Arizona Welcomes Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center

In MD Anderson's quest to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation and the world, creating relationships beyond 1515 Holcombe that extend the reach of its research-driven patient care becomes crucial.  Next stop: Arizona.

Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center opens its doors in Gilbert, Ariz., a suburb of Phoenix, on Sept. 26, and will deliver an unprecedented level of cancer care to residents in Arizona and the southwest.  The center is a collaboration between MD Anderson and Banner Health, Arizona's leading nonprofit health care system.

This will be MD Anderson's first full clinical extension outside of Greater Houston. The center will support the multi-disciplinary care approach pioneered at the institution, which includes individual areas for specific cancer.

"We have a strong connectivity with Banner, and they have fully embraced, and adopted, the MD Anderson approach to cancer care," says Amy Hay, associate vice president, Global Business Development for MD Anderson's Center for Global Oncology. "This is a true collaboration. While MD Anderson will have clinical oversight, we'll recruit faculty together, work as a team on care and connect frequently between Gilbert and Houston."

What also makes the relationship particularly unique is the extension of MD Anderson's clinical research. Research leadership at both institutions has developed a stepped-phase plan for the center that will provide a seamless environment for cancer patients to access clinical trials. Research conducted there will closely integrate with the clinical care program and expand as patient volumes grow. Basic and translational research will also be developed over time so that physicians and scientists can bring the latest insights and developments to their patients in Arizona.