In The News

There’s a new addition to the beautiful painted fiberglass horses around Wichita Falls at the Texas Oncology Center, and it has a very meaningful message for its patients. A chief radiation therapist at Texas Oncology showcased her art through a painted horse named Hope to represent brightness in tough times for cancer patients.

Debra Patt, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, Executive Vice President, Public Policy, Payer Relations, and Strategic Initiatives at Texas Oncology, discussed the use of digital health systems, particularly at Texas Oncology locations, and how it can help patients and providers strengthen their relationships.

When you receive a cancer diagnosis, “grateful” typically isn’t the first word that comes to mind, but for Ken Laney, 66, the sentiment has been an integral theme throughout his melanoma journey. Under the care of Dr. Christopher Oxner, Texas Oncology Surgical Specialists—Austin Central, Cedar Park, and South Austin, Ken received three surgeries to remove the skin cancer from his ankle. More than one year after his cancer diagnosis and treatment, Ken remains cancer free and continues to express his gratitude for his health, his family, and the cancer care he received at Texas Oncology. “I’m grateful for the care I received. I’m grateful to have ended up with a good outcome. I am grateful for all that I have,” he said.

Understanding that patients who are HER2-low are different from patients who are HER2-positive and -negative means having the right way to evaluate and identify these patients, explained Debra Patt, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, Executive Vice President, Public Policy, Payer Relations, and Strategic Initiatives at Texas Oncology.

It doesn’t take long to get a sunburn in Central Texas, and too much sun can lead to skin cancer, according to Dr. Jeff Yorio, Texas Oncology–Austin Central. Dr. Yorio discusses how to lower your risk of skin cancer amid Texas summers with high UV exposure. 

Debra Patt, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, Executive Vice President, Public Policy, Payer Relations, and Strategic Initiatives at Texas Oncology, has been nominated for the 2022 Narratives in Oncology – a special issue introduced by the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s. Each year since 2012, from among ASCO’s approximately 45,000-strong global membership, 10 leaders have been nominated by their peers to be recognized in Narratives.

Debra Patt, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, Executive Vice President, Public Policy, Payer Relations, and Strategic Initiatives at Texas Oncology, conducted interview after interview during the ASCO annual meeting to explain the significance of the meeting's largest trial, DESTINY-Breast04. The trial will be a game changer for patients with advanced HER2-low breast cancer.

Previously, patients with low expression of HER2 were categorized as HER2-negative, but adding the HER2-low classification creates new opportunities for patients with advanced breast cancer, explained Debra Patt, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, Executive Vice President, Public Policy, Payer Relations, and Strategic Initiatives at Texas Oncology.

The Greater Waco Chamber announced its 2022 Waco Under 40 honorees, naming Dr. Tyler Snedden, Texas Oncology—Waco and Horizon Circle, as one of the honorees. The Waco Under 40 program is geared to identify local leaders under the age of 40, and encourage young people to become leaders. A ceremony recognizing the honorees will take place on November 3.

Texas Oncology recently opened a cancer care center in Alliance Town Center that combines oncology, hematology and infusion treatment in one location. The new 22,300-square-foot facility of Texas Oncology–Keller is on the new same site as Texas Breast Specialists–Keller. Steven Paulson, president and chairman of the board of Texas Oncology and Henrik Illum, medical oncologist at Texas Oncology–Keller share with the Fort Worth Business Press the cancer care advancements this center brings to the community, its expectations to care for more than 100 patients per day and more.