Cancer - Why Choose Us?
At UPMC Hamot, we have a dynamic team of professionals that meet and work together to ensure that a multidisciplinary approach to continuous quality improvement is present in the oncology program. We enjoy the prestigious reputation of being certified by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer (CoC).
Only one in four cancer programs in the United States receives this special approval. It recognizes the quality of our comprehensive, multidisciplinary patient care and our commitment to provide you with access to all of the various medical specialists involved in diagnosing and treating cancer.
Receiving care at a CoC-approved cancer program ensures that you will receive:
- Comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment.
- A multispecialty team approach to coordinate the best treatment options.
- Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options.
- Access to cancer-related information, education, and support.
- A cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers, treatment results, and offers lifelong patient follow-up.
- Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care.
All oncology physicians at UPMC Hamot are board certified. In addition, over half of the nurses who care for oncology patients have been educated, trained, and are certified to give chemotherapy based on the standards of the Oncology Nursing Society. Five of our staff members are certified oncology nurses, which means they have successfully passed a national certification examination based on the standards of the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation. Two breast health navigators are also on staff to help patients with breast cancer move easily and quickly across the continuum of care by facilitating referrals, tests, and treatments. In addition, members of UPMC Hamot's nursing staff have medical-surgical certification and an oncology certification.
UPMC Hamot has the region's only digital mammography machine and on-site Internet access to diagnostic and treatment resources available to patients and their families. In addition, the case management staff can link patients with both community and regional resources they need after they are discharged.
