| NORTHAMPTON — The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer has awarded Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s Cancer Care Program a three-year accreditation and eight commendations. This year was the first time in the program’s 30-year history that it has received eight commendations, the maximum number that can be awarded to a community hospital-based cancer program.
The three-year approval with accreditation is awarded when a program fully complies with all 36 mandatory standards and receives a commendation rating in one or more of the eligible standards. Director MaryEllen Walsh said the distinction means that the program will be evaluated for eligibility to receive the Commission on Cancer’s Outstanding Achievement Award.
Walsh credits the 2008 survey’s overwhelming success to Patti O’Brien, the cancer registrar, as well as “a dedicated team who place Cooley Dickinson’s patients and families as the number one priority in all aspects of cancer care.
“These mandatory standards touch on all aspects of the cancer continuum, including prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, end-of-life care, public awareness, and staff education,” she continued, “and includes detailed documentation on how we meet or exceed those standards.”
The Cancer Care/Radiation Therapy Services physician team includes Drs. George Bowers, medical oncologist/hematologist; Linda Bornstein, radiation oncologist; Lindsay Rockwell, medical oncologist/hematologist; Deborah Smith, medical oncologist; and Robert Stein, radiation oncologist. These physicians work in collaboration with other members of the hospital’s medical staff including surgeons, pathologists, radiologists and other medical specialists.
Support staff include oncology nurses, radiation oncology staff, social workers, case managers, nutritionists, physical therapists, pastoral care providers, and other support staff.
The Cancer Care Program has been accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer since 1978 and is surveyed for accreditation every three years. The program was last accredited in 2006 and received seven commendations. |
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