Thoracic Center of Excellence Ranked First in U.S.

January 2010

The OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Thoracic Center has been ranked FIRST in the United States for risk-adjusted outcomes for major lung resections. This designation is based on the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Database for the 2008-09 reporting period.

The Thoracic Center of Excellence was established in 2003 and requires a collaborative, multidisciplinary team effort for those undergoing lung and chest surgery including physicians, nurses, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants and respiratory therapists, with support from OSF Saint Francis Heart Hospital administration.

Co-directors of the Thoracic Center are surgeons Dale Mueller, MD and Richard Anderson, MD.

“This is an incredible accomplishment. It would have been easy to sit back at 5th place and be satisfied with that as very respectable position considering all the great institutions that are a part of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Instead we all accepted the challenge, worked harder and have continued this process for the last 3 years. We are a true team. This is not any one person, but a team of hard working, dedicated people,” said Dr. Anderson.

“This is an outstanding achievement which all of Saint Francis should be proud,” said Dr. Dale Mueller. “It affirms the commitment of our specialty and medical center to excellence, and it should be the cornerstone of any quality improvement effort. We thank the multiple individuals who were involved with the Thoracic Center of Excellence.”

Dr. Anderson specializes in thoracic surgery including pulmonary resection and esophageal surgery, as well as minimally invasive thoracic surgery. He also performs general surgery procedures as a member of Peoria Surgical Group. He was recently listed in the Guide to America’s Top Surgeons, which is an honor of distinction and excellence.