Dr. Peter Stotland appointed Regional Surgical Oncology Lead

Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) recently appointed Dr. Peter Stotland as Surgical Oncology Lead for the Central Regional Cancer Program. Dr. Stotland is a fellowship trained surgeon focused on the treatment of the gastrointestinal malignancies (tumours) and implementation of minimally invasive techniques at North York General Hospital (NYGH).

In his new role with CCO, Dr. Stotland will over see quality standards for cancer surgery at Humber River Regional Hospital, Markham Stouffville Hospital Corporation, NYGH, Southlake Regional Health Centre, Stevenson Memorial Hospital, and Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital.

These six hospitals provide cancer care for residents in North York, York Region and South Simcoe and ensure patients and families receive high-quality health services close to home.

“Taken together, the combined cancer volumes of the hospitals in the Central Region reflect a vast amount of care in the province,” says Dr. Stotland. “Through CCO we have a great opportunity to develop new quality initiatives and share best practices to improve care that affects thousands of patients.”

Highlights of NYGH's cancer care programs include:

• access to transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) and TaTME for colorectal cancer — available at only a few hospitals in Canada

• first in Canada to offer transperineal prostate biopsies (TPBx)

• the only breast cancer care program in Canada to receive full accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons

• comprehensive colorectal cancer care with a dedicated nurse navigator

For the past five consecutive years, North York General Hospital (NYGH) has received the Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) award for top performing hospital for wait times 2 (decision to treat to treatment) and for the second year in a row, the CCO award for meeting all targets for wait times 1 (time from referral to consult), a new CCO quality indicator.

NYGH's Integrated Collaborative Care model, multidisciplinary team approach and active participation from Patient and Family Advisors ensure patients experience a seamless journey through the health system from screening, diagnosis, treatment, recovery and on-going follow-up care.

“North York General is a key partner in delivering the highest-quality cancer care in Ontario,” says Dr. Stotland. “With medicine and technology continuously evolving I look forward to collaborating with the six partner hospitals to improve safety, quality and the patient experience.”