WellSpan Health renews oncology collaboration with Johns Hopkins Medicine in Pennsylvania
Over the past five years, the collaboration has supported more than 1,300 WellSpan patients across 12 cancer subspecialties through physician consultations, multidisciplinary tumour conferences and access to Johns Hopkins subspecialists.
USA—WellSpan Health and Johns Hopkins Medicine have renewed their oncology collaboration to expand patients’ access to advanced cancer care, specialist expertise, and clinical research across central Pennsylvania.
The renewed agreement builds on a partnership launched in 2017 and expanded in 2021.
Over the past five years, the collaboration has supported more than 1,300 WellSpan patients across 12 cancer subspecialties through physician consultations, multidisciplinary tumour conferences and access to Johns Hopkins subspecialists.
Expanding specialist cancer care
The partnership has also strengthened opportunities for patients to participate in clinical research.
About 500 WellSpan patients have enrolled in clinical trials conducted by Johns Hopkins Medicine, giving them access to research programmes and emerging treatment approaches.
Roxanna Gapstur, president and CEO of WellSpan Health, said the collaboration was founded on a shared vision of combining the expertise of a leading academic medical centre with the reach of a nationally recognised community-based cancer programme.
“When we expanded this collaboration five years ago, we shared a vision of bringing together the strengths of a leading academic medical centre and a nationally recognised community-based cancer programme to better serve patients across our region,” Gapstur said.
She added that the partnership continues to benefit patients by helping more people access advanced cancer care while remaining close to their families, communities and support networks.
Kevin Sowers, president of the Johns Hopkins Health System and executive vice-president of Johns Hopkins Medicine, said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to making high-level cancer expertise more accessible.
He said the organisations have developed strong clinical and research relationships that support healthcare professionals, encourage innovation and improve the patient experience.
Strengthening oncology services
The renewed collaboration will also support patients in communities such as the Central Susquehanna Valley, where WellSpan is investing in oncology services at WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital.
Beginning this autumn, WellSpan plans to introduce the improvements in phases.
The programme will initially provide local oncology and infusion services, followed by radiation oncology and other advanced cancer services.
The expansion is intended to bring a broader range of cancer services closer to patients who might otherwise need to travel to larger medical centres for specialised treatment.
WellSpan has also continued to strengthen its regional cancer-care network through other partnerships.
Earlier this year, the health system collaborated with Cancer Care Associates of York to support cancer care initiatives in York County.
Through the renewed relationship with Johns Hopkins Medicine, WellSpan will continue to connect its patients and healthcare professionals with specialised oncology expertise, multidisciplinary consultation and research opportunities across its regional network
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