Inova Schar Cancer Earns international accreditation for stem cell therapy

Fairfax, VA – Inova Schar Cancer has earned internationally-recognized accreditation from the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT). This accreditation recognizes Inova Schar Cancer’s excellence in delivering safe, high-quality cellular therapies in its cutting-edge program.

By demonstrating full compliance with the FACT-JACIE International Standards for Cellular Therapy Product Collection, Processing, and Administration, Inova Schar Cancer received FACT accreditation for:

• Adult Autologous Stem Cell Transplant
• Immune Effector Cellular Therapy
• Cellular Therapy Product Collection by Apheresis for Administration and Further Manufacturing

Inova is the only FACT accredited program in Northern Virgina for adult autologous stem cell transplant and immune effector cell therapy, which includes CAR T-cell therapy. We are also an authorized treatment center for multiple CAR T-cell products, which allows us to choose the best option based on the needs of each patient.

“Earning FACT accreditation is a significant achievement that places Inova Schar Cancer among the leaders in cellular therapy,” said John Deeken, MD. “This distinction reflects the skill, dedication, and innovation of our team and our unwavering focus on providing patients with the safest, most advanced therapies available.”

FACT is an internationally-recognized accrediting body for hospitals and medical institutions offering cellular therapy, and indicates the accredited institution has met the most rigorous clinical standards in cellular therapy.   This accreditation covers the full patient cellular therapy experience, including donor management, cell collection, processing, storage, and infusion of the cellular therapy product.

FACT-JACIE Standards are defined by leading experts based on the latest knowledge of the field of cellular therapy transplantation. Inova has been found to be in compliance with these rigorous Standards as well as governmental regulations.

FACT conducted an on-site evaluation of Inova earlier this year.  Accreditation is attained through evaluation of submitted documentation and on-site inspection to determine if an organization is in compliance with current FACT standards.

About Inova                                                              

We are Inova, Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. With expertise and compassion, we partner with our patients to help them stay healthy. We treat illness, heal injury and look at a patient’s whole health to help them flourish. Through our expansive network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, and outpatient services, Inova provides care for more than one million unique patients every year. Total patient visits exceed four million annually, demonstrating our ability to deliver the best clinical care and ensuring a seamless experience for all who rely on us for their healthcare needs. Consistently ranked and recognized as a national healthcare leader in safety, quality and patient experience, Inova’s world-class care is made possible by the strength and breadth of our network, our 26,000 team members, our technology and our innovation. In 2025, Inova was named the Health System of the Year by Press Ganey, a national leader in healthcare experience, recognizing our excellence in patient care, team member engagement, and commitment to continuous improvement.  Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and provides high-quality healthcare to every person in every community we are privileged to serve – regardless of ability to pay – every day of their life. More information about Inova can be found at Inova.org.

About FACT

In December 1994, the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) and the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT) merged their Standards into a single document covering all aspects of hematopoietic cell therapy (collection, processing, and transplantation). The two societies established FACT in order to develop a voluntary Inspection and Accreditation Program based on the joint Standards.  FACT promotes quality medical and laboratory practice of cellular therapy through its peer-developed standards and voluntary inspection and accreditation program.

In 2006, FACT, in collaboration with the Joint Accreditation Committee–ISCT & EBMT (JACIE), developed international standards in the field of cellular therapy.  JACIE was founded by the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) and the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT), the two leading scientific organizations involved with cellular transplantation in Europe.

Since 2007, FACT accreditation has been used in determining the U.S. News & World report rankings of transplant centers for the “America’s Best Hospitals” and “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals” list.

The FACT Inspection and Accreditation Program was developed by Dr. Phyllis Warkentin, Chief Medical Officer of FACT, the FACT Board of Directors, as well as the ISCT and ASBMT Regulatory and Standards Committees.  The first edition of the FACT Standards was published in September 1996, and the first inspections began in September of 1997 resulting in the  first program being awarded accreditation in 1998.