Yale Cancer Center/Smilow Cancer Hospital named National Comprehensive Cancer Network Member Institution

New Haven — Today, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network^®, an alliance of the world's leading cancer centers dedicated to improving the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of care provided to patients with cancer, welcomed Yale Cancer Center/Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven as a new NCCN Member Institution. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, Jacksonville, Fla., and Rochester, Minn., were also named as new NCCN institutions.

"The election of Yale Cancer Center into institutional membership is a true testament to the growth and impact of NCCN," said Robert W. Carlson, MD, Chief Executive Officer, NCCN. "The expertise of this academic cancer center's faculty enhances the collaboration of NCCN Member Institutions as we further the mission of NCCN to improve the lives of patients with cancer in the United States and worldwide."

Yale Cancer Center is one of a select network of comprehensive cancer centers in the U.S. designated by the National Cancer Institute. Bringing together the resources of Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven and Yale School of Medicine, its mission encompasses patient care, research, cancer prevention and control, community outreach, and education.

"We are honored to be elected to NCCN institutional membership," said Thomas J. Lynch Jr., MD, Director, Yale Cancer Center; Physician-in-Chief, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven. "The collaboration of over 450 scientists and physicians at Yale focused on cancer research and patient care provides a strong foundation for breakthroughs in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment."

Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven is part of the nationally recognized Yale New Haven Hospital, the primary teaching hospital for Yale School of Medicine. The 14-story, 500,000 square-foot hospital is one of the most comprehensive cancer facilities in the northeast and includes 168 private inpatient rooms, outpatient multidisciplinary treatment centers, 12 operating rooms, infusion suites, diagnostic imaging services, a floor for children with cancer, a specialized women's cancer center and diagnostic and therapeutic radiology services for children and adults. As part of YNHH, Smilow Cancer Hospital is Magnet-designated by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Yale Cancer Center (YCC) is one of a select few National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the nation and the only such center in Connecticut. Comprehensive cancer centers play a vital role in the advancement of the NCI's goal of reducing morbidity and mortality from cancer through scientific research, cancer prevention, and innovative cancer treatment. http://www.yalecancercenter.org

Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven is part of the nationally recognized Yale New Haven Hospital, and is affiliated with Yale Cancer Center. Smilow Cancer Hospital, the most comprehensive cancer facility in New England, is a 14-story, 500,000-square-foot cancer hospital, which includes 168 private inpatient rooms, outpatient multidisciplinary treatment centers, 12 operating rooms, infusion suites, diagnostic imaging services, a floor for children with cancer, a specialized women's cancer center and diagnostic and therapeutic radiology services for children and adults. YNHH's York Street campus and associated ambulatory sites are Magnet-designated by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. http://www.ynhh.org/smilow.

Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH), part of Yale New Haven Health, is a nationally recognized, 1,541-bed, not-for-profit hospital serving as the primary teaching hospital for the Yale School of Medicine (YSM). Founded as the fourth voluntary hospital in the U.S. in 1826, today, YNHH has two New Haven-based campuses, and also includes Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital and Smilow Cancer Hospital. YNHH has received Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the nation’s highest honor of nursing excellence. YNHH has a combined medical staff of about 4,500 university and community physicians practicing in more than 100 specialties. www.ynhh.org