Board of Regents approve UI Health Care’s acquisition of oncology clinic

The Iowa Board of Regents has approved University of Iowa Health Care’s $280 million asset purchase of physician-owned oncology and hematology practice Mission Cancer + Blood. Cancer rates in Iowa are soaring, and the agreement between the two parties aims to expand UI Health Care’s cancer care network while maintaining local care and increasing access to cancer detection, treatment, and research across the state, particularly in rural areas, a release stated.

“Access to cancer care across the state is insufficient to meet the needs of Iowans, and this is particularly true in rural Iowa,” said Dr. Denise Jamieson, UI vice president for medical affairs and the Tyrone D. Artz Dean of the Carver College of Medicine, at the Regents meeting Oct. 8. “So by joining forces with Mission Cancer + Blood, we believe that we can bring the highest quality cancer care closer to home for all Iowans.” According to the 2024 Iowa Cancer Registry, the state has the second-highest cancer rate in the nation, estimating 21,000 new, invasive cancers within the next year resulting in 6,100 deaths. Breast, prostate and lung cancers were listed as the most common type to affect Iowans. Dr. Jamieson described Mission as a "thriving, financially sound medical group providing access to cutting-edge cancer care" in alignment with UI Health Care's strategic plan. According to documents from the Iowa Board of Regents, the partnership will strengthen the university's ability to preserve and enhance cancer care access for all Iowans, especially in rural areas. The agreement is also expected to bolster the state’s health care workforce by retaining, educating, and training health care professionals, while expanding access to clinical trials and innovative treatments.

Mission approached UI Health Care

Phil Stover, chief executive officer of Mission, said the 43-year-old practice was “limited” beyond its 22 locations in central Iowa, and began looking for an oncology partner earlier this year. This past spring, Mission held extensive discussions with the University, which shares a vision of extending services to all rural areas in Iowa, many of which Mission already serves. “It's important to note that Mission chose UI Health Care. Mission leaders recognize the benefits of finding a like-minded partner to continue their vision and serve Iowans for generations to come,” said Mr. Stover, calling the system an “ideal partner” for its shared culture, vision, values and focus of increasing access to cancer care. “Mission patients will have greater access to expertise and rare and difficult cancers, broad access to the latest cancer treatments, research, and additional clinical trials, as well as expanded cancer support services,” he continued. The asset purchase agreement includes clinical operations that will become part of UI Health Care, which will assume the leases for Mission’s current clinic locations. A few of the clinic sites have leases that will expire in 2028, raising questions about the University’s long-range goals concerning both the leases and partnerships of the practice. Dr. Jamieson responded that UI Health Care is “committed to the long term health and vibrancy of Mission Cancer + Blood,” calling the leases a small detail in the larger plan. “The larger picture is we are committed to the practice, and we are committed to not only keeping the clinic sites open, but eventually expanding more broadly as needed in order to serve more Iowans,” she said. “It's the physicians and health care providers that are providing care that we see as a real value. The people are the value of this project,” she added.

'In this together'

In regards to staffing, Dr. Jamieson said it’s the University’s intention for Mission staff to come on board. “We really see this as an opportunity for all the staff to have greater flexibility in terms of where they work and what they're doing, and to support a broader cancer care mission,” said Dr. Jamieson, and Mr. Stover said Mission’s HR department is working to make the transition a smooth one. Dr. Brad Hiatt, oncologist with Mission, gave assurance that despite the acquisition, Mission’s commitment to its referral partners, communities and their providers will remain unchanged. “I think the key is that we're all in this together, and (it’s) the only way we're going to tackle the rate of cancer in Iowa going up at the rate it is,” he said. The University’s asset purchase comes one month after it announced plans to build a new cancer research building on the west side of campus, with the aim to advance cancer research and enhance collaboration across the UI’s health sciences colleges and programs.