Ascension Saint Thomas in Nashville, Tennessee, and Tennessee Oncology have signed a clinically integrated alliance agreement to build an innovative cancer program designed to establish a national destination. The strategic partnership will incorporate additional physicians and services, design a value-based care model, and further develop a specialty “hospital within a hospital” within Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown.
Through this strategic partnership, patients will seamlessly navigate life-saving services in their communities through intentional and thoughtful collaboration among more than 30 Tennessee Oncology locations in concert with the Ascension Saint Thomas network across Middle Tennessee.
Tennessee Oncology, part of OneOncology, is a national network of over 250 physicians practicing at more than 150 sites of care and serving approximately 200,000 patients every year. OneOncology is a leader in value-based medicine implementation.
“At this transformative time in cancer treatment in our country, we are building a team of specialized experts in partnership with Ascension Saint Thomas fueled by science, technology and data-driven care,” said Jeff Patton, MD, CEO, Tennessee Oncology, President of Physician Services for OneOncology and Co-Chair, Clinical Integration Committee at the Ascension Saint Thomas Cancer Center. “The spirit of this partnership guides a bold vision to offer a distinct, value-based approach to cancer care.”
“It’s a privilege to care for cancer patients. This partnership with Tennessee Oncology will drive momentum for the future of cancer care in our community,” said Fahad Tahir, President and CEO, Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown and West hospitals. “Together, we combine the clinical expertise, integrated technologies and social support to provide world-class cancer treatment with the warmth and empathy of a culture of healing.”
This curated patient experience will offer the highest level of clinical medicine available that combines surgical, medical and radiation cancer care together under one roof. New technology investments will be focused on cancer prevention, detection and treatment. In addition, plans are underway to introduce a state-of-the-art leukemia institute. As part of the focus on a holistic, value-based approach to care, enhanced services will also include nutrition, social work, and navigators to provide coordinated clinical and concierge service for patients.
Fahad told the Nashville Business Journal that the organizations are still deciding where within Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown the cancer facility will be located, but it will be similar to the Ascension Saint Thomas Spine Institute, which has its own check-in desk and waiting room.
“We have collaborated with Ascension Saint Thomas on a number of initiatives over the past several years, and we are excited about this new endeavor, which expands access and options for high-quality and cost-effective cancer care closer to where our members live and work,” said Marc Barclay, Vice President of Provider Network Contracting for BlueCross.
The alliance, developed by Ascension Saint Thomas as an approach to serve as the partner of choice for independent physicians and health insurance plans, also supports the design of a value-based cancer care network with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.
