Breast Center at Simmons Cancer Institute Earns 100 Percent Rating
The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) has rated the Breast Center at Simmons Cancer Institute (SCI) at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield as 100 percent compliant on all 27 evaluation standards for accreditation used by the NAPBC.
In 2009, the Breast Center was among the first 23 centers in the United States to receive NAPBC accreditation. It has continued to receive 100 percent compliance on all 27 evaluation standards each time it has been evaluated.
The NAPBC is administered by the American College of Surgeons and was established to ensure that accredited institutions provide the most efficient, effective and up-to-date care available for patients with breast disease.
“Simmons Cancer Institute’s team approach to patient care sets us apart from other cancer programs in our area,” said Robert Mocharnuk, MD, director of the Breast Center. “SCI’s team of cancer specialists, including surgeons, radiologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, oncologic psychologists, nurses and other medical staff, meet on a weekly basis to discuss the patient’s diagnosis and to formulate treatment plans. This provides a clear, comprehensive and non-contradictory plan of action for the patient.”
SCI’s 100 percent rating among all 27 standards of the NAPBC, includes the requirement that breast centers provide patients with information about ongoing cancer clinical trials and new treatment options. “It is important to make our patients aware of the new studies and therapies available to them,” Mocharnuk said.
Other standards include access to prevention and early detection programs, cancer education and support services. The NAPBC also requires that programs conduct regular self-assessments to monitor outcomes while constantly seeking out ways to provide better service to the community.
The SIU Breast Center opened in 1998 and is located at the Simmons Cancer Institute, 315 W. Carpenter St, Springfield. The website is www.siumed.edu/cancer.
The Simmons Cancer Institute’s mission is to serve the people of central and southern Illinois by addressing their present and future cancer needs through education, research, patient care and community service.
