The University of Florida Health Cancer Center, with its partners in Jacksonville and Orlando, has once again been recognized as a Cancer Center of Excellence by Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Department of Health.

The UF Health Cancer Center is one of four centers in the state to receive this designation, and is the only Cancer Center of Excellence in North Central Florida. This designation includes Cancer Center partners, the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute in Jacksonville and the Orlando Health UF Health Cancer Center.

The Cancer Center of Excellence designation was created by the Florida Legislature in 2013 to recognize exemplary patient-centered coordinated care and to help Florida providers be recognized nationally as a preferred destination for quality cancer care — while simultaneously attracting and retaining the best cancer providers in the state, according to the Florida Department of Health website.

The three-year designation is awarded to hospitals and treatment centers that meet strict performance standards in three areas: health care organization, health care team members, and patients and family members. Scores are based on rating standards created by a joint committee of members from the Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council and the Biomedical Research Advisory Council, two advisory groups mandated by the Florida Legislature.

Receiving this designation once again is testament to the UF Health Cancer Center’s dedication to innovative and collaborative patient-centered care, says Jonathan Licht, M.D., director of the UF Health Cancer Center.

“We continue to strive toward excellence in our mission to save lives and to provide the highest level of care across the cancer spectrum,” said Licht.