Berkeley Heights-based Summit Medical Group and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center sign a letter of intent to develop a joint, outpatient cancer center, as an extension of MD Anderson’s partnership with Cooper University Health Care, that will provide an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to oncology care in northern New Jersey.
The agreement is the first of its kind between MD Anderson and a physician-owned and governed multispecialty group. Summit Medical Group and MD Anderson will work together to plan and develop the new outpatient center. MD Anderson will provide clinical oversight and management for the program, which will include radiation oncology, medical oncology, infusion and diagnostic imaging.
When formalized, Summit Medical Group will become a member of MD Anderson Cancer Network®, the institution’s program to elevate the quality of cancer care in communities throughout the nation and the world. The relationship will enable Summit Medical Group to be operationally and clinically integrated with MD Anderson and contribute to the institution’s mission to end cancer.
The relationship will provide Summit Medical Group patients access to MD Anderson’s world-renowned treatment protocols, extensive clinical trials and cutting-edge research, while remaining in the care of their Summit Medical Group primary care physicians, oncologists and other healthcare specialists. Summit Medical Group will be able to provide comprehensive cancer care to its patients from diagnosis to survivorship, ensure strong communication between all treating physicians and preserve the patient-physician relationships that have existed for many years.
“We are thrilled to have MD Anderson, a national and global leader in cancer care, bring its unique knowledge and unparalleled expertise to this relationship,” said Jeffrey Le Benger, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of Summit Medical Group. “Together with our multidisciplinary model that is transforming how healthcare is delivered in New Jersey, we are better positioned to provide comprehensive, world-class cancer care to patients and their families.”
“MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper is a hugely successful partnership that delivers MD Anderson’s proven model of cancer treatment, care and research to South Jersey patients,” said Thomas Burke, MD, executive vice president of MD Anderson Cancer Network. “We look forward to extending our partnership with Cooper and building a relationship with Summit Medical Group to further elevate cancer care in Northern New Jersey and advance our mission to end cancer.”
“Since partnering with MD Anderson Cancer Center, Cooper has had an overwhelming response which shows the value that MD Anderson brings to the people of New Jersey,” said George E. Norcross, III, Chairman of the Board at Cooper.
Located in Houston, Texas, MD Anderson is the largest freestanding cancer center in the world. For the past 25 years, it has ranked as one of the top two cancer treatment centers in the United States, according to U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Hospitals” surveys. Since its inception in 1941, nearly one million patients have sought the innovative cancer care and prevention services that have made MD Anderson so widely respected. MD Anderson also ranks first in the total amount of grant dollars from the National Cancer Institute. MD Anderson employs more than 20,000 people, including more than 1,800 physicians and scientists.
Summit Medical Group is the state’s largest multispecialty physician group with more than 500 practitioners in 50 locations throughout central and northern New Jersey.
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