Patrick Cobb, MD Elected President of COA

On behalf of the Community Oncology Alliance (COA), I have the pleasure of announcing that Patrick Cobb, MD has been elected to serve as the President of COA. Dr. Cobb is a practicing medical oncologist from Billings, Montana and has served in several capacities with COA, most recently as Vice President. As a member of the COA Executive Committee this past year, Dr. Cobb has provided oversight of COA’s legislative and lobbying initiatives. Even though his practice is based in the Midwest, Dr. Cobb has made many trips to Washington, DC last year (and already this year!) to meet with the congressional leadership. Additionally, Dr. Cobb serves on a healthcare reform advisory group to Senator Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

In addition to Dr. Cobb, the following individuals were elected by the COA Board to serve as officers:

• Dave Eagle, MD, Vice President (North Carolina)
• Robert Hermann, MD, Secretary (Georgia)
• Ricky Newton, CPA, Treasurer (Virginia)
• Mark Thompson, MD, Officer at Large (Ohio)
• Lance Miller, MD, Officer at Large (Oklahoma)
• Scott Tetreault, MD, Officer at Large (Florida)

This is a very experienced team that the COA Board is relying on to work with me in directing the operations of COA. 

I extend my personal thanks to Dr. Harry “Mac” Barnes for his leadership this past year in serving as the President of COA. Dr. Barnes was instrumental in guiding COA through a transition period that has produced an even stronger advocacy voice for community oncology. New initiatives that COA will be announcing shortly relating to patient advocacy, public relations, and practice networking were conceived under Dr. Barnes watch. He too has walked the halls of Capitol Hill with us in advocating for community oncology.



Fortunately, as Immediate Past President, Dr. Barnes will serve with the other officers on the COA Executive Committee. The COA Board empowers the Executive Committee to oversee the implementation of COA initiatives. 



The Board of Directors of COA will be meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona on the eve of the 4th Annual Community Oncology Conference (February 5-7, 2009). The Board will be discussing COA’s unfolding legislative strategy and the challenge of healthcare reform. Additionally, the Board will be discussing COA efforts to call greater attention to the unfolding crisis impacting community oncology.

On behalf of the COA Board, I invite you to join us at a reception where you can meet Dr. Cobb, the officers, Board, and the COA team. The reception will be held at the FireSky Hotel, the site of the Community Oncology Conference, on February 4, 2009 at 6:00 PM (check the hotel for reception location). The Conference is a great time for community oncology to come together to discuss the issues impacting community oncology. Details on the Conference can be obtained by going to the COA website at http://www.communityoncology.org and clicking on the Conference header.

Your support of COA and community oncology is appreciated!

Ted Okon

Executive Director
Community Oncology Alliance