PAMC’s cancer program is the only one in Alaska with American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer accreditation
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Providence Alaska Medical Center (PAMC) has earned a three‑year accreditation from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Commission on Cancer (CoC) Accreditation Program.
PAMC’s cancer program is the only one in Alaska with CoC accreditation. The hospital received the accreditation on Jan. 9, 2026, which is a renewal of its previous CoC accreditation awarded in 2022.
“As the only cancer program in the state accredited by the CoC, PAMC delivers high‑quality, comprehensive cancer services,” said John Halligan, M.D., medical director of Radiation Oncology at PAMC. “This full spectrum of expert care sets our program apart in Alaska and reflects our team’s commitment to the highest standards.”
CoC accreditation recognizes institutions that deliver high‑quality cancer care and meet rigorous standards. To earn this designation, cancer programs undergo comprehensive evaluation and must demonstrate ongoing compliance with all CoC requirements. Care at PAMC features a full range of services including:
- Surgical
- Medical and radiation oncology
- Pathology
- Diagnostic and interventional radiology
- Genetic counseling
- Cancer nutrition
- Oncology rehabilitation
- Research
To maintain accreditation, cancer programs must complete a site visit every three years. The CoC accreditation standards provide the structure to care for all patients with a full range of diagnostic, treatment and supportive services either on-site or by referral, including community-based resources.
“Earning this accreditation is a significant achievement,” said Charles Potera, M.D., FACS, medical director of Surgical Oncology at PAMC. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire team and their work to improve outcomes for our patients and community.”
As a CoC-accredited institution, PAMC also becomes an ACS Surgical Quality Partner. Being a Surgical Quality Partner signifies an institution’s dedication to consistently improving procedures and approaches, while maintaining a critical eye on process at every step. Patients can trust that the care they receive at Surgical Quality Partner hospitals adheres to the most rigorous standards in surgical quality.
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About Providence Alaska Medical Center
Providence Alaska Medical Center, a nationally recognized trauma center and Alaska’s only Magnet hospital, is part of Providence, a not-for-profit network of hospitals, care centers, health plans, physicians, clinics, home health services, affiliated services and educational facilities. For more information, visit providence.org/locations/ak/alaska-medical-center.
About the American College of Surgeons
The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the quality of care for all surgical patients. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has approximately 90,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. "FACS" designates that a surgeon is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
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