BRIDGEPORT, CT, November 1, 2013-- St. Vincent’s Medical Center announced today that it is the first and only hospital in Connecticut to become a member of MD Anderson Cancer Network™, a program of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
This affiliation will provide certified physicians at St. Vincent’s, through the Medical Center and its Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, access to evidence-based guidelines, treatment plans and best practices developed by MD Anderson experts. These are disease-specific guidelines for cancer treatment, cancer prevention, early detection and follow-up care.
This collaboration will bring new hope to local cancer patients by using protocols developed by a national leader in cancer care. For ten of the past 12 years, including 2013, MD Anderson has ranked number one in the nation in cancer care in the “Best Hospitals” survey published by U.S. News & World Report.
“This affiliation represents a tremendous development in our cancer program,” said St. Vincent’s Medical Center President Stuart G. Marcus, MD, FACS. “Now patients throughout the area can obtain comprehensive holistic care in a state-of-the-art, comfortable setting, while also having access to MD Anderson’s cutting-edge advances and clinical expertise. The affiliation will enable us to successfully expand the scope of our services and raise the standard for cancer diagnosis and treatment in collaboration with the nation’s leading cancer center.”
In addition, the affiliation provides the oncology team at St. Vincent’s Elizabeth M. Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care access to:
- Regular video conferences with MD Anderson physicians
- Participation of MD Anderson physicians in St. Vincent’s tumor boards
- Consultative sessions
- Expanded educational opportunities
- Collaborative opportunities with other members of MD Anderson Cancer Network
MD Anderson Cancer Network is a select group of hospitals and health care systems that share a common mission to eliminate cancer.
“We are excited to develop this historic relationship with St. Vincent’s that will only enhance its tradition of delivering exceptional cancer care to patients by adding MD Anderson expertise,” said William A. Murphy, Jr., MD, board chairman, MD Anderson Physicians Network. “Together, we will ensure that patients across the region will have access to the highest quality cancer care available.”
St. Vincent’s Medical Center
Founded by the Daughters of Charity in 1903, St. Vincent’s Medical Center is a mission-driven organization committed to exceptional health care for all with special consideration for the poor and underserved. St. Vincent’s Medical Center is a subsidiary of St. Vincent’s Health Services, and a member of Ascension Health, the nation's largest Catholic and largest non-profit healthcare system, and is at the forefront in patient safety and quality, with a focus on creating holistic, compassionate environments. St. Vincent’s has been ranked Best Hospital in Fairfield County and in all of Western Connecticut for 2013-2014 by U.S. News & World Report in its annual “Best Hospitals” survey. Recently the recipient for the second year in a row of the “A” Hospital Safety Score” from the Leapfrog Group, St. Vincent’s Medical Center is also one of only two hospitals in the state to receive both the Leapfrog “A” and Nursing Magnet ® Recognition, the highest national award for nursing excellence. The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer awarded St. Vincent’s an Outstanding Achievement Award with Accreditation in 2012, and it has also earned its designation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Cancer. For more information on programs and services, call the toll-free Care Line at 1-877-255-SVHS (7847) or visit www.stvincents.org.
About MD Anderson Cancer Network™
MD Anderson Cancer Network is a program of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. It’s designed to advance the institution’s mission of eliminating cancer by delivering MD Anderson expertise to community health providers. The network includes mission-aligned hospitals and health care systems across the United States committed to elevating the quality of care in their communities. Hospitals have direct access to MD Anderson clinical guidelines and best practices through membership in MD Anderson Cancer Network.
St. Vincent’s launched its new affiliation with MD Anderson Cancer Network™ today. Seated L to R:
St. Vincent’s Health Services CEO Susan L. Davis, EdD, RN; MD Anderson
Physicians Network President and CEO William A. Hyslop; MD Anderson
Physicians Network Board Chairman William A. Murphy, Jr., MD; St.
Vincent’s Oncology Vice President Cindy Czaplinski, MSN, RN; Oncology
Chairman and Radiation Oncology Medical Director Christopher Iannuzzi,
MD. Standing L to R: Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch; US Senator Richard
Blumenthal; St. Vincent’s Medical Center President Stuart G. Marcus, MD,
FACS; Ascension Health Senior Vice President of Clinical Excellence
and Chief Medical Officer Ziad Haydar, MD; 4th District US Representative Jim Himes; and State Senator Kevin Kelly.