CANCER CARE THROUGH

Q&A

CANCER CARE THROUGH THE YEARS

KATHLEEN TOOMEY, MD

A MEDICAL ONCOLOGIST REFLECTS ON HER FOUR DECADES AT RWJUH SOMERSET.

Kathleen Toomey, MD, a medical oncologist and Medical Director of the Steeplechase Cancer Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset, has treated countless patients over the last four decades. She served as the first woman president of the medical/dental staff and has been a member of the hospital and Foundation boards. She recently joined the RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, so we decided to ask her to reflect on what’s changed over the years—and what’s stayed the same.

RWJBarnabas Health and the

You started working at RWJUH Somerset Steeplechase Cancer Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, in partnership with Rutgers Steeplechase’s library and learn in 1987. How Cancer Institute of New Jersey—the state’s more about has cancer care only NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer their disease, changed? Center—provide close-to-home access to and they can Patients are living the most advanced treatment options. attend support longer and better these Call 844.CANCERNJ or visit group meetings. days. When I started www.rwjbh.org/beatcancer. The building also caring for patients in the features an infusion mid-1980s, we cured about suite, a laboratory and 48 percent of patients. Today, we a space for lectures and can cure about 70 percent of patients. community events. There’s also a bridge to We talk about survivorship much more. the hospital. Many cancer survivors have the same life Biweekly, surgical oncologists, span as those who have never had cancer. medical oncologists, pathologists,

The number of new treatments radiation oncologists, nurse navigators increases every year. Also, we’re able to and others gather to formulate the minimize the complications associated best treatment plans for patients. Our with treatment. affiliation with the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey enables patients You were instrumental in to get second opinions and gain access establishing the Steeplechase to clinical trials. Cancer Center in 2007. How has We have hired more physicians, such the Cancer Center grown? as a gynecologic oncologist and liver Before the Steeplechase Cancer Center surgeon. Our hope is that the more was built, patients had to travel to experts we have, the more research we multiple facilities for care. We wanted can do and the better treatments our to make their care more convenient. patients will receive. The Steeplechase Cancer Center offers access to various subspecialists, such as What are you most proud of at the surgeons, gynecologic oncologists and Steeplechase Cancer Center? radiologists. It also has a boutique where I’m most proud of the atmosphere at patients can purchase wigs, bras and the Steeplechase Cancer Center. When compression garments. Patients can visit patients walk in, they see a fireplace that looks like it belongs in a national park lodge. Cancer is scary, and we In 2005, Dr. Toomey announced the naming of want to provide a warm atmosphere. We the Steeplechase Cancer Center in honor of the Far Hills Race Meeting Association, the hospital’s have a culture of compassion, kindness most generous benefactor. and excellence.