FWBMC and the University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Care Network Announce Affiliation
May 22, 2012
Fort Walton Beach, FL – Fort Walton Beach Medical Center has joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Care Network as one of seven affiliates in the network to expand access to leading cancer care.
The UAB Cancer Care Network, with affiliates in Alabama, Georgia and Florida, provides a program to support community-based oncology services, by offering broader access to clinical trials, continuing medical education for nurses and oncologists, and access to the latest education about advancements in the treatment and detection of cancer in the local community.
“We are proud to join the UAB Cancer Care Network as a local community affiliate,” said John Deardorff, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center Chief Executive Officer. “We are excited to affiliate with one of the leading cancer programs in the nation. This will further enhance the cancer care program at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center by increasing access to oncology resources for the tri-county area, including clinical research opportunities and leading-edge treatments. This will further position us as the leader for cancer care in our community.”
Fort Walton Beach Medical Center is a 257-bed acute care hospital and is a member of the Hospital Corporation of America family of hospitals. The hospital is also a recipient of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Three-Year Accreditation with Commendation and a Joint Commission Top Performer on Key Quality Measures.
“We look forward to working with Fort Walton Beach Medical Center to leverage each other’s strengths and offer access to leading-edge care and research to Okaloosa County and surrounding communities,” says Dr. Edward Partridge, director of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center and immediate past president of the American Cancer Society Inc. “UAB’s 350 cancer scientists and clinicians are making discoveries every day, and with the UAB Cancer Care Network, we will collaborate with cancer care providers across the region to increase access to those discoveries, ultimately saving more lives.”
As Alabama’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center, and the only one in a six-state region, the UAB Cancer Center will work closely with each affiliate to support their cancer center program’s growth by providing access to UAB’s best practices in cancer care, expanded access to leading-edge clinical trials and support services, physician and nursing education, and access to research expertise and resources at a local level.
Fort Walton Beach Medical Center is one of seven UAB Cancer Care Network affiliates. Other affiliates include: Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, Ga., Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, Ala., Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center in Anniston, Ala., Russell Medical Center in Alexander City, Ala,, Gulf Coast Medical Center in Panama City, Fl. and Marshall Medical Centers in Guntersville and Boaz, Ala.. The UAB Cancer Care Network anticipates announcing additional affiliates later this year.