« Back to News
Varian and McKesson Announce Strategic Agreement for Advanced Radiotherapy Equipment and Software
PALO ALTO, Calif. and The Woodlands, Texas (October 26, 2016) — Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR) and McKesson today announced a strategic agreement for the deployment and servicing of Varian advanced radiotherapy equipment and software over a three-year period across The US Oncology Network affiliated sites of care. This multiyear agreement delivers significant value to oncology providers in The US Oncology Network, which now operates the largest system of radiotherapy facilities in the U.S. following the acquisition of Vantage Oncology earlier this year.
Over the next two years, seven Varian TrueBeam™ and five VitalBeam™ medical linear accelerators will be installed in The US Oncology Network affiliated cancer centers across the U.S. In addition, McKesson and Varian will collaborate to establish interoperability between McKesson’s iKnowMedSM electronic health record (EHR) system and Varian’s ARIA® oncology information system. The interoperability aims to deliver direct value to all physicians using these information systems in managing patient care.
“McKesson and The US Oncology Network offer robust, comprehensive practice management capabilities, value-based care expertise, and state-of-the-art technology solutions to its affiliated practices, providing support as they navigate today’s challenging healthcare landscape,” said Kirk Kaminsky, president of The US Oncology Network and Practice Management for McKesson. “The US Oncology Network supports more than 1,300 affiliated physicians and approximately 400 affiliated sites of care. Bringing them together earlier this year and now executing this strategic agreement with Varian will help our affiliated practices simultaneously enhance clinical capabilities, workflow for physicians, and the quality of patient care while improving the cost-effectiveness of their operations. The specialized hardware, service offerings and roadmap for interoperability with iKnowMed gives clinicians greater efficiency and increased quality of patient care benefits.”
“We are honored by the long-term commitment McKesson is making in Varian equipment and technology as part of this agreement,” said Kolleen Kennedy, president of Varian’s Oncology Systems business. “Our companies share a common goal to develop and deliver the highest level of care. Through this strategic agreement, we are increasing the ability of patients to access the most advanced treatments in their fight against cancer.”
About Varian Medical Systems
Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, focuses energy on saving lives by equipping the world with advanced technology for fighting cancer and for X-ray imaging. The company is the world’s leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiation. The company provides comprehensive solutions for radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncology practices. Varian is also a premier supplier of X-ray imaging components, including tubes, digital detectors, cables and connectors as well as image processing software and workstations for use in medical and industrial settings, as well as for security and non-destructive testing. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 7,700 people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America, Europe, and China and sales and support offices around the world. For more information, visit http://www.varian.com or follow us on Twitter.
About The US Oncology Network
Every day, The US Oncology Network helps more than 1,400 independent physicians deliver value-based, integrated care for patients — close to home. Through The Network, these independent doctors come together to form a community of shared expertise and resources dedicated to advancing local cancer care and to delivering better patient outcomes. The Network provides doctors with access to coordinated resources, best business practices, and the experience, infrastructure and support of McKesson. This collaboration allows the doctors in The Network to focus on the health of their patients, while McKesson focuses on the health of their practices. Together, The Network and its affiliated physicians are committed to the success of independent practices, everywhere. For more information, visit www.usoncology.com.
About McKesson
McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 6th on the FORTUNE 500, is a global leader in healthcare supply chain management solutions, retail pharmacy, community oncology and specialty care, and healthcare information technology. McKesson partners with pharmaceutical manufacturers, providers, pharmacies, governments and other organizations in healthcare to help provide the right medicines, medical products and healthcare services to the right patients at the right time, safely and cost-effectively. United by our ICARE shared principles, our employees work every day to innovate and deliver opportunities that make our customers and partners more successful — all for the better health of patients. McKesson has been named the “Most Admired Company” in the healthcare wholesaler category by FORTUNE, a “Best Place to Work” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and a top military-friendly company by Military Friendly. For more information, visit www.mckesson.com.
Media Contacts
Mark Plungy
Varian Medical Systems
650.424.5630
mark.plungy@varian.com
Claire Crye
McKesson
281.825.9927
claire.crye@mckesson.com
