Cencora and Jefferson Health Announce Initiative Aimed at Expanding Access to Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. (March 6, 2025) - Cencora, a global healthcare company, and Jefferson Health, nationally ranked as one of the top healthcare systems in the country, announced an initiative to help expand access to cancer diagnosis and treatment for patients in the Greater Philadelphia area.

The initiative will expand access to screenings for cancer and health-related social needs (HRSNs) in emergency departments across Jefferson Health’s network. Community health workers within each emergency department will provide education and support, while a central hub of case managers, social workers and project managers will manage cases, leveraging electronic medical record (EMR) systems to coordinate patient care and expedite appointments for potential cancer diagnoses.

The collaboration between two of the region’s largest employers and leaders in healthcare aims to improve the patient care experience and address disparities – which are particularly acute among underserved populations – through enhanced screening and patient education.

“At Cencora, we are committed to improving access to healthcare and addressing care disparities that affect the communities, and that starts in our own backyard,” said Matt Glucksmann, SVP & President of Health Systems and Government Services at Cencora. “Our partnership with Jefferson Health reflects a significant step toward enabling more individuals in the Philadelphia area to receive timely cancer screenings and education, which directly aligns to our mission to create healthier futures for all.”

Cancer diagnosis and treatment disparities are often exacerbated by specific challenges, including a lack of education about screenings and broader issues related to the social determinants of health, such as housing, transportation and financial obstacles, which hinder proactive healthcare engagement. The overlapping and cumulative nature of these issues can lead to later stage cancer diagnoses, which often result in various complications for patients including increased symptoms, limited treatment options and lower survival rates.

"Jefferson Health is committed to meeting the unique needs of our communities by expanding access to critical health screenings and support services. Through this program, we aim to screen more than one million patients within the first three years, ensuring they are connected to the necessary care or resources,” said Baligh Yehia, MD, MPP, MSc, FACP, President of Jefferson Health and Chief Transformation Officer of Jefferson. “By leveraging a scalable, data-driven approach in partnership with Cencora, Jefferson Health will reduce the cancer burden and improve health outcomes across our region.”

About Cencora
Cencora is a leading global pharmaceutical solutions organization centered on improving the lives of people and animals around the world. We partner with pharmaceutical innovators across the value chain to facilitate and optimize market access to therapies. Care providers depend on us for the secure, reliable delivery of pharmaceuticals, healthcare products and solutions. Our 46,000+ worldwide team members contribute to positive health outcomes through the power of our purpose: We are united in our responsibility to create healthier futures. Cencora is ranked #10 on the Fortune 500 and #24 on the Global Fortune 500 with more than $250 billion in annual revenue. 

About Jefferson
Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health, nationally ranked as one of the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospital campuses and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans through Health Partners Plans, Inc., a not-for-profit managed health care organization, offers a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years.

Media Contacts:

Irene Contreras Reyes
Sr. Director, News and Media, Jefferson Health
Email: irene.contreras@jefferson.edu | Phone: (267) 303-2984

Michelle Engro
Email: michelle.engro@cencora.com | Phone: (215) 272-3374