Traversal Health Contact

Cancer care inside the walls

A physician-led virtual oncology clinic for the most underserved patients.

Who we are

Cancer is currently the leading cause of death in U.S. prisons.1,2 Cancer care in this setting is very difficult, predominantly driven by challenges associated with security-escorted, off-site visits for every oncology appointment and treatment. These barriers can delay treatment, strain correctional health systems and drive up costs for everyone involved.

That's why we - two practicing medical oncologists passionate about access to care for underserved patients - founded Traversal Health.

Our mission

Timely, high-quality, compassionate cancer care inside the walls of the prison, meeting patients and care teams where they are and reducing challenges for everyone involved.

Our story

Founded by two oncologists committed to bringing the best cancer care to every patient, wherever they are.

Chris Manz, MD, MSHP

Co-Founder & Medical Oncologist

As an oncologist and researcher at Dana-Farber and Harvard Medical School, Chris set out to learn how cancer care in prison could be improved. He led studies of more than 2 million cancer cases that show how incarceration affects survival,3 and interviewed correctional medical directors, clinicians, and oncologists across 16 prison systems1,5 to learn how to improve cancer care for incarcerated patients. A leading voice on cancer care disparities in correctional health, Chris left Harvard to co-found Traversal to implement a new precedent of care for these patients.

Stephen Schleicher, MD, FASCO

Co-Founder & Medical Oncologist

Inspired by his mother's work as the first chaplain at the Tennessee Prison for Women, Stephen built his career around patients who are too often overlooked. After training at Harvard's Brigham and Women's Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering, he practiced in urban and rural clinics across Tennessee before becoming Chief Medical Officer of Tennessee Oncology, the state's largest oncology practice. He has testified before the U.S. Congress on chemotherapy shortages, particularly for underserved patients, and serves as Chair-Elect of ASCO's Medical Home Certification Steering Group.

Expanded team

In addition to our core leadership our expanded team includes justice-impacted individuals, public health thought leaders, former government officials and correctional health experts.

The cancer gap - by the numbers

46%

Higher risk of dying from cancer when diagnosed in prison3

71%

Higher risk when diagnosed after release3

2–3 mo

From suspected cancer to diagnosis, one trip at a time1

2

Officers pulled from post for every outside visit1

2×
How care is delivered changes the outcome. In a study of 106,000 people in California prisons, patients who had not been screened in the three months before diagnosis were twice as likely to be diagnosed at stage IV (21% vs. 10%). Recently screened patients were also 37% less likely to die.4

One facility's daily transport capacity

A real-world example from Dr. Manz's national study: at one prison, custody staffing allowed only four escorted trips a day, and three cancer patients on daily radiation needed three of them. That left one trip for every other outside appointment.1

“We only have 4 trips out, 4 people a day. We have 3 cancer patients getting radiation almost daily.”

Prison medical director, interviewed in a national study led by Dr. Manz1

For corrections partners

A world-class oncology clinic, inside the walls.

Lower security risk

Every trip outside the prison is a security risk: regular recurring clinic visits, public roads, hospital waiting rooms, and officers off post. Keeping care inside lowers these risks.

Fewer transports

Based on common cancers and treatment regimens, we estimate that 30 patients on active treatment delivered outside of prison have around 400 off-site visits each year. We move consults and treatment on-site, so trips out are reserved for surgery, radiation, and advanced imaging.

Better outcomes

Every month of delay in cancer treatment can raise the risk of death by around 10%.6 Our oncologists help guide workups from first suspicion of malignancy, and our supportive care helps patients tolerate treatment, with fewer ER visits and hospitalizations.

Bring cancer care inside your facilities.

For departments of corrections and correctional health providers.

Talk to our team → inquiries@traversalhealth.com

References

Four of the six studies cited here (1, 3, 4, 5) were led by Traversal co-founder and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Chris Manz.

  1. Manz CR, Nava-Coulter B, Voligny E, Gundersen DA, Wright AA. Barriers and Facilitators to Delivering Cancer Care in US Prisons. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(10):e2537646.
  2. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000–2012: Statistical Tables. 2014.
  3. Manz CR, Tramontano AC, Dias SL, Voligny E, Baggett CD, Wright AA, Schrag D. Cancer Incidence and Survival Among Ever-Incarcerated Patients in California and Massachusetts. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(10):e2639346.
  4. Manz CR, Tramontano AC, Voligny E, et al. Cancer Screening, Diagnosis, and Survival in California Prisons. JAMA Netw Open. 2026;9(10):e2640539.
  5. Manz CR, Nava-Coulter B, Voligny E, Gundersen DA, Wright AA. Correctional Health and Oncologist Perspectives on Strategies to Improve Cancer Care in US Prisons: A Qualitative Study. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(10):e2537640.
  6. Hanna TP, King WD, Thibodeau S, et al. Mortality due to cancer treatment delay: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2020;371:m4087.