CentraState is embarking on a new chapter in cancer care with the shared vision and clinical experience of hepatobiliary and advanced gastrointestinal (GI) surgeon Alexander Itskovich, MD, who has joined the healthcare system as medical director of the Statesir Cancer Center at CentraState.
“Working collaboratively, we’ll build on CentraState’s strong foundation in cancer care to transform and expand services to benefit patients, their families, and the community as a whole,” says Dr. Itskovich, who specializes in surgical treatment for liver, pancreatic, bile duct, and GI cancers and has held key roles at hospital centers in New Jersey and New York City.
“We plan to match and even exceed the level of care you would expect at any specialized center in the state—and we’ll do so while maintaining a comfortable, personalized approach,” he adds. “This means broader options, greater convenience, and world-class care.”
Highlights of this vision include:
Closer links to the community
In addition to working more closely with community groups, CentraState will expand its cancer prevention and early detection efforts to help people live healthier lives. This includes a new pancreatic cancer screening program and greater focus on ensuring access to other screenings. A new incidentaloma program will provide reassurance that any incidental finding—something noted on a CT scan that was performed for a different reason—will be analyzed to facilitate early treatment if needed.
A robust genetics program will help community members, patients, and their families better understand their risk for certain cancers and how to best modify that risk.
New cancer treatments
New clinical services will include a full range of complex GI surgical options, along with liver, pancreatic, gallbladder, and bile duct capabilities. As an expert in hyperthermic intra-peritoneal chemotherapy, Dr. Itskovich will also bring this modality to CentraState. This advanced technique combines surgery and chemotherapy introduced directly into the abdomen to treat certain types of ovarian, colon, and appendiceal cancer, as well as other cancers.
Expansive clinical trials
With CentraState embarking on a unique partnership with Atlantic Health System (AHS) by joining the AHS network of care, the depth and breadth of oncology programs will expand. Integrating clinical trials with AHS’s program will dramatically broaden patients’ access to national thought leaders and additional cancer care treatment options through the latest research protocols.
Additional expertise
CentraState will increase the depth of its expertise by adding new surgical specialists in areas like endocrine, hepatobiliary, and OB/GYN oncology as well as melanoma/sarcoma surgery, giving the community more options.
An elevated nursing education curriculum will provide additional opportunities for growth and further integrate these essential caregivers into decision-making processes.
A cohesive approach
Building on nurse navigator services, the cancer center team will walk patients through every aspect of the cancer journey and handle each logistical detail, alleviating stress and ensuring that not even a minute is lost in care progression. As part of this goal, patients will never need to make appointments for themselves.
“We’re going to deliver cancer care unlike anywhere in New Jersey,” adds Dr. Itskovich. “I see the cancer center as an ‘ecosystem’ of interdisciplinary care that places our patients and our community at the forefront of all of our efforts—and I look forward to helping facilitate this growth.”
For more information about cancer services at CentraState, visit centrastatecancercenter.com or call 855-411-CANCER (855-411-2262)
