About Markey Cancer Center

The Markey Cancer Center was established in 1983 as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Our overall mission is to eliminate the morbidity and mortality of cancer through a comprehensive program of research, education, clinical care and community outreach.

The clinical programs and services of the Markey Cancer Center are integrated with UK Chandler Hospital.

Collaborative Patient Care
Our cancer specialty teams work together with UK Chandler Hospital departments and divisions to provide primary patient care and support services. All diagnostic services, clinical and pathology laboratories, operating rooms, emergent and intensive care, and radiation therapy services are also provided to cancer patients through UK Chandler Hospital.

Due to the complexity of cancer, the Markey Cancer Center stresses a team approach to cancer treatment. A team includes a dedicated primary nurse, oncology nurse care manager, dietitian, social worker, pharmacist, chaplain, volunteers and, if needed, a physical or enterostomal therapist. The most important members of the team are our patients and their families.

• Click here for more information about the Specialty Teams

Research
The Markey Cancer Center is among the few institutions nationwide providing multidisciplinary care through Clinical Care and Research Teams (CCARTs). Major CCARTs include breast, gynecologic, gastrointestinal, head and neck, lung, brain, hematologic and genitourinary cancers.

The entire Markey Cancer Center and UK Chandler Hospital complex serves approximately 1,300 - 1,500 new cancer patients each year. More than 100 nationally sponsored clinical studies for different types of cancer are available to patients.

  Click here for more information on advanced research at Markey Cancer Center

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the sources of funding for the Markey Cancer Center?

The Markey Cancer Center's core funding comes from a combination of state and institutional sources, the Markey Cancer Center Foundation, extramural grants and contracts, private gifts and donations, and a cigarette excise tax. Patient care activities and support services are managed and underwritten by the UK HealthCare enterprise. Markey Cancer Center faculty and physicians are independently supported through their respective academic departments and colleges. Several specialized state-based initiatives, including "Bucks for Brains," New Economy, the Kentucky Lung Cancer Research Program and the Breast Cancer Task Force provide additional funding for special purposes and circumstances.

How many cancer patients does the Markey Cancer Center treat each year?

Markey Cancer Center specialists in Hematology/Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Gynecologic Oncology, Pediatric Oncology and supporting clinical services treat all types of cancer. Each year the Markey Cancer Center evaluates and treats 1,300 - 1,500 new cancer patients plus 5,000 - 6,000 returning cancer patients and survivors.

What is the educational background of Markey Cancer Center staff members?

The Markey Cancer Center employs over 150 faculty, physicians and staff including receptionists, account clerks, nurses, nursing assistants, physician's assistants, physicians (MD), scientists (PhD), physician-scientists (MD-PhD), radiology technicians, phlebotomists, finance managers (MBA), research technicians (high school or college), research associates (BS or Masters), program coordinators, health educators, social workers, financial counselors, dietitians and environmental service workers.

What educational programs does Markey Cancer Center offer?

Educational programs - not counting public and community education - are mainly post-graduate level, consisting of Continuing Medical Education programs for physicians and seminar programs for basic and clinician scientists. Most of the faculty associated with the center teach graduate-level courses within related departments and the Graduate Center for Toxicology and have graduate students in their laboratories, but the formal support and organization of these programs lies within the departments. Markey Cancer Center supports several interdisciplinary Journal Clubs for graduate students, post-docs and mentoring faculty.

Community and public education is offered through a variety of venues (see Community Services below.)

What community services does Markey Cancer Center offer?

The Markey Center was preceded by the McDowell Cancer Network, now called the Kentucky Cancer Program. The Program works with patients, cancer survivors, and health care providers throughout central and eastern Kentucky to provide education about cancer causes and prevention, healthy lifestyle guidelines, smoking cessation and other cancer-related topics.

Markey Cancer Center provides cancer-specific information through various health fairs, cancer screening events and other public events.

Through the federally-funded Cancer Information Service, Markey Cancer Center provides specific information and informational research services to cancer patients, their families, outside physicians and other health care professionals.

To make an appointment or find a physician, please call UK HealthCare at (859) 257-1000 or toll free (800) 333-8874.
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Page last updated Monday, April 6, 2009 11:41 AM