The partnership represents advanced clinical and operational integration in the delivery of cancer care, providing RUSH patients greater access to high-quality cancer treatments and research.

As one of the leading cancer centres in the United States, MD Anderson welcomes RUSH as the seventh partner in its network of hospitals and healthcare systems collaborating to provide more people greater access to advanced cancer care and clinical trials. The new centre will serve patients in the largest US city by population of all its network partners.

RUSH MD Anderson patients will benefit from the combined expertise of a multidisciplinary team of surgical, medical and radiation oncologists, nurses, and support specialists. Patients will receive care mirroring the same protocols and treatment plans available at MD Anderson and they will have the opportunity to participate in an expanded number of clinical trials, including early phase I and II trials.

Said Dr Omar Lateef, president and chief executive of RUSH: “Partnering with MD Anderson and their bold vision to be the premier cancer centre in the world tells our patients that they can continue to expect the best possible care from RUSH.”

Dr Peter WT Pisters, president of MD Anderson, added: “Partnering with RUSH to create RUSH MD Anderson is a significant moment in our history, as we work to accomplish our mission of eliminating cancer and saving more lives.”

All RUSH MD Anderson physicians are said to be specialty trained and board certified, and MD Anderson has approved their credentials. RUSH MD Anderson providers will have peer-to-peer access to MD Anderson’s specialists and researchers for consultations on best practices and treatment decisions. The new centre says it will create a more comprehensive cancer programme through integrated services consistently available across its medical centres and regional locations.

On RUSH’s Chicago campus, cancer care will be provided in the ten-storey Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building, designed to optimise patient experience while creating an uplifting, accessible and healing environment. Other locations include the RUSH Copley Medical Center in Aurora; the RUSH Oak Park Hospital; and the RUSH Copley Healthcare Center in Yorkville.

“Our RUSH community includes some of the brightest minds in medicine, scientific research and medical education – each with an unwavering commitment to the patients we serve,” said Dr Amina Ahmed, director of RUSH MD Anderson Cancer Center. “Our mission, vision, strategy and goals are aligned with MD Anderson’s clinical standards of care. We’re stronger together and look forward to providing continued comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for all RUSH MD Anderson patients.”