2010 Highlands Cancer Report

Download the Report (PDF)


A Message from the Cancer Committee

2010 was a busy year for Highlands Cancer Center and the cancer committee at Highlands Regional Medical Center. One of the biggest events this past year was our accreditation survey by the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Cancer which took place during May, 2010. The survey was very beneficial for our committee, as it provided positive feedback in the areas where we are performing well and demonstrated standards that we need to improve. The committee and our facilities remain dedicated to providing oncology services that are nationally recognized. We could not achieve these goals without the committee’s hard work, and I want to personally thank all of the members for their service.

The committee consists of a multidisciplinary collection of dedicated staff from all departments that affect the care of our cancer patients and their families. We meet regularly to ensure that Highlands is continuing to meet the standards set out before us by the Committee on Cancer, brainstorm together to find new ways to educate the public, direct our facilities, and improve upon the areas that are not meeting the needs of patients or Highlands’ staff.

Our cancer program continues to work with the American Cancer Society (ACS) in helping our patient population obtain much-needed benefits and utilize the many resources that they provide. Some of the activities and programs offered by ACS include Relay for Life, Reach to Recovery, and Look Good-Feel Better. If you are unfamiliar with any of these programs, I greatly encourage you to ask one of the committee’s members about them, or go to www.cancer.org for more information.

Most people today have been profoundly impacted by cancer, either personally, or in someone they know and love. I know I approach my role, and I imagine the majority of the committee also approaches their roles, by keeping in mind how we or a loved one would like to be treated should a diagnosis of cancer occur. It is these motivations that drive us to try to do our best for all involved.

-Allen Stephens, D.O. Cancer Committee Chairman