Pascrell Secured $300,000 for Community Cancer Facility
PATERSON- U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. announced today $300,000 in federal funding for Mountainside Hospital's Comprehensive Community Cancer Center. This money will be used to expand and create a state-of-the-art facility that will focus on treatment and therapies delivered to patients close to their homes. In addition, the center will provide screenings to the uninsured and underinsured to support early detection and treatment of cancer in areas of increasing minority and at-risk population. The Congressman requested this funding and successfully pushed it through the federal appropriations process.
"Mountainside provides invaluable healthcare services to the northern region of New Jersey, particularly in the field of cancer care," stated Congressman Pascrell. "Its commitment to community health has been demonstrated time and time again and I was honored to secure these dollars to help to my friends at Mountainside continue their important and groundbreaking work."
Mountainside of Essex County is part of the non-profit Atlantic Health System and is one of a limited number of Comprehensive Community Cancer Centers in the country.
The facility provides integrated, disease-focused services for patients seeking cancer related screening, diagnosis and treatment.
"We're grateful for the leadership shown by Congressman Pascrell in helping to advance healthcare in a community setting," stated Joseph Trunfio, president and CEO of Atlantic Health System. "By assisting Mountainside Hospital with support for its Cancer Center, he has recognized the importance of providing high-quality cancer care close to home."
"Patients should not suffer the added pain and stress of travel to get care," stated Congressman Pascrell. "I was honored to be a part of this Public/Private partnership with the goal of improving the health of New Jersey. The federal government can be counted on to pay its share. The Mountainside Cancer Center is a shining example of what can be accomplished by these two sectors working together."
"We are grateful to Congressman Pascrell for the funds he helped secure for Mountainside Hospital that will ultimately benefit residents of this community," stated Renee A. Kessler, Chief Operating Officer at Mountainside Hospital. "This funding will help support the hospital's new comprehensive Cancer Center, and enhance the new Melanoma Program and other oncology services at Mountainside."
The Atlantic Health System is one of New Jersey's largest non-profit health care systems, with more than 50 medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties. The System is also an academic and research affiliate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - New Jersey Medical School and a partner with The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, serving five million residents .
"Cancer is the second leading cause of death in this country. Sadly, of the fifty states, New Jersey is in the top ten for cancer rates," added Congressman Pascrell. "Fortunately, we have made great advances in cancer care and people are beating this dreaded disease."
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