FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Marketing & Communications
1340 Central Park Blvd., Suite 210
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Ph: 540.741.1412
Fax: 540.741.1511
Contact: Tamra Wheeler, Public Relations Coordinator, tamra.wheeler@mwhc.com
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (July 7, 2026) – Mary Washington Healthcare has again earned accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (ACS CoC), reaffirming its commitment to providing high-quality, comprehensive cancer care to the region.
The ACS CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for patients with cancer through the establishment and advancement of rigorous standards.
CoC accreditation is awarded to institutions that demonstrate sustained compliance with these standards and a commitment to continuous improvement. As part of the reaccreditation process, cancer programs undergo a comprehensive evaluation every three years to ensure they meet evolving benchmarks in patient-centered care, quality outcomes and program performance. The CoC standards provide a framework to ensure patients have access to a full range of diagnostic, treatment and supportive services, either on-site or through coordinated referrals, including community-based resources.
“Maintaining Commission on Cancer accreditation reflects our commitment to providing coordinated, high-quality cancer care for our patients and their families,” said Christopher Newman, MD, MBA, President and CEO of Mary Washington Healthcare. “It reflects our continued investment in advanced services, technology and clinical expertise. Most importantly, it ensures our community has access to exceptional cancer care close to home.”
“Cancer care requires a multidisciplinary approach to ensure patients receive the most effective, evidence-based treatment,” said Rod Flynn, MD, FACS, a surgical oncologist with Mary Washington General Surgery. “This recognition reinforces the strength of collaboration across our teams and reinforces our ability to provide leading-edge care to patients without the need to travel far for treatment.”
As a CoC-accredited institution, Mary Washington Healthcare also becomes an ACS Surgical Quality Partner. Being a Surgical Quality Partner signifies an institution’s dedication to consistently improving procedures and approaches, while maintaining a critical eye on process at every step. The Surgical Quality Partner designation lets patients know the health system is dedicated to quality and relentless self-improvement and has been verified or accredited by the ACS. Patients can trust that the care they receive at Surgical Quality Partner hospitals adheres to the most rigorous standards in surgical quality.
“Participation in ACS quality programs reflects a strong commitment to accountability and continuous improvement in surgical care,” said Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS, executive director and CEO of the American College of Surgeons. “By maintaining this recognition, Mary Washington Healthcare demonstrates its focus on sustaining high standards, enhancing patient outcomes and advancing the quality of care delivered to its community.”
Mary Washington Healthcare remains committed to advancing cancer care and improving outcomes for the communities it serves.
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About Mary Washington Healthcare
Mary Washington Healthcare is a fully integrated, regional healthcare system that provides inpatient and outpatient care at more than 80 facilities including Mary Washington Hospital, a 471-bed tertiary hospital; Stafford Hospital, a 100-bed community hospital; four emergency departments, and a multi-specialty graduate medical education program. Mary Washington Healthcare is a non-profit health system with a longstanding commitment to providing care regardless of patients’ ability to pay. For more information about our services and facilities, visit mwhc.com.
About the American College of Surgeons
The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the quality of care for all surgical patients. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 88,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. “FACS” designates that a surgeon is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
