WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital earns National Pancreas Foundation Center designation

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital has been nationally recognized as an approved NPF Center by the National Pancreas Foundation. NPF Centers are awarded after a rigorous audit review to determine that an institution’s focus is on multidisciplinary treatment of pancreatitis, treating the “whole patient” with a focus on the best possible outcomes and an improved quality of life.

“We are honored to have been designated as NPF Center for treatment of pancreatitis,” William Hutson, M.D., section chief of WVU Medicine Gastroenterology and Hepatology, said. “Having the NPF Center designation will help distinguish Ruby Memorial Hospital as an institution whose focus is on providing the best and most innovative care possible.”

An approved NPF Center has to meet the criteria that were developed by a task force made up of invited subject matter experts and patient advocates. The criteria include having the required expert physician specialties, such as gastroenterologists, pancreas surgeons, and interventional radiologists, along with more patient-focused programs, such as a pain management service, psychosocial support, and more.

“We are thrilled to expand our NPF Centers of Excellence Program to better serve the needs of patients suffering from pancreas disease,” David Bakelman, CEO of the National Pancreas Foundation, said. “The NPF Centers of Excellence Program is one of the pillars of NPF, and we are looking forward to working with our current and new Centers.”

For more information about the National Pancreas Foundation, visit www.pancreasfoundation.org. For more information about WVU Medicine Gastroenterology and Hepatology, click here.

About The National Pancreas Foundation

Founded in 1997, the National Pancreas Foundation provides hope for those suffering from pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer through funding cutting-edge research, advocating for new and better therapies and providing support and education for patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. The NPF is the only foundation dedicated to patients suffering from all forms of pancreas disease. For more information, visit www.pancreasfoundation.org.