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Press Release – Coastal Cancer Center has become one of the first oncology practices in the nation to be recognized by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) Certification Program, an affiliate of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

The QOPI® Certification Program is a new initiative to certify oncology practices that meet rigorous standards for high-quality cancer care.

“This certification from ASCO and QOPI underscores our commitment to excellent care for our patients. We’re extremely proud to be among the first to receive this honor,” said Dr. Lawrence Holt, Chairman of the Board of Coastal Cancer Center.

“Increasingly educated patients and families demand accountability and the highest standards from cancer care providers,” said Douglas W. Blayney, MD, immediate past president of ASCO. “The QOPI certification will allow oncologists in the community to be at the forefront of cancer care, and to be recognized for their quality. The Certification Program will help practices determine whether they are providing the best treatment and care possible to their patients, and demonstrates a commitment to excellence and ongoing quality improvement in the hematology-oncology outpatient practice.”

QOPI is a voluntary, self-assessment and improvement program launched by ASCO in 2006 to help hematology-oncology and medical oncology practices assess the quality of the care they provide to patients. Coastal Cancer Center is one of 23 receiving the inaugural certification in 2010.

QOPI analyzes individual practice data and compares these to more than 80 evidence-based and consensus quality measures. The QOPI Certification Program provides a three-year certification for outpatient hematology-oncology practices that meet standards for quality cancer care.

About Coastal Cancer Center:

Medical oncologists on staff include Dr. Lawrence Holt, Jr., Dr. Renwick Goldberg, Dr. Vijay Paudel, Dr. Rebecca Cody, Dr. Matthew Karpenko and Dr. Emily Touloukian. All physicians are board-certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. Nurse practitioners on staff include Angie Brinegar, Sandi Bremner and Colleen Farley. Coastal Cancer Center, serving the community for 31 years, has offices in Myrtle Beach, Conway, Loris, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina and Supply, North Carolina. Physicians and staff provide chemotherapy administration, laboratory support, PET, CT and X-ray services.

For more information, call (843) 692-5000 or visit Coastal Cancer Center’s website at www.coastalcancercenter.com

About ASCO:

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world’s leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. With more than 28,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs and peer-reviewed journals. For ASCO information and resources, visit www.asco.org  Patient-oriented cancer information is available at www.Cancer.Net