GMC Bone Marrow Transplant Program accreditted

April 14, 2009, DANVILLE- The Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Geisinger Medical Center (GMC) has received accreditation from the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT). FACT accreditation certifies that the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at GMC meets national guidelines for excellence in cellular therapy.
 
Geisinger oncologists have performed autologous bone marrow transplants since 1998. Autologous bone marrow transplants refer to stem cells that are collected from an individual and are given back to that same individual. In this type of transplant, the stem cells are obtained prior to the patient receiving high-dose chemotherapy, stored and are reinfused after chemotherapy. Bone marrow transplants supply bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells to patients with leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

“This accreditation reflects the preparation and hard work of our dedicated team of physicians, physician assistants, nurses and office staff,” said Albert Bernath, MD, Co-Director of the Cancer Service Line at Geisinger. “It highlights our ability to deliver outstanding bone marrow transplant care.”

The program is led by hematologists Edward Gorak, DO and Sharif Khan, MD. Bone marrow transplants are often the only hope for survival for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and other blood and bone marrow disorders when other treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation, have stopped working.

“This accreditation further defines the quality of our program, our team, and our dedication to excellence,” Dr. Gorak said. “Our patients will benefit from increased access to newer therapies and the latest clinical trials.”

Multiple myeloma patient, James Desiderio, 50, of Hanover Township, drove an hour to Danville for his bone marrow transplants. “To drive two to three hours to a big city for the same procedure and level of expertise wasn’t a burden that I wanted,” said Desiderio.  “Plus, I was able to be home every night and that means a lot when you’re trying to recover.”

Founded in 1996, FACT establishes standards for high quality medical and laboratory practice in cellular therapies. FACT is a non-profit corporation co-founded by the international Society for Cellular Therapy and the American Society of Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation for the purposes of voluntary inspection and accreditation in the field of cellular therapy. The major objective of FACT is to promote high quality patient care and laboratory performance in the belief that a valid accreditation must assess both clinical and laboratory aspects. 

An autologous bone marrow transplant is one of two types of transplants offered for cancer patients. Geisinger also offers allogeneic transplants, where cells are used from a donor, and is pursuing accreditation for the procedure in 2009.

To learn more about leukemia, lymphoma and bone marrow transplantation at Geisinger, visit www.geisinger.org/cancer.