The Uniformed Services University for the Health Sciences (USU) announced Dec. 2 a plan to join with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the effort to further research and clinical treatment of cancer. Under the agreement, USU’s John P. Murtha Cancer Center will work closely with NIH’s National Cancer Institute. Both facilities are located in Bethesda, Md. “By leveraging the assets of these … federal health organizations, we are increasing the research and clinical capabilities for the military and civilian patients, while decreasing costs to the government,” Army Col. (Dr.) Craig Shriver, director of the Murtha center and chief of general surgery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on the Bethesda campus, said.