Clara Maass Opens New Cancer Center

More than 100 people attended the Grand Opening of the new Cancer Center at Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville recently, including medical staff, elected officials, Barnabas Health corporate executives and cancer survivors.

Visitors gathered in the lobby of the Continuing Care Center before entering the brand new Cancer Center following a ceremonial ribbon cutting by Mary Ellen Clyne, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Clara Maass Medical Center, and Dr. James M. Orsini, MD, Medical Director of The Cancer Center.

“Patients can now come to this calming environment and get help for all aspects of their treatment – whether it’s seeing their doctor, setting up appointments for chemotherapy, attending a support group, talking to a therapist or buying a wig,” Clyne said. “Our patient navigators will help them manage their health care – connecting them with expert medical resources and making sure they understand their treatment, each step of the way.”

In his remarks, Orsini called the opening of The Cancer Center a “dream come true.” He said, “We not only provide the latest in innovate care and research to our patients, but now the patient and their families will have the ability, through our cancer navigators, to address treatment, research, genetics and lifestyle; and help them choose the right doctor on their path to cure.”

Additional speakers included Dr. John V. Kelly, MD, President of the Medical Staff at Clara Maass Medical Center and Thomas A. Biga, Executive Vice President of Operations for Barnabas Health.

The Cancer Center also hosts a conference room for support groups that also doubles as a patient resource center, with access to the Internet and racks of printed materials about cancer care and services. One of the features of the new Cancer Center is its boutique, where patients can meet with experts to get fitted for a wig or prosthetic in a private and comfortable parlor-like setting.

“For the first time ever, cancer patients will be able to get the comprehensive treatments they need at one location. The Cancer Center is conveniently located on the Clara Maass Medical Center campus and patients will be able to get the services they need without having to leave the building, thus easing the stress on them and their families during what can be a very difficult time,” said Clyne.

The Cancer Center is located on the Ground Floor of the Continuing Care Building at the Clara Maass Medical Center at 1 Clara Maass Drive. The phone number for The Cancer Center is 973-844-4150. It is open and accepting patient appointments.

Clara Maass Medical Center has won numerous awards and accolades.It is ranked among the 50 Best Regional Hospitals in the New York Metro Area by U.S. News & World Report. It has received two Grade “A” scores in Hospital Safety by the Leapfrog Group. HealthGrades awarded Clara Maass an Emergency Medicine Excellence Award. Thomson Reuters named Clara Maass among the top 100 hospitals nationwide in 2012, one of only three hospitals in New Jersey to attain the distinction. In addition, Clara Maass won the Thomson Reuters Everest Award, one of 12 hospitals in the United States to do so. Clara Maass Medical Center was ranked as the second highest in New Jersey for hospital safety by Consumer Reports. It is ranked top in the state for the treatment of Congestive Heart Failure and Heart Attacks by the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services.

Located in Belleville, NJ, Clara Maass Medical Center, a Barnabas Health facility, provides a complete continuum of care to residents of northern New Jersey. Clara Maass’ centers and services include The Health and Wellness Center, Nuclear Medicine, The Cancer Center at Clara Maass, Adult Cardiac Services including Diagnostic Services, Cardiac Catheterization, Elective and Emergency Angioplasty and Rehabilitation, The Pain Management Center, The Joint & Spine Institute, a Vascular Center, Same Day Surgery, The Wound Center at Clara Maass, The Center for Sleep Disorders, The Bariatric Surgery Center, Rehabilitation Services, The Eye Surgery Center,  Maternity Services and Parent Education, as well as Pediatrics.  For a physician referral or more information about Clara Maass, call 1-888-724-7123 or visit www.barnabashealth.org 

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