St. Peter's Health is a proud affiliate of Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. Huntsman Cancer Institute is the only National Cancer Institute Designated (NCI) Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Mountain West. It is ranked among the best cancer hospitals in the country by U.S. News and World Report and receives patient satisfaction ratings in the top 1% nationwide.
Our affiliation brings world-class cancer care to the Helena community, providing patients undergoing cancer and hematology care at St. Peter's with:
- access to a broader variety of treatment options
- access to top cancer experts
- expedited care for patients requiring care at Huntsman Cancer Institute
- seamless coordination with Huntsman Cancer Institute for ongoing care as needed
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Learn more about our affiliation from the answers to these frequently asked questions.
Why is St. Peter’s affiliating with Huntsman Cancer Institute?
The affiliation with Huntsman Cancer Institute brings a higher level of cancer care to the Helena community. This new affiliation enables patients undergoing cancer and hematology care at St. Peter's in Helena to access a broader variety of treatment options along with top cancer experts at Huntsman Cancer Institute, including those who specialize in rare and complex cancers. The expertise and support that a renowned cancer program like Huntsman Cancer Institute can provide a small community like Helena is a significant advancement in our ability to provide gold standard oncology care.
What are the benefits of the affiliation for St. Peter’s patients?
The new affiliation provides patients in Helena access to some of the world's top cancer experts and more treatment options without having to travel to a major city for their care. When travel to Huntsman Cancer Institute is necessary for a more specialized treatment or procedure, patients will benefit from an expedited process and more seamless transition between the two health systems.
What are the benefits of the affiliation for St. Peter’s Cancer Care staff?
The affiliation with Huntsman Cancer Institute will help St. Peter’s recruit and retain top-notch clinicians and open new doors of opportunity for our staff. Our team will have access to expanded educational offerings provided by Huntsman Cancer Institute and the opportunity to present patient care plans at Huntsman Cancer Institute's multidisciplinary tumor board meetings, where experts come together to evaluate and recommend the best treatment plans.
Does the affiliation with Huntsman Cancer Institute mean St. Peter’s is no longer an independent community hospital?
No, quite the opposite. Affiliations with other health systems to expand the care that’s available in Helena is a strategic move to maintain independence and local decision-making, and better meet the needs of our community. The affiliation with Huntsman Cancer Institute builds on St. Peter’s existing affiliation with University of Utah Health for other specialized services, including teleneurology and telestroke. Partnering with world-class academic medical institutions and other regional health systems around specific specialties brings a higher level of care to our community without the need to become part of a larger health system.
Why Huntsman Cancer Institute?
A partnership with Huntsman Cancer Institute builds on the strength of our affiliation with University of Utah Health and brings world-class cancer care to Helena. Huntsman Cancer Institute is ranked among the best cancer hospitals in the country by U.S. News and World Report and receives scores in the top 1% nationally for patient satisfaction. In a rural community like Helena, delivering gold standard cancer care is more likely achieved through a partnership with a more comprehensive organization than it is independently. A team approach where providers share insights and support one another builds strength in diagnosis and treatment, and greatly benefits patients.
Why does Huntsman Cancer Institute affiliate with other cancer centers?
With the main campus in Salt Lake City, Huntsman Cancer Institute now has six affiliate cancer centers across the Mountain West region. All affiliates are local, not-for-profit, independent health care systems like St. Peter's .
By affiliating with other quality driven organizations, Huntsman Cancer Institute extends its reach and impact, and ensures more patients can have access to evidence-based cancer care closer to home. Huntsman Cancer Institute is committed to assisting St. Peter’s to support cancer care in our community, while also providing seamless access to specialty services offered by Huntsman Cancer Institute. Huntsman Cancer Institute seeks to earn the designation as the referral center of choice for the types of care not offered locally.
Will this affiliation restrict any cancer services or programs St. Peter’s currently offers?
No. St. Peter’s will continue to determine which cancer services and programs will be offered locally.
Will patients still be able to choose where they’re referred for oncology care if that is necessary?
Yes. This affiliation does not require that patients be referred to Huntsman Cancer Institute for specialized cancer care. Physicians still have complete autonomy, in partnership with patients and their families, in deciding where to refer their patients.
Will the affiliation change either organization’s mission and values?
No. Although they are strongly aligned, both organizations will continue to maintain their respective missions and values.
Will Huntsman Cancer Institute provide oncologists to staff St. Peter's Cancer Care?
No, but St. Peter’s oncologists and staff will have the ability to work closely with their colleagues at Huntsman Cancer Institute. We do expect that having this affiliation with Huntsman Cancer Institute will help St. Peter’s recruit and retain all staff, including physicians, nurses, technicians and others.
Does this mean Cancer Care staff are now employees of Huntsman Cancer Institute?
No, it is still St. Peter’s Cancer Care, and all staff are still employees of St. Peter’s.
More about Huntsman Cancer Institute
Huntsman Cancer Institute's main campus is in Salt Lake City. The cancer campus includes a state-of-the-art cancer specialty hospital as well as two buildings dedicated to cancer research. Huntsman Cancer Institute treats patients with all forms of cancer.
Huntsman Cancer Institute is the official cancer center of Utah. As the only NCI Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Mountain West, Huntsman Cancer Institute serves the largest geographic region in the country, serving patients from Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman Cancer Institute than at any other cancer center in the world, including genes responsible for hereditary breast, ovarian, colon, head, and neck cancers, along with melanoma. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman. Click here to learn more about Huntsman Cancer Institute.
