THANK YOU DONOR IMPACT
REPORT
PATIENT NAVIGATORS IMPROVE THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE
Donor-funded patient navigators at Hackensack Meridian John Theurer Cancer Center play a pivotal role in improving the patient experience by providing personalized support and guidance throughout the treatment journey. They assist patients in understanding their diagnosis, treatment options and potential side effects, facilitating informed decision-making. By acting as a bridge between patients and health care providers, navigators help streamline communication, ensuring that critical information is conveyed effectively and timely. Patient navigators also address
INVESTIGATOR-
INITIATED CLINICAL TRIALS:
PIONEERING
MEDICAL RESEARCH
logistical challenges, such as scheduling appointments, managing paperwork and coordinating transportation, alleviating stress for patients and their families. Additionally, they also connect patients with community resources and support groups, fostering a sense of belonging and emotional support during a challenging time. The compassionate presence of cancer center navigators enhances our patients’ experience and leads to improved health outcomes by encouraging adherence to treatment plans and reducing potential barriers to care.
Investigator-initiated clinical trials (IITs) are research studies led by individual researchers or academic institutions rather than pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies, and they play a crucial role in advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care. IITs generate data on the effectiveness and safety of a drug in the real-world setting and attempt to answer questions that clinicians face in their day-to-day practice.
John Theurer Cancer Center’s Investigator Initiated Trial Office contributed to an increase in trial enrollment, activated six new IITs and 12 new retrospective protocols, supported 22 publications and led a poster presentation at the Association of American Cancer Institutes’ annual meeting for its abstract: The Benefits of Early Administrative Involvement in Investigator Initiated Trial Concept Development. We are grateful for our visionary donors’ support of this important work.
ENHANCING PATIENT COMFORT IN THE INFUSION CENTER
John Theurer Cancer Center’s infusion services center is for patients undergoing chemotherapy or other intravenous therapies, and the environment in which our patients receive care can greatly impact their overall experience. Infusions can last several hours, and providing patients with comfortable seating helps minimize physical discomfort during these long treatments. A supportive and relaxing environment can help reduce anxiety and stress, making the treatment less daunting. Furthermore, comfortable seating can facilitate more efficient monitoring and assistance, allowing team members to focus on medical care rather than patient discomfort. We are
grateful for our compassionate donors who made purchasing these new recliners possible!
STREAMLINING MEDICATION DELIVERY
Receiving care in the infusion center can be a lengthy and stressful experience, and unfortunately, some infusion medications cannot be prepared in advance due to specific stability or storage requirements, which leads to potential delays in administering them. To address this issue, John Theurer Cancer Center recently expanded its pharmacy team. This larger team helps to reduce patient wait times, allows for more efficient processing of medication orders and ensures that complex prescriptions can be prepared swiftly. This expansion not only enhances patient satisfaction but also minimizes delays in receiving necessary medications.
RESEARCHERS
PRESENT TRANSFORMATIVE STUDIES AT ANNUAL CANCER MEETING
John Theurer Cancer Center recently had the honor of presenting donor-supported transformative research findings at the prestigious American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. This conference is renowned as the world’s leading professional gathering for physicians and oncology professionals, and being featured at ASCO underscores the exceptional reputation and expertise of our team. Presentations highlighted several key areas of cancer research: immunotherapy, cellular therapy, targeted therapy and biomarker research for solid tumors and hematologic cancers. Participating at ASCO provided our team with a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and insights with other leading cancer researchers, which is crucial to advancing the field of oncology and improving patient outcomes. It also elevated the profile of John Theurer Cancer Center as a leading cancer provider and research institution, allowing us to showcase our cutting-edge research and reinforce our commitment to finding new treatment options for patients facing a cancer diagnosis. Thank you to our donors for their partnership!
Be The Difference is a transformational effort focusing on four key pillars: enhancing the delivery of patient care, accelerating groundbreaking research and discovery, expanding access to advanced care and revolutionizing medical education while supporting the nursing profession.
Through this ambitious initiative, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation aims to reshape health care for patients, clinicians and the diverse communities it serves, paving the way for a brighter, healthier future. Thank you for making a difference!
INNOVATIVE MELANOMA CLINICAL TRIAL
“The power of community has transformed our center into a leading beacon of hope for those battling cancer. We have witnessed countless stories of hope and resilience, thanks to the generosity of our supporters.”
ANDRE GOY, M.D., MS CHAIRMAN AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JOHN THEURER CANCER CENTER
Thanks to the support of our donors, researchers at John Theurer Cancer Center treated its first patient in a cutting-edge phase I clinical trial under evaluation for advanced melanoma and other select solid tumors. This therapy harnesses and expands the power of the patient’s immune cells that have already been fighting cancer, such as those in a patient whose cancer continues to grow despite checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 100,000 new melanomas will be diagnosed this year, and it is one of the most common cancers in young adults (Source: American Cancer Society), so clinical trials are especially helpful in the search for a cure.
“Clinical trials such as this one require a tremendous amount of preparation, detailed work and integration across specialties and departments to be able to deliver excellent clinical care.”
MARTIN GUTIERREZ, M.D. DIRECTOR, DRUG DISCOVERY/PHASE
I PROGRAM AT
JOHN THEURER CANCER CENTER, CO-CHIEF, THORACIC ONCOLOGY
