Recognized for excellence

By Karin Lillis

The National Pancreas Foundation has named UF Health among of its first group of 28 National Pancreas Foundation Centers for excellence in pancreatic cancer treatment. NPF Centers undergo an extensive auditing process and meet criteria that were developed by a task force made up of invited subject matter experts and patient advocates. They must staff several specialists on-site, including medical oncologists; pathologists with expertise in gastrointestinal cancers; radiation oncologists; diagnostic radiologists with expertise in pancreatic disease; pancreatic/hepatobiliary surgeons; and gastroenterologists. Other criteria include access to clinical trials for pancreatic cancer, psychosocial support, palliative care and dietary/nutritional support.