According to the Commission on Cancer, the national Cancer Liaison Physician
Outstanding Performance Award was established to recognize individual
physicians exhibiting excellence in the following areas:
- Improving the quality of care at CoC-approved facilities
- Significantly contributing to the approval status of the cancer program
- Exceeding CLP expectations to strengthen the cancer program
- Demonstrating cancer control leadership in the community
- Serving as a champion and role model for other staff.
Dr. Locke was nominated by Debbie Poovey, CTR, Catawba Valley Medical Center’s
Cancer Registry operations coordinator. According to Poovey, “Dr.
Locke is a strong force in Catawba Valley Medical Center’s successful
cancer program, and we are grateful to have him on our team. He has been
a significant factor in the development and approval of the Community
Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program at Catawba Valley Medical Center.
Since 2000, when the program was conceived, Dr. Locke has supported and
advised on any cancer program issues that have arisen.
“Dr. Locke participates in community screening programs and speaks
at community educational conferences sponsored by Catawba Valley Medical
Center,” Poovey continued. “He also works closely with our
community outreach coordinator and our local chapter of the American Cancer
Society. What he continues to accomplish for our patients, our staff,
our medical center, and our community inspired me to nominate him for
this award.”
“While I am very honored to receive this award, it would not have
been possible without the hard work and commitment exemplified by the
entire team at CVMC’s Comprehensive Cancer Center,” said Dr.
Locke. “Our efforts to continually advance and improve cancer outcomes
are truly a collaborative effort. Personally, I appreciate the opportunity
to serve as a Cancer Liaison Physician, because it allows me to stay abreast
of the latest knowledge in the field and bring that knowledge back to
our community.”
“Dr. Ron Locke has long played a key role in the development and
advancement of Catawba Valley Medical Center’s Comprehensive Cancer
Center,” said J. Anthony Rose, Catawba Valley Medical Center CEO.
“Ron has dedicated countless hours to providing direction and support
for our cancer programs and committees. We commend him for this well-deserved
honor and are proud that he is such an integral part of our team.”
In 1922, the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) and the American Cancer
Society (ACS) came together to establish a cooperative venture focused
on establishing standards for cancer clinics. The Commission on Cancer
(CoC), now a part of the Division of Research and Optimal Patient Care,
has had a longstanding relationship with the American Cancer Society,
including the National Cancer Database, Cancer Liaison Program, and the
Facility Information Profile System.
Current membership of the Cancer Liaison Program includes 64 State chairs,
who are appointed by each ACoS local chapter. State Chairs serve as leaders
for CoC programs and initiatives at the state or regional level. There
are more than 1,600 cancer liaison physicians who serve in both CoC-approved
and non-approved cancer programs. These individual cancer liaison physicians
are appointed by their hospital cancer committees and are charged with
spearheading CoC initiatives in their cancer program.
Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) is a not-for-profit, public healthcare
system providing and promoting the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual
well-being of the public in addition to serving as a center for health
education, wellness services, preventative medicine and acute care. Twice
recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet facility,
CVMC was recently named as a “Distinguished Hospital for An Outstanding
InPatient Experience” by J.D. Power and Associates as well as a
Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers.