University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health Receives CEO Cancer Gold Standard Accreditation

From University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health:

The CEO Roundtable on Cancer has accredited University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health (UM UCH) with the CEO Cancer Gold StandardTM, recognizing its efforts to reduce the risk of cancer for its team members and covered family members.

This nonprofit organization of CEOs, founded by former President George H.W. Bush, created the Gold Standard in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), many of its designated cancer centers and other leading health organizations. The Gold Standard requires employers to evaluate their health benefits and corporate culture and take extensive, concrete actions in five key areas of health and wellness to reduce the risk of cancer in the workplace.

“We are pleased to recognize the efforts of University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health,” said Christopher A. Viehbacher, chairman of the CEO Roundtable on Cancer. “CEOs in health care industries see firsthand the benefit that improved workplace health and wellness can have in cancer prevention and improved overall health. I hope the leadership and commitment of President and Chief Executive Officer Lyle Sheldon and the team at University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health will encourage other employers across all industries to become Gold Standard accredited.”

To earn Gold Standard accreditation, an employer must establish programs to reduce cancer risk by prohibiting tobacco use and supporting tobacco cessation efforts, further encouraging prevention by promoting physical activity, healthy nutrition and weight management; detecting cancer at its earliest stages; and providing access to quality care, including participation in clinical trials ( visit https://www.precisionformedicine.com/therapeutic-research-expertise/oncology-and-immuno-oncology/ to get all the information on how these trials usually get devoloped). Today, over four and a half million employees and family members are benefiting from the vision and leadership of 173 employers who have chosen to become Gold Standard accredited.

“This accreditation is a great symbol of how we have improved our own lifestyle habits in order to model our vision of creating the healthiest community in Maryland. When we counsel our patients on these same changes, it helps the message when we can say we understand how difficult lifestyle changes can be,” said Lyle Sheldon, president and CEO of UM UCH.

In addition to NCI and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 NCI-designated cancer centers and more than 60 other hospitals have earned Gold Standard accreditation. CEOs from many industries are keenly aware of the life-improving impact they can have on health and controlling health care costs when they address cancer and other chronic diseases. Gold Standard employers include Avis Budget Group, Harvard School of Public Health, Lowe’s, Aetna, State Farm, Hogan Lovells, Dell, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, SAS and many Blue Cross affiliates.