University of Iowa Health Care and Mission Cancer + Blood to join forces to fight cancer in Iowa

University of Iowa Health Care and Mission Cancer + Blood today announced an agreement to create a comprehensive cancer care network uniquely positioned to tackle Iowa’s elevated cancer rates. Mission is expected to become part of UI Health Care this year and will bring the most advanced oncology care closer to home for more Iowans, particularly in rural areas. 

A cornerstone in cancer care in communities across Iowa for over 40 years, Mission will continue to provide patients with high-quality oncology care at its more than 20 community locations across Iowa with the added benefit of enhanced resources from UI Health Care and its National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center.  

“Mission and UI Health Care have strong, long-standing, and trusted partnerships with health systems across the state and critical access hospitals in central Iowa. 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,” says Phil Stover, chief executive officer of Mission. “Mission chose to unite with UI Health Care because we share the same vision of delivering world-class care close to home for Iowans, by Iowans. This agreement will enhance our commitment to providing the highest quality care and outcomes for patients with cancer. 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.”  

Iowa has one of the fastest growing cancer rates in the country. The agreement between Mission and UI Health Care, valued at $280 million, seeks to address this issue by providing opportunities for oncology specialists to work together to keep care local and increase access to cancer detection, treatment, and research across Iowa. 

“This is an opportunity to bring together our individual organizations’ strengths to better serve the needs of Iowans,” says Denise Jamieson, MD, MPH, UI vice president for medical affairs and Tyrone D. Artz Dean of the Carver College of Medicine. “Mission excels at building lifelong relationships with patients, providing personalized care, and helping patients receive the care they need quickly, efficiently, and close to home. This agreement will promote new levels of collaboration in cancer care, research, and education across the state. 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.” 

An official comprehensive cancer center designation by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the highest distinction a cancer center can achieve. NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers are recognized for scientific leadership and clinical research, in addition to serving their communities by integrating training and education.   

Mission used NCP, Inc. as its exclusive financial advisor and Dentons as its legal counsel for the transaction.    

About Mission Cancer + Blood 

Mission offers high-quality oncology care in community settings with on-site labs, chemotherapy infusion suites, clinical trials, and multi-disciplinary tumor boards at locations all across Iowa. The practice currently employs 19 physicians and 200+ clinical professionals. More on Mission here. 

About University of Iowa Health Care 

University of Iowa Health Care is Iowa’s comprehensive academic health system comprised of adult and pediatric inpatient care services plus primary and specialty care clinics. Recognized as Iowa’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, UI Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center offers more treatment options than anywhere else in Iowa and has a team of experts who specialize in specific types of cancer.