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News Archive - Progress Newsletter Summer 2001 Online

St. John Health System Joins U-M Cancer Center Network

St. John Health System has signed an affiliation agreement with the University of Michigan Health System to become part of the University of Michigan Cancer Center Network, a growing group of select hospitals and physician practices throughout the region dedicated to improving cancer care.

"As a National Cancer Institute-designated 'comprehensive' center, we are able to offer our patients access to cutting-edge treatments developed at the NCI and from our own strong basic science research program," says Max S. Wicha, M.D., U-M Cancer Center director. "Our agreement with St. John Health System - one of the major providers of cancer care in the Detroit urban and suburban areas - increases the number of cancer patients who can benefit from these treatment advances. It allows patients to receive the latest care close to home and access, if needed, the specialized clinics of one of the top cancer care programs in the country."

Specifically, the affiliation will focus on several objectives, including:

• Joint promotion of and increased coordi-nation and participation in clinical research trials. Joining forces is expected to benefit patients by increasing the number of participants in clinical trials, which in turn may lead to better treatment options for patients.
• The use of standard cancer care guidelines and evaluation of clinical outcomes.
• Collaboration on cancer treatments and initiatives to improve quality.
• Education of consumers, patients, physicians and other providers about cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment in a coordinated, systematic way.

The affiliation agreement involves all hospitals affiliated with St. John Health System. Talks will continue involving an expanded affiliation with the Michigan Region of Ascension Health, the parent organization of SJHS as well as Ascension Health, the largest Catholic health system in the country, spanning 15 states.

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