Iowa City-based University of Iowa Health Care and Mission Cancer + Blood plan to partner in a $280 million deal to create a comprehensive cancer care network.
The Iowa board of regents will vote on the agreement before it is finalized, according to an Oct. 7 news release from the academic health system.
Des Moines, Iowa-based Mission Cancer + Blood, the state's largest oncology and hematology practice, will provide oncology care at its community locations across the state, enhanced by resources from the health system and its National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, the release said.
The partnership will allow oncology specialists to keep care local and increase detection, treatment and research across the state, which has one of the fastest-growing cancer rates in the U.S., according to the release.
"This agreement will promote new levels of collaboration in cancer care, research, and education across the state," Denise Jamieson, MD, UI vice president for medical affairs, said in the release. "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."