Breaking New Ground in Cancer Care

Dr. Ian Jasenof, Chief Medical Officer, Mile Square Health Center-UI Health; Cancer Center-Director of Strategic FQHC Partnerships, UI Health

Dr. Ian Jasenof is an accomplished healthcare executive with extensive expertise in integrated delivery systems, clinical integration and quality improvement. He has led strategic platforms, process excellence and outcomes improvement by combining evidence-based medicine with innovation. Recognized for driving cultural change and provider partnerships, he brings transformational leadership, strong business acumen and a servant leadership style grounded in integrity and measurable patient impact.

In an interview with MedTech Outlook, Dr. Jasenof shared insights on precision medicine, cancer screening and AI, and explained how leaders can navigate change while keeping patients at the center of care.

A Career Built on Quality and Integration

I began my career in a large, vertically integrated healthcare system, where I honed my skills in quality improvement and outcomes management, laying the foundation for my professional journey.

Later, I transitioned to the University of Illinois, where I applied that knowledge within our division and helped establish practices that strengthened quality outcomes across patient populations. Each year, we report to HRSA through the Uniform Data Set. By integrating clinical workflows, we consistently improve patient experiences and outcomes.

Advancing Cancer Screening

Cancer screening is undergoing a significant transformation with the rise of blood-based testing, which analyzes fragments of DNA circulating in the bloodstream to detect early-stage disease. This is similar to the change that happened in obstetrics and gynecology when cell-free DNA testing first enabled noninvasive prenatal genetic analysis.

Despite the promise, there are challenges to overcome. Blood-based tests serve as screening tools rather than diagnostic tools. Sometimes this leads to a tumor hunt, where additional investigations are triggered even when no actual disease is present. This can add psychological stress for patients and result in unnecessary procedures. Insurance payers also need to see evidence of accuracy and value, because only strong markers with high pickup rates will lead to adoption and eventual reduction of medical costs.

Lung, breast and colon cancers need the most focus. We already have markers like BRCA1 and BRCA2 that guide care in breast cancer. Other cancers, including lung, gastrointestinal and pancreatic, are especially alarming due to their higher and more forbidding mortality rates. This highlights the urgency of making reliable early detection broadly available.

Extending Innovation through Collaboration

Innovation in cancer care cannot succeed unless it reaches underserved communities, and partnerships with federally qualified health centers are essential to achieving this outcome.

By applying precision medicine at the community level and analyzing incidence by neighborhood and zip code, we can target interventions more effectively and ensure earlier detection in high-risk populations.

Preparing for the Next Paradigm Shift

AI is driving a significant transformation in healthcare, and the most valuable platforms will overlay electronic medical records in real-time to guide clinical decisions. Many companies are claiming they can do this, but the real differentiator will be the ability to make encounters more efficient and integrate multiple data points.

These systems will integrate laboratory results, imaging and medication lists to support physicians during encounters, providing timely recommendations that improve efficiency and decision-making at the point of care. When applied effectively, AI can reduce costs while improving outcomes.

Advice for the Next Generation of Leaders

Healthcare is evolving rapidly, particularly in the realm of evidence-based medicine. I collaborate with colleagues to ensure we achieve the best outcomes for patients.

The concept of shared decision-making with the patient is an ideal approach. We also have a current administration that has been challenged by issues with vaccine and medication usage, which makes it even more important to adhere to evidence-based medicine.

Medical Care Review