Atlanta, Ga. (Dec. 17, 2021) – Piedmont Atlanta Hospital has been nationally recognized as an approved NPF Center by the National Pancreas Foundation. NPF Centers are awarded after a rigorous audit review to determine that an institution’s focus is on multidisciplinary treatment of pancreatic cancer, treating the “whole patient” with a focus on the best possible outcomes and an improved quality of life.

“We are honored that Piedmont Atlanta has been designated as an NPF Center for the treatment of pancreatic cancer,” said Patrick M. Battey, M.D., CEO of Piedmont Atlanta. “Having the NPF Center designation will help distinguish Piedmont Atlanta as an institution whose focus is on providing the best and most innovative care possible.”

“We are thrilled to expand our NPF Centers of Excellence Program to better serve the needs of patients suffering from pancreas disease,” said David Bakelman, CEO of the National Pancreas Foundation.  “The NPF Centers of Excellence Program is one of the pillars of NPF, and we are looking forward to working with our current and new Centers.”

An approved NPF Center has to meet the criteria that were developed by a task force made up of invited subject matter experts and patient advocates. The criteria include having the required expert physician specialties such as gastroenterologists, pancreas surgeons, and interventional radiologists, along with more patient-focused programs such as a pain management service, psychosocial support and more.

“Innovations, such as implementing a novel, web-based tumor board program, have enabled us to further standardize patient care and improve the delivery,” said Andrew Page, M.D., director of Surgical Oncology & HPB Surgery at Piedmont Atlanta. “This award is certainly validation of these efforts by our entire team to provide excellent care to patients diagnosed with pancreas cancer.”