Waterbury Hospital earns national accreditation for rectal cancer program

Waterbury Hospital, one of ECPC’s hospital partners, has attained national accreditation from the American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) – becoming only the third hospital in Connecticut to achieve this distinction.

Elizabeth Marie Rinehart, MD, FCAP, an ECPC pathologist and Chair and Medical Director of Waterbury Hospital’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, was part of the team that worked toward this accreditation.

As a participant of the NAPRC, Waterbury Hospital has earned distinction as an ACS Surgical Quality Partner – which means the hospital is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in surgical care.

“Earning this accreditation means we provide some of the best care in the country to rectal cancer patients. Each case is rigorously reviewed by the multidisciplinary team to ensure the care plan for
each patient is the best course of action and one that can deliver the best results,” said John Zhang, MD, a colorectal surgeon. “This approach delivers personalized, patient centered care and is the first and major step towards Waterbury Hospital becoming a world class digestive disease center.”