ACI Awarded Commission on Cancer Outstanding Achievement Award

SAVANNAH, Ga. (April 4, 2007) – The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons has recognized the Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute (ACI)* at Memorial Health University Medical Center as a 2006 CoC Outstanding Achievement Award recipient. This places the ACI in the top six percent of cancer centers surveyed. Only 30 programs received the OAA as a result of surveys performed in 2006.

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. A facility receives the award following an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor during which the facility demonstrates a “commendation level of compliance.” ACI was found to be compliant with the standards set by the CoC including cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, community outreach, and quality improvement. In addition, ACI received a compliance rating for the remaining 29 standards.

“Our goal continues to be to provide world-class cancer treatment in this region. This award signifies that we have succeeded in striving for excellence with our ability to provide quality care to cancer patients – that has been our goal,” said Robert A. Colvin, president and CEO of Memorial Health.

“We are extremely proud of this award as it recognizes not only the high standards and full scope of our cancer program but also the skill and dedication of our staff” said ACI Director Jeff Boyd, PhD.

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.
Memorial Health is a two-state healthcare organization serving a 35-county area in southeast Georgia and southern South Carolina. The system includes its flagship Memorial Health University Medical Center, a 530-bed tertiary medical center; CareOne, its two-state home care division; Memorial Health University Physicians, the area's largest group practice; a major medical education program; business and industry services; and NurseOne, a 24-hour call center. Memorial Health is the only healthcare system in the country to be named a Distinguished Hospital by J.D. Power and Associates and a “100 Best Companies to Work For” by Fortune Magazine. Visit the Memorial Health Web site at www.memorialhealth.com.

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*The Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute at Memorial Health University Medical Center is not affiliated with the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.