and deliver academic-level cancer care where patients need it most.
The Cancer Institute is more than a new structure—it is an essential pillar of Premier Health’s long-term strategy, empowering us to transform cancer care, elevate the patient experience, and position our academic health system for the opportunities ahead.
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