Richard J. Bleicher, MD, FACS, Chief of the Division of Breast Surgery and Temple Health’s Clinical Director of the Breast Service Line, has been selected to serve as Chair of the American College of Surgeons’ (ACS) National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) and Chair of its Executive Committee.
The NAPBC, a quality program of the American College of Surgeons, accredits breast programs throughout the United States and establishes accreditation standards for breast centers nationwide. It supports facilities in delivering high-quality, multidisciplinary, patient-centered care for people with breast disease and breast cancer. Its standards address the full continuum of care, from screening and prevention through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
“It is a privilege to be selected for this role with the NAPBC,” said Bleicher. “The program’s standards are central to advancing coordinated, high-quality breast care, and I look forward to helping support centers as they continue to improve care for patients across the country and beyond.”
Bleicher specializes in breast cancer, with a focus on novel treatment modalities, clinical trials, and cosmetic outcomes. He is recognized for his work in breast cancer care, including research on timeliness and the impact of delays in breast cancer treatment, and his work has informed national quality measures through the Commission on Cancer. “
He has been involved with the NAPBC since its inception, 20 years ago, and besides being an accreditation surveyor, has held multiple leadership roles within the program, including Chair of the Quality Committee, and Vice Chair of the NAPBC.
Fox Chase has maintained continuous NAPBC accreditation since 2009 and received its sixth consecutive accreditation renewal in 2025. The NAPBC has also accredited programs outside the United States, including centers in Canada, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, reflecting its growing international reach.
Fox Chase Cancer Center at Temple University Hospital also recently earned re-accreditation from the NAPBC at the American College of Surgeons, complementing the nearly two-decade history of the Cancer Center's NAPBC accreditation.