Caritas Cancer Center Recognized by American College of Surgeons

SPRINGFIELD — The Sr. Caritas Cancer Center at Mercy Medical Center has long been committed to providing high-quality care with a personal touch, and now another national organization is renewing its recognition of the program. The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons has again granted three-year accreditation with commendation to the cancer program at Mercy.

In order to attain this achievement, the facility must demonstrate a ‘commendation’ level of performance during an on-site survey, regarding one or more standards that represent the full scope of the cancer program. These standards include cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, community outreach, and quality improvement. The facility must also receive a compliance rating for all other standards.

“This accreditation is further confirmation of the Sr. Caritas Cancer Center’s commitment to the community and to patients with cancer seen at our facility,” said Dr. Catherine Carton, medical director of the center and chairperson of the cancer program. “We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of our cancer program team and those who support our ongoing efforts to help cancer patients receive the best possible outcomes.”

The Commission on Cancer is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients through standard setting, prevention, research, education, and the monitoring of comprehensive, quality care. It was established by the American College of Surgeons in 1922.

The Sr. Caritas Cancer Center was also awarded a three-year accreditation in radiation oncology by the American College of Radiology earlier this year. The ACR awards accreditation to facilities for the achievement of high practice standards based on evaluations by board-certified radiation oncologists and medical physicists.