Mercy Receives Commission On Cancer Outstanding Achievement Award
Cancer center is only area hospital – and one of just 95 facilities nationwide – to earn recognition of excellence

Canton, Ohio: The American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer (CoC) recently awarded Mercy Medical Center Cancer Center a 2008 Outstanding Achievement Award for excellence in cancer care.

Mercy is the only area hospital – and one of just 95 facilities nationwide – to earn the award, along with the CoC’s three-year re-accreditation with commendation. Fewer than 20 percent of cancer programs in the United States attain this superior recognition.

Karen Coughlin, administrative director of Mercy Cancer Center, is deeply gratified by the CoC award and evaluation. She says, “Following the commission’s survey last November, Mercy was deemed to be in full compliance with all 36 care standards, and we received commendation for all eight eligible commendation standards. That, in addition to the award, is a testament to the efforts of our highly qualified physicians and staff members, who consistently provide cutting-edge, compassionate care for our cancer patients.”

The CoC assesses cancer programs for six areas of activity, including cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, community outreach and quality improvement.

The CoC re-accreditation and achievement award mean that area communities can be certain Mercy offers the best cancer care available anywhere, says Edward J. Walsh, M.D., medical director of cancer services.  

“CoC approval is given only to those facilities that voluntarily commit to excellent cancer care and a rigorous review of their performance,” he notes. “Receiving care at a CoC-approved cancer program ensures that a patient will have access to the full spectrum of quality, comprehensive cancer care close to home.”

Through an exclusive partnership with the American Cancer Society, the CoC provides the public with information on the resources, services and cancer treatment experience for each CoC-approved cancer program. This information is shared with the public on the ACS Web site at www.cancer.org and through the ACS National Cancer Information Center at 1-800-ACS-2345.