SAN DIEGO - Scripps Health announced Monday that it is joining the MD Anderson Cancer Network, a global network of hospitals and health care systems run by the University of Texas.
The partnership will create the Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center in order to increase access to high-quality cancer care in eight Southern California counties, from San Diego to Santa Barbara.
"MD Anderson is the top-ranked cancer center in America, with unparalleled experience, resources and expertise," said Scripps Health President and CEO Chris Van Gorder.
The 75-year-old MD Anderson, based in Houston, received the honor from U.S. News & World Report in its annual hospital rankings.
The alliance "will give Southern Californians easy access to MD Anderson's proven, research-based approaches to cancer care right here in San Diego," Van Gorder said. "Our partnership builds on Scripps' history of providing exceptional cancer care to our region and will enable us to offer the best cancer treatment available anywhere, here at Scripps."
The Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center will be overseen by physician and administrative leaders from both organizations. The partners will also join forces to recruit and train health care professionals.
Patients will have access to medical, radiation and surgical oncology; pathology; laboratory and diagnostic imaging, as well as other clinical and support services, according to Scripps.
