Sarah Cannon Cancer Centers Earn Cancer’s “Outstanding Achievement Award” from American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer

Only Hospitals in Middle Tennessee to Earn Top Honors

March 30, 2009 – Three of TriStar Health System’s Sarah Cannon Cancer Centers earned the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC) 2008 Outstanding Achievement Award. The honor recognizes those cancer programs that demonstrate exceptional care for cancer patients. The Sarah Cannon Cancer Centers at StoneCrest Medical Center, Southern Hills Medical Center and Horizon Medical Center were the only hospitals in Middle Tennessee to earn the top honors. Last year, Summit Medical Center was the only cancer program in the entire state to receive the prestigious recognition.

“We are extremely proud to be the only cancer programs in Middle Tennessee recognized with the highest national cancer honor,” said Rocky Billups, administrator for TriStar’s Sarah Cannon Cancer Center Network. “We continually strive to provide the highest quality care for our patients through our network of cancer centers that provide services to patients in convenient and accessible locations. This award demonstrates the comprehensive scope of our cancer program and is a tribute to the team of doctors and staff that provide the highest level of cancer care in the region.”

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. A facility receives the Outstanding Achievement Award following on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor during which the facility demonstrates a high level of compliance with standards that represent the full scope of the cancer program (cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, community outreach, professional education, and quality improvement).

“The skill and dedication of the more than 100 cancer specialists who are a part of The Sarah Cannon Cancer Center Network is supported by the cancer network’s unwavering commitment to rapidly invest in the most advance diagnostic and treatment technologies that have been proven effective,” said Jeff Patton, M.D. medical director for Tennessee Oncology. “A world-class team of doctors nurses and staff all work together to ensure patients have the best possible care, and that our patients benefit from access to the very latest cancer research and clinical trials. This award recognizes that dedication and quality care.”

About The Sarah Cannon Cancer Center Network

The Sarah Cannon Cancer Center (SCCC) is a network of 9 affiliated medical centers in Tennessee and Southern Kentucky that provide diagnosis and treatment to cancer patients. Through The Sarah Cannon Cancer Center and its network of over 100 medical oncologists, gyn-oncologists, hematologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists and surgeons in 2 states, more patients are benefiting from life-saving cancer diagnosis and treatment. The Sarah Cannon Cancer Center Network diagnosed and treated more than 4000 newly diagnosed patients last year. Through its affiliation with Sarah Cannon Research Institute, SCCC helps its patients gain access to research studies and oncology clinical trial programs.

About the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer
Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the Commission on Cancer 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 40 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of cancer care.

The Approvals Program, a component of the CoC, sets quality-of-care standards for cancer programs and reviews the programs to ensure that they conform to those standards. Approval by the CoC is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of quality cancer care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance. To maintain approval, facilities with CoC-approved cancer programs must undergo an on-site review every three years.

Receiving care at a CoC-approved cancer program ensures that a patient will have access to:

• comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment;
• a multi-specialty team approach to coordinate the best treatment options;
• information about ongoing clinical trials 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;
• ongoing monitoring and improvement of care; and
• quality care close to home.

For more information about The Sarah Cannon Cancer Center Network and the programs and services offered, go to www.sarahcannon.com