The cancer program on the campus of Riverside Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester was one of only 75 cancer care facilities in the country to receive a national award.

The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons has granted Three-Year Accreditation with Commendation to the local cancer facility.

To earn voluntary CoC accreditation, Riverside spokesperson Shannon Fedors said, a cancer program must meet or exceed 34 CoC quality care standards, be evaluated every three years through a survey process, and maintain levels of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive patient-centered care. The special commendation is only given to a facility that exceeds standard requirements at the time of its triennial survey.

Walter Reed was the lone Riverside Health System facility to receive the special commendation, Fedors said. ...