For Immediate Release
May 20, 2008

BUFFALO, NY - Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) is one of 66 facilities nationwide to be honored with a 2007 Commission on Cancer (CoC) Outstanding Achievement Award, placing the Institute among the top 15 percent of all the programs surveyed.

The CoC Outstanding Achievement Award was established in 2004 to recognize cancer programs that strive for excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients.

Roswell Park was honored following an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor who found that the Institute demonstrated a Commendation Level of Compliance with seven standards that represent the full scope of the cancer program, including cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, community outreach and quality improvement. In addition, Roswell Park demonstrated a compliance rating for the other remaining 29 standards.

“Roswell Park thanks the Commission on Cancer for this prestigious award,” said Donald L. Trump, MD, FACP, President & CEO, RPCI. “This recognition acknowledges and validates the expertise and dedication of the faculty and staff as they daily provide excellent compassionate care to cancer patients.”

CoC notes that receiving care at a CoC-approved cancer program ensures that a patient will have access to comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment, a multispecialty team approach to coordinate the best treatment options, information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options, access to cancer-relation information, education and support, a cancer registry, ongoing monitoring and improvement of care and quality care close to home.

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 cancer care. For more information, visit the CoC website at www.facs.org/cancer/oindex.html.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers. Roswell Park has affiliate sites and collaborative programs both nationally and internationally. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org.

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