SAN ANTONIO – The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Cancer Therapy and Research Center partnered with the MD Anderson Cancer Center to create a comprehensive and clinically integrated cancer care program in the city.
The move is a big step in bringing a world-class name to South Texas oncology care.
Ronald Herrmann and his wife, Karen, were part of the celebration announcement Tuesday. She’s a breast cancer survivor and he’s a bladder cancer survivor.
"I am in recovery and hope to stay that way,” Ronald Herrmann said.
“We have our family here, our children and grandchildren. Hopefully, they won't have the need, but if they do, it's wonderful to know it's here in San Antonio,” Karen Herrmann said about the new center.
The new affiliation is called the University of Texas Heath San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Cancer care will be getting a big lift.
"Today, two great institutions stand together to do exactly that, to prevent the disease from happening in the first place, to develop strategies, to catch it early through screenings, but also to bring the latest best care possible in the world today to San Antonio,” said Ron DePinho, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center president.
Physically, there won’t be much difference to the outside of the Cancer Therapy and Research Center, but by mid-2017, MD Anderson’s approach for adult cancer care will be integrated with the center. Also, additional clinical trials are expected, as well as renovations to many of the service area.
The two organizations plan to jointly begin recruiting new doctors, as well as search for a new medical director for the new program.