Landmark earns oncology honors

WOONSOCKET – Landmark Medical Center has earned a three-year accreditation with commendation for its oncology program from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons, the highest designation awarded by the CoC, never before won by Landmark.
In addition, Dr. Ahmed Nadeem, a hematologist/oncologist at Landmark and medical director of its outpatient oncology program, has won the American Cancer Society’s Lane W. Adams Quality of Life Award, a national honor for “outstanding caregivers” of cancer patients.
The Woonsocket hospital, which remains in receivership, welcomed the double good news as recognition of the quality of the care it continues to provide.
“I am very proud of the strides we’ve made in expanding and improving the scope of cancer care in this community,” said Landmark President Richard R. Charest. “Thanks to Dr. Nadeem and many dedicated physicians and nurses at Landmark, we have an outstanding oncology program.”
Only one-fourth of the nation’s hospitals have CoC-accredited cancer programs, according to Landmark. The commission sets stringent standards for diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and patient support, and it ensures compliance through periodic intensive on-site inspections.
Landmark has been accredited since 2001. In its latest inspection, it earned distinction for clinical management, community outreach, professional education and staff support, and quality improvement.
“It’s gratifying to have our efforts recognized and commended by the CoC,” Charest said. “We provide a full continuum of high-quality oncology care – chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy – right here in Woonsocket. Our team of clinicians has impeccable credentials, as well as a caring approach.”
Nadeem’s award was created by the Cancer Society to recognize professionals and lay volunteers who best exemplify the “warm hand of service,” improving the quality of life of people with cancer from the time of diagnosis and for the balance of their lives.
Nadeem was nominated by Phyllis Kelliher, nurse manager of the Northern Rhode Island Hematology/Oncology Program, Landmark’s outpatient program, where he is medical director. The Cancer Society’s local chapter and several patients supported the nomination.
“Dr. Nadeem develops a personal and nurturing relationship with each and every patient, and he shares in every patient triumph and tragedy,” Kelliher wrote. “He is tireless in his efforts to give every patient the care that they deserve. Even after five years of working beside him every day, I continue to be overwhelmed every time I see the care he takes in explaining every little detail to patients and families. … Every day I receive calls or visits from patients and families who tell me how they will never forget this wonderful physician who took such great pains to care during such an awful time in their lives.”
Nadeem came to Landmark in 2005 after being in private practice in Pawtucket. A graduate of King Edward Medical College in Lahore, Pakistan with a M.D. and Bachelor of Surgery, he completed a residency in internal medicine at Yale University and a fellowship in hematology/oncology at Brown University. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, with added qualifications in medical oncology and hematology. He is also an assistant professor of medicine at Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School, where last year he won the Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award.
Nadeem will receive his award in Atlanta in May. The hospital is also honoring him, on March 10.