ACS NAPRC Accreditation Improves Rectal Cancer Treatment Across the US

The rate of colorectal cancer cases is increasing at an alarming rate for adults in their mid-20s to late 50s, according to an article from the ACS Bulletin. This makes it more important than ever to ensure every hospital throughout the country has the capacity to provide high-quality cancer treatment. 

The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 46,950 new cases of rectal cancer (27,950 in men and 19,000 in women) in 2025.¹  

Polyps in the rectum—the last 12 centimeters of the large intestine²—can take 10–15 years to turn into a cancerous tumor.³ "The rectum doesn't have the same protective outer layer (called the serosa) as the colon, so it's easier for a tumor to break through and spread locally," explains Karin Hardiman, MD, PhD. "That makes rectal cancer 10 times more likely than colon cancer to come back after treatment where it started.”² 

The American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (ACS NAPRC) was developed to improve the quality of care and results for patients facing a rectal cancer diagnosis. Rectal cancer outcomes have been shown to be variable and highly contingent upon specialization, training, and volume. By applying standards based on international models, ACS NAPRC-accredited hospitals have a 10% lower mortality rate for surgical patients.

Below is a sample of hospitals accredited through the ACS NAPRC.  

Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center 

Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center (BMDA) in Jacksonville, Florida, earned a 3-year accreditation from the ACS NAPRC. BMDA strives to provide high-quality, patient-centered care while addressing program management, clinical services, and quality improvement.⁴ 

“As one of the first colorectal cancer programs in the country to earn the NAPRC accreditation and Surgical Quality Partner designation by the American College of Surgeons, we are proud to be leading the way in surgical treatments for this complex disease,” said Ron Landmann, MD, FACS, FASCRS, chief, section of colon & rectal surgery. “This achievement, and our recent reaccreditation, underscores our unwavering commitment to patient safety, excellence, and providing the highest standard of innovative, personalized and quality multidisciplinary cancer care for our community.” 

BDMA prioritizes an evidence-based, multidisciplinary model of care. The facility also offers support groups and counseling for patients and their loved ones to help them on the journey towards recovery.⁵ 

Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus  

Bayhealth Hospital is central and southern Delaware’s largest healthcare system. This not-for-profit institution has nearly 4,000 employees and a medical staff of more than 450 physicians and 200 advanced practice clinicians.⁶ 

Bayhealth earned NAPRC accreditation in 2022. The rectal cancer program is led by general and colorectal surgeon Assar Rather, MD, FACS, who said, “Our commitment to NAPRC accreditation elevates the quality of care for our community and has led to the expansion of clinical expertise and research at Bayhealth.”⁷ 

John Muir Health 

John Muir Health Concord Medical Center’s Rectal Cancer Program first earned accreditation from the NAPRC in 2018.⁸ 

“The NAPRC re-accreditation reinforces to patients that we have an innovative program that is at the forefront of rectal cancer care,” said Piyush Aggarwal, MD, colorectal surgeon and medical director of the gastrointestinal oncology program at John Muir Health. “It reflects our outstanding team as well as the advanced technologies at our facilities that enable our patients to receive timely care and gives them the best chance for positive outcomes.”⁹ 

John Muir Health Concord Medical Center uses a multidisciplinary approach to address patient needs. The multidisciplinary team includes colorectal surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists, a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, patient liaison, genetic counselor, and a nurse navigator. 

MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper University Healthcare  

The Rectal Cancer Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper’s received NAPRC accreditation in 2021. The facility offers a full range of prevention and treatment options for rectal cancer and other gastrointestinal malignancies from a multidisciplinary team of gastroenterologists, colon and rectal surgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and other cancer specialists.¹⁰ 

“This accreditation is the gold standard for clinical excellence in the treatment of rectal cancer,” said Kevin O’Dowd, JD, co-CEO of Cooper.  

“Our goal at MD Anderson at Cooper is to transform cancer care for patients in the state and region,” Anthony J. Mazzarelli, MD, JD, MBE, co-CEO of Cooper said, adding that NAPRC accreditation is “…a testament to the commitment of our team to provide advanced cancer care to our patients.” 

OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center  

OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois, is the largest of OSF Healthcare’s 16 hospitals.¹¹

OSF Saint Francis prioritizes a collaborative care approach, bringing together multiple specialists including radiologists and pathologists, gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists.¹² 

“Accreditation through the NAPRC reflects our commitment to delivering the highest standard of multidisciplinary care,” Michelle Julien, MD, director of the colorectal program at the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute said. “It ensures our patients receive evidence-based, coordinated treatment that improves outcomes and quality of life.” 

Virtua Health  

The Rectal Cancer Program at Virtua Health earned NAPRC accreditation in June 2022.¹³ 

“The NAPRC accreditation is confirmation of our team achieving the highest standards of rectal cancer treatments and care,” said Avi Galler, MD, FACS, director of Virtua’s Rectal Cancer Program. “Our rectal cancer team is extremely diligent in making sure our patients receive top-notch quality care at Virtua.”¹⁴ 

Virtua specializes in robotic-assisted rectal cancer surgery, which causes less trauma to the body by using smaller incisions and promotes faster healing, less pain, reduced blood loss, less scarring, and a lower risk of infections.¹⁴ 

Explore ACS Patient Tools

The American College of Surgeons provides information and resources to help patients make educated healthcare decisions. View the For Patients section of our website for details about common surgical procedures, questions to ask your doctor, nutrition tips to optimize recovery, and more. Look for ACS quality when seeking a care center near you. Use our Find a Hospital search tool to find treatment facilities. 

References 

1. “Colorectal Cancer Statistics: How Common Is Colorectal Cancer?” Colorectal Cancer Statistics | How Common Is Colorectal Cancer? | American Cancer Society. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html. 
2. Zalewski S. Rectal vs. colon cancer: How they differ. March 19, 2019. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/how-colon-and-rectal-cancer-differ. 
3. “What Is Rectal Cancer?” Cleveland Clinic, June 2, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21733-rectal-cancer. 
4. “Home.” Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center | Jacksonville, FL. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://www.baptistmdanderson.com/about-us/awards-accreditations. 
5. “Home.” Baptist MD Anderson | Jacksonville, Florida. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://www.baptistmdanderson.com/cancer-types/colorectal-cancer-overview.  
6. “About Us.” Bayhealth. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://www.bayhealth.org/about-us. 
7. “Bayhealth Again Earns Accreditation for Rectal Cancer Program.” Bayhealth. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://www.bayhealth.org/about-us/newsroom/2024/november/bayhealth-again-earns-accreditation-for-rectal-cancer-program. 
8. About Us. Accessed July 23, 2025. https://www.johnmuirhealth.com/about-john-muir-health.html. 
9. John Muir health rectal cancer program earns prominent accreditation for third time. June 10, 2025.  Accessed July 23, 2025. https://www.johnmuirhealth.com/about-john-muir-health/press-room/Press-releases/2025-06-10-john-muir-health-rectal-cancer-program-earns-prominent-accreditation-for-third-time.html. 
10.  “Md Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper Receives National Recognition for Rectal Cancer Care.” Inside Cooper, October 28, 2021. https://blogs.cooperhealth.org/news/2021/10/md-anderson-cancer-center-at-cooper-receives-national-recognition-for-rectal-cancer-care/. 
11.  “About Us.” OSF HealthCare. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://www.osfhealthcare.org/patients-visitors/about. 
12. “Discover Our Colorectal Cancer Program.” Colorectal Cancer Program | OSF Cancer Institute | OSF HealthCare. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://www.osfhealthcare.org/services/specialties/cancer/conditions-treatments/cancer-programs/colon-rectal-cancer. 
13.  “Virtua Health’s Rectal Cancer Program Receives Prestigious Accreditation.” Virtua. June 23, 2022. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://www.virtua.org/news/virtua-healths-rectal-cancer-program-receives-prestigious-accreditation. 
14. “Colon Cancer: Colorectal Cancer: Virtua Health.” Colorectal Cancer | Virtua Health. Accessed July 2, 2025. https://www.virtua.org/Services/Cancer-Care/Colorectal-Cancer.