The University of California, San Diego, Health System said Monday it was taking over operations at the Nevada Cancer Institute after receiving Bankruptcy Court approval for its $18 million purchase of NVCI.
UC San Diego submitted the only qualified bid for the institute’s key assets during the NVCI bankruptcy process. On Jan. 12, Bankruptcy Judge Mike Nakagawa in Las Vegas approved the sale, which had been engineered by NVCI officials prior to its Dec. 2 bankruptcy.
While the Nevada Cancer Institute’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization case continues so it can maintain operations as a fundraising entity, the new owner of NVCI’s Summerlin operations is moving forward.
"We are proud to have Nevada Cancer Institute join UC San Diego Health System," Dr. Tom McAfee, interim CEO of UC San Diego Health System and dean of clinical affairs, said in a statement. "As a world-class health system for cancer and surgical care, UC San Diego is fulfilling its mission of caring for patients locally, nationally and around the world."
"Plans for UC San Diego NVCI include the recruitment of medical and (potentially) surgical oncologists, as well as beginning a national search for a physician-scientist to serve as director of the institute," UC San Diego said in a statement Monday.
Asked about staffing plans, a UC San Diego spoksewoman said there were approximately 135 employees on the NVCI payroll and that UC San Diego had offered employment contracts to the majority of those employees, "as they are critical to fulfilling the clinical mission of the institute."
The university said recruitment for oncologists would include filling one position apiece for medical and radiation oncologists. An unspecifed number of surgical oncologists may be recruited. The university said its priority was to work with surgical oncologists already in the Las Vegas area.
Insight Oncology, a management services organization, will assist with the integration of UC San Diego and NVCI; and oversee NVCI’s flagship operation.
UC San Diego said Nevada patients at NVCI would continue to see their current physician, but now may potentially qualify for a wider range of clinical trials.
"UC San Diego NVCI hopes to partner with the local medical community and develop collaborations that best serve the needs of local doctors and their patients," the university added in its statement.