Program funded by Komen North Jersey will help reduce rates
of breast cancer by 50 Percent by 2026
Belleville, NJ – Komen North Jersey, an affiliate of Susan G. Komen® has awarded a $27,448 grant to Clara Maass Medical Center to support screening, mammograms and diagnostic services for low-income and uninsured women of African-American and Latino descent between the ages of 40 and 59 that reside in Essex, Hudson and Bergen counties of New Jersey.
The program is designed to provide screening mammograms, and if needed, diagnostic mammograms and biopsies to 150 women through March 2019. The grant will also help to reduce access to health care by providing assistance with copayments, if needed and supports the cost of a patient navigator to personally guide patients through the process of scheduling, and receiving treatment and follow-up care.
“Thanks to the generosity of Komen North Jersey, Clara Maass will help even more women receive the care that they need, when it is needed” said Mary Ellen Clyne, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Clara Maass Medical Center.
“For various reasons, many younger women from minority backgrounds do not routinely receive regular breast cancer screenings” said Hannah Kotch, MD, Diagnostic Radiologist at Clara Maass Medical Center. Kotch will also serve as the Director of the grant program at Clara Maass. “Through our new program, Clara Maass will now be able to address this trend. For those who may require treatment and support beyond screening, we have a team of experts that can tailor a treatment plan that is appropriate for each patient” Kotch said. Kotch is Board-Certified by the American Board of Radiology, and is an expert in breast imaging interpretation, minimally invasive breast intervention techniques, and general diagnostic imaging.
“From start to finish, we use a team approach to help every patient navigate the breast health process” said Rachelle Leong, MD, Breast Surgeon at Clara Maass Medical Center. “Thanks to Komen North Jersey, more women will be able to access quality breast care at Clara Maass” Leong said.
Komen North Jersey is one of more than seventy Komen affiliates in the world’s largest breast cancer organization, working in communities across the U.S. to meet the most critical needs. To help achieve Komen’s goal to reduce current breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in the U.S. by 2026, Komen Affiliates fund innovative breast health projects that provide vitally needed breast cancer screening, diagnostic and treatment services and support, including patient navigation, education, medical supplies and financial assistance.
“This year, we selected grantees that would contribute to our overarching goal of reducing barriers to quality breast cancer care typically experienced by uninsured and underinsured women in North Jersey” said Tina Jacobs, Director of Community Health at Komen North Jersey. “We are confident that the Breast Cancer Screening and Navigation Program at Clara Maass Medical Center will meet the need of increasing breast screenings, and will encourage regular mammograms among women of color in our community.”
Appointments are required and can be scheduled by contacting the Radiology Department at 973-450-2045.
Hannah Kotch, MD, Diagnostic Radiologist, Clara Maass Medical Center
About Susan G. Komen and Komen North Jersey
Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit outside of the U.S. government while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Komen has set a Bold Goal to reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in the U.S. by 2026. Since its founding in 1982, Komen has funded more than $956 million in research and provided more than $2.1 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment and psychosocial support programs. Komen has worked in more than 60 countries worldwide. Komen was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life. Komen North Jersey is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in the local community. Through events like the Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure®, Komen has invested nearly $ 19 million in community breast health programs in nine counties in Northern New Jersey and has helped contribute to the more than $956 million invested globally in research.
About Clara Maass Medical Center
Located in Belleville, NJ, Clara Maass Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, provides a complete continuum of care to residents of northern New Jersey. Clara Maass recently completed state-of-the-art campus expansion project featuring a new four-story 87,000 square foot building with a private, 32-bed Intensive Care Unit, new Main Entrance and Lobby, Retail Pharmacy, Patient Registration Area and designated new space to accommodate our future Emergency Department expansion. Clara Maass’ services include: The Cancer Center, Center for Breast Health and Disease Management, Radiation Oncology, Infusion Therapy, Cardiac Services Elective and Emergency Angioplasty and Cardiac Rehabilitation, The Pain Management Center, The Joint & Spine Institute, a Vascular Lab, The Vein Center, The Wound Center, The Center for Sleep Disorders, The Bariatric Surgery Center, Rehabilitation; Therapy Services which includes, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, The Eye Surgery Center, Maternity Services and Parent Education, Pediatrics, Center of Excellence for Latino Health, and the Health and Wellness Center. Clara Maass has been recognized nine Grade ‘A’ scores for patient safety and quality by The Leapfrog Group. It is listed by the American Hospital Association as one of Healthcare’s Most Wired hospitals. In 2016-17 Clara Maass has received the Healthgrades Obstetrics and Gynecology Excellence Award and the Labor and Delivery Excellence Award. Clara Maass received Disease Specific Care Certification from the Joint Commission for Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), Congestive Heart Failure, Hip Replacement, Knee Replacement, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Advanced Certification in Palliative Care. Clara Maass earned Clara Maass’ steadfast commitment to improve the health and well-being of the communities it serves is exemplified through award winning programs including the nationally recognized HELP Volunteer program, recipient of the American Hospital Association 2017 HAVE Award, and the Wellness Assessment Van for Elders (WAVE) which was recognized as the New Jersey Hospital Association’s 2017 HRET Community Outreach Award. For a physician referral or more information about Clara Maass, call 1-888-724-7123 or visit www.rwjbh.org/claramaass.
Contact: Stacie J. Newton
Clara Maass Medical Center
Office: (973) 450-2989
Mobile: (201) 424-9678
E-mail: Stacie.Newton@rwjbh.org
Tina Jacobs
Komen North Jersey
Office: (908) 277-2904
E-mail: tjacobs@komennorthjersey.org