Cancer Center Membership

Overview / Mission / Purpose / Objectives / Membership Guidelines / Member / Associate Member / Clinical Associate Member / Responsibilities / Benefits / Appointment Process / Grant Administration

I.  OVERVIEW:

Appointment to The MCG Cancer Center as a member recognizes a level of excellence and dedication to cancer-related teaching, research, patient care and/or community outreach activities. Members may be eligible to access Cancer Center resources (e.g. services, space and financial support) to promote the growth of cancer-related activities and the development and success of the Cancer Center.

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II.  MISSION:

The mission of The MCG Cancer Center is to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality through the application of laboratory and clinical research discoveries to prevention, early diagnosis, control and treatment of cancer. Our vision to serve as the leading cancer research organization within the region is framed by the following goals:

• Providing outstanding, compassionate care to patients;

• Conducting cutting-edge translational laboratory and clinical research in cancer causation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention especially germane to the particular cancer problems of the region;

• Educating Georgia's cancer professionals to meet the current and future challenge of reducing the burden of cancer;

• Serving the citizens of Georgia and the region by preventing and controlling cancer through knowledge dissemination and community action;
• Representing the interests of the citizens, patients and medical community of the state of Georgia on cancer matters at the local, state and national levels.

 

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III.  PURPOSE OF MEMBERSHIP:

The purpose of Cancer Center membership is to support clinical- and laboratory-based MCG researchers and to stimulate interactions among them to enhance cancer-related research, patient care, education and community outreach.

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IV.  OBJECTIVES:

The objectives of the Cancer Center are to:

• Enhance multidisciplinary patient care in order to improve patient outcomes;
• Maximize the research potential and create opportunities for synergistic collaborations among its members;
• Educate and inform providers, researchers, patients, care-givers and the community at large about cancer treatment, screening and prevention;
• Serve as the organizational umbrella for cancer-related activities on campus and among members.

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V.  MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES:

Membership is open to all faculty who promote the mission of the Cancer Center and meet membership requirements.

There are three membership categories: Members, Associate Members and Clinical Associate Members.

To be considered for membership, candidates must apply in writing. (See Application.)

The Cancer Center Research Council approves memberships and assigns categories.

Membership appointments are for three-year terms.*

Members, Associate Members and Clinical Associate Members will be apprised when criteria are updated.

*NOTE: The Cancer Center Research Council may reassign membership categories based on then-current criteria.

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V.1. Member:

Members are Medical College of Georgia faculty who hold an academic appointment and demonstrate a recent and promising history of peer-reviewed, extramural funding for cancer-related investigations, primarily as Principal Investigators. Applicants for membership must have recent (last three years) cancer-related publications in peer-reviewed professional journals.

Or

Members are major contributors to the development and implementation of cancer-related laboratory research or institutional clinical trials. Such contributions may be demonstrated through the design, management or sustained accrual of clinical studies. Applicants for membership must have recent (last three years) cancer-related publications in peer-reviewed professional journals.

Or

Faculty members with significant administrative responsibility for laboratory- or clinic-based programs, shared resources or specialty areas in the Cancer Center.

 

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V.2. Associate Member:

Associate Members are Medical College of Georgia faculty who demonstrate significant professional involvement in cancer research but do not meet the criteria for Members.

Or

Associate Members are new investigators whose research has great scientific potential that would benefit from Cancer Center Membership or tenured faculty who are interested in translating their research from another field into cancer research.

Or

Associate Members have significant professional involvement in cancer care, education and/or community outreach.

 

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V.3. Clinical Associate Member:

Clinical Associate Members are non-MCG physicians who are practicing in the state of Georgia or region and who are serving as co-investigators or partners in MCG clinical trials.

Or

Clinical Associate Members are non-MCG physicians who are significantly assisting The MCG Cancer Center in its outreach to Georgians and the regional population.

 

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VI.  RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP:

Cancer Center Members, Associate Members and Clinical Associate Members are expected to:

• Support the mission, goals and objectives of the Cancer Center;

• Participate significantly in Cancer Center research program/s, in Center collaborative efforts and in communications about research and patient-care initiatives;

• Renew membership in writing every three years;
• Provide annual / semi-annual reports on scientific activity and copies of grant awards (NIH, NCI, DOD, pharmaceutical or other sponsors). Information will be stored on Cancer Center’s database for cancer-related activities;

• Request funds in grant applications to support the proposed use of Cancer Center shared resource services;
• Attend Cancer Center program meetings and seminars in areas of interest. Participate as a presenter or submit posters when appropriate;
• Include recognition of Cancer Center membership on all cancer-related academic papers, grants, journal articles, poster sessions and/or abstracts;
• Provide abstracts and papers to the respective program leader on request;
• Participate in cancer-related educational activities (medical, graduate school and community) and outreach (e.g., screenings, fund-raisers, prevention awareness) sponsored by the Cancer Center.

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VII. BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP:

Cancer Center Members, Associate Members and Clinical Associate Members receive:

• Subsidized rates for use of core facilities and shared resources identified for support by the Cancer Center;
• Opportunity to apply for internal Cancer Center funding initiatives;
• Assistance with grant writing and/or review;
• Inclusion in relevant promotional materials such as Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs, the Cancer Center Web site and referral outreach activities that are developed by the Cancer Center.

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VIII. APPOINTMENT PROCESS:

Invitation to apply for membership may be initiated by the Cancer Center Director, a research program leader or current Cancer Center member. A prospective member may make an initial application to the Cancer Center with the recommendation of his/her Department Chair.

An application will include:

— a current curriculum vitae with a description of current and past funding, a description of scientific / clinical / educational interest/s and a description of current and/or planned interactions with the Cancer Center (Attachment_A_021209);

— a Research Program Selection Form (Attachment_B128);

— and a signed Request for Appointment Form (Attachment_C128).

The Cancer Center Research Council reviews applications, assigns categories and makes recommendations to the Cancer Center Director.

An appointment will be for a period of three years. Members, Associate Members and Clinical Associate Members will be notified of any changes in criteria.

The Cancer Center Research Council will review all memberships periodically and may reassign membership categories based on then-current membership criteria. All recommended changes will be forwarded to the Cancer Center Director for approval.

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IX. GRANT ADMINISTRATION:

Training and program grants originated through the Cancer Center and/or involving Cancer Center members in more than one Department will be administered through the Cancer Center.

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