Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Naples Cancer Advisors (NCA) is a new type of oncology practice. Opening in early 2023 and following the lead of its very successful counterpart in Cincinnati, Ohio – Cincinnati Cancer Advisors (CCA) – NCA provides consultative oncology services such as secondary case review, care coordination, referrals, clinical trial navigation, financial navigation, and precision oncology services such as genetic testing and counseling. However, there are three striking differences between how NCA delivers services to its patients compared to what they might be used to in the more traditional healthcare setting:
1. All NCA services are provided free of charge to patients and their insurance companies are never billed. As such, there are no barriers to each patient receiving concierge-level cancer care.
2. NCA does not administer treatment to patients, instead leaving this to each patient’s treating oncologist. NCA has no financial incentive to assume a patient’s treatment regimen. Therefore, its only incentive is to work with the treating physician to help optimize each patient’s outcome.
3. NCA’s consultations are thorough and immersive, lasting up to several hours at a time and affording each patient ample opportunity to understand their diagnosis and treatment options. Again, all at no charge to the patient.
It was this “NCA Difference” that caused Robin Zon, MD, FASCO, FACP, to join NCA and CCA as its Director of Breast Oncology. An expert in building best-in-class telehealth practices, Dr. Zon is helping refine and build NCA’s telehealth practice, which will better serve patients who cannot easily visit, while also providing a pathway to future growth for the practice.
NCA believes that great care begins with a great plan which, in turn, helps to reduce the feelings of chaos that often accompany a cancer diagnosis. NCA accomplishes this through its team-oriented, mission-driven approach to making these services not only more accessible, but available at NO COST to the patient – thanks to the generosity of private donors and foundations.
In addition to its investment in state-of-the-art telehealth equipment, the Naples office benefits from the knowledge, talents and considerable expertise of the oncology team in the Cincinnati office. Telehealth visits also allow NCA to employ world-class specialists, even if they don’t reside in Naples or near the Cincinnati Cancer Advisors sister office.
Dr. Zon is considered one of the leaders in the use of telehealth in oncology, having made several recent presentations for the world’s most revered clinical oncology society – the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) – particularly pertaining to standards and practice. She was honored with ASCO’s Distinguished Achievement Award in 2020.
Dr. Zon is an active volunteer for ASCO, most recently being awarded ASCO’s Advocate of the Year for her significant advocacy work on behalf of individuals living with cancer and their cancer care teams. Dr. Zon is a Past Chair of ASCO’s Government Relations Committee, where she provided distinguished leadership in the society’s advocacy efforts. She also served on the Board of Directors from 2010 to 2013, along with participating in many other ASCO-related responsibilities.
Dr. Zon also practices as Physician Emeritus at Michiana Hematology Oncology in Mishawaka, Indiana, where she served as Past-President. She formerly served as Medical Director of Oncology Research at Memorial Hospital and NCI CCOP Associate and then Principal Investigator until 2013 for the Northern Indiana Cancer Research Consortium, the only NCI-designated Community Cancer Oncology Program in the state of Indiana.
When asked about the importance of telehealth, Dr. Zon stated:
“We learned during COVID-19, and even prior to COVID-19, that telehealth is certainly an adjunct to the care of patients, both with and without cancer. Specifically for patients with cancer, telehealth visits can help allow patients to seek second opinions – as in the case of the NCA – without having to travel distances and spend money and time to do so. I personally hope tele-oncology will be able to help address some of the equity issues related to patient access to care. Tele-oncology is not meant to replace face-to-face visits, but to enhance the care of patients. I look forward to being able to use tele-oncology with NCA to help patients and their families as they deal with their cancer diagnosis and treatments.”
The addition of Dr. Zon brings more than 25 years of oncology experience and a sub specialization in breast cancer which, despite groundbreaking advancements in cancer care and treatment, is still the second leading cause of cancer deaths in U.S. women each year.
Southwest Florida residents with a current or past cancer diagnosis are eligible for a no-cost consultation at Naples Cancer Advisors. The world-class team of experts works directly with your treating physician to help improve your outcome. For more information, call 239.846.2273 (CARE) or visit NaplesCancerAdvisors.org.
239-846-2273 (CARE)
3201 Tamiami Trail N, Suite 112, Naples, FL 34103
naplescanceradvisors.org
