Association of Community Cancer Centers to Recognize Minnesota Researcher and Community Oncologist

ROCKVILLE, Md. – February 25, 2013 - Patrick J. Flynn, MD, will be honored with the Association of Community Cancer Centers' (ACCC) David King Community Clinical Scientist Award for his outstanding service, leadership, and commitment to the oncology community. Dr. Flynn is director of research, Minnesota Oncology Hematology, PA, and medical director, Autologous Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital. He is also adjunct associate professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School, and principal investigator at the Metro-Minnesota CCOP.

The award will be presented at the ACCC 39th Annual National Meeting on Friday, March 8, 2013, in Washington, D.C.

Under Dr. Flynn’s leadership, clinical trial accrual has risen from 50 to 500 patients per year, achieving success through a consortium of physicians, clinics, and hospitals that cover the entire metropolitan Twin Cities and beyond.

"My goal has been to take the research to where people live rather than expect people to travel to the research," he said. "I plan to continue my efforts to promote cooperative research by playing a direct role at the national groups."

His areas of interest include autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation; hematology, including bleeding and clotting disorders; and colorectal cancer.

ACCC's prestigious award is named after David K. King, MD, FACP, who passed away after a brief battle with cancer. Dr. King had a long history with the Association of Community Cancer Centers, serving in many capacities—president, chair of ACCC's Annual Presidents Retreat, and co-chair of ACCC's Reimbursement Committee, just to name a few. Dr. King spent his entire life caring for individuals with cancer and advocating for access to quality care, while also championing the Community Clinical Oncology Program and the value of clinical research in the community setting.

David King Community Clinical Scientist Award winners become lifetime members of the ACCC National Academy of Community Oncology Scientists, which will serve as a valuable resource to ACCC, NCI, pharmaceutical companies, and other organizations involved in community cancer research.