Leo W. Jenkins Cancer Center Earns ACR-ASTRO accreditation | Eastern North Carolina Now

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    GREENVILLE, NC     The Leo W. Jenkins Cancer Center has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in radiation oncology as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). Radiation oncology (radiation therapy) is the careful use of high-energy radiation to treat cancer. A radiation oncologist may use radiation to cure cancer or to relieve a cancer patient's pain.

    "This accreditation is an affirmation of the dedication of our team of providers and the exceptional quality of care we provide," said Dr. Peter Kragel, director, Leo W Jenkins Cancer Center, and interim chair, radiation oncology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. "The people of eastern North Carolina can take advantage of the outstanding multidisciplinary care provided right here in Greenville, and rest assured that they are getting care that is recognized as being of the highest quality."

    The ACR-ASTRO seal of accreditation represents the highest level ofnquality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting specific Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards developed by ACR and ASTRO after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified radiation oncologists and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Patient care and treatment, patient safety, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR-ASTRO Committee on Radiation Oncology Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement.

    The cancer center was first accredited in 2006, and had been in "pending" status while waiting for reaccreditation inspection. There are currently seven sites in North Carolina, including the Leo W. Jenkins Cancer Center, that are ACR-ASTRO accredited.

    The Leo W. Jenkins Cancer Center is a collaboration between Vidant Health and East Carolina University to provide coordinated outpatient cancer services.

    Services include oncology clinics (lung/thoracic, breast, gynecologic, medical, radiation and surgical), staffed by ECU Physicians, and radiation therapy.

    The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 34,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services. ASTRO is a professional organization serving more than 10,000 radiation oncologists, medical physicists and other health care professionals involved in the treatment of cancer patients.

    Contact: Beth Anne Atkins, Vidant Health Strategic Development, (252) 847-7735 or beth.atkins@VidantHealth.com

    Vidant Health, a mission-driven, not-for-profit corporation, owns, leases or has a majority membership interest in nine eastern North Carolina hospitals and has a management agreement with one other. The health system includes Albemarle Health, Vidant Beaufort Hospital, Vidant Bertie Hospital, Vidant Chowan Hospital, Vidant Duplin Hospital, Vidant Edgecombe Hospital, The Outer Banks Hospital, Vidant Medical Center, Vidant Pungo Hospital, Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Vidant Home Health and Hospice, Vidant Wellness Centers, Vidant Medical Group and is affiliated with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. On the web at www.vidanthealth.com.