Siemens Medical Solutions and the University of Utah Hospitals & Clinics (UUHC) have announced a five-year strategic alliance, which includes cooperative research and development activities, plans for educational programs in radiology, and a contract for UUHC to purchase a full range of Siemens medical imaging solutions.

"Patients are our number-one priority, and with the latest technologies from Siemens, we will be able to continue to provide the highest quality care, while contributing to research efforts that may offer breakthroughs in patient care for the future," said Richard A. Fullmer, executive director of UUHC. "Siemens' technology, combined with our planned research activities and educational programs, should bring long-term benefits to our patients and to the future of medicine."

Under the agreement, UUHC will purchase all of its medical imaging equipment from Siemens through the next five years, supporting the UUHC's goals of improving operating efficiencies and economies of scale. A built-in, non-obsolescence program will allow UUHC to continue to take advantage of the latest innovations from Siemens, and also includes finance and service contracting.

Among the UUHC facilities to benefit from the agreement will be the Huntsman Cancer Institute and the Huntsman Cancer Research Hospital (opening next Spring), which will be equipped with state-of-the-art Siemens systems ranging from ultrasound to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) products, as well as positron emission tomography (PET) and digital mammography solutions. The imaging partnership between UUHC and Siemens will allow Huntsman's clinical and research staff to benefit from developments that occur throughout the worldwide network of other cancer institutes that partner with Siemens.

In addition, access to Siemens' advanced imaging equipment will help the Huntsman Cancer Institute to launch new directions in cancer research, further establish itself as a premier cancer treatment facility, and enhance its ability to diagnose and treat all forms of cancer.

Siemens and UUHC also plan to develop educational programs that, ultimately, will address the acute need for radiological technologists. The educational activities at UUHC are expected to include modality-specific software training for Siemens customers and employees; week-long fellowships for Siemens customer radiologists to gain specialty experience with a veteran UUHC radiologist; and funding from Siemens for select students attending the UUHC radiological technologist program.