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Awards and Accreditations

Cancer Program Honored Nationally
June 11, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BMC CANCER PROGRAM RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT PITTSFIELD, MA – The Cancer Program at Berkshire Medical Center has been honored by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons with an Outstanding Achievement Award – the only program in Massachusetts so recognized for 2006. The award is designed to recognize programs that strive for excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients. In all, 31 cancer programs were honored nationally by the Commission on Cancer, which represents approximately six percent of the programs surveyed by the Commission in 2006. BMC was one of only three in New England to receive the honor. “The work of our cancer committee and cancer program is exemplary,” said Helen Downey, Chief Operating Officer of BMC. “This team of dedicated physicians and staff has set the bar very high when it comes to caring for our cancer patients, and it’s not surprising that they now have been recognized nationally for their tremendous efforts on behalf of our community.” Receiving care at a Commission on Cancer-approved program ensures that a patient has access to comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and technology; a multi-specialty team approach to coordinate the best treatment options; information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options; access to cancer-related information, education and support; a cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results and offers lifelong patient follow-up; ongoing monitoring and improvement of care; and quality care close to home. There are over 1,400 Commission on Cancer-approved cancer programs in the United States and Puerto Rico, representing close to 25% of all hospitals. Approval by the Commission on Cancer is given only to those hospitals that have voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of quality cancer care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of performance. The American College of Surgeons established the Commission on Cancer in 1922. The Commission is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival rates 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 40 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of cancer care.