History, Mission & Vision

Texas Oncology founders came together with a vision to make high-quality cancer treatment more accessible. As the practice celebrates its 25^th anniversary, that core mission has enabled Texas Oncology physicians to make community-based cancer treatment a reality, bringing hope and the prospect of a better quality of life to patients.

“We set out in 1986 to reinvent the way cancer treatment is delivered – putting patients in the center of an advanced and integrated approach typically associated with large-scale institutions – by developing an oncology-specific, statewide group practice,” said Merrick Reese, M.D., Texas Oncology founding physician. “We were guided by a strong sense of responsibility to bring high-quality cancer treatment to patients in Texas, as close to home as possible.”

In the years that followed, the founders’ vision has given rise to a strong and growing network of Texas Oncology cancer centers, guided by a unifying vision: to provide the best care and patient experience available.

A Network Fueled by Innovation

The pioneering spirit that brought Texas Oncology physicians together continues to push the practice forward today, yielding important advancements benefitting patients past, present, and future. Among them:

• 43 FDA-approved cancer therapies have been developed
• Several Texas Oncology locations are certified to participate in RTOG, an international radiation therapy oncology group sponsoring leading-edge radiation clinical trials
• The Pathways program studies treatments and outcomes across the Texas Oncology network, so patients receive the benefit of collective wisdom and standard-of-care protocols
• Groundbreaking research is being conducted by Texas Oncology physicians in partnership with US Oncology Research
• Experienced Texas Oncology physicians have access to the most advanced cancer-fighting technologies, including a state-of-the-art proton therapy center planned in North Texas

Patients Curing Cancer

Texas Oncology’s leadership in clinical trials and research is a cornerstone of the practice, beginning with its first Phase I trial conducted in Tyler in 1993. Today, the clinical trials program impacts thousands of lives each year.

“By participating in clinical trials, patients are curing cancer every day,” said Steven Paulson, M.D., Texas Oncology president and chairman of the board. “Clinical trials help improve outcomes and quality of life for our patients now and in the future.”

Such research has led to advancements in personalized medicine, which uses individual genetic markers to create custom treatments such as Provenge^®, the only FDA-approved cancer treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to fight advanced stage prostate cancer. Texas Oncology was among the first in the United States qualified to administer the treatment in 2010.

Texas Oncology’s pediatric oncology practice based in Dallas also pioneered the application of immunotherapy to the treatment of blood cancers in cancer’s youngest patients.

Specialists Focus on Breast Care, Urology

In addition to advancing the science behind cancer treatment, Texas Oncology continues to innovate new ways to enhance the overall patient experience.

That’s why a growing number of Texas Oncology nurses are oncology certified. It’s also why Texas Oncology has recently formed specialized practice groups focused exclusively on breast health and urology.

Texas Breast Specialists and Texas Urology Specialists include physician teams working closely to provide treatment that is high quality, compassionate, and fully integrated.

“Through its innovative community-based approach, evidence-based science and uncompromising commitment to patients, Texas Oncology is well positioned for the future,” said Dr. Paulson.

Back to Newsletter | Subscribe to Our Newsletter