In summer 2011, the Comprehensive Breast Program at MetroHealth earned accreditation from the American College of Surgeons’ National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC).

MetroHealth is one of two Cleveland hospitals to receive this accreditation and joins an elite list of 300 NAPBC accredited hospitals across the country.

The full three-year NAPBC accreditation is awarded to programs providing the highest level of quality breast care for both benign and malignant breast diseases. Developed in 2005, the NAPBC was created to identify and recognize outstanding Breast Centers.

To receive certification, Breast Centers must comply with 90 percent of the NAPBC’s rigorous standards. MetroHealth’s Comprehensive Breast Program received 93 percent compliance — more than the required level for accreditation.

“Accreditation by NAPBC validates what we already know about our program — that we provide the highest quality breast care to all patients,” said Natalie Joseph, MD, Chair of the Cancer Care Center’s Breast Program Leadership Team. “Our team is extremely proud that the excellent care we provide has been recognized in this way.”

Breast Centers, like MetroHealth, that have received full accreditation by the NAPBC, must provide comprehensive breast care using a full range of state-of-the-art services with a multidisciplinary team approach to coordinate the best treatment options for patients. Patients also receive information about many clinical and social support services and ongoing clinical trials.

In addition to its strong clinical team, the Comprehensive Breast Program offers access to a wide array of services including genetic counseling and testing, lymphedema therapy, nutritional counseling, social work and support groups.

The program is also very active in community outreach through the BRinging Education, Advocacy and Support Together (BREAST) program and the Amigas Unidas (Friends United) program. Both programs target minority populations to increase awareness of breast diseases and promote early detection and improved outcomes in breast cancer.