Cancer Institute of New Jersey expands hospital network

Enhancing its strong presence as a statewide leader in cancer care and providing patients with additional access to cancer programs, The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) Network of hospitals has formally welcomed Mountainside Hospital as its newest Clinical Research Affiliate.

The Montclair-based facility owned by Merit Health Systems is now the 16th affiliate institution of CINJ, which is New Jersey’s only Comprehensive Cancer Center as designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). CINJ is also a Center of Excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

As a Clinical Research Affiliate, Mountainside Hospital is able to offer its patients enrollment in CINJ clinical trials while having them receive care and treatment locally at the Montclair facility. Mountainside patients also will receive access to community education, outreach and other services provided by CINJ that complement the hospital’s comprehensive cancer program.

Mountainside Hospital President and CEO John Fromhold says expanding patient access at those levels will only enhance the hospital’s commitment to excellence in its cancer service line. “Mountainside Hospital has been serving the greater Montclair area for more than a century. As a community hospital, we recognize the importance of staying close to home to receive cancer care and treatment. Through this affiliation with the CINJ Network, our patients not only will have access to the types of cancer programs available at an NCI-designated cancer center, but they also will be able to maintain a certain quality of life by not having to travel out of the area,” he said.

Molly Gabel, MD, deputy director of extramural affairs at CINJ and associate professor of radiation oncology at UMNDJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, notes the latest addition continues to demonstrate the strength of the CINJ Network. “By joining forces in this way, the CINJ Network is providing another dedicated cancer resource to the people of New Jersey and beyond. We are pleased to have Mountainside Hospital join our team, as more communities in our region will now have further opportunity to benefit from our state-of-the-art cancer treatment, research, prevention and education programs.” Under the affiliation agreement, CINJ also will provide collaborative professional education opportunities to doctors and nurses at Mountainside Hospital.

Over the last 16 years, Dr. Gabel notes the CINJ Network has been growing as a nationwide leader, not only in promoting cutting-edge cancer research leading to new drug discoveries, but also in helping to develop national policies and practices for cancer data collection. The addition of Mountainside Hospital, Gabel says, shows a continued commitment for growth in these areas.

The affiliation became effective earlier this month.