Pensacola, Fla. - Sacred Heart Hospital has renewed a three-year affiliation with M. D. Anderson Physicians Network® that has enabled the hospital to raise the level of cancer care provided by the hospital and its credentialed physicians. 

M. D. Anderson Physicians Network is a subsidiary of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center - the nation's leader in cancer care.

 "When we began our affiliation three years ago, we promised to take our community's fight against cancer to a new level," said Patrick J. Madden, president and CEO of Sacred Heart Health System. "We've been able to do that. This affiliation means patients who receive their cancer care from our physicians who are credentialed by Physicians Network are receiving care that meets M. D. Anderson's high standards of care."
Madden also noted that all Sacred Heart physicians can benefit from regular conferences where they discuss specific types of cancer and specific cases with other experts at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

 "Ultimately, our mission is to eliminate cancer," said Dr. David Tubergen, medical director of M. D. Anderson Physicians Network. "We want to give hospitals around the country the tools they need to bring a higher standard of cancer care to their communities. Sacred Heart Health System has proven itself to be a perfect ally to help us achieve this goal."
 

Sacred Heart is one of only a few healthcare systems in the nation that are affiliated with Physicians Network.

 "This affiliation has provided additional resources to our physicians, enabling them to offer the latest evidence-based treatments," said Terri Smith, vice president of cancer services at Sacred Heart.  "It has challenged our staff and our physicians to push themselves to an even higher level.  They have been more than ready to pass the reviews that Physicians Network conducts to ensure we provide diagnostic and treatment services consistent with M. D. Anderson's state-of-the-art guidelines."

 The guidelines are designed to provide patients with treatments that are supported by research on the best known outcomes for specific types of cancer and by the expert opinions of M. D. Anderson oncologists. 

 Smith noted that Sacred Heart intends to continue to be the leader in cancer care in our area by constructing a new state-of-the-art Cancer Center on Airport Boulevard in Pensacola. 
About Sacred Heart Cancer Center 

 Sacred Heart Hospital recently was awarded with a formal commendation and three-year approval by the national Commission on Cancer.   The hospital's cancer services include:

 
. A 39-bed inpatient unit dedicated to care of cancer patients.
. Radiation therapy services

. Inpatient and outpatient chemotherapy, including services of an infusion center.

. Physician care provided by the eight oncologists of Sacred Heart Medical Oncology Group.

. Cancer surgery, including the surgical services of the area's only gynecologic oncologist who specializes in care of women with gynecologic cancers of the ovaries, uterus or cervix.

. PET/CT advanced imaging technology for earlier diagnosis of cancer.

. The Ann L. Baroco Center for Women's Health, offering digital mammography and the area's first MRI technology dedicated solely to detection of breast cancer.

. Pediatric care provided by specialists with Nemours Children's Clinic who are board certified in the field of pediatric oncology.

.  A support group for cancer patients and their families.

For more information, call 1-877-904-4673 or visit www.sacred-heart.org. 
    

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