UC San Diego Health System Expands, Acquires Nevada Cancer Institute

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Tom McAfee, MD, CEO, UC San Diego Health System

UC San Diego Health System has received approval to acquire the Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI), the official cancer institute of the state of Nevada, as an affiliate health care provider. The expansion represents a partnership between California and Nevada in offering lifesaving cancer care to patients through expert diagnosis, novel treatments and clinical trials.

“We are proud to have Nevada Cancer Institute join UC San Diego Health System,” said Tom McAfee, MD, interim CEO of UC San Diego Health System and dean of clinical affairs. “As a world-class health system for cancer and surgical care, UC San Diego is fulfilling its mission of caring for patients locally, nationally, and around the world.”

Nevada Cancer Institute is a nonprofit organization committed to fighting cancer by offering the best in early detection, high-quality patient care, education and prevention. The Institute has treated more than 7,000 patients since opening in 2005, and offers novel treatment strategies through clinical trials, as well as Hope Coach, a mobile mammography unit. Its state-of-the-art flagship treatment center is a four-story, 142,000-square-foot facility in the Summerlin area of Las Vegas. NVCI also operates a patient clinic at University Medical Center. The Institute is accredited by The Joint Commission, and has earned the organization’s Gold Seal of Approval for quality and safety in health care facilities.

UC San Diego NVCI is a state-of-the-art, 142,000 sq. ft. facility.

“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 McAfee. “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.

Nevada patients will continue to see their current physician, now with the advantage of potentially qualifying for a wider range of clinical trials. UC San Diego NVCI hopes to partner with the local medical community and develop collaborations that best serve the needs of local doctors and their patients.

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.

UC San Diego NVCIUC San Diego NVCI

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.

UC San Diego Health System is comprised of UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest, and UC San Diego Thornton Hospital, Moores Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Center, and Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center in La Jolla, as well as other primary and specialty practices of UC San Diego Medical Group. UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center is home to nearly 350 medical and radiation oncologists, cancer surgeons, and researchers. It is one of only 40 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country, and the only one in the region - a rare honor distinguishing exceptionally high achievement in research, clinical care, education and community outreach and partnerships.

In early 2012, UC San Diego Health System will break ground on the Jacobs Medical Center. The state-of-the-art, 10-story facility will be home to four hospitals: the existing Thornton Hospital, the Hospital for Cancer Care, Hospital for Women and Infants, and Hospital for Advanced Surgery. The specialized center will offer 245 beds and 14 operating rooms including a 4-OR intraoperative imaging suite.