UK Markey Cancer Center and Lexington Clinic Renew Cancer Care Collaboration Through 2028
Key Insights
The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer (search) Center and Lexington Clinic have renewed their cancer care agreement for an additional three years through 2028, extending a partnership that began in 2019.
The collaboration provides medical oncology, infusion, and radiation therapy at two Lexington-area locations, accounting for 7.9% of Markey's nearly 5,500 annual cancer (search) cases.
Patients gain access to NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer (search) Center resources including specialty pharmacy, supportive care services, and early-phase clinical trials.
The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer (search) Center and Lexington Clinic have renewed their agreement to provide cancer services through the Markey Cancer Center at Lexington Clinic, extending a collaboration that began in 2019 for an additional three years through 2028.
Under the renewed agreement, Lexington Clinic physicians and providers will continue delivering cancer (search) care at two locations: UK HealthCare Turfland at 2195 Harrodsburg Road in Lexington and 2019 Corporate Drive in Richmond. Services include medical oncology, infusion, and radiation therapy, complementing the advanced cancer care provided at the UK Markey Cancer Center (search) on the UK campus.
"Our collaboration reflects our shared commitment to deliver coordinated, patient-centered care," said Rachel M. Harper, M.D., head of section, the Markey Cancer (search) Center at Lexington Clinic. "By working together, we ensure patients benefit from both the personalized care of our providers and the leading-edge resources of an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center."
Clinical Reach and Capacity
The Markey Cancer (search) Center at Lexington Clinic, a physician group consisting of three hematologists/medical oncologists, one medical oncologist, and one APRN, now accounts for 7.9% of Markey's nearly 5,500 annual cases. Lexington Clinic is the largest independent multi-specialty group practice in Central Kentucky, with providers in more than 40 specialties across more than 34 locations.
Through the collaboration, patients gain access to the resources of a National Cancer (search) Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, including specialty pharmacy services, supportive care services, and the latest clinical trials. Markey is Kentucky's only NCI-designated cancer center and one of only 58 in the country to hold the NCI's Comprehensive Cancer Center designation — the highest level of recognition a cancer center can achieve.
Research and Trial Access
Participation in clinical trials through the collaboration also supports Markey's research mission, contributing to the development of new cancer (search) treatments and therapies. This access is particularly significant given that Markey offers the only early-phase clinical trials for adult cancer patients in Kentucky through its Precision Medicine Clinic and Cellular Therapy Program.
"Our goal has always been to make sure Kentuckians can get outstanding cancer (search) care without having to travel far from home," said UK Markey Cancer Center (search) Director B. Mark Evers, M.D. "The Markey Cancer Center at Lexington Clinic is a strong example of how that works in practice, and we're glad to continue this collaboration and expand access to care for patients across Central Kentucky."
The renewal comes as Markey continues to expand its footprint. Outpatient visits at Markey Cancer (search) Center have grown by 57% over the past decade, and the institution recently celebrated the ceremonial topping out of a new 550,000-square-foot Cancer and Advanced Ambulatory Building slated to open for patient care in 2028 — the same year this renewed agreement concludes.