Enhancing Community Oncology with AON 🌟

The American Oncology Network (AON) is helping community oncology practices to flourish. As CEO, Bradley Prechtl, MBA, was instrumental in the organization’s formation in 2017 when the need for improvement in community oncology across the United States had become evident.

The founders of AON expected a high level of success because of the organization’s roots in Florida Cancer Specialists and Research institute (FCS). AON’s sister organization, FCS was established in 1984 and is thriving in the state of Florida. Today, it has more than 100 locations and is recognized as the largest privately held hematology/oncology practice in the United States. AON’s management team was carried over from FCS.

As members of AON, oncology practices have access to resources like administration, management, billing, information technology, accounting, and other shared services that make it easier for oncologists to focus on caring for patients. Additionally, the central lab, central pathology, clinical research, and specialty pharmacy programs that AON provides help smaller oncology practices prevent from having to transfer their patients outside of the community treatment environment. The way AON operates varies from state to state, based on regulations and compliance. However, all member practices, large and small, can experience the benefits of the network.

The ability of AON to work cohesively from the executive level down to the community level has been the reason for the organization’s success and also contributes to its growth, says Prechtl.