ACS awards Cole's Cancer Center

The Patterson Cancer Care Center team gathered recently to accept the Mission Impact Award from the American Cancer Society. Pictured with ACS Volunteer Lauren Green are (left to right) Lynn Collins, R.N.; Todd Smith, radiation therapist; Jodi Vossler, receptionist; Jason Metzger, director of radiation therapy; Marcia Austin R.N.; Theresa Robinson, R.N.; Rafael Meller, M.D.; Jeffrey DeLo, M.D., Eileen Achey, R.N., Maryalice Wilkinson, volunteer and David Moylan.

Patterson Cancer Care Center at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital has been recognized by the American Cancer Society (ACS) with a gold level Mission Impact Award.

Award acknowledges the staff's dedication to patient care through their collaboration with ACS in outreach efforts and the Patient Resource Center. Last year an estimated 71,000 men and women in Pennsylvania were diagnosed with cancer, raisingin them many questions about the disease, finances, and health care demands.

"The staff at Patterson Cancer Care Center and Charles Cole Memorial Hospital is focused on easing these concerns for patients through their collaborative effort with the American Cancer Society," says Lora Cope, ACS Cancer Control Specialist.

The center provides chemotherapy and radiation therapy, including IMRT, in a team-focused approach.

Last March, the Potter County ACS Unit moved its local office to the Patterson Cancer Center. The move has facilitated easy access to the program and services available from ACS for patients and their families.

Cope reported that numbers of patients receiving programs and services has more than doubled since March 2007.

"This initiative reflects the true collaborative effort in helping patients overcome barriers related to the diagnosis of cancer," she said.