As cancer care and research continue to improve, it’s more important than ever that access to innovative treatment, screening and support expands to reach more people. “What we really have to think about is access for patients,” says David Cohn, MD, MBA, the chief operating officer of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). “That means earlier screenings, making sure people have access to prevention strategies when appropriate and ensuring that patients’ experiences are optimized to focus on care.” OSUCCC – James leaders are prioritizing access in several ways, including new facilities, programs and tech. Podcast: Cohn shares even more info about the importance of access to cancer care on our Cancer-Free World Podcast. Watch on the video player above and YouTube, and listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Expanding the footprint of Ohio State cancer care The OSUCCC – James has been a growing presence in central Ohio for decades, bringing cancer care and research to more people every year. “In Columbus, we have The James Cancer Hospital, and outside of that, we've got ambulatory clinics in the city,” Cohn says. “The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSUWMC) has a ring of suburban ambulatory locations, and we have our James Cancer Network that's outside of that.” While cancer care is a part of many of OSUWMC’s ambulatory locations, a new facility in the central Ohio suburb of Powell will significantly expand access to oncology services. “There are going to be two whole floors for cancer, with infusion, exam rooms and more,” Cohn says. “That includes care for patients with breast, colon, prostate and lung cancers, among other conditions. “We want to make sure that we’re delivering high-quality cancer care to our patients where they live and where they work.” Back on campus, the OSUCCC – James is a big part of Ohio State’s new University Hospital, which will include 148 beds for cancer patients. “The reason that's so important is that on any given day, there are about 30 to 40 patients who are literally waiting to get into The James, either in our emergency department or at an outside hospital waiting to be transferred in,” Cohn says. “The new University Hospital will bring the total number of beds for cancer patients to more than 500. “The more beds you can provide, the more people will receive expert care.” More about cancer care at Ohio State: Dedicated specialists work with patients to improve outcomes at each stage of every cancer journey. Taking world-class cancer care and screening on the road As Ohio State’s facilities bring world-class cancer care to patients in and around central Ohio, OSUCCC – James experts are working to expand their reach throughout the state and beyond. Among those efforts are mobile units that travel across the region to provide vital screening for breast and lung cancers. “We drive out to where patients are and make sure that they're getting access to screening because there may not be mammography machines and lung cancer screening machines in some of these rural areas,” Cohn says. OSUCCC – James expertise is also present inside community hospitals across Ohio as part of The James Cancer Network, which provides local healthcare professionals with exclusive training, patient education, support programs, clinical research and more. “We coordinate care back and forth to ensure that, if there’s a need for a patient that can be met in the local community, that's where the care is provided,” Cohn says. “If there’s a need for a higher level of care — complicated operations, specific types of clinical trials — that can't be done in the community, the patient comes here to The James. “Then, the care's coordinated back to that local community as early as possible. That ensures that the patients can be seen both here at The James and in their local communities.” The OSUCCC – James’ commitment to increased access goes far beyond Ohio, connecting with patients across the U.S. and throughout the world “In recent years, The James has cared for patients in all 50 states and almost 100 countries,” Cohn says. “That happens through a variety of mechanisms, including our Destination Medicine program, which enables patients to have records transferred and get expert opinions from our physicians to see whether they should come to Columbus to receive care.” The James’ new Online Second Opinion Program is another option for patients across the country. “Providers can refer their patients’ records for review by us to ensure that we're able to provide that opinion and care for people who are outside of the area where our doctors currently practice,” Cohn says. The ongoing effort to expand access has been beneficial for patients and rewarding for Cohn, a longtime champion of emphasizing the entire continuum of care at all stages of every cancer journey, in hospitals, homes and communities around the world. “It’s not just the buildings going up and the programs launched — it’s rewarding for me that patients and families come back and say they had exceptional care, or that they were able to access us in ways that surprised them and met their needs. “Most importantly, it's that it's all done with a human touch that The James has demonstrated consistently throughout the years to be so important.” More info: Here’s how Ohio State oncology experts are working to create a cancer-free world through innovative care and groundbreaking research.