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US Oncology Named to FORTUNE Magazine's Most Admired Companies List for Third Time

Posted on: Thursday, 12 March 2009, 10:18 CDT

HOUSTON, March 12 /PRNewswire/ -- US Oncology, Inc., one of the nation's largest cancer care services companies, has been named to FORTUNE magazine's Most Admired Companies list for 2009. The company ranks third in the Health Care: Pharmacy and Other category. This is the third time US Oncology has been honored with FORTUNE magazine's Most Admired Companies distinction, having been named to the list in 2004 and 2007 in the Diversified Outsourcing Services category.

The magazine's annual list is considered the definitive report card on corporate reputations. Ranked by top industry executives and financial analysts on nine areas of leadership, US Oncology placed third in its sector in the categories of:

• Innovation
• People management
• Use of corporate assets
• Social responsibility
• Quality of product/services

The company ranks in the top five of all nine categories, including quality of management, financial soundness (ranked 4), long-term investment and global competitiveness (ranked 5).

US Oncology collaborates with providers, payers, biotech/pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturers to increase patient access to advanced cancer care. Recent innovation at US Oncology includes:

• Innovent Oncology and Level I Pathways: payers and providers working together to give patients the highest quality care possible at more predictable costs. Using evidence-based treatment guidelines, disease management, and advanced care planning, the programs reduce treatment variability, contain costs and improve patient outcomes
• Oncology Portal: web portal where oncology physicians can engage in virtual tumor boards, share information, stay current on the latest innovations and gain access to the most up-to-date clinical information and resources
• PatientRM: award-winning patient-centric case management software that improves patient safety, and collects, manages and analyzes data on thousands of like and unlike patient cases from across the nation
• Quality and efficiency procedures: using elements of lean six sigma, US Oncology helps practices enhance patient safety, accuracy of medical records, and the overall patient experience
• iKnowMed expansion: more than 700,000 patients can now be served through this oncology-specific electronic medical records system (EMR) offering clinical decision support to facilitate evidence-based medicine and patient safety

Over the past few years, US Oncology has expanded its existing robust clinical trials capabilities with additional services that help biotech/pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturers bring new therapies to patients faster. In 2008, US Oncology affiliated practices began enrolling patients in trials with Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), and less than one year later was named as one of the top accruing members.

US Oncology also offers customized clinical development services through its full-service clinical research organization (CRO) as well as innovative solutions through its personalized research organization (PRO). Last year, more than 3,400 patients receiving treatment through the US Oncology network were enrolled in clinical research trials across the nation. These services, as well as many others, are offered as an integrated solutions concept that serves the best interests of patients, practices and biotech/pharmaceutical partners.

About US Oncology

US Oncology, headquartered in the Houston area, works closely with physicians, payers, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturers, to identify and deliver innovative services that enhance patient access to advanced cancer care. US Oncology supports one of the nation's foremost cancer treatment and research networks, accelerating the availability and use of evidence-based medicine and shared best practices.

US Oncology uses its expertise to support every aspect of the cancer care delivery system--from drug development to treatment and outcomes measurement--enabling the company to help increase the efficiency and safety of cancer care. According to the company's last quarterly earnings report, US Oncology is affiliated with 1,211 physicians operating in 456 locations, including 94 radiation oncology facilities in 39 states. For more information, visit the company's Web site, www.usoncology.com.

SOURCE US Oncology, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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