WellSpan and Johns Hopkins Expand Cancer Care Collaboration

WellSpan Health and Johns Hopkins Medicine are expanding their oncology collaboration to improve access to advanced cancer care, specialist expertise and clinical research for patients across Central Pennsylvania.

The renewed partnership builds on a relationship that began in 2017 and was significantly expanded in 2021. Over the past five years, the two organizations have worked together on physician consultations, multidisciplinary tumor conferences, specialist care and clinical research.

More than 1,300 WellSpan oncology patients across 12 cancer specialties have benefited directly from the collaboration. Nearly 500 WellSpan patients have also taken part in clinical research studies led by Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Johns Hopkins Medicine’s Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of fewer than 60 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the US. The Johns Hopkins Hospital was also ranked sixth nationally for cancer care in the 2026-2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings.

The collaboration allows WellSpan physicians to work with Johns Hopkins specialists on complex cancer cases and access evidence-based approaches to treatment. Patients can receive most of their care close to home while having access to specialists and research opportunities connected to the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.

Roxanna Gapstur, President and CEO of WellSpan Health, said the partnership combines the strengths of a leading academic medical center with those of a community-based cancer program. She added that the goal is to make advanced cancer care more accessible while allowing patients to remain close to their families and support networks.

The expanded collaboration will also support patients in the Central Susquehanna Valley, where WellSpan is investing in a larger oncology program at WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital.

Starting this fall, the program will expand local cancer services in phases. The plans include medical oncology and infusion services, followed by a comprehensive cancer center with radiation oncology and other advanced cancer services.

WellSpan has also recently announced a strategic partnership with Cancer Care Associates of York to expand cancer care for patients in York County.

Through these efforts, WellSpan said patients across its growing Central Pennsylvania network will have access to Johns Hopkins oncology expertise while continuing to receive much of their treatment from WellSpan Cancer Institute physicians closer to home.

Kevin Sowers, President of the Johns Hopkins Health System and Executive Vice President of Johns Hopkins Medicine, said the organizations share the goal of making high-level cancer expertise available regardless of where patients live.

The renewed partnership is expected to support continued collaboration in clinical care, research, quality improvement and innovation as WellSpan expands its cancer services across the region.