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Date: March 6, 2009
Contact: Michele Fisher
Media Relations Specialist
The Cancer Institute of New Jersey
Phone: 732/235-9872
Email: fisherm2@umdnj.edu
Janina Hecht
Public Relations Manager
Atlantic Health
908/522-2142
janina.hecht@atlantichealth.org
Carol G. Simon Cancer Centers at Overlook Hospital and Morristown Memorial Hospital Become Major Clinical Research Affiliates of The Cancer Institute of New Jersey - New Designation Recognizes Hospitals as Leaders in Cancer Care and Research
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ– Celebrating a long history of collaboration, The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) has selected the Carol G. Simon Cancer Centers at Morristown Memorial Hospital and Overlook Hospital as two of the three elite first members to pioneer the newly developed Major Clinical Research Affiliate (MCRA) designation, which is aimed at improving cancer care and prevention statewide through the CINJ Network of hospitals. Atlantic Health -- the parent organization of the Carol G. Simon Cancer Centers -- was among the founding partners of CINJ, which is a Center of Excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Through affiliation with CINJ, Network hospitals are able to provide access to CINJ clinical trials for their patients. CINJ also provides its Network hospitals with professional education, community education and outreach, and other services that compliment their cancer programs. Over the last 15 years, CINJ’s Network of hospitals has been instrumental in providing its patients with outstanding cancer programs that emphasize state-of-the-art cancer care through clinical research, prevention and education components throughout the state.
The MCRA designation mandates that a hospital house a minimum of one state or federally-funded cancer-related scientific program in the areas of basic science, clinical, prevention, screening or outreach and education. It also requires the MCRA facility to actively participate in clinical research through the Cancer Institute of New Jersey Oncology Group (CINJOG). Facilities with the upgraded designation also must be active in submitting clinical trial ideas that can be disseminated to other CINJ Network hospitals through CINJOG.
Molly Gabel, MD, deputy director of extramural affairs at CINJ and associate professor of radiation oncology at UMNDJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, is pleased the CINJ Network is able to offer a designation of this caliber, “Major Clinical Research Affiliates have demonstrated a high level of commitment to oncology research. By choosing to hold themselves accountable at this level, they are assuring their patients that they are dedicated to finding a cure for cancer through research in their very own communities. ”
“The physicians, researchers and medical residents at both CINJ and the Carol G. Simon Cancer Centers have benefited from this relationship for the past 15 years,” said Lydia Tarta, director of oncology services, Atlantic Health. “It gives New Jersey’s patients increased options and access to the best possible care while staying local and close to home.”
About The Cancer Institute of New Jersey
The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (www.cinj.org) is the state’s first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and is dedicated to improving the prevention, detection,
treatment and care of patients with cancer. CINJ’s physician-scientists engage in translational research, transforming their laboratory discoveries into clinical practice, quite literally bringing research to life. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is a center of excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. To support CINJ, please call the Cancer Institute of New Jersey Foundation at 1-888-333-CINJ.
The Cancer Institute of New Jersey Network is comprised of hospitals throughout the state and provides a mechanism to rapidly disseminate important discoveries into the community. Flagship Hospital: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Major Clinical Research Affiliate Hospitals: Carol G. Simon Cancer Center at Morristown Memorial Hospital, Carol G. Simon Cancer Center at Overlook Hospital, Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Affiliate Hospitals: Bayshore Community Hospital, CentraState Healthcare System, Cooper University Hospital*, JFK Medical Center, Raritan Bay Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton (CINJ at Hamilton), Saint Peter’s University Hospital, Somerset Medical Center, Southern Ocean County Hospital, The University Hospital/UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School*, and University Medical Center at Princeton.
*Academic Affiliate
