Ochsner Health and MD Anderson Cancer Center have formed an alliance to create Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center in southeastern Louisiana, US.

This collaboration is claimed to provide cancer patients in the region with access to advanced treatments.

Ochsner is now the first and only provider in Louisiana to offer a fully integrated cancer programme based on MD Anderson's standards and treatment plans.

Ochsner Health president and COO Mike Hulefeld said: “As the state’s leader in cancer care, we’re proud to partner with one of the global leaders in cancer care to provide a full continuum of services close to home for our patients.

“Beyond MD Anderson’s accolades and top national rankings, its clinicians and researchers advance innovative therapies through clinical trials several years before they become standard practice.

“Now, our patients will benefit from this expanded breadth of experience and therapies in Louisiana.”

Ochsner MD Anderson facilities are in several cities in Louisiana, and they offer multidisciplinary care options, including medical oncology, surgery, and radiation.

The partnership aims to improve the quality and accessibility of cancer care and research in the region, with plans to certify additional sites in the future.

Ochsner MD Anderson provides comprehensive care with a patient-centric approach, offering support from a team of experts and access to innovative therapies and clinical trials.

MD Anderson president Peter WT Pisters said: "We are pleased to welcome Ochsner Health as our newest partner, and we applaud their team’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and patient-centred care, which aligns with our own mission to end cancer.

“By working together, we are expanding our reach and impact, ensuring even more patients have access to high-quality cancer care and advanced treatments through clinical trials.

“We are proud to have Ochsner MD Anderson join us in Making Cancer History.”