Summit Medical Group will develop cancer center with MD Anderson

The Summit Medical Group and Houston-based MD Anderson Cancer Center have signed a letter of intent to develop a joint, outpatient cancer center as an extension of MD Anderson’s partnership with Cooper University Health Care. The center would provide an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to oncology care in northern New Jersey.The agreement is the first of its kind between MD Anderson and a physician-owned and governed multispecialty group. Summit Medical Group and MD Anderson will work together to plan and develop the new outpatient center. MD Anderson will provide clinical oversight and management for the program, which will include radiation oncology, medical oncology, infusion and diagnostic imaging.

RELATED: MD Anderson, Cooper officially open $100 million Camden cancer center

“We are thrilled to have MD Anderson, a national and global leader in cancer care, bring its unique knowledge and unparalleled expertise to this relationship,” said Dr. Jeffrey Le Benger, chairman and chief executive officer of Summit Medical Group. “Together with our multidisciplinary model that is transforming how health care is delivered in New Jersey, we are better positioned to provide comprehensive, world-class cancer care to patients and their families.”

“Since partnering with MD Anderson Cancer Center, Cooper has had an overwhelming response, which shows the value that MD Anderson brings to the people of New Jersey,” said George E. Norcross III, chairman of the board of Camden-based Cooper.

“MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper is a hugely successful partnership that delivers MD Anderson’s proven model of cancer treatment, care and research to South Jersey patients,” said Dr. Thomas Burke, executive vice president of MD Anderson Cancer Network. “We look forward to extending our partnership with Cooper and building a relationship with Summit Medical Group to further elevate cancer care in northern New Jersey and advance our mission to end cancer.”

Summit Medical Group would become a member of MD Anderson Cancer Network, the institution’s program to elevate the quality of cancer care in communities throughout the nation and the world. The relationship will enable Summit Medical Group to be operationally and clinically integrated with MD Anderson and contribute to the institution’s mission to end cancer.

 The relationship also will provide Summit Medical Group patients access to MD Anderson’s world-renowned treatment protocols, extensive clinical trials and cutting edge research, while remaining in the care of their Summit Medical Group primary care physicians, oncologists and other health care specialists.

Summit Medical Group will be able to provide comprehensive cancer care to its patients from diagnosis to survivorship, ensure strong communication between all treating physicians and preserve the patient-physician relationships that have existed for many years.

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Located at the University of Texas in Houston, MD Anderson is the largest freestanding cancer center in the world. For the past 25 years, it has ranked as one of the top two cancer treatment centers in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals” surveys. MD Anderson employs more than 20,000 people, including more than 1,800 physicians and scientists.

 Summit Medical Group is the state’s largest multispecialty physician group, with more than 500 practitioners in 50 locations throughout central and northern New Jersey and a headquarters campus in Berkeley Heights.

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