Hackettstown Community Hospital Joins University of Pennsylvania Cancer Network Cancer Services Extend Reach from Philadelphia to Northern New Jersey

Press Release
Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Ultima Vez Modificado: 22 de diciembre del 2003

(Philadelphia, PA) – Hackettstown Community Hospital has joined the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Network, extending Penn?s Cancer Network to 29 hospitals in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including the northern New Jersey counties of Morris, Sussex and Warren. This relationship provides Hackettstown Community Hospital with support and expertise of the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, one of the premier cancer centers in the country, in helping Hackettstown build and expand its own cancer program and develop its new $6 million cancer center on its campus.

"This relationship with the Abramson Cancer Center is of great benefit to our hospital and to our entire community," said Gene C. Milton, President & CEO of Hackettstown Community Hospital. "Joining the prestigious University of Pennsylvania Cancer Network means that we will receive the expert consultation services to create a leading community-based cancer program, ensure access to the latest procedures and clinical trials, and provide our physicians with colleagues to confer about the latest research findings and treatments. This translates into better care for patients in northwestern New Jersey."

When completed, the new cancer center will provide a full range of radiology procedures for diagnosing cancer, such as digital mammography, as well as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and a full range of support services. These services will be located on the first floor of a new medical office building. This building is under construction and will be connected to the hospital. The new Cancer Center is expected to open in the summer 2005.

By joining the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Network, the residents of our tri-county service area will have ready access to the highly specialized clinical services available at the Abramson Cancer Center, as well as more than 200 clinical trials available through Penn. In addition, Penn offers a full range of conferences for physicians, nurses and other health professionals on the latest cancer treatments as well as community outreach programs the focus on early prevention and providing information for those affected by cancer. Through this relationship, the hospital's physicians will be able to consult with Penn cancer specialists about specialized services available at the Abramson Cancer Center.

"Our Cancer Network helps us meet our mission to provide the best possible care to cancer patients and families in this region," said John H. Glick, MD, Director of the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania. "By joining together and supporting the efforts of Hackettstown Community Hospital, we have created the right team to help patients in this community receive outstanding care and get treated as quickly as possible."

You may also find this news release on-line at www.uphs.upenn.edu/news

CONTACT: David March
(215) 615-3353

About Hackettstown Community Hospital: Hackettstown Community Hospital is a 91-bed, community hospital with more than 100 physicians among its 600 employees. Its budget of $60 million provides comprehensive medical care services to more than 110,000 residents in surrounding communities. The area?s population growth is among the highest in New Jersey (i.e. Warren County?s growth rate is 11.7 percent: the State?s growth rate is 8.6 percent). The three most prevalent cancers among the population are breast, prostate and lung cancer, with an unexplained higher-than-average rate of breast cancer.

About the Abramson Cancer Center: The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania was established in 1973 as a center of excellence in cancer research, patient care, education and outreach. Today, the Abramson Cancer Center ranks as one of the nation?s best in cancer care, according to US News and World Report, and is one of the top five in National Cancer Institute (NCI) funding. It is one of only 39 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Home to one of the largest clinical and research programs in the world, the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania has 275 active cancer researchers and 250 Penn physicians involved in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. More information about the Abramson Cancer Center is available at: www.pennhealth.com/cancer.