Read Time: 3 minutes
Takeaways:
- The affiliation strengthens local care by supporting Portneuf providers while expanding access to research, education, and multidisciplinary oncology services.
- Care remains community-based, with coordinated referrals and support when specialized treatment in Salt Lake City is needed.
- This collaboration expands Huntsman Cancer Institute’s network of affiliated hospitals across the Mountain West, increasing access to coordinated, high-quality cancer care in the region.
Impact: This affiliation expands access to comprehensive cancer care in Southeast Idaho by connecting patients to advanced expertise and services while keeping most care close to home.
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U) joined leaders from Portneuf Cancer Center and University of Utah Health for a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Pocatello, Idaho, marking a new affiliation focused on expanding access to comprehensive cancer care in Southeast Idaho. The event brought together health care leaders, clinicians, staff, and community partners to mark the milestone and recognize the collaboration.
Huntsman Cancer Institute is the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center serving the Mountain West and a world-renowned leader in cancer care, research, education, and prevention. This affiliation represents an important step toward broadening access to comprehensive cancer care for patients in Southeast Idaho and surrounding communities.
“This affiliation represents a shared promise between Huntsman Cancer Institute and Portneuf Cancer Center, that despite the challenges of providing specialty care across large distances, it is possible to achieve this through collaboration and an unwavering focus on patients and community,” said Sachin Apte, MD, MS, MBA, chief clinical officer and physician-in-chief at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the U.
“Portneuf Cancer Center has assembled an outstanding team who are deeply committed to their patients and community. This affiliation allows us to support and amplify their expertise, ensuring patients in Southeast Idaho have access to a comprehensive cancer center with services such as complex multidisciplinary care and clinical trials. We are grateful for this opportunity to work with Portneuf Cancer Center to serve cancer patients in Southeast Idaho.”
Through this affiliation, Portneuf Cancer Center will enhance its oncology services available to the community by integrating advanced clinical expertise, innovative treatment protocols, and broader access to clinical trials from Huntsman Cancer Institute. Patients at Portneuf Cancer Center will receive exceptional care closer to home and, when travel to Huntsman Cancer Institute is necessary for certain treatments, they will receive streamlined access and coordinated care planning to support their return home.
The ceremony concluded with representatives from Portneuf Health, Huntsman Cancer Institute, and the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce gathering for the official ribbon cutting, symbolizing the beginning of this expanded partnership and its impact on cancer care in Southeast Idaho. “Today is a special moment for our cancer center and community. Events like this always remind me that what we are here for is our patients, many of whom are experiencing one of the most difficult times of their lives,” said Jake Nicholas, MSHA, MBA, COO of Portneuf Medical Center.
“This affiliation represents a shared promise between Huntsman Cancer Institute and Portneuf Cancer Center.”
Sachin Apte, MD, MS, MBA
Michael Callaghan, MD, radiation oncologist at Portneuf Cancer Center, described the value of persistence in raising the bar for cancer patients in the community. “On this day after pushing, planning, rebuilding, adapting, and refusing to quit, we have reached a new summit of quality of care for our patients. One where the many small steps we took will secure lasting progress for cancer patients in our community.”
Across the Mountain West, Huntsman Cancer Institute partners with affiliate hospitals to extend specialty cancer care into local communities. Portneuf Cancer Center joins this established network, which includes Carson Tahoe Health Cancer Center, Community Hospital Grand Valley Oncology, Madison Health Cancer Center, Memorial Hospital Sweetwater Regional Cancer Center, St. John’s Health Cancer Center, and St Peter’s Health Cancer Treatment Center. Through these collaborations, Huntsman Cancer Institute supports local care teams with additional expertise and resources, helping ensure patients can receive most of their care close to home while maintaining access to specialized services when needed.
The critical research happening every day at Huntsman Cancer Institute is supported by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, including cancer center support grant P30 CA042014, as well as Huntsman Cancer Foundation.
Media Contact
Heather Simonsen
Public Affairs Senior Manager
Huntsman Cancer Institute
801 581-3194
public.affairs@hci.utah.edu
About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah is the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. With a legacy of innovative cancer research, groundbreaking discoveries, and world-class patient care, we are transforming the way cancer is understood, prevented, diagnosed, treated, and survived. Huntsman Cancer Institute focuses on delivering the most advanced cancer healing and prevention through scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge technology to create pioneering cancer treatments beyond the standard of care today. We have more than 400 open clinical trials and more than 300 research teams studying cancer. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman Cancer Institute than at any other cancer center. Our scientists are world-renowned for understanding how cancer begins and using that knowledge to develop innovative approaches to treat each patient’s unique disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.
About Portneuf Medical Center
Based in Pocatello, Idaho, Portneuf Medical Center is a nationally recognized, comprehensive healthcare leader accredited by The Joint Commission. With 205 beds, PMC serves as the region’s tertiary care center and Regional Level II Trauma Center and is home to the Portneuf Heart and Vascular Institute, Portneuf Cancer Center, Portneuf Medical Group and Portneuf Air Rescue. PMC has a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit, an adult Intensive Care Unit, nationally recognized orthopedic services, a full suite of cardiac care, center of excellence recognized surgeons, imaging, primary and specialty care. We pursue excellence every day in our hospital and clinics as well as educate the next generation of physicians and health professionals. For more information, please visit our website at Portneuf.org. The governance of Portneuf Medical Center is split 50/50 between Portneuf Health Trust and the parent company Ardent Health Services As a major employer in Pocatello, we have 1,600 well-qualified employees and we continue to grow.