Evergreen Healthcare Receives National Achievement Award from Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons

KIRKLAND, Wash., April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons recently bestowed its Outstanding Achievement Award on Evergreen Healthcare for its dedication to providing excellent quality care to cancer patients. Evergreen Healthcare is one of only two accredited cancer programs in Washington state to receive the award in 2012.

The CoC Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes cancer programs that demonstrate a commendation level of compliance and achievement within six areas of cancer-program activity: cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical management, research, community outreach and quality improvement.  

The award highlights Evergreen's cancer care program as it expands and strengthens its community partnerships with the construction of the Elling and Barbara Halvorson Cancer Center, its new comprehensive cancer facility at its main hospital campus in Kirkland.

"The Commission on Cancer Outstanding Achievement Award validates our ongoing commitment to medical excellence, combined with our leading service programs and great clinical outcomes. We continue to provide the value that our community expects and deserves," said Dr. Michael Hunter, Medical Director of Evergreen's Cancer Program. "We look forward to continuing our tradition of superior treatment with the addition of our new cancer center in the coming months."

The Halvorson Cancer Center, which opens in the fall of 2012, is a 26,000-square-foot center that will coordinate and integrate the most comprehensive cancer services available in one place anywhere on the Eastside through a unique collaboration with Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

Evergreen will continue to provide breakthrough care in radiation and medical oncology, along with its integrated treatment approach that offers an education and resource center, pain management care, nutritional information, social workers to help navigate the process and supportive care services from Seattle non-profit partner Cancer Lifeline.  

Patients will also have on-site access to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance's research programs, including more effective chemotherapy and radiation treatments, new targeted therapies and minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Evergreen is one of more than 1,500 CoC-accredited cancer programs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, representing 30 percent of all hospitals. CoC-accredited facilities diagnose and/or treat more than 70 percent of all newly diagnosed cancer patients each year.

Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving patient outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education and monitoring of comprehensive quality care. Its membership includes Fellows of the American College of Surgeons and representatives of 49 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of cancer care. 

The CoC provides the public with information on the resources, services and cancer treatment experience for each CoC-accredited cancer program through the CoC Hospital Locator and through the American Cancer Society's National Cancer Information Center at 1-800-ACS-2345. For more information about the Commission on Cancer, visit www.facs.org/cancer.

To learn more about cancer care services at Evergreen Healthcare, visit www.evergreenhospital.org/cancer, or call the 24-hour Evergreen Healthline at 425.899.3000.

About Evergreen Healthcare
Evergreen Healthcare, a public hospital district and community-based health care organization established in 1972, offers a breadth of services and programs that is among the most comprehensive in the region. More than 950 physicians provide clinical excellence within more than 80 specialties, including cardiac, oncology, surgical care, orthopedics, a Neuroscience Institute, Women's and Children's services, hospice care, pulmonary care, a Sleep Disorders Center and Home Health services care.  Evergreen serves more than 400,000 residents in its primary service area of northern King and southern Snohomish counties with Evergreen Medical Group, a network of primary and urgent care practices, and Evergreen Hospital Medical Center, its main hospital campus in Kirkland, Wash.  Evergreen also provides emergency care at two sites; its main hospital campus and the Evergreen Redmond Medical Center.  In addition to clinical care, Evergreen offers extensive community health outreach and education programs, anchored by Evergreen Healthline, a 24/7 nurse consultation service. For more information, visit www.evergreenhealthcare.org.

CONTACT:

Ken LeBlond
Program Manager – Public Relations
Evergreen Healthcare
206-899-1886

Cory Susan Petty
Commission on Cancer
312-202-5328

SOURCE Evergreen Healthcare