SGMC Pearlman Cancer Center Physicians & Staff Valdosta, GA – April 7, 2016 – South Georgia Medical Center’s Pearlman Cancer Center has received the 2016 Women’s Choice Award® as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Cancer Care . This evidence-based designation is the only cancer care award that identifies the country’s best healthcare institutions based on robust criteria that considers female patient satisfaction, clinical excellence, and what women say they want from a hospital. The list of 366 award winners, including Pearlman, represents hospitals that have been accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer, signifying the Pearlman Cancer Center’s commitment to meeting the highest standards in cancer care. “This is the Pearlman Cancer Center’s third consecutive annual award as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Cancer Care. This reaffirms our commitment for consistent high-quality care for the cancer patients we are privileged to serve,” said Laura Love, SGMC’s Community Relations Director. To be designated a winner, the 2016 America’s Best Hospitals for Cancer Care must have received accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer as any of the following: a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Designated Comprehensive Cancer program, a Comprehensive Community Cancer Program, an Integrated Network Cancer Program, or an Academic Comprehensive Cancer Program. These selected hospitals were then give a score based on their patient recommendation rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Hospital Consumer Assessment for Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey. Additional criteria considered if a hospital offered on site chemotherapy, radiation or hospice, and cancer research activities. Hospitals were penalized for having high infection rates. “Women have many choices when it comes to cancer care, but now they can make informed choices based on rigorous evidence based criteria. As a cancer survivor who faced a challenging journey to recovery, I wish I had the Women’s Choice Award as a resource to spare me unnecessary fret and error,” said Delia Passi, Founder and CEO of the Women’s Choice Award. For more information on the 2016 America’s Best Hospitals for Cancer Care visit http://www.womenschoiceaward.com/awarded/best-hospitals/cancer-care/
