IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa Health Care and Mission Cancer + Blood are joining forces to "create a comprehensive cancer care network," the organizations announced Monday.
The agreement, which is subject to Board of Regents approval, is "valued at $280 million," a press release states.
UI Health Care will own and operate Mission, but Mission said it will continue to offer its oncology care at over 20 Iowa locations with expanded resources including the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The site's official designation by the National Cancer Institute is the highest classification a cancer center can receive.
Mission CEO Phil Stover issued the following statement:
"Mission and UI Health Care have strong, long-standing, and trusted partnerships with health systems across the state and critical access hospitals in central Iowa. By joining forces with UI Health Care, we can provide more patients with access to comprehensive services, shortened time between diagnosis and treatment for rare and difficult cancers, and expanded options for the latest therapies offered as part of clinical trials.
Mission chose to unite with UI Health Care because we share the same vision of delivering world-class care close to home for Iowans, by Iowans. This agreement will enhance our commitment to providing the highest quality care and outcomes for patients with cancer. UI Health Care is committed to providing long-term, stable employment and meaningful engagement for all Mission team members, which is crucial to the lasting success of this collaboration."
The organizations are hoping to increase access to cancer detection, treatment and research across the state.
"This is an opportunity to bring together our individual organizations’ strengths to better serve the needs of Iowans," said Carver College of Medicine Vice President for Medical Affairs Denise Jamieson, MD, MPH. "Mission excels at building lifelong relationships with patients, providing personalized care, and helping patients receive the care they need quickly, efficiently, and close to home. This agreement will promote new levels of collaboration in cancer care, research, and education across the state. Working together, we have an opportunity to reduce the pain and suffering caused by cancer for many Iowans and train more physicians who go on to practice in the state of Iowa."
Mission was founded in 1981 and employes 19 full-time physicians.