Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute Awarded National Pancreatic Cancer Center Designation

(KANSAS CITY, MO.) Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute has been designated as a Pancreatic Cancer Center by the National Pancreas Foundation (NPF). Saint Luke’s is the only hospital in the Kansas City region, and one of only 36 in the nation, to receive this prestigious designation. NPF Centers are selected after a rigorous audit review to determine that an institution’s focus is on multidisciplinary treatment of pancreatic cancer, and treating the “whole patient” with a focus on the best possible outcomes and an improved quality of life.

“We are honored Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute has been designated as an NPF Center for treatment of pancreatic cancer,” said Timothy J. Pluard, M.D., Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute Medical Director. “Having the NPF Center designation identifies Saint Luke’s as an institution whose focus is on providing the highest quality and most innovative care possible. This is one more way Saint Luke’s is focused on being a leader in cancer care for patients in Kansas City and beyond.”

“The NPF Center designation allows us to better serve this important patient population,” said Matthew Alsante, Executive Director of the National Pancreas Foundation. “When an institution meets the rigorous standards required to receive this designation, we can recommend with confidence that patients will receive quality cancer care.”

To earn the NPF Pancreatic Cancer Center designation, an institution must demonstrate a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, including offering access to expert physician specialties such as medical oncology, pancreatic/hepatobiliary surgery, and interventional radiology, and access to clinical trials.

The NPF criteria also includes offering patient-focused programs such as physical wellness, palliative care, pain management, and psychosocial support.

“This is a great achievement and a testament to a dedicated team approach focusing on this complex patient population while achieving excellent outcomes,” said Lee S. Cummings, M.D., Saint Luke’s Pancreatic Cancer Center Surgical Director.

Learn more about the National Pancreas Foundation.

About The National Pancreas Foundation  
Founded in 1997, the National Pancreas Foundation provides hope for those suffering from pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer through funding cutting-edge research, advocating for new and better therapies and providing support and education for patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. The NPF is the only foundation dedicated to patients suffering from all forms of pancreas disease. For more information visit: https://www.pancreasfoundation.org  
Media Contact: Matthew Alsante, Executive Director, National Pancreas Foundation, (866) 726-2737, malsante@pancreasfoundation.org

About Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute  
The Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute is located at Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City. Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute offers care at nine locations throughout the Kansas City region, and provides services through clinical affiliation at Liberty Hospital, Bates County Memorial Hospital and Western Missouri Medical Center. For additional information visit https://www.saintlukeskc.org/cancer.