Avera Cancer Institute Nationally Recognized As A High-Quality Rectal Cancer Treatment Center

Avera Cancer Institute in Sioux Falls has earned three-year accreditation through the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC).

NAPRC is a new quality program of the American College of Surgeons that sets the standard for high-quality and multidisciplinary rectal cancer care. Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center is the only accredited hospital in the region, with the closest programs located in Des Moines, Iowa, and Minneapolis, Minn.

To achieve NAPRC accreditation, Avera McKennan established a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologist and administrators. This team, led by Jesse Guardado, MD, Heidi McKean, MD, and other key physician champions, demonstrated compliance with NAPRC standards in the areas of program management, clinical services and quality improvement.

Guardado and McKean both emphasized accreditations like NAPRC, but more importantly the work that’s involved to achieve and maintain them, on outcomes that matter most to patients.

“The NAPRC award is assurance to patients that they’re cared for exactly as they should be; with cutting-edge technology, according to the most recent research and by a passionate and tightly-integrated team of physician specialists,” said Guardado.

“The accreditation underscores the Avera Cancer Institute’s dedication to excellence in cancer care and service of patients and their loved ones,” said McKean.