FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2026
Minnesota Oncology Is the First and Only Oncology Practice in Minnesota to Become ASCO Certified
ASCO’s Quality Program Delivers Patient-Centered Care
St. Paul, Minn. – Minnesota Oncology recently earned ASCO Certified™ status. ASCO Certified is a patient-centered cancer care certification program from the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Achieving this certification demonstrates that Minnesota Oncology has a strong and enduring commitment to measuring the quality of cancer care delivery and meeting national standards in quality and safety.
With this achievement, Minnesota Oncology becomes the first and only ASCO certified oncology practice in Minnesota, and one of only 18 certified practices in the United States and 22 worldwide to earn this certification.
ASCO Certified works by certifying oncology group practices and health systems that meet a single set of comprehensive, evidence-based Oncology Medical Home (OMH) standards from ASCO and the Community Oncology Alliance (COA). These standards focus on seven different domains of cancer care: patient engagement; availability and access to care; evidence-based medicine; comprehensive team-based care; quality improvement; goals of care, palliative, and end-of-life care discussions; and antineoplastic therapy safety. To achieve certification, practices go through a rigorous process to meet all care delivery standards and antineoplastic therapy safety standards.
“Achieving ASCO Certification demonstrates our dedication to providing high‑quality, patient‑centered cancer care,” said Minnesota Oncology President Paul Thurmes, MD. “It is an important recognition of the systems, processes, and teamwork we have in place to support safe, effective care and continually raise the bar for our patients and their families.”
Minnesota Oncology will continue to work with ASCO Certification Program surveyors to review quality improvement initiatives, patient satisfaction surveys, and oncology treatment pathways utilization, as well as data on quality measures, such as advance care planning, depression screening, antineoplastic therapy in the last 14 days of life, and pain assessment to maintain certification and demonstrate its continued commitment to providing high-quality cancer care.
"The ASCO Certified program is a vital tool for practices dedicated to providing the best quality cancer care,” said ASCO CEO Clifford A. Hudis, MD, FACP, FASCO. “Focusing on patients, it supports the provision of coordinated and evidence-based care and that is why we are thrilled to see this program embraced by the oncology community.”
Visit the ASCO Certified website for more information.
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About Minnesota Oncology
Minnesota Oncology is an independent, community-based cancer care practice providing patient-centered, evidence-based treatment in the Twin Cities metro area. As the Twin Cities’ largest and most experienced cancer care provider, Minnesota Oncology offers patients access to more than 100 cancer care experts, personalized treatment plans, clinical research, and comprehensive services to support the whole person.
Media contact:
Minnesota Oncology
Amy Steigman, Director of Marketing & Communications
651.233.6731 [email protected]
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