The Randolph Cancer Center has been awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award by the College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC), making it one of only 39 cancer programs in the United States and the only cancer program in North Carolina to earn this award.
The CoC Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes the significant commitment by Randolph Cancer Center for providing high quality cancer care to patients and in meeting and exceeding the standards set by the CoC Approvals Program.
“Not only did Randolph Cancer Center meet the basic standards of the Approvals Program, but it also excelled in seven areas where Commendation (1+) was awarded, therefore earning the Outstanding Achievement Award,” said Frederick Greene, MD, FACS, chair of Commission on Cancer.
“This is a special recognition granted to approved cancer programs that take the next step in striving for superior excellence in cancer care,” said Dr. Christine McCarty, oncologist at Randolph Cancer Center. “This award is a reflection of the high quality of care we provide our patients everyday. By being a nationally recognized cancer care facility, our patients and their families and friends should feel comforted knowing that their loved ones are receiving the best possible care.”
As the country's primary approval organization, the Commission on Cancer sets quality-of-care standards for cancer program and reviews the programs to ensure they conform to those standards. Approval by the CoC is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of quality cancer care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance. To maintain approval, facilities with CoC-Approved Cancer Program must undergo an on-site review every three years.
Receiving care at the CoC approved Randolph Cancer Center assures that patients will have access to:
- Quality care close to home.
- Comprehensive care offering a range of state-of-the art services and equipment.
- A multidisciplinary team approach to coordinate the best treatment options available to cancer patients.
- Participation in cancer clinical trials, education and support.
- Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care.
- Programs for screening and early detection of various types of cancer.
“This honor represents our significant commitment to provide the highest level of quality cancer care and to go beyond the standards set by the CoC approvals program,” says Dr. Michael Lininger, surgeon and cancer liaison. “In fact, the real beneficiaries of the award are our patients because when they choose Randolph Cancer Center, they can be rest assured that they are receiving care that has exceeded standards along an entire spectrum of services including initial evaluation, prevention and screening, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, long-term follow up for recurrent disease and research and clinical trials.”
The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 1.3 million cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2005. Currently, there are more than 1,400 CoC-Approved Cancer Programs in the United States and Puerto Rico, representing close to 25 percent of all hospitals. This 25 percent of hospitals diagnose and/or treat 80 percent of newly diagnosed cancer patients each year.
“Given the fact that only 25 percent of all hospitals in the country have gained CoC approval and the fact that Randolph Cancer Center was one of only 39 programs to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award, it is clearly evident that the Randolph Cancer Center represents the very best in cancer care,” said Dr. Robert McGee, pathologist and cancer coordinator.
The Randolph Cancer Center is a joint venture between Randolph Hospital and Moses Cone Health System and provides comprehensive cancer care to Randolph County.