St. John Tulsa Partners With MD Anderson In Battle Against Cancer

The governor, mayor and other area leaders were on hand as St. John Medical Center announced its new partnership with MD Anderson.

"We talk about the delivery of clinical excellence and compassionate care, and it's truly part of what we do day in and day out," said Jeff Nowlin, St. John CEO.

"We want to be teamed up with the very best when it comes to cancer care, and we believe MD Anderson is the right partner."

It also doesn't hurt that U.S. News and World Report has ranked MD Anderson as the number one cancer care provider for the seventh year in a row.

"The population is aging, and cancer instances are only going to get larger," said Bill Hyslop, CEO and president of MD Anderson. "We want to be able to share our knowledge in a way that's going to serve patients in their own community."

While St. John staff members initiated the partnership, MD Anderson officials reviewed the hospital's practices and said Tulsa "stood out."

"We found the people here, not only the administrative staff but the people as well, that they are really dedicated to their patients." Hyslop said.

"They are here under a faith-based mission and they want to serve this community of Tulsa, and that really fits our mission."

Nowlin said this is a game changer when it comes to local cancer care.

Before Tuesday, the closest MD Anderson Cancer Network hospital was in Columbia, Missouri. St. John Medical Center is the first Oklahoma hospital to become a member of one of the top cancer networks in the country.

This collaboration will not only benefit cancer patients in Oklahoma but also those in neighboring northeast states.