Care Focused on Patients, Not Just Their Cancers, Leads to National Recognition

News Release

Care Focused on Patients, Not Just Their Cancers, Leads to National Recognition

Cuerpo

Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care has earned one of the highest honors for a cancer center:  a Three-Year Accreditation with Gold Level Commendation from the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons. This designation is one of the most respected nationwide for cancer care. It is a reflection of not only outstanding clinical care and outcomes, but also unparalleled social and emotional support for patients struggling through a cancer diagnosis.    

“Our focus is the patient and their support system, not just the cancer,” said Shalom Kalnicki, M.D., professor and chair, Department of Radiation Oncology, Montefiore Einstein, and chair of the Cancer Committee. “Working with the National Cancer Institute-designated Albert Einstein Cancer Center – and supported by Montefiore Einstein leadership, we have more research underway than ever before to identify and address all aspects of the disease, including barriers that prevent people from making a full return to being  productive members of society.”

To earn voluntary CoC accreditation, a cancer program must meet or exceed 34 CoC quality care standards, be evaluated every three years, and maintain levels of excellence in the quality of patient care, including prevention, education, research and  survivorship. Surveyors singled out  Montefiore for its excellent breast cancer and bone marrow transplant research. Montefiore was also celebrated for its wide-ranging programs addressing  stress, and  education efforts tied to collecting and sharing  community data.

“The high marks from the CoC exemplify how we advocate for the very best care for everyone,” said Linda Fisher, director, Cancer Registry Services. “I couldn’t be prouder of our team, and that includes our patients and their loved ones. They are on the front lines fighting cancer and all the side effects and stress that comes with it. Their bravery inspires us every day to provide the absolute best care we can.” 

Montefiore, now joins an exclusive group of centers with Three-Year Accreditation and Commendation status, and also just earned the CoC’s “Outstanding Achievement Award” for quality care. Only six percent of CoC designated programs surveyed in 2017, earned the outstanding achievement award.

Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving patient outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients. This is achieved  through standard-setting, prevention, research, education, and  monitoring  of comprehensive, quality care. For more information, visit: www.facs.org/cancer

For more information on Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care, visit http://www.montefiore.org/cancer or call 718-862-8840.