NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens has been recognized as a 2025 Center of Excellence (COE) in Lung Cancer Screening by GO2 for Lung Cancer, a national authority in early detection, education, and advocacy. This designation places the Queens hospital in an elite group of institutions nationwide that uphold the highest standards for lung cancer screening and follow-up care.
For a borough and patient base that has historically suffered from higher cancer death rates and earlier disease onset, this honor signifies more than just status — it embodies a renewed pledge to prevention, equity, and keeping essential care accessible locally.
Emphasis on Early Detection and Health Equity
The Center of Excellence status affirms the institution’s robust lung cancer screening program, featuring superior low-dose CT scans, coordinated diagnostic processes, smoking cessation support, and patient-focused care. Reducing disparities for long-underserved neighborhoods remains central to this initiative.
“As we commemorate 90 years of dedication, this Center of Excellence designation affirms our commitment to broadening access to preventive medicine and early cancer detection within our community,” said Neil Moore, MBA, MPA, MPH, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens. “Many patients here bear a higher illness burden and experience more obstacles to resources; by deploying best-in-class screening and education here in Queens—and ensuring care remains local through the Queens Cancer Center—we can prevent late-stage cancer diagnoses and help keep our neighbors in their community for treatment and recovery.”
Lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., largely due to its late-stage discovery. Screening programs, such as the one at Queens Hospital, strive to change this by detecting illness earlier, when treatment outcomes improve and survival rates increase.
Advancing Local Results with National Support
As a recently named Center of Excellence, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens will immediately tap into GO2 for Lung Cancer’s Global Knowledge Center — an extensive online education platform for COE members. The objective is to close knowledge gaps that can delay diagnosis and worsen prognoses.
Dr. Daniel Contractor, Chief of Radiology, noted that these resources will boost both patient care and community outreach.
“We’ll utilize the Global Knowledge Center’s rigorously vetted materials, provider resources, and patient tools to spread awareness, foster shared decision making, and ensure standardized follow-up,” said Contractor. “These efforts will help turn early screening into timely diagnoses and improved survival chances for those who need it the most.”
Standardized, evidence-based resources also create uniformity among care providers, making the screening and diagnostic journey clearer for all patients.
Changing Lung Cancer Outcomes in Southeast Queens
Clinicians say the COE distinction aligns with the hospital’s overarching public health vision.
“Prioritizing early screening and prevention is the key to altering the course of lung cancer here,” said Dr. Dave Holson, Chief Medical Officer. “By integrating multidisciplinary care, education, and community outreach, our aim is to bridge outcome disparities that have long affected Southeast Queens.”
These challenges are especially acute in areas with elevated smoking rates, difficult access to preventive services, and limited understanding of screening eligibility—all factors that contribute to advanced-stage cancers and poorer prognoses.
Comprehensive Care Without Leaving Queens
Queens Cancer Center delivers a complete spectrum of oncology services, from prevention and screening to diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. For local patients, this means receiving expert care without facing the inconvenience of traveling outside the borough—a barrier that can postpone or even prevent follow-up care.
The Center of Excellence label confirms Queens Hospital adheres to rigorous national benchmarks consistent with best practices put forth by the American College of Radiology and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. These benchmarks ensure program quality, reliable patient communication, prompt diagnostics, and integration of smoking cessation support.
Reaching Beyond Hospital Grounds
Additionally, Center of Excellence status enhances the hospital’s capacity for public education. NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens will access GO2’s patient education resources, downloadable guides, and outreach tools to tailor more effective, culturally aware public campaigns.
These materials will strengthen outreach through community groups, online channels, and education efforts targeting those who may lack accurate information about lung cancer risk and screening options.
In a borough as culturally diverse as Queens, this recognition highlights the necessity of accessible information, responsive services, and effective, life-saving early detection programs.
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