Doctor Appointed as Cancer Liaison

(Middletown) - Arvind Kamthan, M.D. has received a three-year appointment as an American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Liaison Physician for the Tucker Center for Cancer Care at Orange Regional Medical Center. Cancer Liaison Physicians are an integral part of cancer programs approved by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC). Dr. Kamthan is among a national network of more than 1,600 volunteer physicians, who are responsible for providing leadership and direction to establish, maintain and support their facilities’ cancer program. Dr. Kamthan, who has significant interest in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with malignant diseases, is a member of the multidisciplinary cancer committee at Orange Regional Medical Center, an institution dedicated to quality comprehensive cancer care. Cancer Liaison Physicians are responsible for spearheading CoC initiatives within their cancer program; collaborating with local agencies, such as the American Cancer Society; and facilitating quality improvement initiatives, utilizing data submitted to the CoC’s National Cancer Database (NCDB). Data received from the more than 1,400 CoC-approved cancer programs are compiled and reported back to the individual facilities to analyze patterns of care. The NCDB currently contains patient demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment and outcomes of information for more than 27 million malignant cancers diagnosed and treated at hospital cancer programs in the United States between 1985 and 2003. The Cancer Liaison Physician works with the cancer program staff to facilitate the submission, presentation, use, and interpretation of reports. Analyzing and sharing these data with the cancer committee can have a positive impact on cancer patient care at the facility. The Commission on Cancer is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving the survival and quality of life for cancer patients. The Commission achieves its goal through standard setting, cancer prevention, research and educational activities, as well as monitoring comprehensive quality care. Orange Regional prides itself on being the leader in the region’s fight against cancer. The importance of comprehensive patient care is the responsibility of our staff at the Tucker Center for Cancer Care. With groundbreaking technology, advanced therapies and treatments, world-class surgeons, educational classes and support groups, the Tucker Center cares for the entire patient, not just the disease.For more information about Oncology services at Orange Regional Medical Center, call the Health Connection at 1-888-321-ORMC (6762).