Become a member and receive career-enhancing benefits
Our top priority is providing value to members. Your Member Services team is here to ensure you maximize your ACS member benefits, participate in College activities, and engage with your ACS colleagues. It's all here.
Become a member and receive career-enhancing benefits
Our top priority is providing value to members. Your Member Services team is here to ensure you maximize your ACS member benefits, participate in College activities, and engage with your ACS colleagues. It's all here.
New Committee Members and Leaders Join Cancer Programs
Register for GeneQIP Informational Webinar
FAST-LUNG Webinar Focuses on Timely Lung Cancer Surgery
Promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October
AJCC Resources Provide Guidance on Cancer Staging
CoC Members Gather for Fall Meetings and Clinical Congress
Drs. Rahaman and Wilson Receive State Chair Award
Dr. Boffa Named CoC Chair
Complete the Annual CLP Survey by October 30
Review Important NAPBC Updates
NAPBC FAQs Are Updated Following Webinar
New NAPBC 2027 Standards E-Learning Course Is Now Available
Webinars Focus on Breast Cancer Surgery, NAPRC Site Visits
QUILS™-SUMMIT Study Will Assess Approaches to Lung Cancer Screening
American Cancer Society Program Supports 2027 QI Projects
National Lung Cancer Screening Day Returns November 14
CoC Recognizes Accredited Sites
NAPBC Recognizes Accredited Sites
NAPRC Recognizes Accredited Sites
Mark Your Calendar
Cancer Programs
New Committee Members and Leaders Join Cancer Programs
New committee members and leaders will bring their expertise and dedication to ACS Cancer Programs, helping shape the future of programs focused on improving cancer care. Among these appointments are new committee leaders who will help guide key initiatives and priorities across Cancer Programs.
Commission on Cancer (CoC)
Committee Leaders
Daniel J. Boffa, MD, FACS—CoC Chair
Ko Un (Clara) Park, MD, FACS—CoC Vice Chair
David D. Odell, MD, FACS—CoC Quality Assurance and Data Committee Chair
Anthony J. Froix, MD, MBA, FACS—CoC Quality Assurance and Data Committee Vice-Chair
Quan P. Ly, MD, FACS—CoC Committee on Cancer Liaison Chair
Jeffrey Farma, MD, FACS—CoC Committee on Cancer Liaison Vice Chair
Committee Members
Dona Hobart, MD, FACS—ACS
Hari Keshava, MD, MS, FACS—ACS
Charles A. Leath, III, MD, MSPH, FACS—ACS
Nader Massarweh, MD, MPH, FACS—ACS
Mohammed I. Mohammed ILYAS MBBS, MS, MRCS, FACS, FASCRS, FICS—ACS
Valentine N. Nfonsam, MD, MS, FACS, FASCRS—ACS
Virginia O. Shaffer MD, FACS—ACS
John Armstrong, MD—American Medical Association
Sarah B. Fisher, MD, FACS—American Association of Endocrine Surgeons
Robert Flavell, MD, PhD—Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
Erica Fortune, PhD—Cancer Support Community
Nicole Hanrahan, MD, FAAPMR—American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Stephanie Hill, MPH, ODS-C—North American Association of Central Cancer Registries
Abhishek Solanki, MD, MS—American Society for Radiation Oncology
Rachel Westlake, BCPA—Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Coalition
Carissa Chu, MD—Society of Urologic Oncology
National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC)
Committee Leaders
Richard J. Bleicher, MD, FACS—NAPBC Chair
Paul L. Baron, MD, FACS—NAPBC Vice Chair
Helen Cappuccino, MD, FACS—NAPBC Accreditation Committee Vice Chair
Toan T. Nguyen, MD, FACS—NAPBC Accreditation Committee Chair
Committee Members
Denise Barajas, MD, FACS—ACS
Karen Ching-Tismal, MD, FACS—ACS
Nazanin Khakpour, MD, FACS—ACS
Lauren Postlewait, MD, FACS—ACS
Abigail Chaffin, MD—American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Kelley Wood, PhD, MS, CEP, CET—American College of Sports Medicine
Susan Yackzan, PhD, APRN, MSN, AOCN—Oncology Nursing Society
National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC)
Shao Hui (Sophie) Huang, MD, MSc, MRT(T)—Union for International Cancer Control
Colleen McCormick, MD, MPH—Society of Gynecologic Oncology
Guan Wu, MD, PhD—American Urological Association
Cancer Research Program (CRP)
Ingrid M. Lizarraga, MBBS, FACS—CRP Chair
Akhil Chawla, MD, FACS—CRP Vice Chair
Cancer Programs Quality Improvement Committee
Anthony D. Yang, MD, MS, FACS—Chair
Emmanuel Gabriel, MD, PhD, FACS, FSSO—Vice Chair
Cancer Programs Advocacy Committee
James McLoughlin, MD, MBA, FACS—Chair
Jason Wilson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS—Vice Chair
Register for GeneQIP Informational Webinar
An informational webinar on Monday, November 9, at 1:00 pm CT, will introduce the 2027–2028 National Quality Improvement Collaborative, the Genetic Testing Quality Improvement Project (GeneQIP). The 2-year quality improvement collaborative aims to increase genetic testing rates among patients with breast and rectal cancer while promoting high-quality genetic care.
The GeneQIP is open to all National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC), and Commission on Cancer (CoC) programs. Programs interested in participating are encouraged to attend the webinar to learn more about the GeneQIP and the upcoming collaborative. Register for the webinar.
FAST-LUNG Webinar Focuses on Timely Lung Cancer Surgery
FAST-LUNG, a new national quality improvement initiative focused on measuring time to surgery for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer undergoing pulmonary resection, will be featured in an informational webinar on Monday, October 26, at 1:00 pm CT. FAST-LUNG is open to all CoC-accredited programs. The webinar will include an overview of the project, participation expectations, the project timeline, and an opportunity to ask questions. Register for the webinar.
Promote Breast Cancer Awareness in October
To help your site promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the Commission on Cancer (CoC) and National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) offer customizable posters that can be downloaded from the Marketing Resources section in QPort. The posters feature the CoC and NAPBC Surgical Quality Partners diamond and space for institutions to add their logos. Programs can use the posters to highlight their CoC and/or NAPBC accreditation and help educate their communities about ways to reduce breast cancer risk.
Explore AJCC educational presentation handouts from National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) Annual Conferences covering staging rules, common questions, and disease site-specific guidance.
On September 26, members and guests of the CoC gathered for fall meetings at during the 2026 ACS Clinical Congress in Washington, DC.
Following earlier meetings of the CoC Executive Committee and State Chairs, CoC Chair Laurie Kirstein, MD, FACS, welcomed members to the annual CoC plenary session. Dr. Kirstein reported on the results of the CoC elections, recognized outgoing committee members and leaders, and acknowledged the recipients of the annual State Chair and Cancer Liaison Physician Outstanding Achievement Awards.
Cancer Liaison Program Chair Maria Castaldi, MD, FACS, introduced the first-place recipients of the 2026 CoC Research Paper Competition. In the Basic Science category, Divyansh Agarwahl, MD, PhD, presented his research “An Integrin-Laminin Gradient Drives Inflammation-to-Malignancy Transition in Distal Cholangiocarcinoma.” In the Clinical Research category, Zhen Ma, PhD, presented “Tumor Organoid-Guided Therapy for Locally Advanced Radioiodine-Refractory Thyroid Cancer: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis of 38 Patients.”
Drs. Kirstein (left) and Boffa (right)
CoC Chair-Elect Daniel J. Boffa, MD, FACS, moderated the CoC Member Organization Showcase, which included presentations from Rachel Westlake, BCPA, of the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Coalition; National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) Chair-Elect Richard J. Bleicher, MD, FACS, representing the NAPBC, and Jason Gold, MD, FACS, of the Department of Veterans Affairs/Veterans Health Administration.
ACS Associate Vice President of Data Strategy Jed Cusimano and Senior Manager of the National Cancer Database (NCDB) Ryan McCabe, PhD, presented an overview of the ACS clinical data strategy and its impact on the NCDB. Dr. Boffa provided an update on the Assessing the Effectiveness and Significance of the Operative Standards Program (AESOP) study, and ACS Congressional Lobbyist Matthew Brown and ACS Manager of State Affairs Catherine Hendricks shared legislative updates pertinent to CoC members and surgeons.
Thank you to all who participated in the CoC fall meetings.
Dr. Boffa Named CoC Chair
Daniel J. Boffa, MD, MBA, FACS, a thoracic surgeon at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, and expert in cancer quality and outcomes, recently began a 2-year term as chair of the ACS Commission on Cancer (CoC).
As chair, Dr. Boffa will help set priorities for the CoC, serve as a spokesperson on oncology issues addressed by the organization, and strengthen relationships with CoC-accredited programs. Among his priorities is helping hospital teams deliver high-quality cancer care amid financial and workforce challenges.
The CoC has named New York State Chair Jamal Rahaman, MBBS, FACS, and Virginia Co-State Chair Jason Wilson, MD, MBA, FACS, as the recipients of the 2026 State Chair Outstanding Performance Award. Dr. Rahaman and Dr. Wilson received the award for demonstrating outstanding leadership and innovation and making significant contributions to improving cancer care in their states.
State Chairs support CoC-accredited cancer programs in their states, communicate with the Cancer Liaison Physicians serving in those programs, and collaborate with partners such as ACS chapters, the American Cancer Society, and state Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalitions.
Complete the Annual CLP Survey by October 30
Cancer Liaison Physicians (CLPs) are encouraged to complete the annual CLP survey by Friday, October 30. The CoC uses the survey results to evaluate educational and informational resources and develop new materials to help CLPs fulfill their roles at CoC-accredited programs. Contact mleeb@facs.org with questions.
National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers
Review Important NAPBC Updates
As programs prepare for 2027, the NAPBC encourages accredited programs to review several important updates:
2027 Standards: The NAPBC recently released Optimal Resources for Breast Care (2027 Standards). Key updates include reduced duplication with Commission on Cancer requirements, two new standards addressing function and movement and lymphedema assessment, and simplified requirements across multiple standards. Read the Cancer Program News article for more information.
New Network Option: Beginning in 2027, eligible programs providing integrated and comprehensive breast care across multiple facilities may apply for the new Integrated Network Breast Program (INBP) option. Information about INBP eligibility and the application process is available in the Resources section of QPort. Read the Cancer Program News articlefor more information.
Questions about INBP eligibility may be submitted to NAPBC@facs.org. Questions about standard requirements may be submitted to the CAnswer Forum.
NAPBC FAQs Are Updated Following Webinar
The 2027 NAPBC Standards Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been updated to include questions submitted during the September 10 webinar. Programs are encouraged to review the updated FAQ for additional clarification and guidance on new Standard 5.7, Function and Movement for Patients with Breast Cancer, and Standard 5.8, Lymphedema Assessment.
The FAQs are available in the Resources section of QPort. View the recorded webinar for additional information and discussion. Questions about standard requirements may be submitted to the CAnswer Forum.
New NAPBC 2027 Standards E-Learning Course Is Available
This self-paced course covers the standards using a combination of short videos and reading activities. Knowledge-check questions reinforce important concepts.
Participants can complete the course at their own pace, starting and stopping as needed. Whether participants are new to NAPBC accreditation or looking for a refresher, “NAPBC 2027 Standards 101” can help build their knowledge of the standards and requirements to demonstrate compliance.
Ready to get started? Register for the course today. Once registered, participants can access the course by logging in to learning.facs.org and selecting In-Progress Activities under the Learner Dashboard.
Questions about NAPBC standards can be submitted to the CAnswer Forum.
Education
Webinars Focus on Breast Cancer Surgery, NAPRC Site Visits
Cancer Programs on-demand webinars are designed to help healthcare professionals stay informed, improve performance, and enhance patient care. Topics include:
“NAPRC Site Visit Process: Success Using the New Standards”: The NAPRC recently released updated accreditation standards. This webinar outlines the site visit process under the new standards, Optimal Resources for Rectal Cancer Care (2026 Standards), including requirements for demonstrating compliance, the medical record review process, and timelines for implementation and compliance evaluation during NAPRC site visits.
QUILS™-SUMMIT Study Will Assess Approaches to Lung Cancer Screening
The University of Colorado in Aurora and the University of Kentucky in Lexington are leading a National Cancer Institute-funded randomized trial, Facilitating Scale-Up and Sustainment of High-Quality Lung Cancer Screening Using the QUILS™ System (QUILS™-SUMMIT Study). The study will evaluate approaches to help lung cancer screening programs strengthen implementation, quality, and long-term sustainability and will provide participating sites with evidence-based resources, expert guidance, and financial support.
CoC-accredited facilities with a lung cancer screening program are encouraged to share this opportunity with colleagues overseeing screening, radiology, pulmonary medicine, cancer services, and population health efforts. Interested programs can complete a brief form to learn more about participation requirements, benefits, and next steps.
American Cancer Society Program Supports 2027 QI Projects
The American Cancer Society’s QIResource Consulting (QIRC) program offers cancer centers no-cost consultation and coaching to address measurable problems affecting patient access or care. This 6–9-month program pairs centers with an experienced quality improvement (QI) coach to develop and implement solutions using a rigorous approach and methodology aligned with CoC requirements.
Eligibility Criteria:
Cancer centers that provide systemic cancer treatment to disproportionately affected populations
Senior leadership support for the project
6–9-month commitment
A defined, measurable problem affecting patient access or care
The deadline for QIRC applications is November 30 at 7:00 pm CT. Successful applicants will be notified by December 11.
National Lung Cancer Screening Day Returns November 14
The American Cancer Society’s National Lung Cancer RoundTable, GO2 for Lung Cancer, the Radiology Health Equity Coalition, and the American College of Radiology are partnering for the fifth annual National Lung Cancer Screening Day on Saturday, November 14. The campaign encourages health systems and community partners to screen more people and raise awareness of lung cancer screening.
Congratulations
CoC Recognizes Accredited Sites
The ACS CoC recognizes the following cancer sites for demonstrating their commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered cancer care to patients and the community by recently earning CoC reaccreditation:
Bronson Cancer Network Battle Creek, MI
East Alabama Medical Center Opelika, AL
Grady Memorial Hospital Atlanta, GA
Maimonides Cancer Center Brooklyn, NY
Methodist Hospitals Merrillville, IN
Northside Hospital Cancer Network Atlanta, GA
Presbyterian Hospital Albuquerque, NM
Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center Las Vegas, NV
NAPBC Recognizes Accredited Sites
The ACS NAPBC recognizes the following breast sites for demonstrating their commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered cancer care to patients and the community by recently earning NAPBC reaccreditation:
Cape Fear Valley Breast Care Center Fayetteville, NC
Hill Breast Center - Baptist Health Jacksonville, FL
Inova Alexandria Hospital Alexandria, VA
Intermountain Health - Lutheran Breast Care Center Golden, CO
Regional Cancer Center Breast Center Fort Myers, FL
Sentara McLeskey Comprehensive Breast Center Norfolk, VA
St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital Newburgh, NY
The Woman's Place for Breast Care Houston, TX
NAPRC Recognizes Accredited Sites
The ACS National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) recognizes the following cancer sites for demonstrating their commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered cancer care to patients and the community by recently earning NAPRC accreditation:
Cancer Care Clinic Iowa City, IA
Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center Huntersville, NC
