PA-CARES

Pennsylvania Colorectal Cancer Alliance to Reduce Mortality and Enhance Screening

PA-CARES are Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), public health and health system partnerships to increase colorectal cancer screening in clinical settings.

Image description: A map of Pennsylvania shows colorectal cancer screening rates (crude prevalence) among adults aged 45–75 years in 2022. Counties are color-coded into five ranges of screening rates with a state average of 66.9%. Health networks and institutions involved in networks are Penn State College of Medicine (central Pennsylvania), Broad Top Area Medical Center (south-central PA), KeyStone Rural Health Center (south-central PA) and Rural Health Corp of NEPA (northeastern PA). Five Penn State Health hospitals are numbered on the map: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hampden Medical Center, St. Joseph Medical Center, Lancaster Medical Center and Holy Spirit Medical Center.

Project Aim

The overall purpose of PA-CARES is to establish a multifaceted framework to increase organized approaches to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and prevention, in partnership with a diverse group of healthcare systems. We aim to increase CRC screening rates by implementing evidence-based interventions (EBIs) in primary clinics and health systems. PA-CARES serves a defined target population of persons 45-75 years of age within partner health systems, defined geographical area (Pennsylvania), and disparate populations.

Partners

Penn State College of Medicine, Penn State Health Clinics, Penn State Cancer Institute, Broad Top Area Medical Center, Keystone Rural Health Center, Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania

Project Period

September 2025- June 2030

Implementation Goals

• Conduct clinic-level organizational readiness assessments during the pre-implementation phase to assure organizational capacity/readiness to implement EBIs and identify resources needed

• Implement multiple EBIs to target multilevel influences that hinder the recommendation and uptake of CRC screening

• Utilize supportive strategies and technology to accelerate and facilitate the adoption and impact of the selected EBIs

• Establish a referral network with each health system to facilitate timely linkage to care, including follow-up diagnostic colonoscopy and cancer treatment

PA-CARES Leadership Team

• Fornessa T. Randal, EdD, MCRP, Principal Investigator

• Karen Kim, MD, MS, Dean, Penn State College of Medicine

• Raymond J. Hohl, MD, PhD, Penn State Cancer Institute

• Mack T. Ruffin, MD, Co-Investigator

PA-CARES Project Team

• Paula Lozano, PhD, Evaluator

• Chieko Maene, MS, Data Manager

• Passang Gonrong, MPH, Senior Program Manager (pgonrong@pennstatehealth.psu.edu)

• Madeline Bernard, MPH, Program Implementation Manager (mbernard2@pennstatehealth.psu.edu)