Trinitas Hospital Building New Modern 26 Million Dollar Cancer Center

Trinitas Hospital is constructing a new five-story, $26 million state-of-the-art Cancer Center for patients that is expected to be completed by the end of 2005.The modern facility will provide 40,000 square feet of space for the hospitals Medical and Radiation Oncology programs, as well as additional future space for other hospital services such as endoscopy, cardiology and ambulatory surgery.

ELIZABETH, NJ (PRWEB) December 13, 2004 -- Trinitas Hospital is constructing a new five-story, $26 million state-of-the-art Cancer Center for patients that is expected to be completed by the end of 2005. The Center is located on the Williamson Street Campus on the corner of South Broad Street, Pearl Street and Williamson Street, and will connect to the main hospital. The modern facility will provide 40,000 square feet of space for the hospitals Medical and Radiation Oncology programs, as well as additional future space for other hospital services such as endoscopy, cardiology and ambulatory surgery.

Our community, which is at a higher risk for cancer, deserves the best treatment available in the most convenient, state-of-the-art facility possible," explains Gary Horan FACHE, Trinitas President and CEO. Our new modern Center will set the standard for cancer care in our region. Trinitas has provided more than 10,000 treatments to over 1,700 patients with cancer last year, representing an increase of 25 percent over the previous year."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranks New Jersey 16th highest overall in cancer mortality among the 50 states and Washington, DC, while the cancer incidence rate in Union County is approximately 1% higher than in the rest of New Jersey. In addition, consultants evaluating Census data and American Cancer Society statistics predict a 5% increase in new cancer cases in the Union County area by 2007.    
                  
At Trinitas Hospital, we know that it takes more than brick and mortar to cure cancer," says Horan it takes a lot of caring people, and dedicated hospital staff that are committed to the treatment and cure of this often deadly disease."

Trinitas currently offers a full range of cancer treatment capabilities including radiation, medical oncology, chemotherapy, external beam radiation and surgery, as well as high dose rate brachytherapy and prostate seed implants. Diagnostic testing includes biopsy, MRI scanning, CT scanning, bone scanning, ultrasound, X-ray and laboratory testing. In 2003, the hospital installed a new CT-Simulator that is used to plan radiation therapy treatments, enabling physicians to mock-up" or simulate treatment prior to the actual use of radiation.

Physicians in the department participate in clinical trials through the Radiation Therapy Oncology group, enabling patients to receive the most up-to-date cancer treatment options. Free community screenings for breast, prostate and cervical cancer are held regularly.

Palliative care and counseling is offered to patients and family members, and the hospital conducts multilingual outreach programs for the community to screen for breast, prostate, cervical and colon cancers and to educate community members about cancer detection and prevention. The hospital also sponsors the "Breast Health & You" program that targets women in the Hispanic Community. There are currently 45 breast health information groups targeting higher-risk populations, including African American and Hispanic women.

Recently, thanks to a grant from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, North Jersey Affiliate, women with breast cancer who live in Union County can also receive wigs, breast forms and accessories from the "Made For Me" boutique at Trinitas Hospital. The program is offered to all women, regardless of ability to pay, and is available at Trinitas on the third Wednesday of each month, starting at 1:30pm.

About Trinitas Hospital
Trinitas Hospital is a full service healthcare facility and a Catholic teaching hospital sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, serving those who live and work in Eastern and Central Union County. It is the result of the merger of Elizabeth General Medical Center and St. Elizabeth Hospital in 2000. Operating on two major campuses, Trinitas Hospital offers 531 beds, including a 120-bed long-term care center. Trinitas Hospital provides comprehensive medical/surgical services, emergency services, senior services, adult and child/adolescent psychiatric care, cardiac care, cancer services, renal services, an infectious disease program, maternal/child health services including a high-risk newborn nursery, inpatient pediatric care, diabetes management center, wound healing center, sleep disorders center and a bloodless medicine program.

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