Pioneering Health Equity in Oncology: A Success Story in Partnership

Henry Ford Innovations (HFI) partnered with PINC AI to co-host the 2023 Advancing Health Equity Summit, a collaborative event aimed at addressing disparities in cancer care. As part of Henry Ford Health’s commitment to transforming cancer care through innovation and equity, the summit brought together healthcare leaders, life sciences experts, and community partners to develop solutions focused on three key cancer types: lung cancer, prostate cancer, and multiple myeloma. The event was designed to ensure equitable access to screening, diagnosis, and treatment for underserved populations.

Five multidisciplinary teams engaged in an equity-centered design thinking process to develop actionable prototypes addressing these cancer types. Teams collaborated to identify barriers to care and create solutions aimed at eliminating disparities in cancer outcomes for marginalized communities.

Key Highlights:

• Teams focused on creating innovative, equity-centered solutions targeting lung cancer, prostate cancer, and multiple myeloma in underserved populations.
• Attendees participated in a bus tour to Rosa Parks’ Detroit home and the New Calvary Baptist Church, where they learned about the Faith Community Nurses Network. This initiative connects congregants to healthcare services, improving access to preventive care and clinical trials.
• Participants engaged in emotionally impactful discussions with community leaders and patients, deepening their understanding of the social determinants of health.

Henry Ford Health (HFH) is committed to transforming cancer care through innovation and equity, making the summit a key milestone in advancing that mission. The teams continue to refine their prototype solutions, with plans to seek feedback from clinical experts to implement and test the ideas.

Want to partner with us?

Connect with HFI to explore innovation at the intersection of science and equity through our LinkedIn or email us at Innovation@hfhs.org.