Published on April 20, 2017

Essentia Health Cancer Center Recognized Nationally for Care of Breast Cancer Patients

The Cancer Center at Essentia Health-St. Joseph' Medical Center has renewed a national accreditation that recognizes the high level of care provide breast cancer patients and their families.

The Cancer Center is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons.

During a survey process, the Center must demonstrate compliance with standards established by the NAPBC for treating women who are diagnosed with breast cancer The standards include: center leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education, and quality improvement. A breast center that achieves NAPBC accreditation has demonstrated a firm commitment to offer its patients every significant advantage in their battle against breast disease.

"The patients receiving care at Essentia are our family, friends and neighbors," explains Dr. Troy Duininck, Chief of Surgery. "The accreditation process ensures we are doing our very best for them, and the national recognition is a reflection of each member of our Cancer Care team providing the highest quality care to each of our patients as they are on this journey."

Specific areas that set the Cancer Center at Essentia Health , St. Joseph' Medical Center apart include:

  • a multi-disciplinary team that meets weekly to review every patient care plan
  • the instrumental role of the patient navigators supporting patients and their families throughout the journey
  • offering clinical trials and genetic counseling in a rural setting to best support the needs of patients and their caregivers.

The Cancer Center was first accredited in 2011 and remains one of a handful of cancer centers in the state that is recognized as a leading breast cancer patient care in the nation.

Receiving care at a NAPBC-accredited center ensures that a patient will have access to quality breast care close to home. To learn more, call the Cancer Center at 218.828.3113