Hackensack Meridian Health has expanded its oncology services with the opening of a new cancer center at John F. Kennedy (JFK) University Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey. The facility, which opened in May 2025, aims to enhance multidisciplinary collaboration and streamline cancer care delivery.
The new center brings together medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, palliative care physicians, pharmacists, and laboratory services in one location at 80 James Street. This strategic co-location is designed to facilitate real-time clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes.
"All the physicians who are treating patients for their cancer can collaborate and make the best decision, in real-time, for what they need to deliver the best outcome," said Andrew Curran, MBA, vice president of oncology service lines at JFK University Medical Center.
Addressing Clinician Burnout Through Infrastructure Support
The center also aims to address the growing concern of burnout among oncology professionals by providing robust administrative support. Curran highlighted the importance of network infrastructure in alleviating administrative burdens that often contribute to physician burnout.
"You need to have a good network infrastructure. Here at Hackensack, we have a lot of central resources," Curran explained. "One of the big interactions in oncology is working with pre-authorization for payments for the care that we want to provide."
The facility features a dedicated workforce that handles insurance authorizations and patient financial counseling, allowing physicians to focus more on clinical care rather than administrative tasks. This approach addresses findings from recent studies showing increasing burnout rates among US oncologists, often attributed to electronic health record management and insurance-related administrative work.
Leadership and Clinical Collaboration
Robert C. Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health, emphasized the importance of communication between leadership and frontline clinicians in shaping healthcare policy.
"It is important that communication happens between those folks who are on the front lines delivering care and those of us who are in the policy seats," Garrett stated. He noted that input from clinicians informs his advocacy efforts with elected officials, including discussions about proposed budget cuts affecting healthcare.
Dr. Joseph C. Landolfi, chief medical officer and vice president of JFK University Medical Center, outlined plans for expanding multidisciplinary collaboration beyond the new facility.
"The next level is running multidisciplinary conferences, which include all types of specialties," Landolfi said. "The next step is now having John Theurer Cancer Center, HOPE Tower at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, and our cancer center here at JFK come together with multidisciplinary teams across the network to expand those services across the state of New Jersey."
Comprehensive Care Model
The new cancer center represents part of Hackensack Meridian Health's broader strategy to create an integrated oncology care network throughout New Jersey. By connecting specialists across multiple facilities, the healthcare system aims to standardize high-quality cancer care while maintaining accessibility for patients.
The facility offers comprehensive services including medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation therapy, palliative care, laboratory services, pharmacy, and financial counseling—all designed to provide patients with seamless care throughout their cancer journey.
This integrated approach reflects growing recognition in oncology that multidisciplinary collaboration leads to better clinical outcomes and improved patient experience, while potentially reducing the administrative burden that contributes to clinician burnout.
