News Releases

July 2, 2008
Enoch Callaway Cancer Clinic Earns Commendations from Commission on Cancer

The Enoch Callaway Cancer Clinic earned six commendations from the Commission on Cancer during its inspection for accreditation. The Commission reviews cancer programs nationwide every three years. scoring them on 36 standards in eight categories.

Approval is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of quality cancer care and have undergone a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance by a physician surveyor. Approval for accreditation with commendations represents a facility that upholds even higher standards than the Commission in several areas.

The cancer program, which has been accredited since 1988, earned commendations for its annual report as well as its cancer staging, patient guidelines, cancer prevention and early detection programs, cancer registry staff education, and performance improvements.

"This is a great recognition not only for the cancer clinic but for our dedicated physicians, nurses, clinicians and staff whose work is so integral to the success of this program," said cancer clinic administrator George Kish.

A facility that has a Commission on Cancer-approved Cancer Program ensures that patients will have access to: comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment; a multispecialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options; information about ongoing clinical trails and new treatment options; access to cancer-related information, education and support; a cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results and offers lifelong patient follow-up; and ongoing monitoring and improvement of care.

Only about 1,500 of the approximately 5,000 hospitals were cancer patients are treated in this country are accredited through the Commission on Cancer.

With the addition of the new Cancer Care Navigator service line, the linear accelerator radiation therapy vault, and other recent renovations and expansions of the cancer clinic, Oncology Services Director Charlene McClanahan said the distinction gives further validity to the resources and level of expertise available at the Enoch Callaway Cancer Clinic.

"We have a long history of achievement built on providing compassionate, supportive and high-quality health care and advanced medical technology to thousands of patients each year." said McClanahan. "Our mission has always been to improve the survival and quality of life for all cancer patients and many of the cancer-related services—from diagnosis to treatment to post-treatment care and monitoring—can be taken care of here in LaGrange, so patients don't have to travel many miles to a larger city."

The Commission on Cancer was established by the American College of Surgeons in 1922. A consortium of professional organizations, The Commission is 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 40 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of cancer care.