Poudre Valley Hospital’s cancer program has been awarded the 2009 Commission on Cancer (CoC) Outstanding Achievement award.

Only 18 percent of cancer programs surveyed nationwide received this prestigious designation. The PVH program, the Cancer Network, is the only cancer program in Colorado to earn the honor.

JoAnn Lovins, oncology services director for the PVH Cancer Network, said the award helps people know that a cancer program has great quality. Among community-based cancer programs across the country, the PVH program is, as Lovins pointed out, “In the top layer. We are in an elite class.”

Approval by the CoC is given only to those cancer programs that voluntarily commit to providing the highest level of quality cancer care. The programs go through a rigorous evaluation process and review of performance outcomes. To maintain approval, CoC-approved cancer programs must undergo an on-site review every three years. The PVH Cancer Network has maintained CoC accreditation since1969.

The award is based on the PVH Cancer Network’s most recent on-site review in September. It is the first time the PVH Cancer Network has achieved this highest level of recognition by the CoC, the national standard-bearer for community cancer programs.

Receiving care at a CoC-approved cancer program ensures that a patient will have access to:
• comprehensive care with state-of-the-art treatments and technologies;
• multi-disciplinary, team approaches to coordinate the best treatment options;
• information about and access to clinical trials and new treatments;
• cancer-related education and outreach;
• ongoing monitoring and improvement of cancer care;
• quality care close to home.

The CoC surveyed 432 community cancer programs across the country in 2009. The PVH Cancer Network is one of 82 programs to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award.

To learn more about the recognition, view this video interview with Lovins.

PVH Cancer Network physicians annually treat more than 1,000 new cancer patients, primarily from Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska. The Network is a regional leader in conducting clinical trials, with more than 55 trials designed to evaluate new treatments that are currently enrolling patients.

Among the services recognized for excellence were patient navigation, research, cancer massage and rehabilitation, and inpatient and outpatient oncology nursing.

Future program development for the PVH Cancer Network includes plans for a new, integrated cancer center building on the PVHS Harmony campus.

For more information, contact Sandra Larson, 970.237.7105.