The Hadassah Medical Organization’s (HMO) Cardio-Oncology Center has been declared Israel’s first Center of Excellence. A notable accomplishment indeed, as the field of cardio-oncology is still developing in Israel and as many international institutions are boycotting Israel at the present time. The recognition comes from the International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS).
"The international recognition we received as the first Center of Excellence in Israel in cardio-oncology is proof of the center's real contribution to the advancement of the field in Israel, especially to the treatment, healing and preservation of patients' quality of life,” said Prof. Dan Gilon, who started and now heads the center.
The Cardio-Oncology Center was established about a decade ago and treats more than 250 patients a year. In addition to providing optimal care, the center is the first in Israel to incorporate cardio-oncology into the cardiology curriculum for medical students.
The field of cardio-oncology, which examines the connection between heart disease and cancer, has seen worldwide growth over the last 10 years, especially in Israel, due to the increasing number of cancer survivors, thanks to higher success rates of cancer treatments. These treatments, however, can sometimes negatively affect cardiovascular health, possibly because of heart disease, risk factors, the progression of the oncological disease or the use of chemotherapy and biological drugs. To overcome this challenge, the Cardio-Oncology Center applies a multidisciplinary approach — a regulated collaboration between cardiology, oncology and hematology. The cardio-oncology field is aimed at serving a growing community of about 400,000 people in Israel.
"The evaluation and treatments performed at the center succeed in supporting and enabling the recovery of patients from malignant diseases despite heart diseases," said Prof. Gilon.
“This is recognition of Hadassah's path, values and contribution, accompanied by excellence in every medical and academic field, and the change it generates in the Israeli and global health system," said Prof. Yoram Weiss, director general of the Hadassah Medical Organization.
IC-OS is a worldwide group of professionals who strive to protect the cardiovascular health of all patients undergoing cancer therapy. According to its website, an IC-OS Center of Excellence is defined as “a program within a healthcare institution which is assembled to supply an exceptionally high concentration of expertise and related resources centered on a particular area of medicine, delivering associated care in a comprehensive, interdisciplinary fashion to afford the best patient outcomes possible.” The IC-OS Center of Excellence (COE) certification is the only cardio-oncology certification available to recognize institutions and practices that have demonstrated superior expertise in the field.
Read More
Newsweek Survey Ranks Hadassah Among Top Hospitals in Oncology, Cardiology and Smart Technology