CommonSpirit Penrose Hospital announced on March 5 that it has been recognized as an approved Center of Excellence by the National Pancreas Foundation (NPF). This national designation highlights the hospital’s commitment to providing multidisciplinary, high-quality care for patients with pancreatic cancer.
The recognition is significant because Penrose Hospital Cancer Center is now the only NPF Clinical Center of Excellence in Southern Colorado and one of just 199 such centers nationwide. The designation underscores the hospital’s role in offering advanced treatment options and comprehensive support for those facing pancreatic disease.
“We are incredibly honored that Penrose Hospital has been designated as an NPF Center of Excellence for the treatment of pancreatic cancer,” said Kristi Olson, Penrose Hospital president. “This recognition is a testament to our dedicated medical teams and our commitment to delivering exceptional and innovative care in our community.”
To receive this distinction, the cancer center met strict criteria set by the foundation. These requirements include having a team of specialized physician experts—such as gastroenterologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and interventional radiologists—as well as providing holistic patient-focused care. Services like pain management, genetic counseling, high-risk surveillance, oncology nutrition support, and psychosocial care are all part of the program.
“As a member of the medical and surgical oncology team, I am extremely proud of this achievement,” stated Dr. Charlie Peters, Surgical Oncologist at Penrose Hospital. “This award validates our team’s dedication to delivering excellent, compassionate patient care and highlights our collaborative approach to complex pancreatic conditions.”
The hospital encourages those seeking more information about its specialized services or about the National Pancreas Foundation to visit their respective websites.
