SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT FOR NJBIZ CANCER CARE 2020 Valley’s Breast Cancer Care Team: Skilled, innovative, personalized care Accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, the highest level of recognition. Chad DeYoung, M.D. Moira Christoudias, M.D. Thomas Rakowski, M.D. Eleonora Teplinsky, M.D. Scott DeGregorio, M.D. Laura Klein, M.D. Michael Wesson, M.D. Radiation Oncologist Breast Surgeon Medical Oncologist Medical Oncologist Radiologist Breast Surgeon Radiation Oncologist Proven. Innovative. Here. Valley Health System’s team of breast cancer specialists is elevating cancer care in our region. Dedicated to achieving the best possible results, these doctors collaborate on innovative treatments and techniques — including oncoplastic and plastic surgery for the best possible cosmetic outcomes — to ensure each woman not only receives the care and treatment she needs, but is also cared for as a whole person. And through Valley’s partnership with the Mount Sinai Health System for cancer care, these doctors offer women access to innovative research and clinical trials. If you are facing a breast cancer diagnosis, this is the team to choose. For more information about Valley’s Breast Cancer Team and the treatments they offer, please visit ValleyHealth.com/BreastCancer or call -6- ­. 20-VHS-0524 Breast Care Team_NJBIZ Cancer Care Flyer_10.125 x 13.5_v1-0.indd 1 2/4/20 4:42 PM TABLE OF CONTENTS Mailing Address A holistic approach to cancer 220 Davidson Ave., Suite 122, NJ hospitals balance technology with a human touch 6C Somerset, NJ 08873 www.njbiz.com • (732) 246-7677 NJ hospitals are leaders in cancer care PUBLISHER Ken Kiczales Dedication, innovation lead to quality results 10C GENERAL MANAGER AnnMarie Karczmit Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey ADVERTISING unveils plans for new Cancer Pavilion 12C ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Susan Alexander EDITORIAL John Theurer Cancer Center forges link with ProCure 14C CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Martin Daks Anthony Vecchione Holy Name receives grant to support women PRODUCTION SPECIAL PROJECTS DESIGNER with gynecologic cancers Wendy Martin Peer program to connect patients with survivors from AD DESIGNER diagnosis through treatment 16C Abigail Wilhelm Published by Bridgetower Media Decline in cancer mortality due in part to investment in research 16C Cancer Care 2020 | 3C National leaders in Cancer Care THE LEFCOURT FAMILY CANCER TREATMENT AND WELLNESS CENTER 350 Engle Street | Englewood, NJ 07631 | For referrals and new patient appointments, call 201-608-2266. All of us for all of you. Find a physician: 833-234-2234 or englewoodhealthphysicians.org A holistic approach to cancer NJ hospitals balance technology with a human touch By Martin Daks alyzed 24/7, 365 days a year so trends can be identified sooner.” s part of their commitment to pro- viding top level health care, lead- In addition to efficiently and accurately re- ing-edge hospitals and networks viewing pathology reports, the AI system can Acontinue to research new solutions electronically send copies of the analyses to ap- for cancer and other patients. To some degree that propriate members of the care team, including involves a balancing act, as noted by a research physicians, appointment-scheduling staff, and paper on the National Institutes of Health web- social workers — who may coordinate insur- site which notes that patients’ experience “should ance, home-assistance and other activities — in be valued as much as clinical effectiveness” and addition to a patient registry team that collects “services should be tailored to meet their different uniform data so specific diseases or conditions types of needs.” Institutions in New Jersey appear can be studied for large populations. to have taken that message to heart. “This AI-enabled initiative supplements, but The medical professionals at Holy Name does not replace, the multidisciplinary human Medical Center’s Patricia Lynch Cancer Center component,” Tubb said. “Doctors still speak in Teaneck, for example, are helping cancer pa- with patients, nurses and others, because more tients to lead better lives, while simultaneously conversations lead to better outcomes.” eliminating some stereotypes. Inspira is also working to improve the treat- Shattering a myth ment experience with virtual reality headsets “Some people think that clinical oncology that offer cancer patients the option of accessing trials like the ones we’re currently administer- an immersive VR experience, from the serene ing are only surroundings like bird watching, silent medita- available at tion, or small-space yoga, to the thrill of a NA- large can- SCAR race or a roller coaster. cer centers, “Hospital patients receiving infusion therapy but that’s a for example — which can be a lengthy treatment myth and — have the option of utilizing the VR headsets we’re help- to enhance their comfort,” explained Tubb. “It ing to dispel also boosts their sense of control, since they can it,” noted Dr. Sharyn Lew- Patricia Lynch Cancer Center's Dr. Sharyn Lewin - HOLY NAME MEDICAL CENTER select their own immersive experience.” The health care system also offers real-time in, medical in is the principal investigator and her medical tional and yoga classes, and psycho-social sup- Lewin- HOLY NAME MEDICAL interactive connectivity options that enable CENTER director of partner, gynecologic oncologist Dr. Maria Schi- port — that’s delivered by compassionate team family or other loved ones to conveniently of- gynecologic avone, is sub-investigator of the three studies. members. These and other activities all have a oncology at Holy Name. She trained at Memori- “One of the patients who enrolled in the Mer- positive effect on patient outcomes.” fer support during a doctor-patient encounter by al Sloan Kettering and then served on the faculty ck Keytruda study was originally in tremendous remotely participating from the comfort of their at NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia Universi- pain, with both of her kidneys blocked,” Lewin Combining high-tech with a own home, office or other location. ty Medical Center for five years, but ultimately recalled. “Today, she’s much better and nearly human touch “How often have patients expressed the wish chose to practice at Holy Name. free of the disease.” Inspira Health is another institution that goes to have an advocate by their side to ask ques- “I wanted to able to closely connect with our the extra mile to enhance patient care and expe- tions during their conversation with a physi- patients and their families, while enabling them Collaboration brings results rience, utiliz- cian?” Tubb noted. “Using a smartphone, iPad to access professionals that offer high-level “We focus on collaborating with various phar- ing high-tech or other mobile device, Inspira Health patients expertise, cutting-edge treatment options, and maceutical and medical device companies in the initiatives can now invite selected individuals to securely unparalleled compassionate care,” said Lew- U.S. and around the world to bring cutting-edge, like artificial link with them in a kind of real-time video con- in, who’s been with the local institution for six safe treatments and technology to our patients,” intelligence ference. It also gives patients the option to selec- years. “For example, we are pleased to field a added Ravit Barkama, M.D., associate vice pres- and virtual tively engage in voice-only mode, or to turn the robust offering of clinical trials for gynecolog- ident of clinical development. “Holy Name’s reality. The app off as desired.” ical and other cancers through our Institute for treatment options match and even surpass those health care Clinical Research at Holy Name.” offered at academic medical centers.” system is These kinds of technological advances, along Holy Name oncologists specialize in specific Holy Name Medical Center is also the first also keeping with initiatives like Inspira Health+ wearables cancers and work with other cancer experts to — which automatically send information to a site in the U.S. to open enrollment for a new Tubb - INSPIRA HEALTH human touch create distinct teams that formulate precise treat- clinical study focused on women with ad- as a central patients’ nurses or physician office through an ment plans for each patient’s type of cancer. This vanced ovarian cancer. The MIRASOL study component, Inspira smartphone app that can monitor chron- customized approach minimizes side effects and assesses a new treatment, mirvetuximab, which according to Erev Tubb, M.D., medical direc- ic illness, stay connected with the care team or improves quality of life while enabling patients is an antibody linked to a chemotherapy drug. tor of the oncology program at Inspira Medical Inspira personal trainer, or track fitness goals to remain close to home. This treatment is designed to target and kill tu- Center Mullica Hill. for a healthy lifestyle — all “make a signifi- Last year, Holy Name Medical Center be- mor cells while sparing healthy cells and reduc- “As part of a network-wide initiative, we’re cant, positive difference in patient comfort and came the first site in the U.S. to open a Merck ing side effects. implementing AI technology at two of our outcomes,” explained Tubb. “These and oth- clinical trial to investigate a combination of the Mirvetuximab has been designated by the South Jersey locations: the leading-edge Can- er innovative approaches in cancer and other anti-PD-1 im- U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an or- cer Center at Inspira Medical Center Mullica care are part of Inspira Health’s integrated, ev- munotherapy phan drug, which speeds up the evaluation Hill, and the Frank and Edith Scarpa Regional idence-based approach that helps each patient medication and development of products that demonstrate Cancer Pavilion at our Inspira Medical Center achieve the best possible outcome.” Keytruda and promise for treatment of diseases with few ther- Vineland,” said Tubb. “One of the challenges With initiatives like these, health care insti- Lenvima to apy options.