By uniting with The Network, Alliance Cancer Specialists and Northwest Oncology strengthen their ability to deliver advanced cancer care in local communities
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Oct. 22, 2020— The US Oncology Network (The Network), the largest organization of its kind dedicated to advancing local cancer care and better patient outcomes, continues to expand its reach into local communities by welcoming Alliance Cancer Specialists and Northwest Oncology. The addition of these two independent and physician-owned practices strengthens the availability of advanced cancer care services in communities across Southeastern Pennsylvania and Northwest Indiana while extending the reach of The US Oncology Network.
“Adding these premier cancer practices to our organization is an exciting development, as it marks the continued growth and expansion of The Network into more local communities,” said Michael V. Seiden, MD, PhD, president, The US Oncology Network. “Both practices are regional leaders in advanced, integrated care who will bring new expertise and fresh ideas to The Network, enhancing our ability to serve patients close to home. We look forward to collaborating with these highly skilled specialists to advance cancer care in local communities, helping us achieve our mission of preserving and strengthening community oncology.”
As a leader at the forefront of community oncology, The US Oncology Network is committed to ensuring community-based oncology practices remain strong and viable in the evolving healthcare landscape. Today almost 42 percent of patients battling cancer receive treatment in a community setting.* Community oncology brings many benefits and value to healthcare, and as the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps across the nation, the availability of high-quality, affordable local care becomes even more critical. Rather than having to travel long distances for care, patients receiving treatment in community practices have convenient, easy access to comprehensive, multidisciplinary care that includes some of the most cutting-edge, promising therapies available today. Patients also gain other benefits. Many practices have their own pharmacies that dispense oral therapies and chemotherapy drugs, enabling greater continuity of care and better drug therapy management. Care in a community-based practice is also more cost-effective than most other settings. This is an important advantage for patients who are paying a greater percentage of out of pocket costs, as well as for payers.
The US Oncology Network empowers community practices to deliver these benefits in a variety of ways. As part of The Network, Alliance Cancer Specialists and Northwest Oncology gain access to the expertise, industry-leading technologies and vast resources of The Network to help them drive high-quality care and strengthen operational efficiencies in the value-based environment. They can collaborate with an expanded physician community of more than 1,350 physicians and clinicians who share expertise and best practices through committees, workshops and conferences. The practices also gain access to Value Pathways powered by NCCN™—evidence-based treatment guidelines developed by physicians and clinicians in The Network along with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network®.
Alliance Cancer Specialists serves patients in Southeastern Pennsylvania, with 21 board-certified medical oncologists and hematologists, eight advanced practice providers and approximately 160 employees who serve patients and referring physicians in the Delaware Valley from 10 sites of service. The practice leverages the combined strength and broad expertise of its oncologists to administer the full range of state-of-the-art cancer treatments. The care team also includes oncology certified nurses, laboratory technologists and support staff who are committed to providing the highest quality of personalized care and support to patients.
“Providing high-quality, advanced cancer care to patients in their local community has always been the focus of our practice,” said Allen Terzian, MD, practice president, Alliance Cancer Specialists. “By partnering with The Network, our independent practice can continue to thrive in this evolving healthcare landscape. We look forward to future collaborations with our colleagues in The US Oncology Network including our neighbors, Consultants in Medical Oncology and Hematology (CMOH). Uniting our community-based oncology services with The Network heightens our ability to offer patients cutting-edge, evidence-based treatments that provide the best opportunity for optimal outcomes.”
Northwest Oncology is an integrative healthcare center specializing in the diagnosis, treatment and support of patients with oncolytic and hematological disorders. The practice is an advanced oncology group in Northwest Indiana with eight physicians and a team of more than 40 support staff members who provide medical oncology, hematology and gynecologic oncology services from two locations. Utilizing an integrative team approach, the practice collaborates with geneticists, radiation oncologists, surgeons and primary care physicians to provide high-quality, comprehensive care close to home.
“Joining The US Oncology Network not only gives our patients access to novel therapies and supportive care programs that offer the best possible outcomes and quality of life, it also enables us to tap into a wide range of resources that can help us remain independent and viable in today’s challenging healthcare landscape,” noted Mohamad Kassar, MD, practice president, Northwest Oncology.
To learn more about how The US Oncology Network supports community-based oncology, visit www.usoncology.com.
About The US Oncology Network
Every day, The US Oncology Network (The Network) helps more than 1,350 independent physicians deliver value-based, integrated care to patients — close to home. Through The Network, these independent doctors come together to form a community of shared expertise and resources dedicated to advancing local cancer care and to delivering better patient outcomes. The Network provides practices with access to coordinated resources, best business practices, and the experience, infrastructure and support of McKesson Corporation. This collaboration allows the providers in The Network to focus on the health of their patients, while McKesson focuses on the health of their practices. The Network is committed to the success of independent practices, everywhere.
*https://communityoncology.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/What-is-Comm-Onc.pdf