Only program in Westchester County to receive this honor.

White Plains, NY (April 29, 2010) – The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons has granted its 2009 Outstanding Achievement Award to White Plains Hospital's Cancer Program, at Dickstein Cancer Treatment Center. The Cancer Center is the only program in Westchester County and is one of only 82 accredited and newly accredited cancer programs across the United States to receive this honor.

“We are proud to receive this recognition from the CoC once again,” said Kathy Duffy, RN, Administrative Director, Dickstein Cancer Center. “It really validates what our patients have told us over and over again, that our cancer program is among the best.” The Cancer Program first received the CoC accreditation in 1993 and has received accreditation with commendation in 2006 and again in 2009.

The Outstanding Acheivment award was given to the Cancer Program in 2006 and again at its survey in late 2009.

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. The award is granted to facilities that demonstrate a Commendation level of compliance with six standards that represent five areas of cancer program activity to include cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, research, community outreach and quality improvement.

The level of compliance with the six standards is determined during an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor. In addition, facilities must receive a compliance rating for the remaining 30 cancer program standards. Eighty-two programs received the OAA as a result of surveys performed in 2009. This number represents approximately 18 percent of the 432 programs surveyed during this period.

The CoC 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. Its membership includes Fellows of the American College of Surgeons and representatives of 47 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of cancer care.

Receiving care at a CoC-accredited cancer program ensures that a patient will have access to the full quality range of comprehensive cancer care close to home.