The landscape of cancer care in New Jersey is undergoing a historic transformation with the opening of the state's first freestanding cancer hospital and significant expansions of existing treatment facilities, bringing world-class oncology services closer to home for residents who previously had to travel out of state for specialized care.
New Jersey's First Freestanding Cancer Hospital Opens in New Brunswick
RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute have officially opened the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center in New Brunswick, establishing New Jersey's first and only freestanding, comprehensive cancer hospital. The 12-story facility represents a milestone for cancer care in a state with one of the highest cancer incidence rates in the nation.
"While New Jersey has long been a nationwide leader in the delivery of outstanding, world-class cancer care, patients in the region have previously needed to visit nearby New York or Philadelphia to access comprehensive inpatient cancer treatment," said Steven K. Libutti, MD, FACS, William N. Hait director of Rutgers Cancer Institute and senior vice president of oncology services at RWJBarnabas Health.
The Morris Cancer Center integrates cutting-edge research, advanced treatment options, and coordinated patient care under one roof. Designed with direct input from clinicians, patients, and caregivers, the facility features 96 inpatient beds, a dedicated floor of surgical and procedure rooms, 88 infusion bays, and 80 exam rooms for adult and pediatric outpatient care.
Additional features include a "Jersey Shore" themed clinic space for pediatric patients, advanced radiation oncology and diagnostics, an onsite pharmacy, and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities supporting 10 research teams. The center also houses infrastructure dedicated to innovative clinical trials and patient amenities focused on whole-body healing.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy highlighted the significance of the new facility: "As the first and only freestanding cancer hospital in New Jersey, this center represents a powerful investment in the health and well-being of our neighbors who are battling cancer. It also underscores our state's commitment to leading in innovation and discovery within the health care field."
Inpatient care at the Morris Cancer Center is scheduled to begin in late summer 2025. The facility builds upon the reputation of Rutgers Cancer Institute as the state's only National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Hackensack Meridian Expands Cancer Care in Central New Jersey
Complementing the Morris Cancer Center development, Hackensack Meridian Health has reopened its expanded John Theurer Cancer Center (JTCC) at 80 James Street in Edison following a $14 million renovation. The facility now offers doubled infusion suite capacity and expanded space for surgical, medical, and radiation oncology services.
"This is actually a game changer for cancer care for this region," said Robert C. Garrett, chief executive officer of Hackensack Meridian Health. "Hackensack Meridian Health has been recognized as the number one cancer program in the state. Now we will be able to bring that world-class cancer care here to JFK, to the people of Middlesex County, and, for that matter, for the entire region."
The expanded JTCC addresses long-standing gaps in oncology access in Central New Jersey. The facility incorporates data-driven planning and artificial intelligence technologies to improve clinical decision-making while integrating care across specialties.
Dr. Joseph Landolfi, chief medical officer of JFK University Medical Center, emphasized how the center elevates the patient experience through thoughtful design, reducing time-to-treatment and streamlining referrals across the Hackensack Meridian system.
Building a Comprehensive Cancer Care Network
These developments are part of a broader initiative to enhance cancer treatment accessibility throughout New Jersey. In addition to the Morris Cancer Center and JTCC expansion, the Melchiorre Cancer Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston is expected to open in fall 2025, while the Specialty and Cancer Care Center at the Vogel Medical Campus in Tinton Falls is scheduled to open next year.
Jack Morris, chairman of the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Board of Directors, summarized the impact of these investments: "Cancer is a journey no one should face alone—or far from home. It is an honor to be part of a center that is truly transforming lives."
For New Jersey residents facing cancer diagnoses, these new and expanded facilities represent a significant advancement in care delivery, eliminating the burden of out-of-state travel while providing access to cutting-edge treatments, clinical trials, and comprehensive support services within their home state.
