Patient Care

Wilmot Cancer Institute’s Blood and Marrow Transplant Program Receives Prestigious Accreditation

May. 4, 2015
Thumbnail Image
 Michael W. Becker, M.D.; Margaret Blaney, R.N., B.S.N.; Laurie Milner, M.D.; Jane Liesveld, M.D.; Sue Frauenhofer of Wilmot's Blood and Marrow Transplant Program

The Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) Program at UR Medicine’s Wilmot Cancer Institute was recognized for its high level of care and detailed quality management processes with a three-year re-accreditation from the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT).

Wilmot’s BMT program was accredited for all types of adult and pediatric blood and marrow transplantation, as well as collection and processing procedures. Continuously accredited since 2000, Wilmot’s BMT Program performs 130 to 140 transplants annually for conditions such as leukemia, lymphoma and non-cancerous hematologic conditions including aplastic anemia and sickle cell anemia. It is one of the largest FACT-accredited programs in New York state. 

FACT is the only accrediting organization that addresses all aspects of cellular therapy treatments, including collection, processing and administration. Its accreditation is recognized by several external organizations, including government agencies and insurance companies, as a symbol for excellence in cellular therapy.

“FACT accreditation recognizes the expertise and care that our staff delivers for patients who require blood and marrow transplantation,” said Michael W. Becker, M.D., director of the BMT program. “It serves as a critically important seal of approval for our program and an indicator for patients, insurers and referring physicians of the high quality of services we provide.”

Maintaining accreditation requires adherence with regularly updated standards and on-site inspections. Becker works closely with the program’s Clinical Director Jane Liesveld, M.D.; Stem Cell Processing Facility Director Laurie Milner, M.D.; and Apheresis Collection Facility Director Frank Akwaa, M.D., as well as with the technicians, quality managers, data manager and clinical team, to ensure that program maintains its high standards.

“Patients count on us for safety and quality of the product, and FACT standards give us guidelines to make sure that we’re giving that reproducible standard product to each one of our patients,” said Margaret Blaney, R.N., B.S.N., quality manager of the BMT program. “It also gives patients and referring providers peace of mind that they’re working with a program that really cares about the quality of care and the outcome for the patient.”