News Room - Press Releases

News Release
For Immediate Release
For more information, contact:
Lynne Zultanky, MSRT
Director, Corporate Communications and Public Relations
Office:  757-889-5413
Pager: 757-680-3296
lynn_zultanky@bshsi.com

Norfolk, VA. (August 15, 2006) Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center announced today that the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons granted a full three-year accreditation with commendation to the medical center’s cancer program. Designated as a Community Hospital Cancer Program, Bon Secours Cancer Center at DePaul scored a rating of full compliance for all 34 mandatory standards with four areas exceeding compliance.

Approval by the Commission on Cancer is given only to facilities that have voluntarily committed to provide the best cancer care and who undergo rigorous on-site evaluations. The Center’s assessment included: DePaul’s radiation therapy center; diagnostic radiology and pathology services; surgical services in-patient oncology unit; the cancer registry; cancer care committee; support services such as hospice, palliative care and pastoral care; community screenings; and education.

"This is really a first-class program," said Richard Glazier, M.D. medical oncologist and ACoS CoC site surveyor. "I've been through all 44 programs in Virginia and this is one of the better ones," he added.

Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1932, the Approvals Program sets standards for cancer programs and reviews the programs to make sure they conform to those standards. Recognizing that cancer is a complex group of diseases, the program promotes consultation among surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, diagnostic radiologists, pathologists, and other cancer specialists. This multidisciplinary cooperation results in improved patient care.

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Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System is a local, not-for-profit, Catholic health care system affiliated with the Bon Secours Health System, headquartered in Marriottsville, Md. Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System was established in 1996 with the transfer of sponsorship of Portsmouth General Hospital and DePaul Medical Center to Bon Secours. Through a joint venture arrangement, Mary Immaculate Hospital became a member of the Bon Secours Health System that same year. The system, which employs more than 4,500 is comprised of Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center in Portsmouth, Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center in Norfolk, Mary Immaculate Hospital in Newport News and affiliated continuing and ambulatory care facilities throughout Hampton Roads.