Three of Wisconsin's leading health systems to collaborate on cancer care in southeastern Wisconsin

WAUKESHA, Wis., May 7, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Three of Wisconsin's leading health care systems today are announcing an innovative collaboration to enhance cancer care for patients in Waukesha County and surrounding communities.

ProHealth Care and UW Health have signed an agreement to co-manage ProHealth Care's new cancer center in Pewaukee. In addition, several Aurora Health Care cancer specialists will deliver care at the cancer center as Aurora's first step toward a more clinically integrated relationship with UW Health and ProHealth Care in cancer care.

The state-of-the-art cancer center nearing completion just off Interstate 94 in Pewaukee is the centerpiece of the new partnership. The building, which will open Aug. 10, will bring together at one convenient location all of the physicians, staff, diagnostics and treatment technology cancer patients need.

UW Health, with its Carbone Cancer Center the only federally designated comprehensive cancer center in the state, will provide medical direction for the treatment of all cancer patients at the Pewaukee location.

"The people of ProHealth Care have been improving care in Waukesha County for 100 years," said Susan Edwards, chief executive officer of ProHealth Care. "We have long offered excellent cancer services. Now, with this collaboration with UW Health and Aurora, we are taking a giant leap forward in cancer services."

At the new cancer center, the three systems intend to collaborate in medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, ancillary services and imaging, all under one roof and at a convenient outpatient setting. The collaboration will help ensure that cancer care will be both comprehensive and easy to navigate for patients. Multi-disciplinary case conferences will address all aspects of a cancer patient's needs, reduce variation in care and improve outcomes. Patients will benefit from a comprehensive treatment plan and a nurse navigator to guide them through treatment.

"As one of the state's leading providers in cancer care and research, we're pleased to be able to bring our expertise to the table in this way to help more people live well," said Dr. Nick Turkal, chief executive officer of Aurora Health Care.  "While this is exciting news for the three health systems, we think it is even more exciting for the people who stand to benefit so greatly."

The new 116,000-square-foot cancer center will offer infusion therapy, radiation therapy, imaging services, cancer rehabilitation and other services.

Aurora Health Care, ProHealth Care and UW Health all belong to the statewide AboutHealth network, which was announced in August 2014.

"Cancer is the leading cause of death in our state," said Dr. Howard Bailey, director of the UW Carbone Cancer Center, which is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Wisconsin, and one of only 41 in the country.  "We are committed to redefining, and refining, 'state of the art' in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.  This new opportunity will help us accelerate our translation of the basic science discoveries in our center's laboratories into new and innovative approaches to cancer care."

UW Health
Lisa Brunette
(608) 263-5830
[email protected]

ProHealth Care
Susen Rasmussen
(262) 928-2234
[email protected]

Aurora Health Care
Tami Kou
(414) 299-1860
[email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150507/214599

SOURCE ProHealth Care