Accreditations
DeKalb Medical continues to be a leader in Atlanta in oncology research and treatment. The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons validated the excellence of our cancer care program by granting a three-year approval to DeKalb Medical as a community hospital comprehensive oncology program. Only 20 percent of hospitals in the United States have been able to achieve this cancer center accreditation approval status. In addition, DeKalb Medical also received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Commission on Cancer for meeting or exceeding the seven standards set out by the Commission.
History
DeKalb Medical has been treating cancer patients ever since it opened its doors in 1961, and 20 years ago we recognized the special needs of oncology patients in Georgia and our Cancer Center was born to meet those needs. The cancer care program at DeKalb Medical was built on direct input from cancer patients through guided focus groups. This helped to ensure that the cancer center would include all program components needed to meet the broad range of oncology patient needs and provide the greatest opportunity for a cure. Today, we continue to evaluate the program and our patients’ needs to ensure that we are providing the best cancer care in Atlanta.
Our doctors deliver superior cancer care. That is the very first step towards taking our patients through the treatment of the most frightening disease they will ever face. We invested in technology and oncology research. We are a leading hospital in the Atlanta area in the number of patients we enroll on cancer clinical trials. Our cancer center has one of the largest genetic risk assessment programs in the city. But that wasn’t enough.
We developed the DeKalb Medical Easy Access program, which enables people to call 404.501.EASY and see a cancer care specialist within 24 hours if they are concerned about the possibility of a cancer symptom. If they have been diagnosed with cancer, they can call our cancer center to arrange for a second opinion to get another oncology professional’s input on important treatment decisions.
We listened to our oncology patients’ unique struggles and responded to their stated needs. The Tree House Gang was started because patients told us how much their children were impacted by their parents’ cancer diagnoses. This group helps children cope and feel safe at a scary time in the life of their families. This program has received national recognition for its excellence.
We developed cancer care support groups for patients and a support group for family members to give them the hope, inspiration and the tenacity they need to get through treatment. We provide individual counseling to address the specific issues patients face. We put in place a cancer nutrition program, providing patient consults to help oncology patients adopt the best diet for their particular circumstances. Return to Wellness grew out of patients telling us that they had trouble getting their energy back after they completed treatment. We found that a prescribed exercise regimen worked miracles in helping patients return to their pre-cancer vitality. Our cancer center also has a monthly Hope & Healing service to nourish the challenges of the soul.
We write quarterly newsletters and books that are available free of charge to teach patients the best way to develop a cancer game plan. The bottom line is that at DeKalb Medical we have no limits to the attention we give our oncology patients and their families to make certain that they have everything they need to survive.
Cancer Care in Atlanta - Our Facilities
DeKalb Medical has four units specially designed to provide state-of-the-art clinical care to our oncology patients. These include the:
• Specialized Inpatient Oncology Unit
• Outpatient Infusion Center
• Radiation Oncology Center
• Comprehensive Breast Care Center
Our Physicians & Staff
Oncology-certified nurses and other specialty certified clinicians work alongside board-certified cancer physician specialists, including medical and hematologic oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists and many more. Click here to learn about some of our Top Cancer Doctors.
For New Patients: Patient Care Counselors & the Multi-Disciplinary Team Approach
Discovering you or a loved one has cancer is confusing and upsetting. Cancer care and treatment is complicated and often overwhelming. You and your family will have many questions and will need to make important decisions. With the support of our Patient Care Counselors, you have a personal advocate to help you obtain timely information, screenings, diagnostic tests and medical appointments. Trained to manage a wide variety of oncology patient and family needs, our Patient Care Counselors become the facilitators and problem-solvers for both our Atlanta cancer patients and your care team.
The Cancer Committee, a combined group of physicians and hospital personnel, focuses on improving cancer care within DeKalb Medical. This physician-staff committee guides the direction of the Center and works closely with the Cancer Support Team, which is made up of highly trained ancillary personnel who design programs directly related to patient services. All together, this multi-disciplinary team creates and orchestrates a cancer survival game plan to guide you through your cancer journey.
The Tree of Life
The Tree of Life symbolizes hope and survival. In the winter the Tree looks barren and dead, but when spring comes, it bursts into new life. At DeKalb Medical, we want oncology patients to gain strength from their cancer care journey. We want them to have hope and live life as freely as possible. We want them to look beyond the moment of disease to the bigger picture which encompasses the fuller meaning of life. Read some of our cancer survivors’ inspiring stories to see how their lives have been renewed. |