Oak Lawn, Ill. – The Cancer Institute at Advocate Christ Medical Center is “outstanding.”
At least, that’s the word from the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons, which just named Advocate Christ Medical Center one of 84 recipients of its national Outstanding Achievement Award. The award “recognizes cancer programs that strive for excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients.”
Award recipients were determined following on-site accreditation reviews of their programs last year (2012) by representatives of the CoC. To be eligible for the award, a facility had to demonstrate a “commendation-level of compliance” with seven key CoC standards encompassing the full scope of cancer programs, including cancer leadership, data management, clinical services, research, community outreach and quality improvement. Additionally, the hospital or medical center had to receive a compliance rating for 29 other standards.
The CoC awarded a three-year re-accreditation with commendation to the Christ Medical Center Cancer Institute following CoC surveyors’ on-site review of the campus’ cancer programs last year.
The Cancer Institute’s selection for a national award is not surprising considering its emergence as a destination center for treatment of patients with complex cancers, according to Institute leaders. During the past several years, the Institute has successfully recruited world-class cancer specialists; expanded its gynecologic oncology program, including growth in the use of minimally invasive technology; launched development of a major melanoma treatment program; and acquired advanced technology, like intraoperative electron radiation therapy (IOERT) for improved tumor control and better survival rates.
“Being presented an Outstanding Achievement Award by the prestigious CoC is truly testament to our level of expertise in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer and to the skill and commitment of our Institute’s entire team of professionals and support staff,” said Adam I. Riker MD FACS, medical director of the Christ Medical Center Cancer Institute.
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About Advocate Christ Medical Center
Advocate Christ Medical Center is part of Advocate Health Care, which is one of the nation’s leading health care networks. A not-for-profit, 694-bed, premier teaching institution with more than 1,000 affiliated physicians, Christ Medical Center is a leader in health care and one of the major referral hospitals in the Midwest in a number of specialties, including cardiovascular services, heart and kidney transplantation, neurosciences, oncology, orthopedics and women’s health. The hospital also has one of the busiest Level I trauma centers in Illinois providing emergency care for more than 90,000 patient visits annually and is a leader in breakthrough technologies, including eICU® (electronic intensive care unit) monitoring, robotic da Vinci Surgery System® and CyberKnife® Radiosurgery. In both 2012 and 2013, the medical center was named to the Truven Health 100 Top Hospitals®, while U.S. News & World Report ranked the medical center among the nation’s leading providers for cardiology and heart surgery and for geriatric medicine and ranked it fourth overall among hospitals in the state of Illinois. The hospital is also recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a Magnet Center. Magnet status represents the highest honor in the nursing profession. To obtain more information or to visit our newsroom, log on to: www.advocatehealth.com/christ.