MASCC is proud to announce that the Levine Cancer Institute’s Department of Supportive Oncology at Atrium Health in Charlotte, NC has been recognized as a MASCC-Designated Center of Excellence in Supportive Care in Cancer. This Department is chaired by MASCC Board Member Declan Walsh, MD, MSc, FACP, FRCP (Ed). The certification program recognizes oncology centers that demonstrate best practices in supportive cancer care. The Levine Center Institute’s certification will be presented to the Levine Cancer Institute at this year’s MASCC/ISOO 2020 Annual Meeting being held in Seville, Spain.
The treatment of patients with complications and/or toxicities from cancer and cancer therapies is usually managed in the context of an emergency room or through hospitalization in a medical ward (i.e., oncology, hematology, or internal medicine). Consequently, there is considerable distress for the patients and their caregivers. In recent years, dedicated acute Supportive Care Units, like the Department of Supportive Oncology at the Levine Cancer Institute, have been created with the aim to treat patients with adequate treatments for uncontrolled symptoms or oncologic therapy-related toxicities in planned/unplanned situations starting from diagnosis and during the course of anticancer therapies. MASCC’s certification program aims both to educate and to encourage a supportive care focus among oncology healthcare professionals.
Any cancer center or department may apply for MASCC certification and there is no fee to do so. Applications are reviewed by MASCC’s Certification Program Committee, which in turn makes recommendations to MASCC’s Executive Committee for final decisions. Certification criteria include a supportive care focus in clinical activities, research, and educational initiatives, as well as adherence to international guidelines. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Certification is valid for three years, after which the center must apply for re-evaluation. For more information on the certification program process, click here.
