The Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) was initiated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in 1983 to provide community hospitals access to a wide range of clinical research studies. Prior to this, a patient had to travel to one of a few select research institutions in the country or to the NCI itself to receive the newest treatments. This meant leaving familiar surroundings of home, family and workplace. As well, oncology physician specialists in your community wanted to be part of the search for answers to cure cancer and to offer you the best treatments available.

The NCI designates a CCOP once a hospital has met the stringent criteria set forth defining excellence in an oncology program. The Atlanta Regional CCOP is one of approximately 50 in the country. The Atlanta Regional CCOP consists of the coordinating institution and seven affiliate institutions, which virtually cover the entire metro Atlanta area.