Jessica RishIowa City Press-Citizen
UI Health Care is acquiring Mission Cancer + Blood for $280 million to "bring the most advanced oncology care closer to home for more Iowans, particularly in rural areas," according to a news release.
The Iowa Board of Regents unanimously approved the University of Iowa Health Care's cancer care network in a virtual meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
Mission wanted to expand cancer care particularly in rural and urban areas, which is one of the reasons they chose to partner with the University of Iowa.
Dr. Denise Jamieson, University of Iowa vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Carver College of Medicine, said in a press conference Tuesday that "Iowa is in the midst of a cancer crisis."
Iowa has the second-highest cancer rate in the nation, according to the 2024 Iowa Cancer Registry, while the state is home to the fastest-growing rate of new cancers. The most common types of cancer Iowans contract are breast, prostate, lung and skin cancers.
The cancer registry predicts that 6,100 people will die in Iowa from cancer this year.
More: University of Iowa Health Care and Mission Cancer + Blood to join forces in $280M network
Mission Cancer maintains established Iowa connections
Mission has more than 20 clinics across the state of Iowa. Its core clinics are in the Des Moines metro, where the clinic started, while outreach clinics are situated in rural communities like Centerville, Fort Dodge and Atlantic.
"It's important to note that Mission chose UI Health Care," said Phil Stover, chief executive officer of Mission, during a press conference Tuesday. "Mission saw UI Health Care as an ideal partner with alignment and culture, vision and values, and a shared focus on increasing access for all Iowans.
Mission patients will have greater access to expertise in rare and difficult cancers, broad access to cancer treatments, research in additional clinical trials, and expanded Cancer Support Services."
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Establishing unified goals to slow Iowa's cancer rate
The new cancer network's overarching goal is to make cancer care more accessible to Iowans, aligning with UI Health Care's to reach rural areas. The initiative does not mean that UI Health Care will provide direct clinical care in every small community, instead, they'll support rural hospitals and physicians.
The goal is to keep residents from traveling out of state for the care they need.
"Many rural communities in Iowa are underserved, whether that be in cancer care, maternal health, mental health, and so we're trying to build a network of rural care across the state in order to better serve Iowans," Jamieson said. "We want to provide care in Iowa to Iowans by Iowans. And so, we want to create a network whereby Iowans don't have to leave the state to get world-class cancer care. They can get it here, closer to home."
Mission Cancer + Blood, which has provided cancer care in Iowa for more than 40 years, will continue oncology care at its 20 community locations across the state, with assistance from UI Health Care and its Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center in Iowa City. The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center is Iowa's only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center and one of 57 designated centers nationwide.
"We have brought access to the latest cancer treatments, research and clinical trials, and Comprehensive Cancer Support Services," Jamieson said. "I believe that we, both organizations, have a lot to offer and that we will be better together."
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University of Iowa continues to expand its healthcare offerings
The University of Iowa continues to make waves in the healthcare field, piloting a number of significant projects within the last few months.
At the Iowa Board of Regent's meeting on Tuesday, the seven-member board, which governs Iowa's three state universities, unanimously approved the $280 million cancer care network proposal.
The University of Iowa will acquire certain assets and take over the leases of the existing Mission clinic locations. Both UI Health Care and Mission believe joining forces will enhance healthcare services across the state.
The University of Iowa recently secured the rights to Mercy Iowa City's downtown campus, further strengthening its footprint in Johnson County. A significant University of Iowa Health Care facility is also in the works in North Liberty, a $525 million structure that will bring much-needed emergency services to a blossoming community. The hospital is expected to open sometime in 2025.
University of Iowa Health Care's main hospital, near Kinnick Stadium on the west side of campus, is in the midst of a significant emergency department upgrade. The $37 million project will increase the number of available beds and treatment rooms. The Regents also recently approved a $74 million project to expand the hospital's maternity ward in an effort to keep up with growing demand.
UI Health Care's purchase of Mission Cancer + Blood is another step in broadening its reach beyond eastern Iowa, providing services to residents in need, chief executive officer Bradley Haws said.
"Our intent is to prove that we intend to be good partners. We would like to deliver more cancer care locally," Haws said. "It's not about the play to have more, more and more patients come to us in Iowa City that could be served in their local communities, or in Des Moines."
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_
