[Skip to Content]

University Hospital earns commendation for cancer care; scores highest in key areas

SYRACUSE, N.Y. —University Hospital, the teaching hospital of SUNY Upstate Medical University, has been granted a three-year approval award with commendation by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons in recognition of the quality and caliber of the its cancer program. University is the only hospital in Syracuse with a cancer program accredited by the American College of Surgeons.

The Commission on Cancer reserved its highest marks—compliance with commendation—for University Hospital in many areas, including cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research community outreach and quality improvement. The commendation designation follows a rigorous review of the cancer program's operations and care standards.

"This approval for our cancer program illustrates the commitment of the hospital administration and its medical staff to the integrated care of cancer patients both within the hospital system and in the community," said Leslie J. Kohman, M.D., vice chair of the cancer committee at University Hospital.

The commendation ensures that all patients receiving cancer care at University Hospital have access to comprehensive care, including to state-of-the-art services and equipment; a multidisciplinary team approach to treatment; information on clinical trials and new treatment options; cancer-related information; support and education; and a cancer registry that collects data on cancers, treatment and offers lifelong patient follow-up.

Among its many functions, the Commission on Cancer sets standards of quality for patient care and surveys facilities to evaluate compliance with 36 standards set by the commission. Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the Commission on Cancer is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival rates 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.

University Hospital, which treats more than 16,000 cancer patients for current and supportive care annually, offers comprehensive cancer treatments for a broad range of cancers, including thoracic, breast, brain, spine, blood, bone, gynecologic and genitourinary.

Top