Scripps Health has entered into a decades-long partnership with one of the nation’s leading cancer research centers that will lead to greater access to treatments and clinical trials.
MD Anderson, based in Houston, Texas, is one of 45 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers.
The Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center will provide treatment options for those living in eight counties in California - from Santa Barbara to the U.S.-Mexico border.
Scripps Health President and CEO Chris Van Gorder used the word “extraordinary” to describe the opportunity to partner with one of the nation’s leading cancer centers.
“By partnering with an organization whose sole focus is cancer and all the different kinds of cancer we’re going to have the latest protocols to take care of our patients,” Van Gorder said.
There will be some recruiting and construction of buildings over the next few years. There will be a hub near La Jolla and another location near Scripps Mercy Hospital.
There is a plan is to create comprehensive Scripps MD Cancer Center locations. Officials said they will release specific locations over the next several months.
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What may be most important to those battling cancer will be the access to clinical trials managed by MD Anderson.
“We’re very interested in expanding access to clinical trials in communities like San Diego,” Ronald A. DePinho, M.D., President, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center said.
“If you have advanced disease you need multi-disciplinary care and you also need access to clinical trials if you fail that standard of care,” DePinho said.
San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and other elected officials gathered to celebrate the announcement. He said the agreement is transformative not only for San Diegans but for the Southern California region.
“This is life-changing work that’s going to happen right here in our community,” Faulconer said.
The two companies will begin working together immediately. You can learn more about the partnership through Scripps Health.
