Thanks to months of hard work, thoughtful planning, visionary new leadership and a generous donation from The Lincy Foundation, outpatient oncology services will once again be offered at University Medical Center (UMC). The renewed partnership between UMC and Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI) will allow patients to receive a full complement of cancer services starting in early 2010.
Since the announcement of the closure of outpatient oncology services in late 2008, Clark County Commissioners have been meeting with UMC and NVCI leadership as well as other medical providers in the community to solve this issue.
“This is a victory for UMC, NVCI and ultimately for people battling cancer in southern Nevada,? Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid said. ?Cancer patients in southern Nevada won?t have to worry about where to get treatment. I?m proud to have been part of finding a solution.?
?It is our collective goal to give the patient everything he or she needs at one location ? a true one-stop shop,? Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly said.
?This model of providing care will help us retain top-notch oncology physicians and attract and recruit other physicians to Las Vegas.?
The $3 million donation from The Lincy Foundation will be used to renovate space at UMC to build a state-of-the-art clinic for outpatient services, including medical oncology and radiation oncology.
?We are humbled by this extraordinary gift from The Lincy Foundation, a long-term supporter of Nevada Cancer Institute. This gift allows us to partner with UMC to offer high-quality, patient-centered care through the NVCI oncology clinic at UMC,? NVCI CEO and Director John C. Ruckdeschel, M.D., said.
?We can put our arms around patients and give them everything they need all in one location. This is about the community coming together and finding a solution that improves healthcare.? Dr. Ruckdeschel has extensive experience in this arena, having created a similar model when he was president and CEO of the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida.
Under the new agreement, NVCI will offer radiation oncology at UMC. Providing this service will enable cancer patients to access all aspects of their care ? chemotherapy, radiation oncology, imaging and support services ? all under one roof. This makes it more convenient for the patient. Additionally, radiation oncology provides additional revenue that will enable the clinic to be financially sustainable over the long term.This means patients will see the reinstatement of services that previously existed at UMC, most notably outpatient chemotherapy treatments, plus a higher level of service and care once the new clinic opens.
Last editorial review: May 29, 2009.
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