Cancer Center Earns National Pancreas Foundation Center of Excellence Designation

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center has been recognized as a Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Center and Academic Center of Excellence by the National Pancreas Foundation (NPF), a distinction awarded only after a rigorous review process.

This designation distinguishes UC Davis Health as a premier center dedicated to providing leading-edge and sophisticated multidisciplinary treatment of pancreatic cancer. UC Davis was further designated as an academic center, which reflects its commitment to research, clinical trials, training opportunities and advanced clinical care.

“This recognition reflects our dedication to providing the highest level of pancreatic cancer care,” said Cameron Gaskill, section chief of pancreas surgery at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Pancreas cancer is a complex and aggressive disease. We take great pride in offering advanced surgical techniques, innovative research and comprehensive care to ensure that every patient has access to the highest-quality, evidence-based care, to achieve the best possible outcomes”

NPF centers must meet strict criteria developed by medical experts and patient advocates. These include having advanced specialized care providers such as pancreas surgeons, medical oncologists, gastroenterologists and interventional radiologists. It also means providing leading research and clinical trials as well as patient-focused services like dieticians and psychosocial support.

The NPF center of excellence designation is intended to help guide patients to specialists that can help with not only the diagnosis and treatment of pancreas disease, but with pain management, nutrition information and psychosocial support to have the best outcomes.

“We’re thrilled to welcome UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center into our NPF Centers of Excellence Program,” said Jenny Pagel-Guile, executive director of the National Pancreas Foundation. “This designation ensures patients have access to comprehensive care and the latest treatment options.”