FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VHC Health Awarded Grant by American Cancer Society to Advance Lung Cancer Screening

Arlington, VA (June 9, 2025) – VHC Health, a leading community health system in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, is proud to announce its participation in the American Cancer Society’s 2025 Screening Interventions Program, a 12-month initiative aimed at enhancing cancer screening practices nationwide. Funded by Crucial Catch, a partnership between the National Football League and the American Cancer Society (ACS), this program supports healthcare professionals in promoting and delivering cancer screenings safely, equitably, and effectively.

The program’s objectives include:

• Increasing screening rates and shared decision-making, particularly for prostate cancer
• Fostering a culture of team-based quality improvement
• Developing and implementing a comprehensive action plan with ACS collaboration
• Utilizing data-driven, evidence-based interventions to reduce barriers to care
• Executing sustainable and meaningful process improvement

“At VHC Health, we are committed to making cancer screening more accessible and ensuring our community’s health needs come first,” said Melody Dickerson, Senior Vice President of Hospital Operations and Chief Nursing Officer of VHC Health. "Early detection is key to saving lives, and this generous grant will allow us to identify cancer earlier, provide treatment sooner, and give our patients the best possible chance at beating this disease. This is a critical step forward in our mission to deliver world-class care to our patients."

VHC Health offers a full continuum of cancer care, including advanced diagnostics, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgical oncology, and comprehensive support services. As an American College of Surgeons-certified Teaching Hospital Cancer Program, VHC Health integrates the latest treatments with personalized care, ensuring patients receive the highest-quality cancer care close to home.

“As a primary care physician devoted to health promotion and disease prevention, I am grateful for this collaboration to expand lung cancer screening in our community,” said Dr. Christopher Walsh, Vice President of Medical Affairs, VHC Health Physicians and a board-certified internist at VHC Health. “The evidence shows us that screening works; it is the best way to identify lung cancer in its earliest stages, leading to better outcomes for our patients. This funding will help us save lives by reaching more individuals who could benefit from early detection.”

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About VHC Health:
VHC Health® is a not-for-profit health system serving the Washington, DC metropolitan area, anchored by a 453-bed teaching hospital. We deliver high-quality, patient-centered care using advanced technology. With a growing network of primary and specialty care locations, we make healthcare more accessible for our community. Consistently recognized as a leading health system in Virginia, VHC Health has earned numerous awards and proudly holds the Magnet® designation for nursing excellence.