Cancer surgery standards program

CSSP Governance

The mission and objectives of the Cancer Surgery Standards Program (CSSP) are carried out through its two committees: Education and Standards Development.

Executive Committee

Leadership

Tina J. Hieken, MD, FACS

CSSP Chair

Mediget Teshome, MD, FACS

CSSP Vice Chair

Amanda Francescatti, MS

Staff Liaison

Goals

Develop standards for the technical steps for cancer operations critical for optimal oncologic outcomes (and to minimize long-term toxicity).
Provide a knowledge base supporting these recommendations and identify gaps to drive research.
Improve multidisciplinary communication (and downstream care) by defining components of operative notes to clearly document key intraoperative findings and details of cancer operations.
Educate and train surgeons, trainees, and staff and disseminate resources and tools to support implementation of and adherence to these standards.

Current CSSP Executive Committee Members

Education Committee

Leadership

Timothy Vreeland, MD, FACS

Chair

Anthony Villano, MD, FACS

Vice Chair

Bell Pastore

Staff Liaison

Goals

Host workshops and webinars related to cancer surgery standards for surgeons and staff at accredited centers.
Develop content related to cancer surgery standards for presentation at national meetings.
Develop educational videos for accreditation programs on compliance with the surgical standards.
Develop educational videos highlighting technical standards for cancer surgery.
Develop educational initiatives within the context of surgical training programs.
Measure impact of educational initiatives.

Current Education Committee Members

Standards Development Committee

Leadership

Tracy Wang, MD, FACS

Chair

Michael Cassidy, MD, FACS

Vice-Chair

Peter Carpenter, MHA

Staff Liaison

Goals

Develop and update evidence-based operative standards for the technical conduct of oncologic surgery based on up-to-date data.
Work with ACS Commission on Cancer to develop new CoC operative standards.
Develop and submit new quality measures for consideration by the NCDB.
Collaborate with ACS programs to monitor compliance with CoC operative standards generated by CSSP.
Work with the CSSP Education Committee to disseminate operative standards through a variety of channels (ACS website, video series).
Ensure consistency of content related to technical standards, synoptic reports, and protocols.
Create disease-site subcommittees and others as appropriate.
Engage with member organizations to ensure diverse representation.
Identify knowledge gaps in surgical care to be addressed in future studies.

Current Standards Development Committee Members