KANSAS CITY — The merging of the University of Kansas Cancer Center and Kansas City Cancer Center is now complete, officials said today.

As a result of the merger, the new organization will have 52 medical and radiation oncologists working in 12 locations throughout the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.

It will be part of the University of Kansas Cancer Center, but the neighborhood cancer centers will connect both the center names in one logo, officials said.

The combined organization will maintain Kansas City Cancer Center's existing relationships with community hospitals around the area.

“Two organizations with the same patient-first culture are now one, with multiple options for patients,” Bob Page, chief executive of the KU Hospital, said in a prepared statement. “Our existing academic medical center model will continue, as will KCCC’s neighborhood practices with their multiple community hospital relationships. Patients throughout the region will have greater access to cancer physicians and unparalleled access to clinical trials and sub-specialists in many cancer disciplines. It’s an historic time in the fight against cancer.”

Officials said no jobs will be lost as a result of the merger.

Twenty-seven physicians from Kansas City Cancer Center become members of the University of Kansas School of Medicine faculty in Internal Medicine and in Radiation Oncology. The new faculty eventually will be involved in clinical education of students and residents. Non-physician staff members of KCCC are now employees of the KU Hospital.

The new organization begins with 143 clinical trials underway from KU Cancer Center and 73 from U.S. Oncology and Kansas City Cancer Center for a total of 216.

“It has been clear from the first day of these negotiations that this partnership strengthens the future of cancer care for our community,” said Dr. Mark Myron, president of Kansas City Cancer Center. “Representatives of both organizations will work together to develop the best evidence-based patient care models and add to our combined reputation as leaders in cancer care.”

Officials said the merger will help the KU Cancer Center's efforts to gain National Cancer Institute designation.

“With this merger complete, we will be able to report to NCI in our September application that we have significantly expanded the number of patients to whom clinical trials may be offered as a treatment option,” said Dr. Roy Jensen, director of KU Cancer Center.

A “ribbon-tying” event to celebrate the merger is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 29, at the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Survivors Park, which is located between 47th and 48th streets on the east side of Roanoke Parkway in Kansas City, Mo. The public is welcome.