Staff Report
As the Santa Barbara Breast Care Alliance enters its 10th year as a breast care Center of Excellence, the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) has granted the alliance another three-year full accreditation.
The SBBCA brings together its coalition of breast care specialists from Sansum Clinic, Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, Pueblo Radiology Medical Group, Santa Barbara Women’s Imaging Center, Cottage Center for Advanced Imaging and several private-practice groups on the Central Coast.
This breast care center “without walls” achieved initial certification in 2010 and was reaccredited in 2013 and 2016. The recognition is provided only after a rigorous evaluation process, including an on-site review of performance to ensure high standards in leadership, clinical management, research, patient supportive care, professional education and quality improvement.
“We’re excited to celebrate the reaccreditation of our extraordinary, collaborative breast care program here in Santa Barbara and our 10th year of working together to ensure excellent patient care. Our weekly multi-disciplinary breast cancer conference is the centerpiece of our program,” said Dr. Fred Kass, Ridley-Tree Cancer Center director of medical oncology and chairman of the alliance for the past three years.
“Our patients benefit greatly from the collaboration of our breast cancer specialists, including our breast surgeons, reconstructive surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, clinical research staff, genetic counselors, patient navigators, oncology dietitian nutritionists, social workers, physical therapists and lymphedema specialists,” he said.
“This program is a testament to the highly qualified, dedicated and compassionate breast care team that exemplifies our medical community,” said fellowship-trained breast pathologist Dr. Lauren Jacobson, who is the Cottage Health director of breast pathology and was chairman of the alliance from 2013-16.
NAPBC-accredited centers are leading organizations in their field. They guarantee patients comprehensive care from a coordinated team close to home, as well as access to state-of-the-art technology and the latest clinical trials and treatment options.
For more information about the Santa Barbara Breast Care Alliance, visit www.sbbca.org. To learn about the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, visit www.facs.org/quality-programs/napbc.
