WakeMed and Duke Announce Cancer Care Collaboration

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 18, 2017) — WakeMed Health & Hospitals and Duke Health have signed a joint operating agreement to establish Cancer Care Plus+, a shared cancer care collaboration that will serve the growing cancer care needs of patients and provide the highest quality cancer care consistent with Duke’s renowned cancer program and WakeMed’s surgical oncology expertise.

Cancer Care Plus+ will provide a comprehensive, high-quality, fully integrated, value-based cancer care network – establishing a broad network of cancer care locations, enhancing access to oncology services and improving the coordination of cancer care for patients in Wake County.

This agreement follows the February 2017 announcement of Heart Care Plus+, a similar collaboration between WakeMed and Duke that serves the cardiovascular care needs of patients in Wake County, providing patients greater value and more options for quality heart care.

As with the Heart Care Plus+ collaboration, this agreement does not represent a merger, any intention to merge, or any other overarching formal organizational affiliation between Duke and WakeMed.

Cancer Care Plus+ brings together WakeMed’s surgical oncology expertise and Duke’s world-class cancer program – all in the best interest of patients. This innovative collaboration will offer streamlined screening and access to cancer clinical trials, broaden multi-disciplinary team care capabilities in Wake County, expand access to an array of supportive care services, such as hereditary and genetic counseling, and where needed, access to rehabilitation services.

“Working together with our colleagues at Duke to streamline, enhance and expand the delivery of oncology care in Wake County is an exciting development and a critical need for patients, caregivers and the communities we serve,” explains Donald Gintzig, WakeMed president & CEO. “This agreement supports both WakeMed and Duke’s commitment to improving the scope, quality and value of care we offer to our patients and their families through innovative and cooperative collaborations with like-minded organizations.”

On May 1, Cancer Care Plus+ will begin a transition period to bring together health systems’ cancer care efforts and capabilities. Cancer Care Plus+ will establish a comprehensive cancer service throughout the WakeMed system that is fully integrated with Duke Cancer Institute locations in Wake County and anchored at Duke Raleigh Hospital.

WakeMed and Duke will maintain their own identities and will continue to operate independently.

About WakeMed Health & Hospitals
Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed Health & Hospitals is a nationally recognized, private, not-for-profit health care organization founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. The largest health system in Wake County, WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding, compassionate, patient- and family-centered care to all. The 919-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, delivering health and wellness services that bring added value to the communities we serve. WakeMed is a leader in cardiac and vascular care, women’s and children’s services, emergency medicine and trauma care, physical rehabilitation, orthopaedics and neurosciences. Specialty facilities include the WakeMed Heart Center, Children’s Hospital, Women’s Pavilion and Birthplace, Women’s Hospital at WakeMed North, WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital, Adult and Children’s Emergency Departments and a Level 1 Trauma Center. WakeMed’s team of more than 8,800 employees, 1,500 volunteers, 1,200 affiliated physicians, and the more than 280 physicians employed by WakeMed Physician Practices use the most advanced technologies along with the best minds and the biggest hearts to ensure the finest quality in health care and community health. For more information, visit www.wakemed.org.

SOURCE: WakeMed Health & Hospitals