Renewal marks hospital’s 51st year of providing local quality cancer care
The oncology program at Gifford Medical Center has received accreditation renewal from the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons through 2019.
CoC accreditation is given only to facilities committed to providing the highest level of quality cancer care. Gifford received the three-year accreditation following an on-site evaluation to review compliance with 34 CoC quality care standards in areas including cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, community outreach, and quality improvement. Accredited programs also must demonstrate that all of the professionals involved—surgeons, medical oncologists, radiologists and other staff—are working together to deliver the highest level of patient care possible. The program performance report noted the unique skills and expertise of Gifford’s physicians and staff, and the excellent cancer care they provide to the community.
“Gifford is one of the smallest hospitals in nation to hold CoC accreditation, and we’ve done so since 1965,” said Rebecca O’Berry, vice-president of surgery and operations at Gifford. “Our entire oncology team participates in this comprehensive evaluation and on-site performance review. We’re proud of this confirmation that we have the same quality of services found at larger facilities, but we offer this care close to home, with a compassionate support team our patients know and feel comfortable with.”
Gifford’s oncology services include:
- Cancer care from experienced oncologist Dr. Eswar Tipirneni;
- Compassionate and specially certified oncology nurses;
- Planning options for cancer treatment following a diagnosis;
- Outpatient chemotherapy;
- Some treatments for hematology conditions, such as anemia.
For more information visit www.giffordhealthcare.org, or call (802) 728-2253
