(Baton Rouge, La.) – The American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer (CoC) is a gold standard accreditation that recognizes comprehensive, high-quality and multidisciplinary patient-centered cancer care. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center was recently accredited by the CoC, reaffirming its status among the United States’ elite cancer centers.
The accreditation covers all Mary Bird Perkins locations in southwest Louisiana and Natchez, Miss. To gain accreditation, cancer centers undergo a rigorous evaluation process to ensure they comply with CoC guidelines. The CoC only recognizes leading cancer centers that provide across the board care, from prevention to survivorship and beyond.
“This accreditation demonstrates how we continue to transform with the industry while providing leading-edge care,” said Daniel LaVie, M.D., medical director of hematology and medical oncology, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “Through various cancer-related programs, ranging from prevention to treatment, we provide a full range of services to help improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer.”
To earn CoC accreditation cancer programs must meet a wide range of CoC quality care standards, be evaluated every three years through a survey process, and maintain levels of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive patient-centered care. Patients must be offered a full range of diagnostic, treatment, and supportive services.
Being a CoC-accredited cancer center demonstrates Mary Bird Perkins’ use of a multidisciplinary approach in treating cancer, involving consultation among surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, diagnostic radiologists, pathologists, and other cancer specialists.
When patients receive care at a CoC facility, they also have access to information on clinical trials and new treatments, genetic counseling, and patient-centered services including a patient navigation process.
“Our team is honored to once again receive accreditation from the Commission on Cancer,” said Jodi Conachen, chief operating officer, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “Not only does this validate the hard work of all our team members across the organization, but it demonstrates our commitment to providing patients with the best possible care throughout their cancer journey.”
There are currently more than 1,500 CoC-accredited cancer programs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving patient outcomes 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. For more information, visit: facs.org/cancer.
About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is Louisiana’s largest cancer care organization and has been leading the fight against cancer for more than 50 years. Founded in Baton Rouge in 1971 by a group of community leaders, the Cancer Center now serves every region of Louisiana and communities across southwest Mississippi. With the most expansive team of highly-trained oncologists leveraging innovative therapies and technologies, Mary Bird Perkins is offering the most personalized treatment options available in the Gulf South. The Cancer Center’s emphasis on community-based care allows patients to access these resources close to home. From early detection through our innovative Prevention on the Go screening and education program, to diagnosis, treatment and life after cancer, Mary Bird Perkins offers a wide array of individualized support services to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer. For more information, visit marybird.org.