The Pearlman Cancer Center at South Georgia Medical Center has been named one of America’s Best Hospitals for Cancer Care for the fourth consecutive year by the Women’s Choice Award, America’s trusted referral source for the best in healthcare. The award signifies that PCC is in the top 8 percent of 4,789 U.S. hospitals offering cancer care services.
 
To be considered for this recognition, a hospital must be designated by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer Classification as one of four specific types of cancer programs. The WCA measures hospitals on the presence of specific cancer-related services offered onsite, infection rates and patient recommendation ratings on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey.  The award is unique in that criteria also include primary research about women’s healthcare preferences.

According to PCC Administrative Director Peter Sorrentino, SGMC is committed to providing the community with the best possible care available and is proud to be recognized locally, statewide and nationally for exceptional patient care. "These awards do not make our organization great, they validate what we already know about excellent patient care happening right here in our community,” he said.
 
 Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the WCA, said, “According to our survey, nearly two-thirds of women would do their own research vs. letting a doctor choose a hospital for their cancer care.  The Women’s Choice Award makes it easier for them to make confident decisions.”
 
Accreditation required for the award ensures that a hospital or facility offers a full range of diagnostic and treatment services, or provides integrated cancer care and comprehensive services.  Accreditation also signifies that the facility participates in cancer-related clinical research.
 
Low infection rates compared to the national average are another important measure.  Oncology patients are more susceptible than other patients to hospital-acquired infections because of their compromised immune systems.
 
Passi emphasized that Pearlman delivers on the care that matters most to women.  “In addition to our award winners’ high-level performance on a national level, they provide the care that women value most, including easily accessible services onsite to avoid multiple trips for their treatment, which is so important to women faced with a cancer diagnosis,” stated Passi.
 
Pearlman is one of 412 award recipients representing the hospitals that have met the highest standards for cancer care in the U.S. by WCA.