Why research matters at Colorado Blood Cancer Institute
At Colorado Blood Cancer Institute (CBCI), research is woven into patient care. It shapes how care is delivered, opens doors to new possibilities and helps move progress forward for every patient who walks through our doors.
That matters deeply in blood cancer care, where treatment is evolving at a remarkable pace. New therapies, new combinations and new approaches are steadily expanding what may be possible for patients. In that environment, research is not only about discovery. It is also about access, helping connect patients to emerging options while shaping the future of cancer care.
At Colorado Blood Cancer Institute, that work is supported through an embedded research infrastructure in collaboration with Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI). Kelly Mozzetta, regional director of oncology research operations for CBCI and Sarah Cannon Research Institute at HCA HealthONE, a phase I drug development unit, describes a model in which regulatory specialists, coordinators, nurses, lab teams and physicians work closely together to bring clinical trials to patients in the Rocky Mountain region. Rather than operating separately, the research team is integrated into the day-to-day life of the organization and works together to support patients throughout their care journey.
That level of integration matters for patients. Clinical trials can offer access to therapies that may not otherwise be available, particularly for patients whose disease has relapsed or who have exhausted standard FDA-approved treatment options.
Just as important is the level of physician engagement. Mozzetta emphasizes that research involvement at Colorado Blood Cancer Institute is not limited to a small subset of providers. Instead, she describes strong engagement across the physician group, along with active work in complex and emerging areas such as early-phase blood cancer research and cellular therapy. Joshua Gordon, manager of study operations at Sarah Cannon Research Institute at HCA HealthONE, adds that Colorado Blood Cancer Institute is a leader in early‑phase blood cancer research and consistently ranks among the highest‑enrolling practices within the field.
The recent selection of an abstract by Dr. Peter Forsberg for presentation at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Annual Meeting, the largest oncology conference in the world, offers one example of that culture in action. ASCO is one of the most prominent conferences in cancer care, making abstract selection a meaningful marker of scientific contribution and national visibility. More broadly, it reflects the caliber of work taking place at Colorado Blood Cancer Institute and its role in larger conversations shaping oncology care.
The larger takeaway is clear: research is how cancer care advances. At Colorado Blood Cancer Institute in collaboration with Sarah Cannon Research Institute, that work is carried forward through scientific rigor, physician engagement and a shared commitment to expanding what is possible for patients.
Learn more about the Colorado Blood Cancer Institute and Sarah Cannon Research Institute.