University of Rochester Medical Center and Interlakes Oncology and Hematology Announce Intent to Pursue Collaboration
The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) and Interlakes Oncology and Hematology announced today that they have entered into formal discussions to further collaborations between the two organizations.
Representatives from the URMC and Interlakes have been meeting for the last several weeks to discuss how to further expand the organizations’ existing collaboration, which currently includes co-located oncology services at the Sands Cancer Center at Thompson Health, as well as the ability for Interlakes patients to participate in URMC-lead clinical trials.
“Interlakes has an excellent reputation for providing compassionate and accessible cancer care from their highly-regarded oncologists and staff for more than 15 years, with a very well-established network of locations,” said URMC CEO Bradford C. Berk, M.D., Ph.D. “We know firsthand of the superior care they provide thanks to years of interactions between our staffs and patients. An enhanced collaboration would help both organizations deliver more complete, higher quality cancer care to patients in Monroe and Ontario counties by leveraging the strengths and networks of both organizations.”
An expanded collaboration would provide URMC patients with greater access to medical oncology services through Interlakes’ established network of locations, while enhancing accessibility to URMC’s robust cancer research, clinical trials and expertise for Interlakes patients. A state-of-the-art electronic medical records system would allow patients to move more easily through the network to ensure they are receiving specialized cancer care, while maintaining continuity of care.
Alexander Solky, M.D., president of Interlakes Oncology and Hematology, said “Our mission is to ensure that our patients receive the best and most advanced care in the area from highly experienced doctors and nurses. An expanded collaboration with URMC will provide additional support to our current oncologists and nurses to help us to fulfill this promise. Our patients will continue to receive the same exceptional cancer care from our staff, but would have access to top-flight technology, cancer research, facilities and enhanced clinical trials available through the URMC.”
“This is truly an exciting development for all patients suffering from cancer in the region. A strong collaboration between the Wilmot Cancer Center at the URMC and Interlakes could expand resources in a manner that will have a direct, and very positive impact on the quality of cancer care,” said Jonathan Friedberg, M.D., director, Wilmot Cancer Center.
Officials from the URMC and Interlakes estimate that a formal agreement could be finalized by the end of 2013. Both organizations are involved in a process of due diligence and the proposed arrangement would be subject to regulatory approval.
About the University of Rochester Medical CenterOne of the nation’s top academic medical centers, the University of Rochester Medical Center forms the centerpiece of the University’s health research, teaching, patient care and community outreach missions. Its anchor is Strong Memorial Hospital, a teaching hospital designated by the New York State Department of Health as a Level One Regional Trauma and Burn Center and home to Western New York’s only Heart Transplant Program. URMC’s James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, a state-of-the-art, comprehensive inpatient/outpatient facility, is the region’s leader in cancer care and research. URMC’s delivery network also includes radiation oncology services at Unity Health System, Highland Hospital and its affiliated nursing homes, F.F. Thompson Hospital and its affiliates, Eastman Dental Center, the University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group, Visiting Nurse Service and the Pluta Cancer Center.
About Interlakes Oncology and HematologyInterlakes Oncology and Hematology is a community-based oncology and hematology practice with five offices: Brighton, Greece, Brockport, Canandaigua and Geneva. Their physicians are committed to providing world-class care to patients in a setting that maximizes patient comfort while minimizing patient inconvenience.