Published on April 03, 2020
Mullins named next chairman for Kentucky Commission on Cancer
By Renee Beasley Jones, Messenger-Inquirer
Dr. Alan Mullins, a surgeon at Owensboro Health, recently was selected to be the next chairman of the Kentucky Commission on Cancer.
Dr. Alan Mullins
"Throughout his career, Dr. Mullins has played a pivotal role in building a comprehensive cancer services program at OH, but he has also made tremendous contributions that have advanced cancer care on a statewide level," said Greg Strahan, OH president and CEO. "We greatly appreciate what his leadership means to our patients, our organization and the state of Kentucky."
Mullins will continue to work at his local practice, but he anticipates committing more time to his new statewide role with the Kentucky Commission on Cancer.
"This will take a significant amount of time and travel," he said.
For about 20 years, Mullins has been OH's cancer liaison physician for the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center. Each hospital nationwide that operates an approved cancer program must have a liaison who oversees care guidelines from the national Commission on Cancer and works in tandem with the state organization.
University of Kentucky cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Tim Mullett presently serves as chairman of the Kentucky Commission on Cancer. He recently was named chair-elect of the national Commission on Cancer.
Mullett is the medical director of the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center Affiliate and Research Network, which has been ranked in the top 33 cancer programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. OH's Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center is a member of Markey Cancer Center network.
When Mullett was named chair-elect of the National Commission on Cancer, he selected Mullins to replace him at the state level.
Mullins is a general surgeon with a sub-specialty in cancer surgery.
He will officially take over as state chairman during the summer of 2020.
Mullins said he was humbled Mullet asked him to take on that responsibility.
"I'm starting to get up to speed so I know what I'm doing," Mullins said. "I have some trepidation about it, but I'm excited."
Mullett will be installed as the national chairman in October 2020.
"It is well known that Kentucky leads the nation in incidence of several forms of cancer," Mullett said, in a press release. "I look forward to carrying the flag for the University of Kentucky and representing some of the problems that are amplified in Kentucky cancer care ..."
The Commission on Cancer was founded in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons. The program sets standards for cancer treatment care for about 1,500 programs across the nation.
Renee Beasley Jones, 270-228-2835, rbeasleyjones@messenger-inquirer.com.
About Owensboro Health
Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.
On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.