“Keeping ownership with Hamot and St. Vincent was important in the negotiation,” Long said. “The Regional Cancer Centers are community assets. It’s important to keep those owned locally and the decision-making at the local level.”

No decisions have been made about whether the center’s signs will reflect UPMC’s involvement.

All current doctors are continuing their practices at RCC under the new arrangement.

In February, shortly before Meadville Medical Center opened its new Oncology Wellness Institute in Vernon Township, RCC sent a letter to its local patients explaining that MMC was denying hospital privileges for RCC doctors.

In late March, MMC announced that RCC’s physicians would be allowed to admit cancer patients they’re already treating — but no new patients.

At the time, RCC officials issued a prepared statement saying that they hoped to continue discussions with MMC “regarding limitations they have placed on future care for all patients in the Meadville area — current and new.”

Under the new management agreement, “Our physicians are still employed by Regional Cancer Center,” Long said Tuesday. “The same rules apply.” Although new patients must travel to Erie if they require hospitalization, Long described the overall number of in-patient cancer patients as “fairly small.”

Duane Koller, MMC’s director of marketing, declined comment.

Mary Spicer can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at mspicer@meadvilletribune.com.