ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Allina Health is excited to launch the Allina Health Cancer Institute (AHCI), a regionally differentiated cancer program that redefines how cancer care is delivered by providing comprehensive, expert, person-centric cancer care from diagnosis to survivorship.
“We know a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming for patients and their loved ones and fragmentation in care can add to the burden - and we recognize that needs to change,” said Allina Health President and Chief Operating Officer Lisa Shannon. “Allina Health has set out to reduce the burden of cancer by thoughtfully coordinating care to treat more than just the disease. The Allina Health Cancer Institute is focused on caring for the whole person by seamlessly connecting our patients to mental and physical health services, financial assistance, and other services for our patients’ families and loved ones to support them through every step of their experience.”
Over the last 18 months, Allina Health has committed substantial resources to launch a novel organization construct, which includes new and expanded facilities, like the previously announced new, comprehensive radiation oncology center within the United Hospital campus; as well as the recruitment of top physicians, management and caregivers.
Badrinath Konety, MD, who most recently served as The Henry P. Russe, MD, Dean of Rush University Medical College and Senior Vice President for Clinical Affairs at Rush University System for Health in Chicago, joins the Allina Health team as the Allina Health Cancer Institute President.
“Our goal is to provide expert cancer care that is easily accessible and convenient to the patient,” said Dr. Konety. “We have numerous sites across a wide geographic area. The Allina Health Cancer Institute creates a network, everyone working together, to deliver comprehensive cancer care that fits the lives of our patients and their families. Allina Health’s model of connected care is one of the most important features of the services we can provide.”
The “Institute” model of care offers an expanded suite of oncology services and reflects Allina Health’s commitment to prevention and detection, clinical innovation and research partnership, substantial emphasis on tumor-specific specialization, the importance of physician alignment with a strong focus on a multidisciplinary team of providers and processes needed to deliver whole person cancer care.
“Our communities may notice a change to the look and name or our locations, but the real change comes from within the system,” said AHCI Vice President Michael Koroscik. “We will passionately strive for our patients and families to fully experience this reimagined commitment to care during every level of their cancer journey.”
About Allina Health
Allina Health is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A not-for-profit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 12 hospitals, 15 retail pharmacies, specialty care centers and specialty medical services that provide home care, senior transitions, hospice care, emergency medical transportation services. Learn more at allinahealth.org and join us on Facebook and Twitter.
