March 09, 2020
The University of Kansas Cancer Center has once again distinguished itself as one of the nation’s best by earning the 2019 Outstanding Achievement Award from the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer. The cancer center was one of 48 select cancer programs across the country to achieve the distinction. The cancer center last received this recognition in 2013.
The 3-year-award recognizes the outstanding effort and commitment of our cancer center’s clinical and administrative staff to provide high-quality cancer care to our patients. The 48 award-winning cancer care programs represent approximately 7% of the 685 programs surveyed by the CoC.
“These cancer programs currently represent the best of the best when it comes to cancer care,” said Lawrence Shulman, MD, MACP, chair of the CoC. “Each of these facilities is not just meeting nationally recognized standards for the delivery of quality cancer care, they are exceeding them.”
The OAA recognizes cancer programs that strive for excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients. Programs are evaluated on 34 cancer program standards categorized within 1 of 4 cancer program activity areas: cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services and quality improvement.
Programs are further evaluated on 6 commendation standards. Award recipients must have received commendation ratings in all 7 commendation standards, in addition to receiving a compliance rating for each of the 26 remaining cancer program standards.
“It is an honor for us to achieve accreditation from the American College of Surgeons,” said Terry Tsue, MD, vice president and physician in chief of the cancer center. “It signals to patients they will have access to a full scope of subspecialists and services not readily available with other cancer programs.
“Thank you to Dr. Joshua Mammen, and Debbie Fernandez, director of oncology service line quality, and her team for their leadership in monitoring and improving quality at the cancer center and spearheading accreditation preparation,” he added.
“Earning this accreditation is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the cancer center team,” said Jeff Wright, vice president, cancer services. “It lets patients know when they come to The University of Kansas Cancer Center they are receiving the gold standard of care.”