U., IHC allied against cancer

MURRAY — Often fierce competitors in the delivery of health care, the University of Utah and Intermountain Health Care are joining forces when it comes to cancer.

Tuesday morning, the two announced they will wed the Huntsman Cancer Institute's laboratory, science and clinical research efforts with IHC's expertise in quality improvement, clinical program development and patient care.

The announcement took place in a tent erected on the site of the future Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, slated to open in 2007. One of the five hospitals on the campus is a cancer center, and HCI and IHC will both be a strong presence there.

Leaders of the two health-care entities hope the alliance will be a model for the world when it comes to cancer research, education, screening and treatment, IHC president and CEO Bill Nelson said.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. resurrected the term "coopetition" to describe the effort, acknowledging that while the two health-care bodies will work together in some areas, they will provide clinical services independently and compete in the delivery of care.

He said they could provide better information for patients and their families, encourage early screening, discover new treatments and cures more quickly and improve access to care.

He also praised the two for being able "to pull off what was no doubt a complicated, tricky and sensitive alignment."

"This does not happen anywhere else," said Kem Gardner, chairman of Gardner Property Holdings LC, who serves on IHC's Board of Trustees.

Cancer research is key to the alliance. As part of that, over five years IHC plans to kick in $25 million to fund basic cancer research at the institute.

Starting this summer, IHC Health Plans will allow patients to seek treatment at HCI as an "approved facility" in its plan insurance network.

The collaboration also includes data sharing for research within the guidelines of federal patient privacy rules, working together to find and use best medical practices in the care of cancer patients, creating Huntsman Cancer Institute-IHC Cancer Clinics in major IHC hospitals (starting with LDS Hospital and featuring IHC doctors and a clinical trial researcher working with HCI) and establishing education centers for patients in those hospitals. They will share a patient-education Web site, as well.