NCC Receives Funding to Improve Lung Screening, Bring QUILS to Nevada

Nevada is set to benefit from a share of a $6.8 million grant aimed at replicating Kentucky's success in lung cancer screening. The Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation awarded the funding to a collaborative project led by the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center and the University of Colorado Cancer Center.

The four-year initiative will bring the QUILS™ (Quality Implementation of Lung Cancer Screening) System to Nevada and Mississippi, two states chosen for their high lung cancer burden and low screening rates.

Nevada Cancer Coalition will play a key role in implementing the program, working alongside the University of Kentucky and the University of Colorado to adapt the successful Kentucky model to meet Nevada's unique needs.

"The teams in Mississippi and Nevada have developed an engaged group of collaborators who are ready to work with our team to optimize delivery and outcomes related to lung cancer screening," said Jamie Studts, Ph.D., from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

The QUILS™ System, developed in Kentucky, helps screening centers optimize their services by evaluating factors such as patient eligibility, tobacco cessation efforts, and shared decision-making processes.

Jennifer Redmond Knight, Dr.P.H., co-principal investigator of Kentucky LEADS Collaborative, said, "This funding will allow us to apply what we've learned in Kentucky to help create targeted solutions for Mississippi and Nevada, potentially setting a new standard for lung cancer screening nationwide."

Timothy Mullett, M.D., a thoracic surgeon and co-principal investigator of the Kentucky LEADS Collaborative, emphasized the importance of the initiative. "The message is simple: lung cancer screening saves lives. This project will help to spread this message of hope in high-risk communities, and potentially save thousands of lives."

Three lung screening champions working in Nevada’s communities are working with NCC to ensure the lung cancer screening program’s success. Reno-based radiologist Dr. Chivonne Harrigal, Winnemucca-based radiologic technician Diane Klassen, and Las Vegas-based interventional pulmonologist Dr. Vishisht Mehta are passionate about increasing high-quality lung screening across the state and have committed their support to the project.

Multiple members of NCC’s team, including a soon-to-be-hired health systems representative, will be a part of the work, which builds upon efforts already begun by the state’s lung cancer collaborative.

Read the press release and learn more about QUILS here.