The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons has granted its 2014 Outstanding Achievement Award to a select group of 75 accredited cancer programs throughout the United States. Medical Center, Navicent Health is one of the 75 national cancer programs awarded, and is one of only 25 cancer programs to achieve this award for the second consecutive survey period.

“To be recognized as one of the top 75 cancer programs in the nation is an honor, and we are one of 25 institutions to be accredited two years in a row. That really puts us in a special class! Our desire is that the Peyton Anderson Cancer Center, Navicent Health will become the go-to cancer care provider in the United States. This recognition confirms that we are on our way to reaching that goal,” said Dr. Ninfa M. Saunders, President and CEO of Navicent Health.

Award criteria were based on qualitative and quantitative surveys conducted last year. The purpose of the award is to raise the bar on quality cancer care, with the ultimate goal of increasing awareness about quality care choices among cancer patients and their loved ones.  In addition, the award is intended to:

• Recognize those cancer programs that achieve excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients.
• Motivate other cancer programs to work toward improving their level of care.
• Facilitate dialogue between award recipients and health care professionals at other cancer facilities for the purpose of sharing best practices.
• Encourage honorees to serve as quality-care resources to other cancer programs.

“More and more, we’re finding that patients and their families want to know how the healthcare institutions in their communities compare with one another. They want access to information in terms of who’s providing the best quality of care, and they want to know about overall patient outcomes. Through this recognition program, I’d like to think we’re playing a small, but vital role, in helping them make informed decisions on their cancer care,” said Daniel P. McKellar, MD, FACS, Chair of the CoC.

MCNH and the other award-winning cancer care programs represent approximately 15 percent of programs surveyed by the CoC in 2014.

“These 75 cancer programs currently represent the best of the best when it comes to cancer care,” said Dr. McKellar. “Each of these facilities is not just meeting nationally recognized standards for the delivery of quality cancer care - they are exceeding them.”

"This award serves to validate the great work done at the Peyton Anderson Cancer Center, Navicent Health to develop a comprehensive approach to cancer management. This approach crosses the domains of screening, diagnosis and modern multidisciplinary care for those in need. As we continue to grow, this will only serve as further impetus to the creation of excellence in our extended service area. Our mission will be ultimately fulfilled when each and every person in need has access to the highest quality of service, right here in Macon," said Dr. Frederick M Schnell, Director of Navicent Health’s Georgia Cancer Coalition Grant and Medical Director of Oncology Services, Navicent Health.

For a list of these award-winning cancer programs visit: https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/cancer/accredited/about/outstanding/2014.