The Hackensack Meridian Health John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center is ranked as the best cancer center in New Jersey by U.S. News & World Report.
The center is best known for having a nationally recognized blood cancers program — including multiple myeloma, lymphoma and leukemia — and it also has one of the largest bone marrow transplant programs in the country.
Want more? John Theurer Cancer Center, through its 16 subspecialized divisions — each led by a highly recognized expert — is the leader in cancer services in New Jersey.
But here’s the best part: Hackensack Meridian Health is working to ensure that all of the services John Theurer Cancer Center provides are more readily available up and down the state.
Dr. Andre Goy, physician in chief in oncology and chairman of John Theurer Cancer Center, said HMH wants to offer to all cancer patients access to expertise, clinical trials and cell therapy when needed and closer to home.
“Managing cancer is getting increasingly complex, with novel options and technologies constantly evolving. Bringing the expertise of the John Theurer Cancer Center to other parts of our state and the surrounding region will help patients receive the best options they deserve,” he said.
Goy noted that John Theurer Cancer Center at HOPE Tower at Jersey Shore University Medical Center is a prime example of such effort — as it will help serve communities in southern New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Additional efforts in Paterson, Wayne, Toms River and, soon, Totowa, also are in the works.
“There are two questions in oncology every patient wants to know: What is my best option now? And what is the best sequence of care, given the complexity and number of options available nowadays?” Goy said.
“Having the reassurance that you can get this approach closer to home is enormously reassuring for patients during one of the most difficult times of their lives. We are proud to lead innovation in cancer care in our state and honored to help more patients in need.”
Goy offered these thoughts and more to ROI-NJ. Here’s a look at the conversation.
Question: Give us a big-picture view of the John Theurer Cancer Center and the type of treatment that’s provided there.
Answer: The center is part of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, one of just 16 in the entire nation.
JTCC is characterized by three things: The depth of our expertise, with highly subspecialized care across 16 divisions — first, it’s the only center in New Jersey with this level of subspecialization. Secondly, we have one of the largest blood cancers programs in the nation, with over 550 bone marrow transplants/cell therapies performed in 2021, acute myeloid leukemia, myeloma and lymphoma dedicated teams. Lastly, we have a highly recognized nationwide clinical science and drug discovery program, in-house as well as a Phase I unit, one of the fastest growing in the country.
About the John Theurer Cancer Center
- Ranked New Jersey’s top cancer center by U.S. News & World Report.
- Leads cancer services in New Jersey by volume, scope and level of care, working across 16 subspecialized divisions covering the complete spectrum of cancer care.
- Performed over 7,500 bone marrow transplants since 1990, making it one of the largest in the country.
- Part of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center consortium, one of just 16 in the nation.
- Only center in the state with an outcome division focused on data and analytics to better track patients’ outcome and optimize treatment decisions. Academic and data-driven best New Jersey cancer program, providing them the best options in diagnostics and treatment recommendations even in complex cancers.
- Works closely with Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation, the network’s dedicated research facility, on translational science, and has established a comprehensive biorepository to facilitate research.
- Implemented routine genomics access with DNA and RNA signature for every patient network-wide, which will leapfrog the cancer program in precision medicine.
Q: Talk more about the expansion of services to the Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
A: JTCC expansion location at the HOPE Tower at Jersey Shore University Medical Center will bring this philosophy and approach to cancer care. Starting with leukemia and adult blood and marrow stem cell transplantation services, we help patients receive the best care closer to home.
Q: Where else are you expanding services?
A: Beyond the flagship at Hackensack University Medical Center, JTCC now has several locations across our state, from JTCC at Palisades Medical Center to our affiliation with the Regional Cancer Center in Toms River, and our new partner, St. Joseph’s Health, which will include new infusion centers opening soon at St. Joseph’s Health University Medical Center, as well as St. Joseph’s Health in Wayne and, later this year, a full-scale new facility for cancer care in Totowa.
Expanding locations and affiliations across our state is an integral part of JTCC strategy to help cancer patients across our New Jersey and in underserved communities.
Theurer Center honors
U.S. News & World Report recognizes John Theurer Cancer Center as the best cancer center in New Jersey.
The JTCC earned the gold seal of approval from the Joint Commission in:
- Breast cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Uterine ovarian cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Blood and marrow transplantation
- Brain tumors
Q: Let’s talk research: What are some of the greatest breakthroughs in cancer care and how is John Theurer contributing?
A: We at JTCC are fortunate to be at the center of a formidable ecosystem: from 17 HMH hospitals connected through the same electronic medical records, to seeing and caring for patients longitudinally over time (and assess change in the disease), to our genomics platform allowing all cancer patients to have DNA and RNA signatures to help guide treatment decision, the cornerstone of precision medicine. Finally, our translational research partner through the Center for Discovery and Innovation, together with our comprehensive biorepository, have helped us continue to expand in the future and develop further options for our patients.
Our well-recognized clinical science program, with over 150 full-time employees in adult oncology, explains why so many patients choose JTCC, but also why we have been at the forefront of drug development for decades, and, as such, have been involved in the approval of most novel therapies in oncology, particularly in leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. We also have had a strong focus on immunotherapy, which has revolutionized the management of most solid tumors and were the first to bring CAR-T cell therapy in the state of New Jersey almost a decade ago.
Q: What’s next? How do you see the John Theurer Cancer Center impacting cancer care in the state in the coming years?
A: We are privileged to provide world-class cancer care to patients in more locations than ever — and we will continue to innovate and provide the most compassionate care our patients deserve. Being part of the ongoing revolution in cancer care is what makes all our teams’ members excited and proud. Our mission will never change — helping each patient one at a time while pushing the boundaries of cancer.
For more information about the Hackensack Meridian Health John Theurer Cancer Center, go to hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/Services/Cancer-Care or call 848-464-9355.
