Cancer Treatment Centers of America

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Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) is a privately-owned, for-profit company that operates hospitals and outpatient oncology clinics. CTCA has three hospitals in the United States: Midwestern Regional Medical Center, located in Zion, Illinois; Southwestern Regional Medical Center, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Eastern Regional Medical Center, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An outpatient oncology clinic, Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center, is located in Seattle, Washington. Construction has started on a fourth hospital, Western Regional Medical Center, to be located in Goodyear, Arizona, which is scheduled to open in early 2009.

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[edit] History

CTCA was founded in 1988 by Richard J Stephenson after his mother lost her battle with cancer. Stephenson was unsatisfied with the treatment options available to his mother and opened the first CTCA hospital with the mission of changing the face of cancer [1][2] The first hospital to open was Midwestern Regional Medical Center in northern Illinois.

[edit] Cancer Treatment

FDA-approved, traditional cancer treatments such as surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and stem cell transplants are offered at CTCA [3]. Nutritional support, naturopathic medicine, mind-body medicine, spiritual counseling, and other complementary and alternative therapies are also available. CTCA promotes a model of integrating traditional treatments with complementary therapies[4][5][6].

[edit] Mission

CTCA advertises itself as the home of integrative and compassionate cancer care under the motto:

"We never stop searching for and providing powerful and innovative therapies to heal the whole person, improve quality of life and restore hope"[7].

[edit] Accreditations

Each CTCA hospital is accredited with The Gold Seal of Approval™ by The Joint Commission[8]. The laboratories in each hospital are accredited by the College of American Pathologists[9]. Both Midwestern Regional Medical Center and Southwestern Regional Medical Center have been awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award by the American College of Surgeons[10] Commission on Cancer (CoC) for Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Programs.

[edit] Leadership

  • Richard J Stephenson – Founder and Chairman of the Board[11]
  • Stephen Bonner – President and CEO – Cancer Treatment Centers of America[12]
  • Dr. Edgar D. Staren – Chief Medical Officer[13]
  • Anne Meisner – President and CEO – Midwestern Regional Medical Center[14]
  • John M. McNeil – President and CEO – Eastern Regional Medical Center[15]
  • Steve Mackin – President and CEO – Southwestern Regional Medical Center[16]

[edit] Controversy

Cancer Treatment Centers of America was the subject of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaint in 1993. The FTC alleged that CTCA made false claims regarding the success rates of certain cancer treatments in their promotional materials. This claim was settled in March of 1996, requiring CTCA to discontinue use of any unsubstantiated claims in their advertising[17]. CTCA is also required to have proven, scientific evidence for all statements regarding the safety, success rates, endorsements, and benefits of their cancer treatments. CTCA was also required to follow various steps in order to report compliance to the FTC per the settlement.

[edit] External links

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ “Cancer Treatment Centers of America: Complete Overhaul” Health Executive, February 29, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-04-07
  2. ^ "Cancer Treatment Centers of America: History". Retrieved on 2008-04-07.
  3. ^ "An Alternative For Cancer Patients" Business Week, April 3, 2006.Retrieved on 2008-04-07
  4. ^ "An Alternative For Cancer Patients" Business Week, April 3, 2006. Retrieved on 2008-04-07
  5. ^ “Cancer Treatment Centers of America: Complete Overhaul” Health Executive, February 29, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-04-07
  6. ^ "Cancer Treatment Centers of America: History". Retrieved on 2008-04-07.
  7. ^ "Cancer Treatment Centers of America: Mission". Retrieved on 2008-04-07
  8. ^ “Joint Commission” Retrieved on 2008-04-07
  9. ^ “College of American Pathologists”Retrieved on 2008-04-07
  10. ^ "American College of Surgeons" Retrieved on 2008-04-07
  11. ^ "Cancer Treatment Centers of America: Leadership". Retrieved on 2008-04-07
  12. ^ "Cancer Treatment Centers of America: Leadership". Retrieved on 2008-04-07
  13. ^ "Cancer Treatment Centers of America: Leadership". Retrieved on 2008-04-07
  14. ^ "Cancer Treatment Centers of America: Leadership". Retrieved on 2008-04-07
  15. ^ "Cancer Treatment Centers of America: Leadership". Retrieved on 2008-04-07
  16. ^ "Cancer Treatment Centers of America: Leadership". Retrieved on 2008-04-07
  17. ^ "Companies That Purport to Successfully Treat Cancer Agree to Settle FTC Charges over Their Claims" March 13, 1996. Retrieved on 2008-04-07