Mashantucket — The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and Pequot Health Care, which manages health care plans for Native American tribes, announced they are recognizing Eastern Connecticut Hematology and Oncology, a physician-owned oncology practice in Norwich, as a “center of excellence” and preferred provider.

Pequot Health Care will promote awareness of ECHO’s cancer care to its members and to commercial self-funded health plans.

“At Pequot Health Care, we believe that both the patients and the employers that provide self-funded health benefits deserve better value health care — where the quality, safety, and experience is higher, and the total cost of care is lower,” said Dr. Setu Vora, the Mashantuckets' chief medical officer.

ECHO, a member of OneOncology, a partnership of independent oncology practices, provides comprehensive cancer care and clinical trials to patients in eastern Connecticut. As a preferred partner, ECHO will provide hematology and oncology care to Mashantucket Pequot tribal members and to Pequot Health Care plan members.

“Our goal is to provide patients and their families with access to the latest treatments and resources in a personalized and compassionate manner,” said Dr. Dinesh Kapur, ECHO’s chief executive officer. “We’re proud to have cared for many Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation members over our 30-year history, and we look forward to our continued relationship.”