Ocean and Southern Ocean Medical Centers Welcome Dennis Vega, M.D., FACS, Fellowship-Trained Thoracic Surgeon

Hackensack Meridian Ocean Medical Center and Southern Ocean Medical Center are pleased to welcome Dennis Vega, M.D., FACS, to their medical staffs. Dr. Vega is board certified in cardiothoracic surgery and general surgery and is experienced in all aspects of lung and esophageal cancer and other thoracic cancers. He joins the Hackensack Meridian Health Cancer Care program which offers comprehensive surgical, medical, and radiation oncology experience, access to clinical trials and many support services and resources for patients in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

“Dr. Vega brings a wealth of experience to our full range of cancer care support programs and services at Ocean Medical Center,” says Jason Kreitner, FACHE, chief hospital executive. “I am delighted that he has joined our multi-specialty team that includes experts in surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, and other specialties to ensure the best outcomes for each patient.”

“Dr. Vega brings thoracic cancer expertise to our cancer team at Southern Ocean Medical Center so our patients can benefit by having accessible and expert care close to home,” says Michele Morrison, MPH, BHSA, RN, chief hospital executive.  “We are delighted to have him onboard to add to our excellent, comprehensive infusion and radiation oncology services so patients can get the care they need in one convenient location.”

With more than 20 years of experience in medicine, Dr. Vega provides his patients with comprehensive evaluations and treatment plans to ensure open communication with patients and families, from diagnosis to treatment and recovery. He specializes in advanced robotic surgery, lung and esophageal cancer, mesothelioma, benign and fibrous tumors and other advanced conditions.

“Dr. Vega brings advanced expertise that builds on the highly acclaimed cancer program established at Hackensack Meridian Health Cancer Care in Monmouth and Ocean counties, says Thomas L. Bauer II, M.D., FACS, MBA, medical director, thoracic oncology.   “As we continue to meet the growing needs of our communities, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Vega to our robust thoracic cancer team that can treat more patients with evidence-based cancer care.”

Dr. Vega received his medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and completed his internship and surgical residency at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – New Jersey Medical School. He then went on to complete his fellowship in thoracic surgery at New York University Medical Center.

Dr. Vega comes to Ocean and Southern Ocean Medical Centers from St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, NJ, where he was the Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery. He is currently a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons as well as the New York Society for Thoracic Surgery.

Dr. Vega is accepting new patients at 1610 Route 88, Suite 203 in Brick, NJ, 08724 and 1140 Route 72 West in Manahawkin, NJ.  To make an appointment, call 732-840-3337.

ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN OCEAN MEDICAL CENTER

Located in Brick, NJ, Hackensack Meridian Health Ocean Medical Center is ranked No. 7 in New Jersey as a top hospital in U.S. News & World Report 2020-21 and has also been recognized as a High Performing hospital in in the U.S. in congestive heart failure, colon cancer surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hip replacement and knee replacement.

Serving Ocean and southern Monmouth counties, Ocean Medical Center is an advanced care hospital that offers the convenience and easy access of a community hospital with high technology advances and expertise of a major medical center featuring expert care coordinated by a team of top specialists in emergency, cardio vascular, women’s health, cancer and orthopedic services. Delivering on this promise, Ocean Medical Center is home to an innovative medical-surgical floor equipped with 36 private patient beds that integrates technology and design to transform the patient experience and empower patients to return to their lives as soon as possible.  This forward thinking renovation project completed the $82 million expansion including the 44,300 square foot state-of-the-art Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Emergency Care Center and a new comprehensive Cancer Center. Ocean Medical Center officially became a premier community-based teaching hospital with the launch of its Graduate Medical Education program in 2018 with the inaugural classe of family medicine and psychiatry residents. Further medical education developments included the addition of an internal medicine residency program in 2019 and as of July 2020, Ocean Medical Center’s residency program includes a total of 60 residents.

The medical center provides the only 24/7 obstetrical hospitalist coverage and a dedicated obstetrical emergency department in the community to enhance the continuity of care for women and their infants. Certified by the Joint Commission as an accredited orthopedic program, Ocean Medical Center is a designation for orthopedic joint replacements where more than 1,200 joint replacements are done annually. Home to the Jersey Coast Vascular Institute, the vascular program is one of the most comprehensive programs in the state and is among the first in Ocean County to offer Trans-cervical Carotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) for patients with carotid artery disease. Also located on the medical center campus is Shore Rehabilitation Institute, a 40-bed acute care and comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation hospital that is now a unit of Ocean Medical Center. Other key services include: designation as a Primary Stroke Center; brain lab neurological surgery, DaTscan and advanced imaging technology; da Vinci®  robotic surgery; general thoracic and vascular surgery; one of the nation’s most advanced cardiac catheterization laboratories and cardiac services; acute care of the elderly; and critical care services.  Certified by The Joint Commission, Ocean has received The Joint Commission Seal of Approval for four disease sites:  Jt. Replacement, Stroke, Palliative Care, and Colorectal cancer.

The medical center has achieved Magnet® recognition, one of the highest and most prestigious distinctions a health care organization can receive for nursing excellence and high-quality patient care. In spring 2020, Ocean Medical Center was once again awarded an ‘A’ rating in the Leapfrog Safety Grade and was also named a top Teaching Hospital by the Leapfrog Group. Ocean Medical Center received the 2020 Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award for superior safety performance and has been honored for Environmental Excellence by Practice Greenhealth for its ongoing commitment to improving environment performance.

Additional certifications and awards include: the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association 2019 Get with the Guidelines® -Stroke Gold Plus with Honor Roll Elite Plus and Heart Failure Gold Plus continuous quality achievement awards and has received the 2018 ACTION Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award.

The medical center also operates the state’s first satellite Emergency Care Center in Point Pleasant, the Ocean Care Center, and hospital-based programs at Jackson Health Village.