Patients in western Nebraska now have increased access to the region’s most advanced cancer care, thanks to a new partnership between Regional West and University of Colorado (CU) Cancer Center in collaboration with UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (UCH).

CU Cancer Center is the only comprehensive cancer center in the state of Colorado, as designated by the National Cancer Institute. Clinical trials of advanced treatments, testing the order of targeted therapy, chemotherapy or radiation, and lifestyle interventions can mean cancer patients live longer with improved quality of life. CU Cancer Center research has improved the standards of care for cancer patients across the country.

“This partnership is very important and reaffirms our commitment to providing exceptional health care services to our community and throughout the region,” said John Mentgen, President and CEO of Regional West Health Services.

UCHealth, a nine-hospital system based in Aurora Colo., with 21,000 employees, has partnered with Regional West since 2007 when Medical Center of the Rockies (MCR) in Loveland, Colo., opened.

The new partnership expands and enhances access to cancer care. Patients will continue to receive the same high-quality, patient-centered care they are used to receiving at Regional West. The patient’s care team may also confer with specialty providers at the CU Cancer Center and UCH to discuss a patient’s diagnosis and collaborate to determine a comprehensive treatment plan. These providers include radiologists, pathologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, genetic counselors, and social workers.

“Collaboration with the CU Cancer Center compliments and enhances the services Regional West’s cancer program offers. Providing the highest quality of care close to home is very important to our patients and their families,” said Vincent Bjorling, MD, Regional West Cancer Services Medical Director.

UCHealth and its hospitals and clinics serve as the primary sites where University of Colorado (CU) School of Medicine cancer specialists provide patient care. UCHealth works collaboratively with CU School of Medicine faculty to provide the best care for patients.

“The beauty of this network is that patients receive exceptional care that starts at home,” said Will Cook, UCH president and CEO. “With this new agreement, if patients require advanced cancer treatment, they have the option to be seen by specialists at University of Colorado Hospital with a seamless transition of care. And, through this expanded partnership with UCHealth and the CU Cancer Center that honors our already long-standing relationship, Regional West will be able to offer patients access to advanced medicine and clinical trials not offered anywhere else in western Nebraska.”

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 188-bed regional referral center and one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the state. As the region’s only tertiary referral medical center, Regional West offers care that spans more than 32 medical specialties provided by over 28 physician clinics. With nearly 300 providers, and over 2,000 employees, Regional West provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.