The Virtua Breast Care Center has again earned an important designation for the quality of its services.

The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) recently granted full, three-year accreditation to the Virtua Breast Care Center - its fourth successive designation by the group.

With offices in Moorestown and Voorhees, N.J., the Virtua program is one of just four NAPBC-accredited breast centers in South Jersey.

Administered by the American College of Surgeons, the NAPBC requires accredited programs to comply with exacting standards for treating the full spectrum of breast disease.

“Virtua’s breast program has consistently met all 28 NAPBC standards for four consecutive surveys, which really sets us apart from other programs,” said Susan VanLoon, RN, quality coordinator for the Virtua Breast Care Center.

“NAPBC Accreditation is the seal of approval for the Virtua Breast Care Center from the American College of Surgeons,” stated the NAPBC in a letter to Virtua, “and formally acknowledges your commitment to providing the highest quality evaluation and management of your patients with breast disease.”

In its report on the Virtua Breast Care Center, the NAPBC added: “This five-star center has a full staff of expert and dedicated breast cancer specialists, a beautiful, state-of-the-art, patient-centric facility, and complete administrative support for ongoing enhancements to an already top-notch program.”

“We’re extremely proud to receive this important recognition,” said William Holaday, MD, FACS, director of the Virtua Breast Care Center. “NAPBC-accredited centers must demonstrate their voluntary commitment to the highest level of breast care, and pass a rigorous evaluation and performance review.”

For instance, accredited centers must demonstrate proficiency in their leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education, and quality improvement. These centers demonstrate a firm commitment to offering patients every significant advantage in their battle against breast disease, according to the NAPBC.

Receiving care at an NAPBC-accredited center ensures that a patient will have access to:

• Comprehensive care, including a full range of state-of-the-art services
• A multidisciplinary team approach to coordinate the best treatment options
• Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options
• Quality breast care that’s close to home

Further highlights of the NAPBC’s accreditation report on the Virtua Breast Care Center include:

• “The recent merger with Penn Medicine … even further enhances this already high-quality program.”
• “Very engaged, enthusiastic, and professional team.”
• “100% patient satisfaction rates” for nursing.
• “Three certified genetics counselors on-site!”
• “Reconstructive surgeon on-site provides all types of reconstruction.”
• “Very involved clinical-trial team.”
• “800 mammograms provided for uninsured, under-served populations.”
• “Extensive participation in ongoing education for staff members.”

The NAPBC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving the quality of care and monitoring the outcomes of breast patients. It pursues this mission through standard-setting, scientific validation, and patient and professional education. Its board membership includes professionals from 20 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of breast care. For more information about the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, visit www.accreditedbreastcenters.org.

The Virtua Breast Care Center is part of the Penn Medicine | Virtua Cancer Program -- one of the largest providers of comprehensive, community cancer-care in South Jersey, serving Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties. The Virtua Breast Care Center provides services throughout the continuum of care – from diagnostic testing to treatment to survivorship.

Virtua’s Moorestown breast-care offices are in the Virtua Health & Wellness Center - Moorestown and the adjacent Virtua Samson Cancer Center, a new, state-of-the-art facility that features a specialized hair boutique. The Voorhees breast-care offices are in the Virtua Health & Wellness Center - Voorhees.