Jamaica Hospital Medical Center -- Department of Public Affairs -- 8900 Van Wyck Expressway Jamaica, New York 11418
For Immediate Release
Name: Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
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Email: info@jamaicahospital.org
MediSys Health Network Officially Opens New Cancer Center In Queens
Apr 07,2024
The MediSys Health Network (comprised of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and Flushing Hospital Medical Center) is pleased to announce the official opening of its new cancer center.
The exciting news comes approximately one year after the network first announced
its relationship with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) to expand access to high-quality cancer care in Queens at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. The affiliation with MSK aligns the network’s deep community integration and experience in addressing healthcare disparities with the expertise in cancer science and care of MSK.
“Residents living in the communities our hospitals serve are at a greater risk of developing certain cancers. Unfortunately, these individuals also have the lowest rates of early diagnosis and the highest mortality rates due to socioeconomic factors and disparities in care,” explained MediSys Health Network’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sabiha Raoof. “Our center addresses the urgent need for cancer care in underserved communities. We are providing effective therapies and services close to home.”
The MediSys Health Network will provide much-needed cancer care to the community in its new cancer center located on the Jamaica Hospital campus. The 7,000 sq ft facility consists of 24 private, multi-purpose rooms, each designed with the comfort of patients in mind. The layout emphasizes optimal patient and provider interaction. A wide variety of treatments and therapies are offered at the center. While receiving care, patients will also have access to support services including on-site mental health support, genetic counseling, clinical trial enrollment, nutrition counseling, acupuncture, and other integrative health services. Additionally, patient navigators who speak various languages and reflect the diversity of the community are available to help guide patients through every step of their journey.
The opening of the MediSys Health Network Cancer Center is an important milestone for the Queens community. The provision of high-quality and equitable healthcare will help reduce the burden of cancer in New York City and the borough. Over 40,000 of the City’s residents and close to 11,000 Queens residents are diagnosed with the disease each year.
In evaluating the increasing cancer rates in our community and the lack of access to equitable care, the MediSys Health Network concluded that it needed to make a difference. “Our hospitals do a lot of things well and have earned many awards based on our high performance but the one area where we needed to enhance our expertise was in cancer care. MSK was the right organization for us to work with to achieve this goal. They are well renowned for their oncology expertise and most importantly, share our goal to expand cancer care in one of the most diverse counties in the world,” said MediSys President and CEO Bruce J. Flanz.
The goal of establishing a new cancer center in Queens was also made possible thanks to the support of elected officials including Congressman Gregory Meeks and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, as well as the generosity of Resorts World Casino New York and other organizations within the community. “Everyone played an important role in helping this vision come to fruition and we are honored that they can join us in celebrating the opening of our center. We chose to commemorate this special occasion during National Cancer Control Month as part of our ongoing campaign to raise awareness, promote life-saving screenings, and expand access to affordable treatment,” said Mr. Flanz.