HEALTHCARE CHECKUP
HEALTHCARE CHECKUP
New Hope for Battling Cancer and Insomnia in NJ
By Jamie Grill-Goodman
RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute Open NJ’ s First Freestanding Cancer Hospital
In a historic moment for NJ, on May 13 RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute opened New Jersey’ s first freestanding, fully comprehensive cancer hospital. The Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center in New Brunswick is one of only 13 freestanding cancer hospitals in the United States.
“ This hospital is true to our mission of building and sustaining a healthier New Jersey,” said Mark E. Manigan, President and Chief Executive Officer for RWJBarnabas Health.“ It is further evidence of RWJBarnabas Health’ s commitment to taking care of the communities we serve and providing patients the most advanced care possible, close to home.”
The 12-story, 520,000-square-foot facility, connected by a skybridge to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Rutgers Cancer Institute, brings together inpatient and outpatient cancer services coupled with cutting-edge research laboratories. The environment was designed with the patient at the center, to enhance healing and recovery.
The Morris Cancer Center features a vibrant“ Jersey Shore”-themed clinical space for pediatric patients, as well as 96 inpatient beds; a dedicated floor for surgical and procedure
“ This hospital is true to our mission of building and sustaining a healthier New Jersey,”
rooms; advanced radiation oncology and diagnostics; an on-site pharmacy; and state-ofthe-art laboratories to support 10 independent research teams.
It also includes 88 infusion bays and 80 exam rooms for adult and pediatric outpatient care and the infrastructure to enhance the development and deployment of the latest innovative clinical trials.
The comprehensive center also includes supportive patient amenities to promote wholebody healing, such as massage and exercise therapy, a restorative, calming wellness garden, and carefully curated artwork created by local New Jersey artists.
“ The opening of the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center marks another significant advancement in our ability to deliver world-class cancer care,” said Governor Phil Murphy.
“ This partnership between RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute will support patients, accelerate breakthroughs, and save lives across the Garden State, making a true difference in our collective fight against cancer."
Valley Medical Group Offers New Insomnia Treatment
Valley Medical Group’ s Center for Sleep Medicine is now offering cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment of insomnia.
“ Insomnia is literally sleep deprivation,” said Keith Dixon, MD, a sleep medicine specialist with Valley Medical Group.“ When you use a strong but accurate term such as sleep deprivation, people really begin to understand the seriousness of the condition.”
A key point of differentiation for Valley’ s program is its use of CBT-i, or cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. This treatment starts with a very detailed evaluation followed by specific recommendations, which then improve the ability to sleep by taking advantage of underlying biologic mechanisms and processes. Most commonly, our intuitive response to insomnia leads to behaviors that paradoxically make it worse, which perpetuates the pattern. Evidence shows that CBT-i directly addresses this negative cycle to begin to fix the root causes of insomnia.
Visit ValleyHealth. com / Sleep for more information on Valley’ s treatments for insomnia and other sleep conditions.
Leaders and executives from RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute, elected officials, partners, and cancer survivors gather to celebrate the opening of the state’ s only freestanding cancer hospital, the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center.
Photo: RWJBarnabas Health
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