Mission Health announces collaboration with Hope Women’s Cancer Centers

Press release

From Mission Health

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Dec. 11, 2012) Mission Health is pleased to announce a collaboration with Hope Women’s Cancer Centers (Hope), which has specialized in gynecologic and breast cancer treatment for women throughout the Southeast for more than 20 years. This new collaboration will enhance patients‚ access to a broader network of specialized cancer care, while continuing the special caring tradition that Hope is known for with the region’s only fellowship trained, Board Certified Gynecologic Oncologists.

Centrally located in western North Carolina, Hope provides a warm, comfortable state-of-the-art environment focused exclusively on women.  Hope physicians also have significant expertise in breast cancer and high-risk breast disease, caring for women across the region while training future physicians for the region and beyond.

“Our collaboration with Hope Women’s Cancer Centers aligns directly with Mission Cancer’s goal of leading in prevention, treatment, research and education using the best available technology and an interdisciplinary approach to treating all cancers,” said Ronald A. Paulus, MD, President and CEO of Mission Health. “Hope will function as a formal extension site for the Mission SECU Cancer Center.  It is a privilege to collaborate with Hope, as together, we are now one step closer to achieving our BIG(GER) Aim: to get each patient to the desired outcome, first without harm, also without waste and with an exceptional experience for the patient and family.”

“We are pleased to establish a collaboration with Mission Health,” said Tim Vanderkwaak, MD, FACOG, FACS, Physician at Hope Women’s Cancer Centers. “Working with a nationally recognized, Top 15 health system supports our goals of expanding cancer patient support services as well as patient access to research opportunities.”

“By working together, we will have access to the additional resources of a superb health system to enhance our ability to care for our patients,” said David J. Hetzel, MD, FACOG, FACS, Physician at Hope Women’s Cancer Centers. “Our collaboration with Mission Health will expand further our state-of-the-art care, our extensive research and clinical trial offerings and our resident and fellow training opportunities to support women’s cancer patients for many years to come.”

“We are keenly aware that each patient is a special mother, daughter, sister or friend,” said Ashley Case, MD, FACOG, FACS, Physician at Hope Women’s Cancer Centers. “Patients who are faced with cancer will find reassurance in Hope Women’s Cancer Centers’ holistic approach to treatment, providing physical, emotional and spiritual support.”

“Our physicians and staff strive to graciously welcome each woman into the open arms of Hope,” said Blair Harkness, MD, FACOG, Physician at Hope Women’s Cancer Centers. “Together with Mission Health, we are positioned even better to serve this important segment of our community.”

Hope Women’s Cancer Centers will continue to see patients at its current office. For more information about Hope Women’s Cancer Centers, visit www.hopewcc.com.

About Mission Health

Mission Health, based in Asheville, N.C., is the state’s sixth-largest health system and the region’s only not-for-profit, independent community hospital system governed and managed exclusively in western North Carolina. In 2012 Mission Health was named one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems by Thomson Reuters the only health system in North Carolina to receive this recognition.

Mission Health, which traces its roots in the region back to 1885, operates five hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers, and the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center. Its medical staff consists of more than 1,000 physicians and is certified in over 50 medical specialties and sub-specialties. Mission Health has seven Centers of Excellence: Cancer, Heart, Mission Children’s Hospital, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Trauma and Women’s Health. Mission Hospital, located in Asheville, is the system’s flagship hospital and is licensed for 730 beds. It is the regional referral center for tertiary and quaternary care and is the busiest surgical hospital in North Carolina. It also includes Mission Children’s Hospital the region’s only children’s hospital. Other Mission Health member hospitals include Angel Medical Center in Franklin, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, McDowell Hospital in Marion and Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard. With approximately 8,800 employees and 700 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission-health.org.