UC San Diego, Nevada Cancer Institute Deal Receives Go-Ahead | Business

A deal reached months ago for the UC San Diego Health System to take over the Nevada Cancer Institute recently received needed approval on the acquiring end.

UC San Diego will bring in the institute as an affiliate health care provider. The expansion represents a partnership between California and Nevada in offering cancer care to patients through diagnosis, novel treatments and clinical trials.

The deal will not affect current cancer institute patients’ ability to see their current doctor. UC San Diego officials say patients could now qualify for a wider range of clinical trials.

“In light of health care reform, innovative partnerships between states and their health systems will be key to increasing access to specialized care while managing health care costs,” said Tom McAfee, MD, interim CEO of UC San Diego Health System and dean of clinical affairs. “Both Stanford University and Cleveland Clinic have pursued this strategy to care for neurological patients outside of their local areas. UC San Diego Health System is advancing this approach for the full spectrum of cancers, a strength of our clinical enterprise.”

Plans for UC San Diego NVCI include the recruitment of medical and surgical oncologists, as well as beginning a national search for a physician-scientist to serve as director of the institute. Insight Oncology, a management services organization, will assist with the integration of the two organizations and provide operational oversight of the flagship facility.

UC San Diego Health System purchased NVCI with clinical revenue generated by its hospitals. No state funding was utilized. All philanthropic support for NVCI will be specifically reserved for the Nevada facility and its patients.

In February 2011, UC San Diego Health System acquired San Diego Cancer Center as part of its regional strategy to expand cancer care into the north coastal community of San Diego with locations in Encinitas and Vista. The health system has also opened a radiation oncology site in South Bay, multi-specialty clinics in Murrieta, part of Riverside County, a comprehensive liver clinic in Henderson, Nevada, and telemedicine clinics throughout the state of California.