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Ed Yeates ReportingSome leading Utah medical competitors have formed a unique alliance to go after a common enemy. The partnership is the latest in a series of collaborative efforts to take out a villain, which this year alone threatens to kill 550,000 people in this country.
On the ground where IHC's new Intermountain Medical Center is being built, another groundbreaking announcement today. Researchers searching for cures, doctors diagnosing and treating with the latest and the best, an incredible data bank on the genetics of the disease. In an unprecedented move, the Huntsman Cancer Institute, the University of Utah, and IHC are forming an alliance -- sharing and throwing all their resources into one pool to seek out and destroy cancer!
Jon Huntsman, Huntsman Cancer Institute: "One out of two men in the United States will have cancer in their lifetime; one out of three women will have cancer. It will impact and affect negatively every family in this country.”
With so much at stake, the medical institutions are sort of setting aside competition to join forces for an all out attack. Utah's Governor says it's time to coin a new phrase.
Gov. Huntsman: “Coopetition, coopetition. When you have competitors who are cooperating, you have a new form of coopetition.”
As part of the alliance, IHC will donate 25-million dollars over the next five years to enhance basic research at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Scientists at both medical institutions will work together, sharing what they learn and know.
Huntsman cancer clinics and education centers will open at all major IHC hospitals. Physicians will collaborate and participate in new studies, using the latest and the best to attack cancers. IHC Health Plans Insurance will begin reimbursing patients for their care at the University's Huntsman Cancer Hospital.
Stephen Prescott, M.D., Huntsman Cancer Institute: “But just like what happens in war time where competitors now band together for the common good, right. You can still compete, but you work together on some things. And I think that’s what you’re seeing today.”
IHC's plans a proposed cancer center to be built at the new Intermountain Medical Center. As part of the alliance now, Jon and Karen Huntsman announced today they're donating five million dollars towards its construction.
