CHI St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock has been named an approved NPF Center of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer and Pancreatitis by the National Pancreas Foundation (NPF). This recognition follows a comprehensive audit review that evaluates an institution’s commitment to multidisciplinary treatment, patient-centered care, and improved outcomes for those with pancreatitis. CHI St. Vincent is currently the only hospital in Arkansas to receive this designation, joining fewer than 200 centers across the United States.
“We are honored that CHI St. Vincent Infirmary has been designated as a NPF Center of Excellence for treatment of pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis,” said Dr. William G. Jones, president of CHI St. Vincent Infirmary. “This honor recognizes our exceptional gastroenterology healthcare team, whose focus is on providing the best and most innovative care possible.”
Jenny Pagel-Guile, Executive Director of The National Pancreas Foundation, stated: “We are thrilled to expand our NPF Centers of Excellence Program to better serve the needs of patients suffering from pancreas disease. The NPF Centers of Excellence Program is one of the pillars of NPF, and we are looking forward to working with our current and new Centers.”
To qualify as an approved NPF Center, institutions must meet criteria developed by experts and patient advocates. These requirements include having specialized physicians such as gastroenterologists, pancreas surgeons, interventional radiologists, pain management services, psychosocial support programs, and other patient-focused resources.
“I am very proud of my team and this achievement,” said Dr. Abdelrahman Attili, hepatobiliary surgeon and director of CHI St. Vincent’s pancreatic treatment team. “This award is just further confirmation of our team’s commitment to excellent, cutting-edge patient care.”
CHI St. Vincent operates as a regional health network based in Little Rock since 1888 and offers primary care, specialty clinics, urgent care centers, hospitals, home health services, rehabilitation facilities and surgery centers throughout Arkansas. U.S. News & World Report ranks CHI St. Vincent as No. 1 in Central Arkansas for cardiology and heart surgery specialties while also rating it highly in several other surgical procedures.
The hospital is part of CommonSpirit Health—a nonprofit Catholic health system focused on advancing public health—which includes multiple hospitals and care sites across various regions.
The National Pancreas Foundation was established in 1997 to support individuals affected by pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer through research funding, advocacy for improved therapies, education initiatives for patients and caregivers as well as professional development opportunities for healthcare providers.
For more information about the National Pancreas Foundation visit www.pancreasfoundation.org.
