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The International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS) recently recognized Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute’s Cardio-Oncology Program as a global center of excellence.
The honor received by the program – a gold center of excellence – is the highest level for the IC-OS society awards. Only 31 hospitals or health systems in the world have gold ratings, including 22 in the U.S. Lehigh Valley Health Network is one of only two IC-OS centers of excellence in Pennsylvania.
Launched in 2015, the program offers comprehensive cardiovascular care for cancer patients and survivors. The cardio-oncology collaboration between Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute and Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute is strengthened by Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute’s participation in the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance (MSK Cancer Alliance).
“This program provides a tremendous benefit to the community,” says Deborah Sundlof, DO, a Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute cardiologist. Sundlof serves as a co-director of the cardio-vascular program with Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute hematologist oncologist Ranju Gupta, MD.
“Cancer patients are going through a lot,” Sundlof says. “Traveling long distances for treatment adds to their burden. It’s great we can offer world-class care right here.”
