DALLAS — Parkland Health has earned ASCO Certified® status, a national recognition awarded by the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) that acknowledges excellence in patient-centered cancer care.
The certification recognizes Parkland Cancer Center's commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care while meeting nationally recognized standards for safety, quality, and patient outcomes.
ASCO Certified is based on Oncology Medical Home (OMH) standards developed by ASCO and the Community Oncology Alliance. The certification evaluates oncology practices and health systems across seven key areas of cancer care, including patient engagement, access to care, evidence-based treatment, team-based care, quality improvement, palliative care discussions, and treatment safety.
To achieve certification, organizations must meet all required care delivery and antineoplastic therapy safety standards.
"Achieving ASCO Certified designation is a significant distinction for Parkland Cancer Center and reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered cancer care," said Dr. Navid Sadeghi, Chief of the Parkland Cancer Center and Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
"It demonstrates that even in a resource-constrained environment, it is possible to provide safe, coordinated, and exceptional care to every patient we serve," Sadeghi added.
Parkland officials said the recognition highlights the work of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, patient navigators, and support staff who contribute to cancer treatment and patient care.
"This recognition reflects the hard work, collaboration and unwavering commitment of our physicians, nurses, pharmacists, navigators and support staff," said Umber Dickerson, Administrative Director of Parkland's Cancer Center. "As Dallas County's public health system, we are proud to demonstrate that nationally recognized standards of excellence can be achieved while caring for a diverse patient population with complex needs."
To maintain certification, Parkland will continue participating in ongoing reviews that evaluate quality improvement initiatives, patient satisfaction data, treatment pathway utilization, and key quality measures such as advance care planning, depression screening, pain assessment, and end-of-life care discussions.
ASCO Chief Executive Officer Dr. Clifford A. Hudis said the certification program helps ensure oncology providers deliver coordinated, evidence-based care focused on patient outcomes.
"The ASCO Certified program is a vital tool for practices dedicated to providing the best quality cancer care," Hudis said. "Focusing on patients, it supports the provision of coordinated and evidence-based care."
The designation places Parkland among a select group of cancer care providers nationwide that have demonstrated adherence to ASCO's comprehensive standards for quality oncology care.
