Texas Health Fort Worth Earns National Pancreas Foundation Clinical Center of Excellence Designation

FORT WORTH, Texas - Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth has been designated by the National Pancreas Foundation (NPF) as an NPF Clinical Center of Excellence for pancreatic cancer. The designation recognizes the hospital's multidisciplinary approach to pancreatic cancer care.

"We are honored that Texas Health Fort Worth has been designated as an NPF Center of Excellence," said Jared Shelton, FACHE, president of the hospital. "This recognition reflects the expertise, collaboration and dedication of the physicians on the medical staff, nurses and care teams who provide advanced, compassionate care for patients facing pancreatic disease. The designation reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality care and improving the health of the people in the communities we serve."

The NPF designation is awarded following a rigorous review process that evaluates a hospital's commitment to providing comprehensive, evidence-based, patient-centered care through a coordinated team of specialists.

Healthcare institutions recognized by the program must meet standards established by experts and patient advocates. NPF Clinical Centers of Excellence must also provide access to a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including gastroenterologists, pancreatic surgeons, radiologists, oncologists and other clinical experts, along with supportive services that address the whole patient.

Physicians on the medical staff of Texas Health Fort Worth diagnose and treat a wide range of pancreatic conditions, including acute and chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cysts, pancreatic necrosis and pancreatic cancer, using advanced medical, endoscopic and surgical treatment options, as clinically appropriate.

"Achieving this designation reflects the strength of our multidisciplinary approach to pancreatic cancer care," said Kimberly Washington, M.D., FACS, a hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeon and medical director of surgical oncology at Texas Health Fort Worth.

Washington, who is a member of Texas Health Surgical Specialists, a Texas Health Physicians Group practice^*, added: "Patients with pancreatic cancer often require highly coordinated care from multiple specialties. This recognition validates our commitment to developing personalized treatment plans and our goal of ensuring patients have access to the expertise, support and advanced therapies they need throughout their treatment journey."

There are 204 Centers of Excellence throughout the nation. For more information about The National Pancreas Foundation, please visit http://www.pancreasfoundation.org.