COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) has recently been designated a Comprehensive Center of Excellence in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lymphatic Diseases by the Lymphatic Education and Research Network.

This designation is given to hospitals that meet stringent quality standards for medical care of lymphedema and lymphatic diseases (LD) in patient communities, including oncology.

The OSUCCC – James is one of 11 hospitals nationwide and the only hospital in Ohio to achieve this quality designation.

The Lymphatic Education and Research Network (LE&RN) is a non-profit organization founded in 1998 to fight LD and lymphedema through education, research and advocacy. The Center for Excellence in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lymphatic Diseases is a quality designation awarded to programs providing the best multidisciplinary clinical care and services for individuals affected by LD and their families through a geographically diverse network of local and/or regional clinical centers. 

To achieve this designation, centers must demonstrate that they provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary clinical services to patients and families affected by LD, including follow-up services to ensure optimal clinical management. These include:

• Lymphedema-specific clinics
• Access to genetic testing
• Additional related on-site services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychiatric/psychological and nutritional counseling

Hospitals that earn comprehensive LD designation also must serve as a professional training resource and demonstrated advocacy efforts on behalf of patients impacted by LD.

“Lymphedema is often misdiagnosed, undiagnosed or mistreated and can be a lifelong, painful condition that impacts a patient’s quality of life. We are committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate, team-based care to support our patients,” says Roman Skoracki, MD, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at the OSUCCC – James and a professor at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. “This prestigious honor is a tribute to our incredibly dedicated and talented team.”

The OSUCCC – James LD team includes six plastic surgeons who specialize in microsurgical techniques required for lymphatic surgery and partnerships with cardiovascular medicine and ambulatory rehabilitation, including more than a dozen dedicated physical therapists certified by the Lymphology Association of North America 

-30-

About the OSUCCC – James
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute strives to create a cancer-free world by integrating scientific research with excellence in education and patient-centered care, a strategy that leads to better methods of prevention, detection and treatment. Ohio State is one of only 51 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers and one of only a few centers funded by the NCI to conduct both phase I and phase II clinical trials on novel anticancer drugs sponsored by the NCI. As the cancer program’s 356-bed adult patient-care component, The James is one of the top cancer hospitals in the nation as ranked by U.S. News & World Report and has achieved Magnet® designation, the highest honor an organization can receive for quality patient care and professional nursing practice. With 21 floors and more than 1.1 million square feet, The James is a transformational facility that fosters collaboration and integration of cancer research and clinical cancer care.

Media Contact: Amanda J. Harper
OSUCCC – James Media Relations
Direct Line: 614-685-5420
Central Media Relations: 614-293-3737
Amanda.Harper2@osumc.edu