December 10, 2020

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Oncology and Mayo Clinic announced today that Minnesota Oncology is the newest member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

Minnesota Oncology is the first independent, community oncology practice to join the Mayo Clinic Care Network, a group of carefully vetted, independent health care providers who have special access to Mayo Clinic knowledge, resources and expertise.

“When our founding physicians — the early pioneers of oncology in Minnesota — joined forces to form what is now Minnesota Oncology, they understood the value of physicians working together to improve patient care. And today, we continue to build upon that belief as we join the Mayo Clinic Care Network,” says John Schwerkoske, M.D., president, Minnesota Oncology.

“Minnesota Oncology and Mayo Clinic’s oncology and hematology teams have a long history of collaborating on patient care,” continues Dr. Schwerkoske. “Formalizing this collaboration in a clinically meaningful relationship enhances our commitment to improve the quality and delivery of health care to our community — expanding access to the highest quality of care while allowing patients to stay right here in the Twin Cities under the supervision of their established care team at Minnesota Oncology.”

"We are pleased to welcome Minnesota Oncology to the Mayo Clinic Care Network," says Mark V. Larson, M.D., enterprise medical director, Mayo Clinic Provider Relations and the Mayo Clinic Care Network. "Minnesota Oncology is a strong, high-quality regional organization that shares a patient-centered approach to cancer care. We look forward to being a resource and working together to benefit patients in the Twin Cities."

Through this relationship, Minnesota Oncology providers will have access to Mayo Clinic’s specialized knowledge and expertise, including its research, diagnostic and treatment resources. Minnesota Oncology will collaborate with Mayo experts through a variety of tools and services, including:

• AskMayoExpert, a point-of-care tool that offers concise clinical information on hundreds of medical conditions. It includes clinical protocols, recommendations for treatment, medical references and patient education. The database can be used wherever health care is provided.
   
• eConsults, which enable Minnesota Oncology physicians to contact Mayo Clinic specialists for second opinions on specific patients when they believe additional input will benefit their patients.
   
• eBoards, live video conferences that enable Minnesota Oncology medical teams to review and discuss complex cases with a Mayo Clinic multidisciplinary panel and other health care providers within the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

Minnesota Oncology was vetted as part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network’s comprehensive evaluation process. This included an in-depth review of the organization's governance structure, clinical practice and business practices, as well as its quality, safety and service efforts.

Mayo Clinic launched the Mayo Clinic Care Network in 2011 and now has more than 40 members across the globe.

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About Minnesota Oncology

Minnesota Oncology is an independent, community-based cancer care practice providing patient-centered, evidence-based treatment in the Twin Cities metro area. Minnesota Oncology patients have access to more than 100 cancer care experts, evidence-based treatment paths, clinical trials, 12 close-to-home locations and comprehensive services to support the whole person.

Minnesota Oncology is a practice in The US Oncology Network (The Network). The practices in The Network comprise more than 1,380 independent physicians dedicated to delivering value-based, integrated care to patients — close to home. Through The Network, these independent doctors come together to form a community of shared expertise and resources dedicated to advancing local cancer care and to delivering better patient outcomes. The Network is supported by McKesson Corporation, whose coordinated resources and infrastructure allow doctors in The Network to focus on the health of their patients, while McKesson focuses on the health of their practices. Minnesota Oncology also participates in clinical trials through US Oncology Research, which has played a role in more than 100 FDA-approved cancer therapies.

About Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to clinical practice, education and research, providing expert, comprehensive care to everyone who needs healing. Learn more about Mayo Clinic. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network.

Media contacts:

• Renee Brown, Nemer Fieger, 952-240-4984, rbrown@nemerfieger.com
• Colleen Schwab, Minnesota Oncology, 651-262-4243, colleen.schwab@usoncology.com
• Rhoda Madson, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu