University of Iowa Health Care is seeking Board of Regents approval to buy a 43-year-old community-based cancer-care business with 22 locations statewide for $280 million.
The proposed deal between UIHC and “Mission Cancer + Blood” — transferring to UIHC the leases for 12 clinics, including several affiliated with MercyOne and UnityPoint Health — will go before the board Tuesday.
If approved, the university will take over Mission Cancer’s more than 20 locations — “many of which are in rural communities and inside other health care organizations” — and its equipment, inventory, workforce, supplies and business operations.
The transaction aims to help the university preserve and enhance cancer-care access for Iowans, especially those living in rural parts of the state; bolster Iowa’s health care workforce by expanding training and education opportunities; and improve access to clinical trials and innovative treatments — also enhancing research endeavors.
“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 Chief Executive Officer Phil Stover said in a statement. “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.”
Mission Cancer has a team of 19 full-time physicians who are board-certified in medical oncology, hematology and internal medicine; 41 advanced practice providers; and more than 135 nursing and other professional staff members.
It has 22 locations across Iowa, averages per month 7,000 patients, 15,000 lab tests, and 4,000 chemotherapy infusion treatments.
It’s “core clinics” locations include:
It also has outreach locations in communities including Fort Dodge, Newton, Pella, Oskaloosa and Osceola.
The collaboration comes as Iowa maintains the fastest growing rate of new cancers nationally and the second-highest cancer rate — with another 21,000 new cancers expected this year, according to the UI-based Iowa Cancer Registry’s 2024 “Cancer in Iowa” report.
Researchers have said they believe a confluence of factors are to blame for Iowa becoming the only state in the nation to report a significant increase in incidence from 2015 to 2019 — from alcohol use and abuse to obesity.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
www.thegazette.com
The proposed deal between UIHC and “Mission Cancer + Blood” — transferring to UIHC the leases for 12 clinics, including several affiliated with MercyOne and UnityPoint Health — will go before the board Tuesday.
If approved, the university will take over Mission Cancer’s more than 20 locations — “many of which are in rural communities and inside other health care organizations” — and its equipment, inventory, workforce, supplies and business operations.
The transaction aims to help the university preserve and enhance cancer-care access for Iowans, especially those living in rural parts of the state; bolster Iowa’s health care workforce by expanding training and education opportunities; and improve access to clinical trials and innovative treatments — also enhancing research endeavors.
“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 Chief Executive Officer Phil Stover said in a statement. “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.”
Mission Cancer has a team of 19 full-time physicians who are board-certified in medical oncology, hematology and internal medicine; 41 advanced practice providers; and more than 135 nursing and other professional staff members.
It has 22 locations across Iowa, averages per month 7,000 patients, 15,000 lab tests, and 4,000 chemotherapy infusion treatments.
It’s “core clinics” locations include:
- MercyOne’s Richard Deming Cancer Center in Des Moines;
- MercyOne’s Clive Richard Deming Cancer Center-Radiation Oncology;
- UnityPoint Health’s John Stoddard Cancer Center in Des Moines;
- Mission’s Ankeny clinic;
- And its Waukee clinic, opening in February.
It also has outreach locations in communities including Fort Dodge, Newton, Pella, Oskaloosa and Osceola.
The collaboration comes as Iowa maintains the fastest growing rate of new cancers nationally and the second-highest cancer rate — with another 21,000 new cancers expected this year, according to the UI-based Iowa Cancer Registry’s 2024 “Cancer in Iowa” report.
Researchers have said they believe a confluence of factors are to blame for Iowa becoming the only state in the nation to report a significant increase in incidence from 2015 to 2019 — from alcohol use and abuse to obesity.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
UI Health Care eyes $280M deal to expand cancer care, research in Iowa
University of Iowa Health Care is seeking Board of Regents approval to buy a 43-year-old community-based cancer-care business with 22 locations statewide for a proposed purchase price of $280 million.
www.thegazette.com
