Unio Specialty Care has been selected as one of only six organizations in the United States to receive a prestigious quality improvement grant aimed at transforming care for patients with bladder cancer. Awarded through Conquer Cancer, the philanthropic arm of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and funded by Pfizer, this distinction places Unio alongside some of the most respected cancer institutions in the country. Of the six recipients, the vast majority are large academic medical centers, making Unio’s selection as a community-based practice a powerful statement: that world-class bladder cancer care can and should be delivered where patients live.
For patients, families, and referring physicians, this grant represents a meaningful step forward: a commitment to delivering the most advanced, coordinated, and compassionate bladder cancer care available, right here in the community.
Advanced, Coordinated Care: Closer to Home
Bladder cancer affects approximately 83,000 Americans each year and requires sophisticated, multidisciplinary coordination to treat well. Effective care demands that urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and specialized care teams work in close, continuous collaboration, yet the healthcare system does not always make that easy. Patients and providers alike can experience delays, communication gaps, and incomplete handoffs that compromise outcomes.
This grant initiative directly addresses those challenges. Through structured care coordination protocols and joint planning, Unio Specialty Care will strengthen how its specialist teams work together on behalf of bladder cancer patients, delivering an integrated care experience from diagnosis through long-term follow-up that has historically been available only at large academic centers.
“We will be partnering with major academic centers including UCSD and the Mayo Clinic and are exploring opportunities to collaborate with a national bladder cancer advocacy organization.”
Expanded Access to Specialized Physicians and Clinical Trials
One of the most tangible benefits of this grant is expanded access to highly specialized, multidisciplinary oncology care. Patients at Unio Specialty Care will have direct access to physicians specializing in:
- Urology: specialists focused on the full spectrum of urinary tract and male reproductive health
- Medical Oncology: experts in systemic therapies including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted agents
- Radiation Oncology: specialists in advanced, precision radiation techniques tailored to bladder cancer
Beyond physician access, the initiative will also expand opportunities for patients to participate in clinical trials evaluating novel agents for bladder cancer treatment, including advances in immunotherapy, antibody-drug conjugates, and targeted therapies. In a community setting, clinical trial access has historically required patients to travel to academic centers.
A Vision for the Future of Bladder Cancer Care
“We’re proud to be one of only six organizations in the country selected for this initiative to improve the experience of patients with bladder cancer. All the other recipients are prestigious academic institutions, underscoring the importance of the work being done in community-based practices like ours to advance multidisciplinary cancer care. Patients will be offered state-of-the-art care for the treatment of bladder cancer, including access to physicians specializing in Uro-oncology, Medical Oncology, and Radiation Oncology. In addition, patients will have the opportunity to consider cutting-edge clinical trials testing novel agents for the treatment of bladder cancer.”
For Referring Physicians: A Trusted Partner in Bladder Cancer Care
For urologists, primary care physicians, and other specialists managing patients with bladder cancer, Unio Specialty Care represents a referral partner committed to the same standard of care you expect for your patients.
When you refer a patient to Unio Specialty Care, they will be seen by specialists who operate within a true multidisciplinary framework, coordinating care across urology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology to ensure every patient receives a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan. This grant is strengthening care coordination infrastructure and deepening our academic partnerships, so the quality and continuity of that care will only improve.