Redwood Regional Medical Group and US Oncology Unite to Expand and Enhance Cancer Patient Services in No. Cal

SANTA ROSA, Calif. and THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ --Redwood Regional Medical Group (RRMG), a physician-owned, multi-specialty medical practice in Northern California, and US Oncology, Inc., the nation's leading integrated oncology company, today announced a new collaboration in Northern California to expand patient access to high-quality, advanced cancer care through the United Network of US Oncology.

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Cancer care is one of the most complex specialty medicines. Patients diagnosed with cancer want access to state-of-the-art care and treatments that provide them with the best chance at surviving the disease. Through this new collaboration, RRMG and US Oncology plan to expand the availability of and patient access to advanced cancer care, including physician-developed treatment guidelines and peer-to-peer physician collaboration, in order to give Northern Californian cancer patients the best opportunities for positive outcomes.

"Redwood Regional Medical Group and US Oncology share a common vision: to provide the best experience possible for patients battling cancer," said Wayne Fairchild, CEO of RRMG. "We're excited about this new relationship. Through the United Network of US Oncology, our physicians and staff can offer our expertise to the network, as well as collaborate with cancer care specialists from across the country who share our deep commitment to ensuring patients have access to integrated, high-quality and affordable cancer care in the communities where they live. We're eager to work with US Oncology to ensure Northern California cancer patients have easy access to our exceptional care."

"The physicians at Redwood Regional Medical Group are well known for their high-quality and compassionate care," said Roy A. Beveridge, M.D., Executive Vice President & Medical Director of US Oncology. "The addition of Redwood Regional Medical Group to the United Network of US Oncology strengthens our network and will provide more patients with access to our vast resources to help them along their cancer journey.  We are thrilled to work with Redwood's talented physicians and staff and welcome their support as we seek to address America's healthcare challenges in the field of oncology, including cost of care and new reimbursement policies that honor high quality, evidence-based care."

Redwood Regional Medical Group has six medical oncology locations in four Northern California counties: Lake, Napa, Mendocino and Sonoma. RRMG physicians and staff offer extensive patient care and services including radiation, radiology, oncology, surgery, and a variety of clinical trials. Under this new relationship, patients treated for cancer at RRMG will have access to US Oncology's vast patient services including use of the Cancer Profiler on RRMG's website, access to CURE Magazine, and the comfort of knowing their physician is part of a nationwide network of physicians who collaborate on tough cases to bring the best care to patients no matter where they live.

"Caring for patients is our specialty," said Wayne Keiser, M.D., medical oncologist at Redwood Regional Oncology Center. "In order to ensure patients continue to have access to high-quality care, physicians need to play an integral role in solving the current healthcare crisis. This is especially true for oncologists who are uniquely qualified to address the complexities of cancer care whether dealing with the unrelenting cost increases or the wide variation around treatments. By working together to deliver high-quality, evidence-based and affordable care, the physicians of the United Network of US Oncology are uniquely positioned to help develop the care delivery model of the future. Our use of technology, evidence-based medicine guidelines, nationwide peer-to-peer collaboration and clinical research strengthen our collective ability to help patients get the care they deserve while ensuring appropriate utilization of limited healthcare resources."

Dr. Keiser will serve as Redwood's liaison to US Oncology. He serves as the current president of the Association of Northern California Oncologists (ANCO) and has been integral in growing the RRMG Practice. RRMG will take an active role in the efforts of the United Network of US Oncology in ensuring that community-based practices who deliver and report on evidence-based medicine receive appropriate acknowledgement for this higher level of quality care being offered to patients.

About Redwood Regional Medical Group

Redwood Regional Medical Group is a physician-owned, multi-specialty practice. Its integrated team approach offers evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment planning across several specialties when needed. Its physicians are dedicated to collaborating to provide the highest quality of care for patients. Supported by a staff of more than 300 employees including nurse practitioners, oncology nurses, technologists and support staff, its physicians specialize in Diagnostic Radiology, Neuroradiology, Interventional Radiology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Hematology, and Breast and Vascular Surgery. For more information, visit www.rrmg.com.  

About US Oncology

US Oncology, Inc. is the nation's leading integrated oncology company. By uniting the largest community-based cancer treatment and research network in America, US Oncology expands patient access to high-quality care and advances the science of cancer care. Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, US Oncology is affiliated with more than 1,300 community-based oncologists, and works with patients, hospitals, payers, and the medical industry across all phases of the cancer research and delivery continuum. By promoting the use of innovative technology, clinical research, evidence-based medicine and shared best practices, US Oncology improves patient outcomes and offers a better patient experience. For more information, visit www.usoncology.com.

About United Network of US Oncology

US Oncology unites the nation's largest network of community-based oncology physicians through the United Network of US Oncology. These like-minded physicians are united around a common vision of expanding patient access to high-quality cancer care in communities throughout the nation. Leveraging healthcare information technology, shared best practices, refined evidence-based medicine guidelines, and quality measurements, physician members of the United Network of US Oncology are committed to advancing the quality, safety, and science of cancer care to improve patient outcomes.

SOURCE US Oncology, Inc.