Inova Fairfax Hospital Earns National Award from American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer

One of 90 Cancer Care Facilities to Receive Recognition

FALLS CHURCH, VA – (May 3, 2011) — Inova Fairfax Hospital has earned its second American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer’s (CoC) Outstanding Achievement Award (OAA). One of only 90 accredited cancer programs in the country to receive this honor, Inova Fairfax Hospital is recognized for its excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients.

“This award is an acknowledgement of our dedication to providing a superior quality cancer program,” said Nicholas Robert, MD, Chairman, Cancer Committee, Inova Fairfax Hospital. “It is truly rewarding for our physicians, nurses and staff to be honored for working together to deliver the best treatment possible to those who have entrusted us with their care.”

The OAA is granted to facilities that demonstrate a high level of compliance with respect to cancer program activity.  Aspects of cancer care examined by a physician surveyor during an on-site evaluation include leadership, cancer data management, clinical management, research, community outreach and continuous improvement in quality delivered in other areas of cancer treatment.

The American College of Surgeons, CoC, is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients. Receiving care at a CoC-accredited cancer program ensures that a patient will have access to the full spectrum of comprehensive cancer care close to home.  There are currently more than 1,500 CoC-accredited cancer programs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

The Outstanding Achievement Award was first presented to Inova Fairfax Hospital in 2008. For more information Inova Fairfax Hospital achievements visit inova.org/fairfax-awards.

Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.