The basics:

• $225M Melchiorre Cancer Center welcomes first patients July 13
• Five-story, 137,000-square-foot outpatient oncology facility
• Northern hub for RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute
• Expands access to NCI-designated comprehensive cancer care

RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute officially welcomed the first patients July 13 at the Melchiorre Cancer Center in Livingston. The turning point marks the start of clinical operations at the new $225 million outpatient oncology facility, as well as another milestone in the health system’s $1.5 billion statewide cancer care expansion.

The new facility is located on the campus of Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center. The five-story, 137,000-square-foot center serves as the northern hub for oncology services within the RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute network. Melchiorre provides patients with access to advanced treatments, clinical trials and multidisciplinary care through New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

NJBIZ previously reported on the center’s June ribbon-cutting ceremony as well as toured the facility ahead of its opening, highlighting its patient-centered design, advanced technology and comprehensive services. The center brings several departments together under one roof, such as:

• Medical oncology
• Radiation oncology
• Imaging
• Infusion therapy
• Laboratory services
• Pharmacy and supportive care programs

It also features one of New Jersey’s few MRI-guided linear accelerators, 52 exam rooms and 40 private infusion suites.

Care, closer to home

RWJBarnabas Health President and CEO Mark Manigan said the center is the latest manifestation of RWJBH’s promise as New Jersey’s largest academic health system. He also said it fulfills a commitment to expanding access to world-class cancer care closer to home.

“One of the most important things that we, as a health system, can do is to meet our patients where they are at the time they need us most,” said Manigan. “For those across North Jersey who are taking on one of the toughest fights of their life – the fight against cancer – the trip for the best available, National Cancer Institute-designated care no longer requires a drive across a bridge, or through a tunnel. It will be right here, around the corner.”

One of the most important things that we, as a health system, can do is to meet our patients where they are at the time they need us most.
– Mark Manigan, president and CEO, RWJBarnabas Health

Dr. Steven Libutti is director of Rutgers Cancer Institute and senior vice president of oncology services for RWJBarnabas Health. He said the center’s first day treating patients represents a significant step in expanding the system’s integrated oncology network.

“We are excited to welcome our first patients to the Melchiorre Cancer Center,” said Libutti. “This center serves as a beacon of hope for countless patients and their families that will walk through its doors. As the northern destination for our integrated oncology network, providing NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Care, the Melchiorre Cancer Center is an integral part of our multidisciplinary care paradigm.”

A statewide oncology network

Rick Davis is CEO of Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center. He also noted the opening delivers on the goal of bringing comprehensive cancer care closer to patients across northern New Jersey.

“Beginning today, patients and families will receive comprehensive, multidisciplinary cancer care in a state-of-the-art facility thoughtfully designed to support healing, innovation, and hope – all closer to home,” Davis said.

The new cancer center is named in recognition of a $30 million gift from philanthropists Andrea and Anthony Melchiorre. The facility joins the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center in New Brunswick and the future Specialty & Cancer Care Center at the Vogel Medical Campus in Tinton Falls as key components of RWJBarnabas Health’s growing statewide oncology network. The effort is designed to bring advanced cancer treatment, research and specialized services closer to patients throughout New Jersey.