 Providence Cancer Center was recently granted three-year approval as a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program from The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. Approval is given only to those facilities committed to providing the best diagnosis and treatment cancers services and has undergone a rigorous evaluation process and an onsite performance review.
The Cancer Center at Providence Alaska Medical Center is the only approved Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program in Alaska. Only 25 percent of hospital cancer centers in the nation are given this accreditation. This approval is a testament to the exceptional cancer care we currently provide and is one of many accomplishments the Cancer Center at Providence will pursue in its effort to become a true center of excellence. The accreditation program ensures that our patients will have access to high quality, comprehensive care in Alaska including: a range of state-of-the art services and equipment; a multidisciplinary, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options available; information about cancer clinical trials, education, and support; lifelong patient follow-up through cancer registry; and ongoing monitoring and improvement of cancer care. In addition, the Cancer Center team has embarked on building a center that houses these multidisciplinary services. The task force leading the project is made up of both clinical and non-clinical people, community members, and cancer survivors. The task force is in the process of defining a unique approach to care envisioning a center that provides patients and their friends and loved ones the tools they need to cope with the disease both physically and emotionally. Some of these services include: • Medical Oncologists
• Oncology Pharmacists
• Oncology Social Workers
• Navigators
• Clinical Research
• Tumor Registry
• Radiation and Treatments
• Inpatient Unit
• Infusion Services
• Registered Dietitians
• Rehabilitation
• Palliative and Hospice Care
• A network of community cancer resources including screenings and outreach “Our goal is to become the cancer center that patients choose because of our technology in treatment and our comprehensive supportive care. Creating an environment that recognizes our patient’s physical and emotional needs will provide them with a sense of companionship as they work through the many challenges of being diagnosed with cancer; that’s what truly defines a multidisciplinary Cancer Center,” said Pat Lara, Cancer Center administrator. During 2005, the task force will develop plans for an expanded cancer center that will be completed in 2008. Congratulations to the Cancer Center and to all the staff from the many departments who pulled together to make the accreditation a reality.
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