Outstanding achievements celebrated
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Backus Hospital's Outstanding Achievement Award is not only a tribute to the dedicated work performed by Cancer Services - it's also a benefit for the many patients and their families who seek cancer care at the hospital.
"The biggest winner is your community in having his hospital available for their services," Ramon Jimenez, MD, FACS, Cancer Liaison State Chair for the Commission on Cancer, during the Outstanding Achievement Award Celebration held at Backus Tuesday.
"I'm jealous," Dr. Jimenez said. "Our number of surveys do not even come close to your achievement," referring to Hartford Hospital, where he serves on the medical staff. "You should be proud."
Backus Cancer Center staff, Board members and invited guests gathered to celebrate the honor of being awarded with the highest award in cancer care.
Recognized for the quality comprehensive clinical services offered, performance and rigorousness of cancer registrar and database, Backus is the only hospital in Connecticut to win the annual award since it was established.
In addition to receiving the award, this spring the hospital received another three-year accreditation as a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program with Commendation, meeting all 37 national standards. Backus received nine commendations - the highest number possible.
"Your work is incredibly complex, but your goal is simple: To improve treatment outcomes for our cancer patients," said Richard Strouse, President of the Backus Hospital Board of Directors.
Dinesh Kapur, MD, Medical Director of Cancer Services, looked beyond the statistics of the award to give credit to the Cancer Services team. "Everybody contributes to this program," adding that the award is a testament to that involvement.
"You bring a bunch of motivated individuals together who are dedicated to providing cancer care close to home, as they would for their own family, and you've got comprehensive cancer care," said Dr. Kapur.
"Today is a great day," said Thomas P. Pipicelli, President and Chief Executive Officer, "and possible because of the physicians and staff members who provide cancer care day in and day out."
Special recognition was given to Donna Goss, Cancer Registrar.
"She is the braintrust behind all of this and deserves an enormous amount of credit for this award and our sparkling accreditation status," said Karen Long, RN, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer.
"Our dedicated, expert physicians, clinicians and support persons focus on patient care every step of the way. Safe, quality care - that's what we're all about," said Ms. Long.
To view more photos from the celebration, please visit our photo gallery.
Dr. Tramontozzi earns Physician Cancer Champion Award
Mark E. Tramontozzi, MD, FACS, was recognized for receiving the Commission on Cancer’s Cancer Liaison Physician Outstanding Performance Award in a Tuesday afternoon ceremony.
“Dr. Tram has shown how to do the job,” said Ramon Jimenez, MD, FACS, Cancer Liaison State Chair for Commission on Cancer, as he presented Dr. Tramontozzi with the award.
Chosen for his outstanding leadership and guidance as a physician champion on the Backus Hospital cancer program, he was one of only 55 physicians in the nation to receive this recognition.
He was selected out of 1,600 cancer liaison physicians.
“As most of you know, most individual awards are the result of team efforts,” said Dr. Tram.
As physician champion for the cancer program, Dr. Tramontozzi acts as local and national liaison with the Commission on Cancer, and serves as an agent of change and leadership within the community.
“Thank you for making my job here easier,” said Dr. Tramontozzi. “It is a pleasure to serve the community.”