Erlanger Health System and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, on behalf of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, have entered into a professional service agreement to provide comprehensive cancer care, including VICC hematology-oncology services at Erlanger Oncology & Hematology and infusion locations.
The agreement, which became effective Oct. 1, establishes VICC as Erlanger’s exclusive contracted provider of adult inpatient and outpatient hematology-oncology services. The agreement does not affect Erlanger’s relationship with its medical staff.
“This collaborative effort [allows] ... Erlanger to not only access the most clinical trials for adults in cancer care but also to provide the most comprehensive cancer treatment program in this region,” says Tanner Goodrich, Erlanger vice president of operations. “By teaming with Vanderbilt, we will be able to expand our cancer care services to the many communities we serve.”
Over the next year, VICC and Erlanger will pursue plans to expand the hematology-oncology collaboration and grow the scope of services.
“This will allow patients in the Chattanooga and surrounding areas to receive their cancer care from Vanderbilt faculty physicians closer to home, affording them the support of their families and friends without having to travel great distances,” says Nancy Davis, M.D., senior medical director for VICC Cancer Care Network and Strategy.
Through the agreement, VICC is providing medical direction and board-certified hematologists and oncologists. Patients can expect comprehensive and coordinated care with cases represented at tumor boards, as well as comprehensive and coordinated treatment planning with Erlanger surgeons, radiation oncologists, pathologists and other specialists.
Additionally, Erlanger patients will have access to the second opinion program from VICC subspecialists in specific types of cancer by telehealth, representation at molecular tumor boards, clinical trial access and other specialty procedures.
Source: Erlanger Health System