Robert "Bo" Gamble Joins Community Oncology Alliance as Director of Strategic Practice Initiatives

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Jul 06, 2011, 05:52 ET

WASHINGTON, July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) announced today that Robert "Bo" Gamble has joined the organization as Director of Strategic Practice Initiatives. A highly experienced oncology practice administrator and a seasoned advocate in healthcare policy and cancer care, Gamble brings to COA a diverse range of cancer experience at the local and national levels.

"We are pleased that Bo has chosen to join COA in the fight to preserve and protect community cancer care," said Ted Okon, executive director of COA. "He exemplifies a blend of practice administration and healthcare policy expertise that is increasingly important in the post-healthcare reform era."

As Director of Strategic Practice Initiatives, Mr. Gamble will be responsible for facilitating the implementation of a national program for the Patient-Centered Oncology Medical Home model, including defining and gaining consensus amongst COA member practices on quality of care measurements and developing ways to integrate those quality of care indicators into practice operations.

"Given the unique and complex nature of cancer care, coupled with the fact that cancer care was completely omitted from CMS' proposal to implement ACOs, the Oncology Medical Home model is a more realistic way of achieving the underlying ACO goals: care coordination, increased quality, and cost savings for the betterment of cancer patients," continued Mr. Okon.

"It is an honor to join COA full-time, after serving as a long-time member and practice advocate," said Mr. Gamble. "The organization is a pioneer in the oncology and health policy arenas, providing critical leadership during this era of health care reform."

Mr. Gamble brings a diverse range of cancer practice expertise at the national and local levels. His extensive experience includes serving as administrator at a multi-physician, multi-location oncology practice, medical IT consulting to Big Eight accounting firms, and working as national director of client support for a healthcare software company. Mr. Gamble has served as the president and legislative chairperson for the North Carolina oncology practice managers' society, a member of the COA Board of Directors, and the co-chair of the national COA Administrators' Network.

About the Community Oncology Alliance (COA)

COA is a non-profit organization dedicated solely to community oncology. COA was founded by community oncology to advocate for patients and providers in the community oncology setting, where 84 percent of Americans with cancer are treated. In only seven years of existence, COA has mobilized community oncology to become more politically active, and increased awareness on Capitol Hill about the community cancer care delivery system. Additionally, COA has brought together community oncology practices from across the country to share information in order to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the cancer care they provide to their patients. More information can be found at www.communityoncology.org.

SOURCE Community Oncology Alliance