Henry Ford and United Outstanding Physicians partner to enhance care for cancer patients

DETROIT – Henry Ford Cancer Institute and United Outstanding Physicians (UOP), a physician organization comprising nearly 1,000 independent private practice physicians across Southeast Michigan, have come together to enhance cancer care and make navigating the cancer journey easier for their patients.

“Our partnership with United Outstanding Physicians will build upon the already exceptional care patients receive from both Henry Ford and UOP providers,” said Adnan Munkarah, M.D., chief clinical officer at Henry Ford Health System. “Through physician collaboration, and by using standardized protocols for excellence in cancer prevention, detection and care, this alignment will not only ensure that patients have access to the most comprehensive and advanced cancer care available, but also ensure that patients can navigate their cancer journey more efficiently than ever before.”

Through this partnership, patients referred to Henry Ford Cancer Institute by UOP physicians will have a patient navigator to coordinate their care, answer questions that may arise and help guide them through the treatment process.

“This is about making it easier for patients to receive personalized and integrated world class cancer care,” said Steven Kalkanis, M.D., CEO of Henry Ford Medical Group. “A cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming. We aim to help alleviate that feeling, which improves quality of life for the patient as they complete a treatment plan that is designed around their unique needs.”

Henry Ford Cancer Institute will collaborate with UOP physicians to provide a streamlined continuum of cancer resources and sub-specialists, from screening through survivorship. This will ultimately ensure that patients are referred to specialists who are the most well equipped to provide care for their specific needs in a patient-centric, value-based manner.

“At United Outstanding Physicians, our top priority is and has always been meeting the patient’s needs,” said Yasser Hammoud, M.D., president/CEO and medical director of UOP. “By partnering with Henry Ford Cancer Institute, we aim to detect cancer earlier for patients and provide timely access to the highest quality care available. We will also work together to alleviate the fear and anxiety that a cancer diagnosis can bring by providing personalized education and care navigation for patients.”

Henry Ford Cancer Institute and UOP also aim to provide education on ways individuals can reduce their risk of developing cancer, as well as detecting it early if it does develop.

“In addition to helping patients and their families optimally navigate and coordinate their cancer care, we are excited to work alongside UOP to increase awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and getting the recommended cancer screenings,” said Benjamin Movsas, M.D., interim Medical Director of Henry Ford Cancer Institute and Chair of the cancer institute’s Radiation Oncology Department. “The cancer journey begins with prevention and early detection. Lifestyle choices and getting the recommended screenings are critically important for both.”

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About Henry Ford Health System:

Founded in 1915 by Henry Ford himself, Henry Ford Health System is a non-profit, integrated health system committed to improving people’s lives through excellence in the science and art of healthcare and healing. Henry Ford Health System consists of six hospitals including Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit; Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals; Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital; Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital; Henry Ford Allegiance in Jackson, MI; and Henry Ford Kingswood Hospital – an inpatient psychiatric hospital.

Henry Ford Health System also includes Henry Ford Medical Group; Henry Ford Physician Network; more than 250 outpatient facilities; Henry Ford Pharmacy; Henry Ford OptimEyes; and other healthcare services. Our not-for-profit health plan, Health Alliance Plan (HAP) provides health coverage for more than 540,000 people.

As one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, Henry Ford Health System trains more than 3,000 medical students, residents, and fellows annually in more than 50 accredited programs, and has trained nearly 40% of the state’s physicians. Our dedication to education and research is supported by nearly $100 million in annual grants from the National Institutes of Health and other public and private foundations.

Henry Ford Health System employs more than 33,000 people, including more than 1,600 physicians, more than 6,600 nurses and 5,000 allied health professionals.

About United Outstanding Physicians (UOP):

Founded in 2002, United Outstanding Physicians (UOP) is a peer-managed physician organization focused on improving health care and reducing costs.

As a physician-managed patient-centric organization, UOP is in a unique position to bring together the right resources that will better serve our patients’ health care needs. UOP’s dedication to deliver quality health care in a cost-effective manner is achieved by working with member physicians to employ evidence-based medicine. In addition, UOP works closely in collaboration with systems, such as Henry Ford Health System, to improve utilization outcomes and identifies lower cost alternatives in connection with hospital and ancillary services. UOP has proven that leadership in health care is the key to improving health care outcomes in our communities.

Today, UOP is comprised of nearly 1,000 independent private practice physicians in nearly every physician specialty, and has been recognized as one of the top performing physician organizations in Southeast Michigan.