Erlanger has been nationally recognized as an approved Center of Excellence by The National Pancreas Foundation.
Officials said, "Erlanger is the only NPF designated Center of Excellence in the region and one of only two in the state of Tennessee. NPF Centers are awarded after a rigorous audit review to determine that an institution’s focus is on multidisciplinary treatment of pancreatic cancer, treating the 'whole patient' with a focus on the best possible outcomes and an improved quality of life."
“This prestigious designation is a powerful testament to the exceptional quality of pancreatic cancer care provided at Erlanger," said Jim Coleman, president and CEO of Erlanger.
"We are honored to be recognized as an NPF Center of Excellence and remain deeply committed to serving the patients and families in our community who are impacted by pancreas disease."
"An approved NPF Center must meet the criteria developed by a task force of invited subject matter experts and patient advocates," officials said. "The criteria include having the required expert physician specialties, with proven expertise and focus on pancreatic cancer."
"The Erlanger pancreatic cancer team is proud to be included among the top pancreas cancer medical centers in the United States," said Julie Koffron, MD, medical director of the Pancreatic Cancer Program, Hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeon, and assistant professor at University of Tennessee College of Medicine – Chattanooga Department of Surgery. “Our mission is to provide state-of-the-art, compassionate care to patients afflicted with this challenging disease.”
Officials said, "Erlanger’s pancreatic cancer program is comprised of multidisciplinary, advanced fellowship-trained experts, including medical and radiation oncologists, advanced interventional gastroenterologists, dedicated pancreatic surgeons and interventional radiologists. The program offers more patient-focused programs, such as pain management services, psychosocial support and more. From diagnosis to treatment, the team is dedicated to providing personalized care that addresses each patient’s unique needs throughout their journey."
“We are thrilled to expand our NPF Centers of Excellence Programs to better serve the needs of patients suffering from pancreas disease,” said Jenny Pagel-Guile, executive director of The National Pancreas Foundation. “The NPF Centers of Excellence Program is one of the pillars of NPF, and we are looking forward to working with our current and new Centers.”
"The Erlanger pancreatic cancer program offers a host of patient services, including a multidisciplinary treatment team, a nurse navigator to prioritize time to treatment and individualized patient care and oncology support resources," officials said.