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Breaking Down Barriers to Empower All Patients with Clinical Trial Opportunities.

Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative is dedicated to advancing access and diversity in clinical trials, ensuring that innovative treatment options are available to all patients, regardless of their background or location. We recognize that inclusive research is essential to developing effective therapies, and we are committed to building programs that bring clinical trial opportunities closer to underserved communities and diverse populations.

QLHC Commitment to Enhancing Access and Diversity in Clinical Research

Through strategic partnerships, community outreach, and support services, we strive to make clinical research a path that every patient can access. Our current efforts include:  

I-SPY Initiatives

Diversity in Discovery

For over 15 years, the I-SPY breast cancer trial has consistently surpassed the general population’s representation rates for Black and Hispanic patients. Additionally, the trial has made significant contributions to research on breast cancer in African American women, who are often diagnosed at a younger age and with more aggressive tumors. Recognizing that inclusive research is essential to developing effective therapies, we are committed to building programs that bring clinical trial opportunities closer to underserved communities and diverse populations.

The I-SPY ACCESS Program

Achieving Cancer Clinical Trial Equity Through Socioeconomically Diverse Sites

The I-SPY ACCESS program is a groundbreaking initiative designed to enhance access to clinical trials in historically underrepresented populations in the I-SPY family of clinical trials (I-SPY 2, DCIS RECAST). We partner with intentionally selected institutions, including safety net hospitals, county hospitals, historically black colleges and university associated hospitals, Hispanic patient serving hospitals, rural and community cancer centers. This program aims to bridge gaps in infrastructure and provide comprehensive support for both participating sites and patients.

Trial Matching Initiatives

BreastCancerTrials.org, QLHC’s trial matching service, offers a valuable resource to breast cancer patients and is designed to improve access to clinical trials by making it easier for them to find trials that fit their specific medical needs and circumstances. By breaking down trial criteria and study details into clear, easy to understand language, it gives patients the information they need to make more informed decisions about their participation. Visit our trial matching here

Building Trust and Awareness in Clinical Trials

Diversity and Accessibility Partnership Projects

Our collaborations cover a wide range of organizations focused on diverse patient needs, from general cancer support groups to groups specifically advocating for underserved populations, such as African American, Hispanic, and young survivors.  This approach not only creates opportunities for more patients to participate in research but also contributes to the broader mission of making clinical trials more representative, inclusive, and ultimately more effective for all. By making clinical trials more accessible in these familiar settings, BreastCancerTrials.org strives to demystify the process of finding trials and encourages patients to explore options that might otherwise be unknown to them. 

Tigerlily: Workforce Diversity and Patient Navigation  

This initiative will expose trainees to the real-life challenges that patients of color face in accessing clinical trials, highlighting barriers related to trust, communication, and the availability of culturally competent care. To achieve this, we are partnering with Tigerlily Foundation, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit women’s health and oncology organization dedicated to empowering young women (15-50) before, during, and after cancer with a to inspire young women to live their best lives, become advocates for change, and work toward a future where cancer no longer defines their destiny.

Tiger Trials: https://clinicaltrials.tigerlilyfoundation.org/trial-match/

We would be delighted to present this combined learning and advocacy experience at your institution, offering trainees a valuable opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the critical role of trust and dialogue in expanding access to clinical research for patients of color. Please reach out to bctrials@quantumleaphealth.org if interested. 

Susan G. Komen:  Navigation Nation

We are partnering with Susan G. Komen to incorporate a clinical trial navigation section into Komen’s Navigation Nation patient navigation curriculum. This addition aims to expand navigation services specific to clinical trials, empowering patient navigators with the tools and knowledge needed to confidently guide patients through the often complex landscape of clinical trial options. This partnership highlights a shared commitment to making clinical trial navigation more accessible and approachable for patient navigators and, in turn, for the patients they serve.

 

Services we offer:
Customized work force education and learning for healthcare professionals
Our team has the specialized skill set to develop customized trainings for healthcare professionals in the diversity and accessibility arena. These trainings educate, provide direct related skills, and bring new awareness to those treating patients first hand. Providers will feel more equipped to care for patients of color and prepared for real world challenges these patients face.

Please reach out to bctrials@quantumleaphealth.org if interested. 

Sisters Network: 360 Access

Empowering Patients of Color through Personalized Clinical Trial Navigation

We are partnering with Sisters Network, a national Black breast cancer survivorship organization, to improve clinical trial access and support. By creating space for open dialogue and listening to community insights, this partnership aims to build trust, address common challenges, and empower Black breast cancer patients to consider clinical trials as an option for their care. This collaboration is a critical step toward creating an inclusive, supportive environment for clinical trial engagement. This project will also investigate if the engagement strategies developed can serve as a model for other multicultural advocacy groups.

Click here to learn more about Sisters Network

TrIal Matching Navigation

Navigating the Path to Clinical Trial Participation

To enhance patient education and access to clinical trials, we offer a specialized clinical trial navigation service. Our dedicated oncology nurse navigator provides personalized, one-on-one guidance, helping patients understand eligibility criteria, the risks and benefits of participation, available resources, and logistical aspects of trial participation. This hands-on support ensures that each patient has the resources and confidence to make informed decisions about joining a clinical trial. 
Connect with the Navigator Here

Definitions

Access: Ensuring that a wider range of patients can participate in clinical trials, including those who may face barriers such as geographical distance, limited understanding, or lack of awareness about available trials.

Diversity: Ensuring that clinical trials include participants from various backgrounds—such as different races, ethnicities, ages, and socioeconomic status—to better represent the diversity of the real-world population. A diverse participant pool is essential for developing treatments that are effective and safe across all groups.

Dictionary of Cancer Terms

Find easy-to-understand definitions of terms related to cancer and medicine.

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Tracey Heather

Advocate Liaison

As Patient Engagement Lead at Quantum Leap, I manage follow-up data projects for the I-SPY 2 Trial, develop strategies to strengthen patient engagement, and oversee the I-SPY Advocate group. After six successful years raising funds to support Quantum’s mission, I embraced this new role last summer, drawn by the opportunity to make a direct impact on the patients we serve. Each day brings new challenges and insights, and I especially enjoy supporting and collaborating with our inspiring I-SPY Advocates.

Outside of work, I am pursuing a Master of Public Administration with a focus on nonprofit management at SF State. I’m passionate about trail running, skiing, live music, camping, traveling, and collegiate gymnastics—my daughter competes at Oregon State. For the past 5 years, I have volunteered with SF CASA as a mentor to an incredible 18-year-old foster youth whose resilience continually reminds me of life’s true priorities.

Carolyn Clark Beedle

Carolyn Clark Beedle, a 2023 breast cancer survivor, joined the advocate program after successful completion of treatment with the UCSF Breast Oncology Program. Her experience working with a patient advocate during her TNBC treatment led to an understanding that empowering women to advocate for their own health and healthcare will contribute to improved health outcomes and broader access to care. Carolyn began advocating for cancer patients and their families during her treatment, now is a member of the Breast Science Advocacy Core (BSAC) with the UCSF Breast Oncology Program, and currently shares information and research with CFNP associates at La Clinica in the Bay Area to inform and empower their patient population.

Carolyn is continuing her on the ground training as an advocate reviewer with both Quantum Health and BSAC and is enrolled in the Patient Advocacy Training in Health Science course with Stanford Medicine. Her 30+ career in corporate marketing/communications, program development and non-profit leadership augmented by her breast cancer treatment experience serves Carolyn well in representing and communicating the patient voice and perspective.

She received her BA (History/English Lit) and MA (Public History/Research and Record Management) from the University of San Diego, is a proud fifth generation San Franciscan, and active board member with numerous non-profits that support social work and the arts.

Silver Alkhafaji

Silver Alkhafaji is a PhD candidate in the Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics (PSPG) program at UCSF. She received her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Biology from UC Berkeley. Prior to UCSF, she worked in the Clinical Pharmacology Department at Genentech. Silver’s current research focuses on non-invasive liquid biopsies to predict response and side effects of immunotherapies and endocrine therapies in early-stage breast cancer participants in I-SPY 2.

Silver is interested in clinical outcomes research to advance precision medicine and improve cancer patients’ quality of life. She is passionate about health equity, inclusive research, patient advocacy, and women’s health.
Silver volunteers at the Patient and Family Cancer Support Center at UCSF where she assists in patient navigation and connecting patients and their families with resources that improve their healthcare experience while receiving cancer treatments and/or during survivorship. 

Through her DEI work in her PhD program, Silver raises awareness around issues related to social justice and community building through organizing community-centered events. Additionally, she is a member of the Life Sciences Career Advisory Council at Thrive Scholars, where she enjoys supporting college students of color from economically disadvantaged communities in providing the opportunities they need to thrive at top colleges and in high-trajectory careers. 

Silver is a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Alameda Branch where she focuses her efforts on increasing membership of community college women coming from exceptional backgrounds: student parents, low-income, and first-generation college students.

In her free time, she writes poetry and prose on emotional healing, radical acceptance, and patience. Writing has helped her process difficult situations and connect with people on a deeper level.

Jane Mortimer

Jane is a breast cancer survivor and advocate dedicated to positively impacting the lives of women affected by the disease. Diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2012, she participated in the I-SPY 2 trial at UCSF and has been cancer free for more than ten years.

Her advocacy journey began in 2003 at UCSF as a volunteer with the Patient and Family Cancer Support Center and Decision Support Services and she previously managed the Peer Support program at UCSF. Drawing on her experience in marketing and media strategy, she uses her skills to make a meaningful impact by supporting advocacy and research that improves outcomes for women living with breast cancer.

Jan Tomlinson

In March of 2023 , Jan was diagnosed with a large aggressive triple negative breast cancer and informed that her cancer was the” bad girl” of cancer and offered standard chemotherapy for 24 weeks. Devasted by the diagnosis Jan felt like she had a dire prognosis. After seeking several opinions, she opted to join a Clinical Trial program for her treatment. The trial consisted of significantly less chemotherapy, and monitored closely over a 12-week period, The data predicted a complete pathological response , and she then went immediately to surgery. Pathology reports supported that she had a successful outcome reaching PCR meaning the tumor was gone, and no residual cancer was found in the surrounding tissue or lymph nodes. Jan was thrilled when her surgeon advised her of the results. The experience made Jan want to give back and share information that she received when she was at a critical juncture in her diagnosis. She is so passionate about making sure that everyone knows that the standard of care is one treatment option.

As she says, “ clinical trials have to be on the table” Because she achieved PCR, she expects a great outcome. She wants to share her story and encourage other women to strongly consider and participate in clinical trials. Jan is a UCSF Patient Advocate, involved in several programs they lead. Jan also is a BLACC Cab Member. Jan recently was in Washington DC to participate on a panel on Clinical Trials for ISPY at the National Press Club. UCSF will be hosting the RISE Up For Breast Cancer event where Jan will share her experience with clinical trials.

Deborah Collyar

Deb is a connector who founded Patient Advocates in Research (PAIR) “where research meets reality,” bringing ideas and people together for medical advances that offer real results for diverse patients and families.

Her vast experience between the worlds of tech, communication, strategy, management, policy, and equity bridges gaps between patients, scientists, medical providers, payers, governments, and non-profits.

Deb infuses patient engagement into projects, gathers relevant patient input, and encompasses many diseases, programs and policies at grassroots, national and international levels through companies, academia, and governments.

Key patient insights are delivered throughout discovery, development, clinical trials, results reporting, data-sharing, standards, genomics, and into practice.

Her experience spans translational and clinical research, epidemiology, health outcomes, and health delivery research with academia, federal agencies, companies, and patient communities.