U of Iowa Health Care Seeks to Create Comprehensive Cancer Care Network

University of Iowa Health Care plans to purchase Mission Cancer + Blood to create a comprehensive cancer care network to tackle Iowa’s elevated cancer rates. 

Mission has more than 20 community oncology locations across Iowa. UI Health Care has official comprehensive cancer center designation by the National Cancer Institute.

Iowa has one of the fastest-growing cancer rates in the country. The agreement between Mission and UI Health Care, valued at $280 million, seeks to address this issue by providing opportunities for oncology specialists to work together to keep care local and increase access to cancer detection, treatment, and research across Iowa. 

“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,” said Phil Stover, chief executive officer of Mission, in a statement. “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.”  

“This is an opportunity to bring together our individual organizations’ strengths to better serve the needs of Iowans,” says Denise Jamieson, M.D., M.P.H., UI vice president for medical affairs and Tyrone D. Artz Dean of the Carver College of Medicine, in a statement. “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.” 

The agreement is pending approval by the Iowa Board of Regents.