Methodist Richardson Medical Center has been awarded the prestigious Gold Seal of Approval for pancreatic, liver and bile duct cancer care from the Joint Commission. It is the first hospital in the nation to receive the award.

Experts from the commission performed an on-site review in October that evaluated the hospital's compliance with national disease-specific care standards among other items, a Dec. 10 press release from Methodist Richardson said.

“We know we are as good or better than any place in the country with regard to outcomes for these cancers,” said Dr. Rohan Jeyarajah, the hospital's director of GI Surgical Services. “This really puts Methodist Richardson on the map since we are first in the nation.”

The certification symbolizes the hospital's commitment to safe and effective care, the press release stated.

"We are very pleased to receive this certification from The Joint Commission, the premier health care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation,” President of Methodist Richardson Ken Hutchenrider said.  “It is an honor to provide our community and beyond with this level of care.”