Healthy Living Newsletter
Mercy Named...“Best in Cancer Care”
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| Krishna Valjee, MD and Kanu Dalal,
MD Co-Chairs, Mercy Cancer Committee |
Patients searching for quality cancer care close to home
need look no further. Mercy Hospital’s oncology program
has been recognized by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of
the American College of Surgeons as offering the very best
in cancer care.
For nearly 20 years, the Mercy Regional Cancer Center has
provided an array of outstanding cancer services, from prevention
to diagnosis and treatment, Mercy’s program was once
again recognized by the CoC and received a three-year recertification
with commendation.
“Participation in this voluntary certification program
provides a comparative distinction with other cancer care
leaders,” explains Kanu Dalal, MD, Radiation Oncologist,
and Co-Chair of the Mercy Cancer Committee. “At Mercy,
we share the leadership distinction of being a CoC certified
program with other oncology programs including Karmanos
Cancer Institute, Henry Ford Health System, Michigan State
University, University of Michigan and even the nationally
renowned Mayo Clinic. What’s important to note, patients
can receive this outstanding cancer care from a CoC certified
program right here in this community.”
Mercy Regional Cancer Center was presented commendation
for its oncology program in a number of areas including:
outcome analysis performed by the Mercy Cancer Committee;
clinical trial accrual through the Mercy Institutional Review
Board (IRB) and it’s partnerships with Blue Water
Oncology, PC; prevention and detection programs; cancer
registry continuing education; and its outstanding cancer-related
improvements which were defined as “impressive”
in the CoC-issued recertification document.
“This outstanding achievement is the result of dedicated
cancer care staff, physicians and managers,” comments
Peter Karadjoff, Mercy Hospital’s President and CEO.
“Only 25 percent of hospitals across the nation receive
this type of award. Based on this CoC data, the Mercy Regional
Cancer Center truly stands out as a leader in cancer care.”
“Many in the community have already come to know
Mercy for its outstanding cancer services,” comments
Krishna Valjee, MD, a local surgeon with St. Clair Surgical
Group, PC, and Co-Chair of the Mercy Cancer Committee. “Mercy’s
program continues to expand its high-tech diagnostic and
treatment programs. It is the only center in St. Clair County
to offer radiation therapy; access to a 32-Slice CT Scanner
which aids in surgical and medical treatments; and PET-CT
for diagnosis and treatment monitoring. It also offers access
to a host of compassionate and highly-trained cancer care
professionals.”
To find out more about the extensive cancer care programs
and services provided through the Mercy Regional Cancer
Center, talk with your doctor today about being referred
to Mercy, a leader in cancer care.
What is the Commission on Cancer?
The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College
of Surgeons is a consortium of 40 professional organizations
dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for
cancer patients through standard setting, prevention, research,
education and the monitoring of comprehensive quality cancer
care.
CoC certification is presented only to oncology programs,
such as the Mercy Regional Cancer Center, that demonstrate
commitment to quality care and provide on-going improvement
and public accountability for the care and service they
provide.
CoC-approved facilities are responsible for diagnosing
and treating 80 percent of the estimated 1.3 million individuals
diagnosed across the nation with cancer each year.
The CoC Approvals Program is widely recognized by national
organizations, such as the Joint Commission on the Accreditation
of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) and the American Cancer
Society.
“The American Cancer Society (ACS) believes that
all Americans should have access to high quality cancer
care, ensuring the best outcomes,” states Harmon Eyre,
MD, of the American Cancer Society, Inc.
“As such, the ACS supports the CoC Approvals Program
and is openly referring patients to hospitals with [CoC]
Approved Cancer Programs,” he says.
Mercy Hospital’s oncology program has been obtaining
CoC recertification for nearly 20 years. It was first certified
by the CoC as a leader in cancer care in 1987.
Extensive work, performed on a continual basis throughout
the three-year certification, is required to obtain recertification,
including on-going cancer data collection and reporting,
expansion of cancer diagnosis and treatment technologies
to maintain state-of-the-art services; and the provision
of highly-trained and certified staff and physicians.
To find out more about the CoC Approval Program, visit
the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.
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