National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC)

In 2011, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Waterbury Hospital and the Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center expanded upon their partnerships in cardiac and cancer care by establishing The Breast Center of Greater Waterbury, ensuring that patients throughout Greater Waterbury have access to the highest quality care for breast cancer.

The surgeons, oncologists, pathologists and radiologists of the two hospitals and the cancer center have collaborated for years to provide the best care for breast cancer patients. By establishing the Breast Center of Greater Waterbury, they are taking this collaboration to the next level – and in the process, garnered the “gold standard” in national recognition for quality breast cancer care. The center was awarded a full, three-year accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons.

The Breast Center of Greater Waterbury operates as a breast center “without walls,” offering patients access to the expertise of surgeons, medical oncologists, pathologists and radiologists at both hospitals and the Leever Center.

NAPBC accreditation requires that breast health centers undergo a rigorous evaluation process and performance review. Accredited centers must demonstrate compliance with standards established by the NAPBC for treating women who are diagnosed with the full spectrum of breast disease. Standards are established in 27 different areas, including center leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education, and quality improvement. The Breast Cancer Center of Greater Waterbury achieved proficiency in all 27 areas, thereby exceeding NAPBC requirements for full accreditation. All of the center’s individual service areas, from imaging to breast surgery, have achieved individual specialized accreditations, as well.