Medical Center Celebrates Groundbreaking Of John Theurer Cancer Center

New Home of Geriatric Oncology Division To Open in 2010

(June 4th, 2008)

Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) recently broke ground for its new John Theurer Cancer Center. When completed in the fall of 2010, the 155,000-square-foot facility will house outpatient cancer services and have a 960-car garage adjacent to it. The center will incorporate diagnostic facilities, chemotherapy preparation and infusion areas, pharmacy and laboratory resources, as well as a full spectrum of radiation oncology services. In keeping with its commitment to green and sustainable buildings, the new facility, complete with a rooftop garden, will follow guidelines outlined by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and developed by the U. S. Green Building Council.

“Today’s groundbreaking represents years of hard work of so many people whose support to us is essential, including that of Mayor Meneses of Hackensack and the City of Hackensack’s Council, our donors, especially Helena Theurer, and we know that the creation of this special facility will meet the needs of patients facing their battles against cancer,” said John P. Ferguson, president and chief executive officer. “Together, we share making this dream a reality.”

“We are proud today as we continue the next chapter in the evolution of Hackensack University Medical Center,” said J. Fletcher Creamer Jr., chairman of the medical center’s Board of Governors. “Our commitment to our patients is to build one of the top cancer centers in the country.”

Through a generous donation of $10 million dollars, Helena Theurer of Park Ridge has put her faith and trust in Hackensack University Medical Center and its vision. Mrs. Theurer’s gift, given in memory of her husband, John Theurer, will help to realize HUMC’s mission to provide extraordinary care in a freestanding center.

“Since we met last summer, it has been an absolute pleasure to get to know Helena and we are delighted to dedicate this facility in her husband’s name,” said Robert L. Torre of Hackensack, executive vice president of the HUMC Foundation. “We are indebted for this magnificent and transforming gift.”

“This new facility will benefit patients in countless ways, and we are grateful for Mrs. Theurer’s support,” said Joseph Simunovich, chairman of the medical center’s Board of Trustees. “It is an extraordinary gesture that benefits all of the community who rely upon us to provide quality healthcare.”

“The John Theurer Cancer Center will serve as a safe haven for our patients and their loved ones as well as a source of information, strength, and comfort as they navigate their cancer,” said Andrew L. Pecora, M.D., of Ridgewood, chairman and executive administrative director of The Cancer Center. “We will be able to centralize all our divisions and the physicians, nurses, and other cancer specialists who are now scattered among various buildings.”

The Cancer Center at HUMC is currently known as New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive center, as well as one of the 10 largest centers in the United States, dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, management, research, screenings, and preventive care of patients with all types of cancer. Its reputation has steadily risen in stature due to the medical expertise, state-of-the-art technological advances, compassionate care, research, hard work and commitment.

“So many people are touched by cancer. My mother died of cancer. John’s grandfather had died of cancer, plus numerous friends,” said Mrs. Theurer. “I am delighted to be able to contribute in John’s memory to help save the lives of so many.”

“Helena Theurer is providing patients with hope when they are facing the biggest challenge of their lives — cancer,” said author Mary Higgins Clark, national chairperson for the Campaign for the John Theurer Cancer Center at HUMC and member of the HUMC Board of Governors.

HealthGradesÆ named HUMC one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for the second consecutive year. This designation recognizes hospitals that have demonstrated superior clinical quality over a seven-year time period, based upon an analysis of more than 75 million Medicare patient records from 1999-2005. These hospitals have achieved better survival rates and lower complication rates across dozens of medical procedures and diagnoses, from cardiac care to orthopedic surgery, consistently ranking among the top five percent in the nation for overall clinical outcomes. HUMC is the only healthcare facility in New Jersey, New York, and New England to be named one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals. Only one percent of the nation’s hospitals can make this claim.