Lessons in Multidisciplinary Oncology: Implementation of the BRIDGE Program

In an interview with Targeted Oncology, W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, reflects on the recent development of the BRIDGE Program for young patients with cancer, identifying multidisciplinary integration as both the central challenge and the most valuable lesson for broader oncology care.

Watch part 1, part 2, and part 3 of Dr Rathmell’s interview.

In implementation of the BRIDGE Program, the most persistent barrier has been logistical rather than conceptual, according to Rathmell. Oncology care is typically organized by disease type, with separate teams managing conditions as distinct as multiple myeloma and colorectal cancer. Bridging these silos requires new communication pathways, shared infrastructure, and intentional coordination across departments that may not routinely collaborate. Rathmell emphasizes that while these challenges are real, they are surmountable with structured systems and institutional commitment.

Importantly, this cross-collaborative model has yielded unexpected benefits. Bringing together diverse specialties fosters knowledge exchange and reveals novel insights, as different fields approach similar clinical problems from unique perspectives.

The key takeaway for other oncology settings is clear: building effective programs for young patient populations requires intentional integration across disciplines. While operational hurdles exist, the payoff is a more cohesive, innovative, and patient-centered model of care that better addresses the complexities of younger cancer populations.

Read the full interview here.