PITTSBURGH Pa. (Nov. 9, 2020) – The Commission on Cancer (CoC) has named James McCormick, DO, FACS, FASCRS, Allegheny Health Network’s System Chief of Colon and Rectal Surgery and Medical Director of the Rectal Cancer Center of Excellence at AHN Cancer Institute, recipient of its State Chair Outstanding Performance Award.

The award is given to physicians who have exhibited outstanding leadership and innovation, and have made significant contributions to the improvement of cancer care in their state. CoC State Chairs represent the CoC by providing leadership and support to programs and physicians in their region. As collaborators, innovators and experts, they work alongside other cancer professionals to improve the quality of cancer care.

AHN was the first health system in the region, and sixth in the nation, to be designated as a Rectal Cancer Center of Excellence (NAPRC). This designation from the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer is granted only to programs that commit to providing high-quality care to patients with rectal cancer, and undergo a rigorous review of its performance and compliance with NAPRC standards.

The CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard setting, which promotes cancer prevention, research, education and monitoring of comprehensive quality care.