News & Events

News Releases

News Bulletin List > View Bulletin

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD GIVEN TO GOSHEN HEALTH SYSTEM’S CANCER PROGRAM
Posted on: 4/29/2005 4:24:51 PM

For more information on the Center for Cancer Care, we invite you to visit our website.

GOSHEN, INDIANA (April 29, 2005) --- Nearly 1.4 million Americans will discover they have cancer this year. They will be searching for outstanding cancer experts with top technology and services, combined with compassionate care and ongoing support. The Center for Cancer Care at Goshen Health System has been awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award and additional commendations on their 2004 accreditation by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons (CoC). Only seven percent of approved cancer hospitals in the United States earn this Outstanding award.

"We earned a full three-year approval from the Commission on Cancer in October 2004 with five commendations. In early 2005, we earned two additional commendations which made us eligible to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award," states Douglas J. Schwartzentruber, MD, FACS, Medical Director and Surgical Oncologist for CCC.

"Receiving this distinction within the first five years of our program is like going from zero to in 60 a matter of seconds," states James O. Dague, FACHE, President and CEO, Goshen Health System. "This is just a glimpse of the caliber of care our physicians and staff provide."

"The Center for Cancer Care sought approval because we wanted to acknowledge the commitment and dedication we have for providing the best cancer care to every patient," adds Dr. Schwartzentruber. The Outstanding achievement award is a reflection of everyone involved in providing care to patients here. The colleagues of Goshen Health System have an ongoing commitment to providing excellent services to our community," he said.

To meet the standards necessary for commission approval, each cancer program and managing organization undergo a rigorous evaluation process. Approval by the CoC is given only to facilities like the Center for Cancer Care that commit to providing the best in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
The CoC Outstanding Achievement Award is a special recognition granted to the approved cancer programs that take the next step in striving for superior excellence in cancer care. The CoC encourages the recipients to pass along their qualities of excellence by communicating and sharing best practices with other cancer programs.

Receiving care at the CoC-approved Center for Cancer Care assures that patients will have access to:

• • Quality care close to home.
  • Comprehensive care offering a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment.
  • A multidisciplinary team approach to coordinate the best treatment options available to cancer patients.
  • Participation in cancer clinical trials, education and support.
  • Lifelong patient follow-up through a cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results.
  • Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care.

The Center for Cancer Care is a leader in innovative cancer treatment. They were among the first to adopt a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment. They offer wholistic programs for strengthening minds as well as bodies, place a premium on family involvement and spiritual needs, and encourage patients to play a decision-making role in treatment selection. CCC has specially trained surgical oncologists, a breast surgeon, medical oncologists, a radiation oncologist, naturopathic practitioners and highly distinguished Magnet designated nurses. CCC is the only provider in northern Indiana with three surgical oncologists on staff.

The Center for Cancer Care is a member of Goshen Health System. Goshen Health System is a not-for-profit provider of health care that includes Goshen General Hospital, The Retreat Women’s Health Center, Center for Cancer Care, Park Home Medical Equipment, Healthy Generations, TEAM:BARIATRICS, Care at Home and Hospice Services, and Indiana Lakes Managed Care Organization. The health system is an affiliate partner of Clarian Health, which includes Indiana University Hospital, Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis and Riley Hospital for Children.

For more information about Goshen Health System, contact Art Wager, Director of Marketing, at 574-535-2638 or visit their web site at www.goshenhealth.com.