New Jersey’s First Cancer Hospital Opens in New Brunswick
So, like, today was a big day in New Brunswick, guys! The first-ever freestanding cancer hospital in New Jersey opened its doors. The Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center is a massive 12-story building spanning over 520,000 square feet. I mean, that’s huge! This place is a joint effort between the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, RWJBarnabas Health, DEVCO, the City of New Brunswick, and Middlesex County.
According to Steven Libutti, MD, FACS, who is the big shot director at Rutgers Cancer Institute and senior vice president of oncology services at RWJBarnabas Health, this $900 million hospital is something the state really needed. I guess with only 13 freestanding cancer centers in the whole country, New Jersey was feeling a little left out. Libutti mentioned in an interview with New Jersey Business Magazine that having cancer care in a place where everyone is laser-focused on oncology can really make a difference. He even threw in some big words like “multi-disciplinary teams” and “National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation” to sound all official and stuff.
Libutti went on to say that before this fancy new hospital, cancer care in New Jersey was all over the place. There wasn’t a solid plan to give top-notch care to people dealing with cancer. But now that the Rutgers Cancer Institute is the only NCI designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the state, they had to step up their game. The Jack & Sheryl Cancer Center is connected to the Rutgers Cancer Institute by a skybridge. It’s like a cancer-fighting duo, ready to take on the world!
The Cancer Center has all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a cutting-edge facility. There are 96 beds spread across three floors for inpatient care, nine surgical and procedure rooms, and even a central sterile processing area. And let’s not forget about the outpatient care options – 88 infusion bays, 80 exam rooms, and a pediatric wing with a “beach/boardwalk” theme. It’s like taking a trip to the Jersey shore without leaving the hospital!
Libutti couldn’t stop gushing about the design of the new Cancer Center. He mentioned how the atrium is all open-air and high-tech, helping patients find their way around. Oh, and let’s not forget about the outpatient pediatric wing. It’s like a mini beach vacation for kids and their families, complete with an arcade and cabana-style exam rooms. Who knew getting cancer treatment could be so fun, right?
But wait, there’s more! RWJBarnabas Health isn’t stopping with just one new cancer center. They’re also working on an outpatient oncology facility in Livingston and another medical campus in Tinton Falls. Libutti mentioned that they’re investing around $1.5 billion in new cancer care facilities. That’s a lot of dough, but hey, if it helps more people get the care they need, it’s all worth it.
In the end, Libutti gave a shoutout to real estate developers Jack and Sheryl Morris for their support. They really made this whole project possible with their generosity and commitment to helping the people of New Jersey. And with that, the future of cancer care in the state is looking brighter than ever.
So, yeah, that’s the scoop on New Jersey’s new cancer hospital. Who knew fighting cancer could be so fancy, right?
