LIMA—Richard Capone, a Cancer Liaison Physician at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima, recently received an Outstanding Performance Award for going above and beyond the scope of his normal duties as a liaison between the cancer program and the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC).

This is the second time in four years Dr. Capone has received this award and he is one of only three Ohio physician recipients.

As a CoC Cancer Liaison Physician, Dr. Capone is serving a three-year appointment and is among a national network of more than 1,600 volunteer physicians who are responsible for providing leadership and direction to establish, maintain and support their facility’s cancer program. Cancer Liaison Physicians are an integral part of cancer programs accredited by the CoC.  

Nationally, the CoC recently named 39 Cancer Liaison Physicians recipients of its Outstanding Performance Awards. The awardees are to be recognized during the American College of Surgeons Annual Clinical Congress this October in Washington, D.C.

As a Cancer Liaison Physician, Dr. Capone is responsible for spearheading CoC initiatives within the hospital’s cancer program; collaborating with local agencies, such as the American Cancer Society; and facilitating quality improvement initiatives utilizing data submitted to the CoC’s National Cancer Database (NCDB).

Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education and the monitoring of comprehensive quality care.