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University of Maryland Medical Center Gets National Cancer Institute's Highest Designation

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The University of Maryland's Greenbaum Cancer Center is being called "outstanding" by the National Cancer Institute -- the highest designation given.

"Research has grown, our educational programs have grown, our cancer prevention programs have grown to the point where we are now recognized as the very, very top class of cancer centers, which is called comprehensive cancer centers," says Dr. Kevin Cullen.

According to the center's director, only 48 centers in the nation have the designation.

William Hammond was sent to the center by the doctors at his hometown hospital because he needed a higher level of treatment.

"It's a tremendous facility, absolutely," he says. "They work together so well here. I mean, it's tremendous team work from the time you come in until the time you leave."

Whether it's a screening test or surgery, each team member coordinates efforts to treat a single patient.

And the designation means more grant money could be coming for research, as well as more patients.

"There are good studies that show coming and being treated in an NCI designated center tends to be associated with better outcomes," according to Cullen.

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