“The CoC Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes the significant commitment by the administration and personnel at your institution to providing high-quality cancer care to your patients, and in meeting and exceeding the standards set by our CoC Accreditation Program,” said Stephen B. Edge, M.D., Chair of the Commission.  “Not only have you met the basic standards of our Accreditation Program, but you have also excelled in six areas where commendation has been awarded.”

Established in 2004, the Commission on Cancer Outstanding Achievement Award is designed to recognize cancer programs that strive for excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients. Valley received the award following an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor.

The 82 programs awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award, represent 18 percent of the 432 programs surveyed in 2009.

“This award reflects Valley’s commitment to providing exceptional cancer care to our patients,” said Robert Korst, M.D., Director of Valley’s Blumenthal Cancer Center.  “The Commission on Cancer Outstanding Achievement Award is recognition of the quality of our comprehensive, multidisciplinary patient care.  I am very proud of our entire team for earning this award.”

Valley is the only hospital in New Jersey to earn Disease-Specific Care Certification – the Gold Seal of Approval – from the Joint Commission for the care of patients with breast, colon/rectal, lung, pancreatic, and prostate cancer.