Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital to Provide Pediatric Patients Access to Latest Trials for the Treatment of Cancer

Gains Affiliate Status in the Prestigious Children’s Oncology Group (COG)

K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center has been granted affiliate status to the prestigious Children’s Oncology Group (COG), giving K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital patients and their families access to the latest clinical trials available to treat pediatric cancers. K. Hovnanian joins Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital–the other hospital in the Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health network–as provider of the latest, cutting-edge treatment for pediatric cancer throughout New Jersey. Joseph M. Sanzari has been a COG member for more than 20 years.

From north to south, Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health is at the forefront of the research being performed to treat and cure pediatric cancers. The network is leading the charge with more than 100 active oncology clinical trials. The network is also home to the only neuro-oncology lab in the state.

K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital is among the first hospitals in the United States to be granted affiliate status, a new designation offered by COG to allow for a second tier of member institutions. The more than 200 children’s cancer centers nationwide that comprise the Children’s Oncology Group have met the quality assurance standards established by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

“This is a game-changer for our patients in terms of access to the latest therapies,” said Jessica Scerbo, M.D., section chief, Pediatric Hematology Oncology, K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital. “For a child and family who are going through the heartache of a cancer diagnosis and treatment, having treatment close to home is helpful.”

“This membership means that our patients will now have access to the greatest body of research and clinical studies performed in the world on pediatric cancer care from this hospital,” Harpreet Pall, M.D., MBA, CPE, chair of Pediatrics at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital and at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

Learn more about our advancements in pediatric oncology at Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health.