CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Breast Program Earns National Accreditation for Excellence in Breast Care

December 16, 2022

Tyler, Texas – Following a two-year process, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances has earned a prestigious accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Cancers (NAPBC), having met, and exceeded all 28 of the accreditation standards required to become the first in East Texas to do so.

In 2020, the oncology department developed a formal leadership team tasked with taking the steps to enhance and elevate breast care services by voluntarily initiating the process of accreditation.

“We identified key stakeholders from each specialty who care for breast patients during their journey from diagnosis and treatment through survivorship, including breast and reconstructive surgery, medical and radiation oncology, pathology, radiology, nursing, genetics, and leadership (oncology, breast center, hospital), and asked them to participate in our Breast Program Leadership Team,” said Stephanie Thomas, director of oncology at Mother Frances Hospital. “After a full year of preparation, routine meetings, and required documentation, the hospital applied for NAPBC accreditation with the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and began the process of scheduling and preparing for the initial site visit in October 2022. Following final review by the NAPBC, we were granted full accreditation.”

CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Ross Breast Center is the first NAPBC accredited breast center in East Texas, according to the ACS website.

The accreditation is valid for three years and signifies the breast program’s dedication to high quality patient care, psychosocial services, patient navigation, survivorship care, research, outreach, and professional education.

“This accreditation provides real value to our breast program, hospital cancer program, and our patients,” said Judy Frazier, manager, Ross Breast Center.

Added Dr. Tyler Leete, director, Ross Breast Center. “Our goal is to strive to be on the forefront of quality breast care, remain on the leading edge of technologies and committed to extending our mission to all we can reach.

The comprehensive, multidisciplinary, patient-centered program, features numerous breast specialists, including:

• Diagnostic Radiology
• Pathology
• Surgery
• Medical Oncology
• Radiation Oncology
• Nurse Navigator
• Genetics Professionals
• Survivorship Clinic

With the addition of Drs. Bejoy Thomas, Laura O’Halloran, and James Saar from CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Plastic Surgery, patients now have additional surgery options including reconstruction, lymphovascular bypass, and breast reconstruction using the patient’s own tissue, thus eliminating the need for artificial implants.

“The accreditation for Ross Breast Center means that we are providing the highest quality of breast cancer care to our patients. As a group, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Plastic Surgery offers the full complement of breast cancer reconstruction to our patients,” Thomas said.. “As a team, we are here to provide compassionate and comprehensive care for breast cancer patients in East Texas and beyond.”

In total, over 30 individuals representing multiple specialties were involved in the planning, documenting, and execution of plans to earn accreditation.

“This is something we should all be proud of,” said Dr. Michael Norton, Breast Program director. “The amount of folks who were involved and the amount of work done showcases everyone’s dedication to making sure we are providing the very best care to all patients that we see.”