For Kansas University Medical Center, KU Hospital and the KU physicians group, today finally may be the day.

In a briefing to the Kansas Board of Regents this morning in Topkea, KUMC Executive Vice Chancellor Barbara Atkinson said she thought today could bring an end to months of negotiations over a new master affiliation between KUMC and KU Hospital.

Atkinson told the regents that seven lawyers were meeting with a three-person negotiations group in order to determine if all sides could agree to the pact.

She also said KUMC had reached agreement with KU Hospital, St. Luke’s, Stormont-Vail and other hospitals in western Kansas to create a cancer partnership advisory board. The board would handle strategic planning and advise the director of the KU cancer center.

“This will be the final issue that works out the cancer issues,” Atkinson said.