Jersey City Medical Center together with Rutgers Cancer Institute, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, is implementing wellness strategies designed to help ease stress and enhance the patient experience for women undergoing breast cancer treatment. Developed in partnership with Salvation Wellness, this initiative brings supportive oncology services directly into the infusion setting to offer additional comfort for breast cancer patients at JCMC during chemotherapy.
Led by our expert board-certified, fellowship-trained breast surgeon, Dr. Rebecca Yang, this program underscores our deep commitment to healing, enhancing, and investing in our community in Hudson County and beyond. Dr. Yang works closely with patients throughout their diagnostic and treatment journey, and she has long acknowledged that infusion can be a time marked by anxiety, uncertainty, and emotional strain. Introducing supportive practices into this environment offers a thoughtful complement to treatment and reflects our ongoing mission to support the whole person, not just the disease. Dr. Yang’s background as a breast surgical oncologist and her commitment to individualized, patient-centered care have been central in shaping this program. Her guidance has helped ensure that the wellness strategies introduced align appropriately with clinical care and the needs of women receiving treatment at Jersey City Medical Center.
This initiative draws from evidence-informed, patient-centered approaches that recognize the emotional and physical realities of breast cancer care. The partnership ensures that women receiving treatment at Jersey City Medical Center have access not only to high-quality oncology services, but also to supportive resources that align with national standards of care. RWJBarnabas Health and Jersey City Medical Center continues to expand services and remain the premier healthcare provider in the region.
The supportive practices introduced through this initiative focus on simple, calming techniques that can be integrated seamlessly into the infusion experience. These may include guided breathing, grounding touch, and somatic techniques that help patients relax and settle during treatment sessions. They are gentle, noninvasive, provided only with patient consent, and offered in close collaboration with the oncology nursing team to ensure each practice complements the patient’s care plan appropriately.
These supportive practices are offered with the involvement of Ceallaigh “Kia” Lorenz, founder of Salvation Wellness, a Jersey City–based wellness studio grounded in somatic awareness, massage, meditation, and trauma-informed therapies. Drawing on protocols she developed, Lorenz brings techniques that help individuals connect with their breath and body, reduce tension, and support overall relaxation. These approaches incorporate elements with scientific support for addressing concerns such as stress, sleep disruption, pain, and anxiety. The program also benefits from guidance provided by Dr. Colleen Finnerty, a neuroscientist and data specialist dual-affiliated with Stanford and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), who has helped inform the selection of patient-centered data elements being evaluated as part of this initiative. Together, these contributions align with supportive oncology principles that emphasize patient well-being, comfort, and stress reduction during treatment. Integrating these practices into the infusion environment reflects a shared goal of enhancing the patient experience while honoring each individual’s emotional and physical needs.
Jersey City Medical Center’s breast health services extend across Hudson County, offering comprehensive screening, diagnostic evaluation, biopsy services, treatment coordination, and ongoing support for individuals and families. The above-mentioned initiative strengthens that continuum by introducing an additional element of care designed to meet women where they are—often during some of the most challenging moments of their health journey. Providing this support at the Madeline Fiadini LoRe Infusion Center reflects our commitment to thoughtful, compassionate care and our dedication to serving the women of our community with intention and empathy.
"The program represents an intentional effort to build a more calming, supportive treatment environment, grounded in the recognition that even brief moments of relief can make a meaningful difference during cancer care,” stated Dr. Rebecca Yang. “For many women, feeling seen, supported, and comforted during infusion is an essential part of navigating treatment with strength and resilience.”
Learn more about this innovative program and our comprehensive cancer services at rwjbh.org/jerseycity.