By KELLY WILSON

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

The Cancer Center at Blessing Hospital has earned a new level of national recognition.

The Cancer Center has been accredited as a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program with Commendation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.

"This accreditation is the gold standard of cancer care," said Bonnie Kleissle, administrative director.

The Cancer Center has been accredited by the Commission on Cancer since opening in 2003. The new "comprehensive" status "with commendation" reflects a higher level of accreditation.

"Receiving commendation on top of our elevated accreditation places the Blessing Cancer Center among the best comprehensive community hospital cancer programs nationwide," Kleissle said.

The accreditation is for a three-year period.

Only one in four cancer programs in the country hold Commission on Cancer accreditation. Blessing is the only center with the comprehensive designation with commendation in a 100-mile radius.

The James E. Cary Cancer Center in Hannibal, Mo., is accredited as a Community Hospital Cancer Program by the Commission on Cancer.

The Blessing Cancer Center earned its comprehensive status with commendation by exceeding expected levels of compliance with national standards that represent the full scope of a cancer program, including leadership, outcomes analysis, data management, cancer clinical services, cancer clinical trials, cancer staging, community outreach and quality improvement, during an on-site evaluation by a Commission on Cancer physician surveyor.

The Commission on Cancer is made up of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard setting, prevention, research, education and the monitoring of cancer care quality.

The Blessing Cancer Center opened in 2003, in cooperation with Quincy Medical Group, providing medical oncology, radiation therapy and a variety of support services for cancer patients and their loved ones.

"This is a great achievement for our cancer program and a tribute to the physicians and staff of Blessing Hospital Cancer Center," Kleissle said. "It reflects their dedication to our patients and their commitment to offer the best in cancer treatment."

-- kwilson@whig.com/221-3391