PHILADELPHIA (January 18, 2023)—Joel Helmke, MSHP, FACHE, chief operating officer of Fox Chase Cancer Center, has been named Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers (ADCC). The trade association represents 10 of the nation’s leading cancer hospitals, including Fox Chase.
“It is always a source of pride when any of our leaders, faculty, or staff members represents our institution on the national stage. Having worked at many of the nation’s best comprehensive cancer centers, Joel is a recognized national leader among cancer center administrators. His work with the ADCC is important in advocating for our brand of cancer care and in highlighting the work that we pursue so passionately,” said Robert Uzzo, MD, MBA, FACS, president and CEO of Fox Chase.
ADCC centers are at the forefront of developing best practices in cancer treatment and lead the way in driving new research about the causes, prevention, and diagnosis of cancer. The ADCC advocates before Congress and the administration on key issues impacting cancer hospitals and supports members in developing a narrative around the value that cancer hospitals provide to patients and the public.
In his leadership role with the ADCC, Helmke will advance progress toward the association’s priorities, which include protecting innovation in producing next-generation therapies, improving efficiencies in how cancer care is delivered, preserving quality-focused healthcare policies, and measuring and setting standards for cancer care quality to improve patient experience and clinical outcomes.
A particularly important effort for the ADCC is its Improving Goal Concordant Care (IGCC) Initiative. Through this collaborative project, ADCC institutions have embraced the vision that all patients with cancer and their families should receive care that aligns with their values and unique priorities.
Palliative care and oncology experts, together with patient and family advisors, are leading this initiative to address system gaps across ADCC member centers and to establish new expectations for when and how goals-of-care conversations occur with patients and their families.
“Joel joined Fox Chase in February 2021 from City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California,” Uzzo said. “Already in his two years with us, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing our center through capital investment opportunities, technology enhancements, programmatic developments, and recruitment of additional talent.”
After a two-year term as ADCC Vice Chair, Helmke will advance to Chair of the ADCC Board of Directors.