MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper’s Rectal Cancer Program has been accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer — the only hospital in the state to be so designated, and one of only 29 hospitals in the U.S. to achieve the honor.
NAPRC accreditation is awarded by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer to rectal cancer programs that take a multidisciplinary team approach to care and meet exacting standards for continuous quality improvement, evidence-based treatment and surgical expertise. Programs seeking this prestigious recognition undergo a rigorous evaluation and review of their performance and compliance with NAPRC Standards.
Dr. Steven McClane, head of the division of colorectal surgery and director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Program at MD Anderson at Cooper, said the hospital was thrilled by the recognition.
“MD Anderson at Cooper is honored to be among a small number of rectal cancer programs in the country to have earned this accreditation, which is a result of our entire multidisciplinary team’s commitment to excellence,” he said.
Cooper University Health Care co-CEO Kevin O’Dowd said the award is a testament to the team.
“It is with great pride that MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper earns another national recognition,” he said. “This accreditation is the gold standard for clinical excellence in the treatment of rectal cancer. The MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper team is honored to be the first in New Jersey and among a select few hospitals nationwide to earn this elite distinction.”
As a fully integrated clinical partner of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, one of the nation’s top cancer hospitals, MD Anderson at Cooper offers a full range of prevention and treatment options for rectal cancer and other gastrointestinal malignancies. MD Anderson at Cooper’s multidisciplinary team of gastroenterologists, colon and rectal surgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and other cancer specialists collaborate to develop and implement a personalized treatment plan for each patient.
“Our goal at MD Anderson at Cooper is to transform cancer care for patients in the state and region, and this latest milestone is a testament to the commitment of our team to provide advanced cancer care to our patients,” Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli, co-CEO of Cooper, said.
