Sustaining community oncology through nonprofit structures and shared technology infrastructure

February 21, 2026 - 02:52

Independent oncology practices are under immense strain from financial pressures, rising cybersecurity costs, and persistent staffing shortages. The traditional response—selling to large hospital systems—continues to reshape cancer care, often reducing patient options, especially in underserved rural areas.

However, a growing movement is championing an alternative path to preserve local, physician-led care. Experts point to the adoption of nonprofit structures and shared technology infrastructure as a viable strategy for community practices to survive and thrive.

Transitioning to a nonprofit model can provide critical advantages, including access to different funding sources, potential tax benefits, and a reinforced mission-focused culture centered on patient care rather than shareholder returns. This structure can align more closely with the community-serving purpose of these practices.

Concurrently, investing in shared technological platforms for essential but costly services—such as electronic health records, data analytics, and cybersecurity—can dramatically lower overhead. By pooling resources, small practices can achieve the scale and sophistication needed to meet modern regulatory and operational demands without sacrificing their independence.

This dual approach offers a promising framework. It allows community oncologists to maintain local decision-making and patient relationships while gaining the operational stability required to navigate today's complex healthcare environment, ensuring vital cancer care remains accessible in communities nationwide.