SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – In acknowledgment of continued commitment to quality cancer care, Regional West Medical Center’s cancer program has received the Outstanding Achievement Award and full three-year approval status by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. This is the second consecutive Outstanding Achievement Award Regional West has received, with the first coming in 2004.

Approval by the Commission on Cancer is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to provide the best in diagnosis and treatment of cancer and undergo a rigorous evaluation process and a review of its performance every three years. There are more than 1,400 approved cancer programs nationwide, representing close to 25 percent of all hospitals. Of the hospitals surveyed in 2007, 66 cancer programs received the Outstanding Achievement Award, including Regional West.

According to the Commission, the purpose of the award is to recognize cancer programs that strive for excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients while serving as a resource by communicating and sharing best practices with other cancer programs.

“I’m very proud of all of the Regional West physicians and staff who are involved in cancer care for gaining this recognition,” said Todd Sorensen, MD, CEO. “It’s a marvelous accomplishment to be associated with some of the nation’s best providers of cancer care and is a direct reflection of our commitment of providing quality cancer care to people around the region.”

Regional West’s full continuum of cancer care is supported by the Cancer Treatment Center in Scottsbluff and Dorwart Cancer Care in Sidney. With two locations, residents of western Nebraska and portions of Wyoming, Colorado and South Dakota have the option of receiving the area’s most technically advanced cancer care close to home.

Part of what sets Regional West’s cancer program apart from the rest is its personalized approach and warm, supportive environment. Patients benefit from a customized, comprehensive care program developed by a highly-skilled team of cancer specialists, including experienced medical oncologists, a radiation oncologist, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists and family practice physicians, as well as skilled oncology nurses and other support staff.

“We treat each individual we see as a person, not just as a patient,” said William M. Packard, MD, a medical oncologist at Regional West. “That’s part of what makes Regional West so unique—the hospital’s sophistication allows us to practice urban medicine in a small town atmosphere.”

Receiving care at a Commission on Cancer approved cancer program ensures that patients have access to:

-- Quality cancer care close to home based on national, proven medical guidelines

-- Comprehensive care offering a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment

-- A multispecialty team approach to coordinate the best treatment options available to cancer patients

-- Information about cancer clinical trials, education and support

-- Lifelong patient follow-up through a cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results

-- Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care

“Our philosophy of cancer care is simple,” Dr. Sorensen concluded. “Every employee here is dedicated to providing compassionate care for the whole patient, regardless of the condition he or she might have.”

If you would like more information about Regional West’s Cancer Treatment Center, call (308) 630-1348.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,400 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, Regional West offers care that spans more than 40 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and is one of only three Level II Trauma Centers in the state of Nebraska.