A major cancer center is forming a partnership with one of the region’s largest health-care providers to expand treatment options to more patients, officials said Wednesday.
A letter of intent for the alliance was signed this week by executives at City of Hope and Providence Health & Services. The deal should be finalized early next year, said City of Hope President Robert Stone.
Doctors from City of Hope have seen patients at Providence’s five hospitals for the past several years, and the alliance will expand on that relationship, Stone said.
The partnership calls for City of Hope to provide its expertise and treatment protocols to enhance Providence’s oncology care while balancing accessibility with affordability.
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“We think we have a unique brand of cancer care because of the science behind it,” Stone said. “The goal is to get people the right care at the right time at the right location, and this deal will help us do that.”
Duarte-based City of Hope is a National Cancer Institute-approved comprehensive cancer center, a designation given to only 41 facilities in the nation.
The partnership will widen the network of oncological services available throughout Providence’s regional health system so more patients can get care close to home and ensure their access to leading-edge research and specialized treatments.
Dr. Harlan Levine, CEO of the City of Hope Medical Foundation, which manages physician practice and off-site expansion, said the Providence cancer patients will notice some changes.
“Today Providence delivers high-quality care, and what they want to do is enhance the level of care for their cancer patients,” Levine said. “There will be more medical experts working collaboratively. It’s a team-based approach to oncology care — the surgical oncologist, the medical oncologist and the radiation oncologist all work together to discuss the best approach to patient care.” Providence patients will now also be able to participate in clinical trials.
Providence operates the Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center in Burbank, Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, Tarzana Medical Center and Little Company of Mary medical centers in Torrance and San Pedro.
“City of Hope is the gold standard for advanced cancer care and will bring to this partnership the latest research and innovative treatments,” said Michael Hunn, senior vice president and regional chief executive of Providence Southern California, in a statement. “Our patients will benefit greatly by remaining close to home, receiving this added level of expertise in their own communities.”
Date: October 9, 2013