True, in some sense, Don, and also for better outcome in CCC. There is only one NCCN hospital in NYC, Memorial Sloan Kettering, out of hundreds, and doubt few are better than some here in NYC, that are also top in the U.S. and internationally. Just a few off my mind are Mount Sinai, Columbian Presbyterian, NYU, Montifiore. I don't know what the NCCN inclusion entails, and maybe these do not want to belong, and are not just cancer centers, but top in many other specialties, which matters to me too. There are other listings like U.S. News Reports Best Hospitals, NCI designated cancer hospitks, Chase Connely's Best Doctors, New York Magazine's Best Doctors, and Hospitals to name a few.

I was treated at Mount Sinai, and now at Beth Israel, both CCC. The other thing is top hospitals pick you, you don't pick them. Memorial Sloan Kettering did not even want to see me for a consultation, and said I was in good hands when hearing where I was treated, and seeking another consultation. Also, many of the high profile doctors in CCC, are probably further away, may have a limited schedule, are often away, may spend less time with you, and or have an assistant see you. I go for having a local doctor for certain care, and top CCC for my major care, like surgery, testing, which I do. Trust and gut feeling, also factor in.

Several reasons I did not go to MSK initially, is Mount Sinai had an office locally, where my ENT had office hours once a week, and was recommended by another ENT. They also rated higher rate for ENT thsn MSK. and I had a mental block for a hospital for only cancer patients, thinking these were for sick people only lol, and I underestimated this cancer, and also did not belong to an support groups or similar. and did not ask any opinions, which I still rarely do.

My current Radiation Oncologist wrote the book on Multidisciplinary Care, and sort of chastised me for having doctors all over NYC lol. He said I have to be treated at one place, which was my initial plan in 2009, but after my severe debility from chemo, I did not want to see anyone my local oncologist didn't suggest, but did keep my ENT, and formed my own team later on. She visited me every day while I was hospitalized for several months, oversaw my care, and saved my life , but last July, I did have to go elsewhere after a recurrence, which few could treat, but I still see her for the anemia, other issues, and at least would go to our local hospital in event I'm admitted here.