<< Back

HHC Cancer Institute Advances Patient Care Through Innovation

June 02, 2026

The Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute is advancing cancer care delivery through innovative use of clinical data, building integrated systems that improve research operations, enhance quality and safety and support more precise, patient-centered treatment.

As cancer care becomes increasingly complex, the ability to organize and interpret large volumes of data is critical. The Cancer Institute is addressing this challenge by investing in clinical informatics solutions that transform fragmented information into accessible, actionable insights for clinicians and care teams.

“Data is only valuable if people can actually use it,” said Sui Ping (Rebecca) Suen, senior clinical informatics analyst at Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute. “It’s not enough for data to be clean. People need to be able to readily access and use it.”

Suen works closely with clinical and research teams to design systems that connect data across platforms, ensuring physicians, administrators, and researchers can quickly access the information they need to guide decisions.

“My job is to design systems where clinicians know exactly where to go for the information they need,” she said.

Strengthening cancer research and clinical trials

The Cancer Institute has developed advanced data platforms that improve visibility into clinical trial activity, from study startup through patient enrollment and monitoring. By consolidating key research data into unified systems, teams can more efficiently track progress, identify eligible patients, and expand trial access.

These tools are already delivering measurable benefits. Research teams can now proactively identify potential biospecimen donors from large patient populations, streamlining a process that previously relied heavily on manual review and physician referrals.

“In the past, finding the right patients for certain research efforts could take significant time and coordination,” Suen said. “By bringing that data together, we’re making those opportunities more visible and accessible.”

Enhancing quality and patient safety

The Cancer Institute also is applying data-driven strategies to quality and safety initiatives, including geriatric oncology assessments. By integrating assessment results with electronic health records, clinicians gain a more complete picture of patient risk factors and overall health status.

This integrated approach allows care teams to identify vulnerable patients earlier, tailor treatment decisions, and shift from reactive interventions to proactive care planning.

“When clinicians can see the full picture, across treatments, risks, and outcomes, they’re better equipped to make decisions that are truly personalized to each patient,” Suen said.

Unlocking the value of pathology data

By advancing efforts to standardize and structure pathology data, The Cancer Institute is converting traditionally unstructured reports into consistent datasets that can be analyzed across populations.

This work will enable clinicians to better understand disease patterns, track quality metrics and ensure treatments are aligned with best practices, while reducing reliance on manual chart reviews.

Building the future of cancer care

Through continued investment in data infrastructure and integration, the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute is building a more connected and efficient model of cancer care, one that empowers clinicians with timely insights and supports better outcomes for patients.

“Ultimately, this work is about making sure the right information gets to the right people at the right time,” Suen said. “That’s what enables better care.”