photo by: Contributed

LMH Health's main campus at 325 Maine St.

LMH Health announced Monday it will continue full accreditation under the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer program.

According to a press release, the recognition is only granted to “institutions committed to providing high-quality cancer care.” The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 70% of cancer patients in the United States are diagnosed and/or treated at a CoC-accredited facility, though these hospitals represent just 25% of all U.S. hospitals. LMH Health joins just nine other hospitals in Kansas with this distinguished accreditation.

To receive the accreditation, the hospital’s cancer program underwent a “rigorous evaluation and review.” Those requirements included providing detailed records of LMH’s cancer research and eliminating barriers to cancer treatment, according to Dr. Chad Tate, a surgeon at LMH Health and chairman of the cancer accreditation committee.

Tate said that the accreditation alongside LMH’s new cancer center, which is set to open in June, signify how the hospital is making steps forward in providing better treatments in Lawrence.

“(These) significantly expand the mission to provide modern, evidenced-based cancer care to our community while staying close to home,” Tate said.