VMC earns recognition for cancer care efforts
Vanderbilt Medical Center has been accredited with the CEO Gold Standard certification, recognizing VMC's commitment to the health of employees and family members by certifying its efforts to meet a high standard of cancer prevention, screening and care guidelines.
The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center took the lead in seeking accreditation as an indication of its commitment to reducing the burden of cancer for its own staff and colleagues.
“The commitment of Vanderbilt-Ingram and other National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers to patient care and cutting edge cancer research is our driving force in the fight against cancer,” said William Weldon, chief executive officer of Johnson & Johnson and chair of the CEO Roundtable on Cancer.
This nonprofit organization of cancer-fighting CEOs created the CEO Cancer Gold Standard in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, many of its designated cancer centers, the American Cancer Society, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and leading health professionals.
The CEO Roundtable was founded in 2001 when former President George H.W. Bush challenged a group of executives to “do something bold and venturesome about cancer within your own corporate families.”
To earn CEO Cancer Gold Standard accreditation, a company must establish programs to reduce cancer risk by discouraging tobacco use, encouraging physical activity, promoting a healthy diet, detecting cancer at its earliest stages and providing access to quality care, including the availability of clinical trials.
“We are committed to providing strategies for cancer prevention and treatment for our own employees and colleagues,” said Jennifer Pietenpol, Ph.D., director of Vanderbilt-Ingram.
“Our mission to alleviate death and suffering from cancer starts at home, here on the Vanderbilt campus.”
In addition to sharing information with employees about healthy lifestyle choices, VMC provides a free fitness center for employees.
The Cancer Center operates the Cancer Information Program, featuring a toll-free hotline staffed by oncology nurses who address questions about cancer treatment options and clinical trials at VICC.
The nurses can be reached at (800) 811-8480.