National Foundation Names Wake Forest Baptist a Pancreatic Cancer Center

November 1, 2016

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center has been designated a Pancreatic Cancer Center by the National Pancreas Foundation (NPF).

Wake Forest Baptist is the only institution in North Carolina and one of just 28 in the country to hold the designation, which the NPF established this year to recognize health care facilities devoted to provide the best multidisciplinary, patient-centered treatment of pancreatic cancer.

“Receiving this designation puts us in the top tier of health care facilities working together to advance research that will lead to innovative pancreatic cancer treatments,” said Boris C. Pasche, M.D., Ph.D., director of Wake Forest Baptist’s Comprehensive Cancer Center. “One way we’re trying to improve treatment of all cancers including pancreatic cancer is through numerous clinical trials developed locally, regionally and nationally. Our patients have access to these trials that are exploring new drug and radiation therapies, with an important part of our research focusing on symptom management and minimizing potential side effects.”

The institutions named NPF Pancreatic Cancer Centers had to undergo an extensive auditing process and meet criteria developed by a task force composed of experts in the field and patient advocates. The criteria included having the required specialists, such as oncologists, gastroenterologists, pancreas surgeons and interventional radiologists; conducting clinical trials; providing palliative care; and offering pain management, psychosocial support and other patient-focused services.

“The NPF Centers will help facilitate the development and sharing of high-quality, multidisciplinary care approaches in the field,” said Matthew Alsante, the NPF’s executive director. “Designated centers will also seek to advance research and lead the way for heightened awareness and understanding of pancreatic cancer.”

The NPF, based in Bethesda, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing hope for people with pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer through funding cutting-edge research, advocating for new and better therapies, and providing support and education for patients, caregivers and health care professionals.

Media Relations

Mac Ingraham: mingraha@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-3487

Joe McCloskey: jmcclosk@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-1273