LOUISVILLE, Ky. – UofL Health – Brown Cancer Center proudly announces that Dr. Megan B. Nelson, a cancer rehabilitation physician, has earned the 2024 Cancer Liaison Physician (CLP) Outstanding Performance Award from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC). This award program recognizes outstanding performance by CLPs in their role as physician quality leaders of their cancer programs.
Dr. Nelson, who is also a professor in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation with the University of Louisville School of Medicine, is among the eight CLPs who demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the CoC Standards and the National Cancer Database (NCDB) reporting tools; identified and brought forward specific issues to the hospital’s cancer committee to improve patient care; fostered a strong relationship with the American Cancer Society; and much more. To receive this award, a CLP must be nominated by a member of their cancer care team, cancer committee members, CoC State Chairs or an American Cancer Society regional staff member.
“On behalf of ACS Cancer Programs, congratulations to the winners on this well-deserved recognition for their contributions to the Commission on Cancer as a Cancer Liaison Physician,” said ACS Cancer Programs Medical Director Ronald Weigel, M.D., PhD, MBA, FACS. “As the physician quality leaders at CoC-accredited hospitals, these award winners are helping to move the needle on quality care for patients with cancer.”
CLPs are responsible for evaluating, interpreting and reporting their facilities’ performance data through the NCDB and facilitating quality improvement initiatives based on data findings. In addition, the CLP is responsible for leading CoC initiatives within their cancer programs and collaborating with agencies such as the American Cancer Society on behalf of their hospital.
Dr. Michael Egger, a surgical oncologist and chair of Brown Cancer Center’s Cancer Committee, said, “Dr. Nelson is a leader in our cancer center and with the CoC. She has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of our care at the Brown Cancer Center. She serves as an integral part of our team and brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, enthusiasm and compassion to the role. It is a privilege to work with her, and we are delighted that she is receiving this well-deserved recognition.”
Dr. Nelson said being a CLP is an important interdisciplinary role: “CLPs connect oncology providers, cancer care teams and the health care system at large to data on their cancer patient outcomes, including the enjoyed successes and even more importantly the areas for improvement and growth. The CLPs then help stimulate change within the oncology care system through Quality Improvement teams and projects that evolve directly from the CLP’s access and sharing of NCDB data, creating positive change and momentum for the ultimate benefit of our patients.”
In addition to her role as cancer liaison physician, Dr. Nelson is a cancer rehabilitation physician with Brown Cancer Center and the UofL Health – Brain & Spine Institute. She serves as medical director of the SOAR ON® Loyd Family Wellness Program at Brown Cancer Center. She is also the founder of Capturing the Moment, an annual professional photography event for cancer patients and their families, which captures the patient’s strength in their cancer journey.
The CoC’s success in improving the quality of cancer care is directly attributed to the contributions and commitment of participating accredited programs dedicated to providing quality cancer care. This includes the cancer program at UofL Health – UofL Hospital and Brown Cancer Center which has been accredited by the CoC since 1948. To earn voluntary CoC accreditation, a cancer program must meet 34 CoC quality care standards, be evaluated every three years through a survey process, and maintain levels of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive patient-centered care.
The CoC CLP Outstanding Performance Award is a yearly award program.
