For Immediate Release: April. 11, 2010

Grady’s Cancer Center for Excellence receives Outstanding Achievement Award from the American College of Surgeons

Contact: Denise Simpson
Phone: (404) 616-6855
E-mail: dsimpson@gmh.edu

Contact: Cory Suzan Petty
Phone: (312) 202-5328
E-mail: pressinquiry@facs.org

The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons has granted its Outstanding Achievement Award to the Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence at Grady Memorial Hospital as a result of surveys performed during 2010. This makes Grady Memorial Hospital one of a select group of 90 hospitals across the United States with accredited cancer programs being honored.

"Earning the Outstanding Achievement Award further verifies the high quality, multi-disciplinary cancer care we deliver to our patients treated in the Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence (GCCE) at Grady each year," says Dr. Roland Matthews, cancer center medical director. "We are all exceptionally proud of the quality metrics, in excess of 90 percent for clinical measures, which led to our achievement of this honor."

Established in 2004, the CoC Outstanding Achievement Award (OAA) is designed to recognize cancer programs that strive for excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients. The award is granted to facilities that demonstrate a Commendation level of compliance with seven standards representing six areas of cancer program activity: cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical management, research, community outreach, and quality improvement.

Grady is one of 90 programs to receive the OAA as a result of surveys performed in 2010. This number represents approximately 17 percent of programs surveyed during this period. A majority of recipients are community-based facilities; however, teaching hospitals, NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, Pediatric, and Network Cancer Programs also received the award.

About Grady Health System
Grady Health System is one of the largest public health systems in the United States. Grady consists of the 953-bed Grady Memorial Hospital, eight neighborhood health centers, Crestview Health & Rehabilitation Center - and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, which is operated as a Children's affiliate.

With its nationally acclaimed Emergency Department and Burn Unit, Grady Health System has the only level I trauma center in the region and serves as the 911 ambulance provider for the city of Atlanta. The state's only Poison Center is housed at Grady, as well.

The Diabetes Detection & Control Center, Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence, Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, Joint Commission Certified Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center and the Avon Foundation Comprehensive Breast Center are also notable components of the health system. Moreover, Grady's Infectious Disease Program was named one of the top three HIV/AIDS outpatient clinics in the country.

Other exceptional medical services include Grady's Regional Perinatal Center and its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the Primary Care Center, a dedicated 60 Plus service line for older adults, Teen Services, and the Rape Crisis Center.

About the Commission on Cancer

Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the Commission on Cancer is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education, and the monitoring of comprehensive quality care. Its membership includes Fellows of the American College of Surgeons and representatives of 47 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of cancer care.

The CoC provides the public with information on the resources, services, and cancer treatment experience for each CoC-accredited cancer program. This information is shared with the public on the Cancer Programs page of the American College of Surgeons website at http://www.facs.org/cancer/index.html and through the American Cancer Society National Cancer Information Center at 1-800-ACS-2345.

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