Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/975711
0 6❱❱❱❱❱ E X P A N D I N G C A R E Powerhouse Partnership to Transform Care Access in Central Pennsylvania WHEN T WO MA JOR MOVERS IN THE REGION JOIN TOGE THER FOR IMPROVED HE ALTH CARE AND ACCESS, IT'S A WINžWIN FOR PATIENTS. Penn State Health leaders break ground on a $5.5 million addition to the Penn State Health St. Joseph Cancer Center on April 4 in Bern Township, Pennsylvania. A. Craig Hillemeier, MD, left, Penn State Health CEO, and David Holmberg, Highmark Health president and CEO, announced the Penn State Health/ Highmark Health strategic partnership in December. PENN STATE HE ALTH — the region's only locally based university health system — has joined forces with Highmark Health to expand the network of local providers available to central Pennsylvania residents. Because of the unique collaboration, both community access to specialty services and overall connectivity to the Penn State Health system will improve. "This is all about ensuring that the people of central Pennsylvania have better access to Penn State Health's primary, specialty and acute care providers, close to where they live," says A. Craig Hillemeier, MD, dean of Penn State College of Medicine, chief executive o¢cer of Penn State Health and senior vice president of health a—airs at Penn State. "The partnership will ensure patients can access the full spectrum of care they need, including clinical trials and investigator-initiated trials, through our university health center." CLOSE TO HOME Announced in December 2017, the partnership aims to expand the Penn State Health network by strengthening relationships with local providers and fostering a full-fledged care network that remains community-based. A key area in which the partners intend to increase regional access to care is oncology, evidenced by several recent announcements. Penn State Health St. Joseph Cancer Center in Reading announced on April 4 a $5.5 million addition to make room for the most advanced radiation treatment technology. On April 5, Highmark Health announced a $25 million grant to Penn State Health to support cancer research and improvements in oncology care and clinical trial access in the region, anchored by Penn State Cancer Institute in Hershey. On April 2, Penn State Health announced development of a new Department of Radiation Oncology at Penn State College of Medicine, a move also designed to enhance recruitment of the best minds in cancer treatment and research, and trainees who will become tomorrow's cancer care providers. "We want to ensure we can provide top-quality patient care, educate and train tomorrow's providers, initiate and host clinical trials, and maintain the reach of our research and care in our growing region," says Dr. Hillemeier. "Our desire aligns with the goals of Highmark — to develop a network here with a strong community component, anchored by a premier university health center. That's why this partnership is such a natural fit." Penn State Health also has big plans for Highmark's recent grant to support increased regional access to cancer research and leading- edge care, which sits at the heart of the partnership's collaboration. "No one should have to travel to get the care that they need. It is much better to have your family, friends and support system near you," says Deborah Rice-Johnson, president of Highmark Inc. "As Penn State Health continues to evolve its care, this grant will help with that mission." The grant will allow the Penn State Cancer Institute to make immediate investments in research operations, transformative science, research laboratory services and shared scientific resources. 0 6