OHSU Cancer Institute and Pacific Oncology Forge New Relationship for Expanded Cancer Care

Health Care

The Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute and Pacific Oncology are joining forces to bring the most advanced cancer research and care to more Oregonians. Together, they will offer state-of-the art prevention and treatment options to cancer patients in their own communities.

The partnership means that Pacific Oncology will become part of OHSU, with its physicians becoming the newest members of the OHSU Cancer Institute and receiving faculty appointments in the OHSU School of Medicine.

“What this means for cancer patients is that they can continue with the excellent care they receive at Pacific Oncology as well as have access to cutting edge research and care through the OHSU Cancer Institute. This gives all cancer patients expanded access to quality cancer care,” said Bill Mooney, M.D., Pacific Oncology’s president and chief executive officer.

Pacific Oncology has practices in Portland, Beaverton, Gresham, Tualatin and Newberg. The practice employs 9 physicians, four nurse practitioners, and approximately 160 additional staff, who serve about 8,000 patients annually. Pacific Oncology provides care for patients with all types of adult cancer offering clinical care, radiation and chemotherapy services.

 “OHSU has long respected and valued the strong patient care practice the physicians and staff have developed at Pacific Oncology. The OHSU Cancer Institute is working to bring the most advanced cancer research and care to more Oregonians. This partnership is an important step towards reaching that goal,” said Brian Druker, M.D., Director of the OHSU Cancer Institute.

The relationship between OHSU and Pacific Oncology is designed to benefit cancer patients by creating greater access to quality care, world-renowned cancer research and leading edge technologies. Pacific Oncology patients will now have access to hundreds of world-class, National Cancer Institute-funded clinical trials taking place at OHSU. In some cases, the cancer prevention and treatment regimens being studied are available nowhere else in Oregon, Druker explained.

The partnership also benefits the community by bringing all the strengths of a nationally recognized academic medical center to the communities where people live and work. The OHSU Cancer Institute is the only National Cancer Institute between Sacramento and Seattle. This community partnership strengthens the research for cancer for all Oregonians.

The partnership, accomplished through an asset purchase by OHSU, was approved by the OHSU Board of Directors. The total purchase price is anticipated to be between $5.5 and $7 million.

OHSU has a long history of partnering with organizations statewide to fulfill its mission of healing, teaching, discovery and outreach. Other collaborations include relationships with Tuality Healthcare, the Portland Veterans Medical Center, St. John Medical Center in Longview, Wash., Oregon State University, Eastern Oregon University and Southern Oregon University.
                                     

About Pacific Oncology
Pacific Oncology has been providing medical care to families since 1979. Its medical staff is made up of 13 clinicians, including 9 physicians who are board certified in internal medicine and specially trained in medical oncology, hematology or both. It has offices in communities throughout the greater Portland area, and an experienced staff of nurse practitioners, nurses, technicians and administrators. Pacific Oncology’s philosophy is to provide patients with the best possible health care using a team-oriented approach.

 

About the OHSU Cancer Institute
The OHSU Cancer Institute is the only National Cancer Institute-designated center between Sacramento and Seattle. It comprises some 200 clinical researchers, basic scientists and population scientists who work together to translate scientific discoveries into longer and better lives for Oregon's cancer patients. In the lab, basic scientists examine cancer cells and normal cells to uncover molecular abnormalities that cause the disease. This basic science informs more than 300 clinical trials conducted at the OHSU Cancer Institute.

 
About OHSU
Oregon Health & Science University is the state’s only health and research university, and Oregon’s only academic health center. OHSU is Portland's largest employer and the fourth largest in Oregon (excluding government), with 12,400 employees. OHSU's size contributes to its ability to provide many services and community support activities not found anywhere else in the state. It serves patients from every corner of the state, and is a conduit for learning for more than 3,400 students and trainees. OHSU is the source of more than 200 community outreach programs that bring health and education services to every county in the state.

 

 


OHSU Communications
503 494-8231