Dr. Mammen is cancer center’s new physician-in-chief

Joshua Mammen, MD, PhD, has small-town roots and wants to ensure that Nebraskans know that the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is the cancer center for all of Nebraska.

Dr. Mammen, who on Aug. 1 became the physician-in-chief of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, grew up in Kaplan, Louisiana, population about 5,000.

He realized early on how academic cancer centers could help improve the care of individuals in his local community.

“Most individuals who received their cancer care were able to be treated close to home,” Dr. Mammen said.  “Often, though, the doctors in the small town would partner with specialists at a larger academic cancer center to identify the best treatment and survivorship strategy.”

In his new role, Dr. Mammen will partner with Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center Director Joann Sweasy, PhD, to coordinate and plan the strategic and tactical aspects of the clinical services of the center. And outreach to underserved communities, both urban and rural, will be a key facet of the role.

“I’ve long been involved in working with community members across the state,” Dr. Mammen said. “My previous role, in Kansas, I worked with collaborators to make sure that everyone, regardless of location, had access to clinical trials and opportunities for improving survivorship, prevention and cancer screening. We are working on these same goals here in Nebraska.”

Dr. Mammen hopes to strengthen existing statewide relationships and create new ones, with goals that include improving access to care, including access to clinical trials.

“Being able to bridge those distances and ensure resources are available at the local level is important,” he said. “We recognize that it’s not possible for everyone to come to Omaha, so we have to provide a way that they can get access at the more local level.”

One example? Improving statewide access to clinical trials.

“We have a large portfolio of clinical trials here that’s available in Omaha, but improving access across the state of Nebraska is a goal we are excited to work on over the next several years.”

Dr. Mammen also is excited to work with the center’s “phenomenal” clinical and research programs and their innovative leaders.

“We’re the cancer center for the state of Nebraska,” he said, “and I want to ensure that all Nebraskans benefit from their cancer center. Perhaps by participation in a clinical trial to reduce an individual’s risk of cancer or for identifying risk factors. Perhaps receiving education from one of the cancer center’s numerous experts on a particular cancer. Perhaps from a screening event. Maybe it’s with the being able to generously contribute so that others can access the excellent resources of the cancer center.

“Part of our role is to make sure that we provide as many venues and opportunities as possible for these interactions.”