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Catholic Health is collaborating with the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center to advance the future of cancer care by broadening patient access to select innovative clinical trials and investigational therapies while strengthening research that drives medical discovery and improves outcomes.

Through this collaboration, Catholic Health patients will gain direct access to select cancer clinical trials and investigational drug programs offered through the HICCC, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center recognized for its leadership in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research innovation. The collaboration also allows Catholic Health to become a member of the HICCC’s National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program, which focuses on providing cancer clinical trials and care delivery studies to people in their own communities.

There are already 20 clinical trials underway through this collaboration, with additional studies expected to be introduced over time. Trials and treatments will be administered locally at most Catholic Health Cancer Institute locations, blending Catholic Health’s compassionate, evidence-based care model with the expertise and cutting-edge research infrastructure of one of the nation’s premier cancer centers.

“This collaboration represents an important step forward in expanding access to advanced cancer care for patients and communities across Long Island,” said Gary Havican, Interim President and CEO and Chief Operating Officer of Catholic Health. “By working with the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia, we are able to bring innovative therapies and select clinical trials closer to home, giving patients greater access to highly specialized, personalized treatment within their own communities. Most importantly, this collaboration reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care that improves outcomes and enhances quality of life.”

The collaboration will provide patients with additional opportunities to participate in select cancer clinical trials evaluating emerging therapies, including targeted treatments, immunotherapies, and precision medicine approaches designed to improve survival and reduce side effects.

“Expanding access to clinical trials is essential to accelerating cancer research so that scientific advances reach more patients,” said Anil K. Rustgi, MD, Herbert and Florence Irving director of the HICCC at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia and a professor of medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S). “Our collaboration with Catholic Health extends the reach of our research and provides patients across Long Island with access to innovative therapies that are shaping the future of cancer treatment.”

Catholic Health continues to invest in expanding oncology services, integrating research and strengthening collaborations with leading academic institutions to provide patients with the most advanced treatment options available.

“Clinical trials are essential to advancing cancer treatment and improving long-term outcomes,” said Bhoomi Mehrotra, MD, chair of cancer services for Catholic Health and director of The Catholic Health Cancer Institute at St. Francis Hospital. “This collaboration allows our physicians to offer patients more targeted and emerging therapies within a coordinated, multidisciplinary care model, joining research and clinical excellence in a meaningful way.”

The HICCC is internationally recognized for translating laboratory discoveries into novel clinical treatments and advancing multidisciplinary approaches that improve patient care. This collaboration strengthens regional cancer care by pairing academic research leadership with Catholic Health’s extensive clinical network across Long Island.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to delivering cutting-edge, patient-centered cancer care,” said Andrew Lassman, MD, FAAN, FASCO, associate director of clinical trials at the HICCC and a professor of neurology at VP&S. “By bringing advanced clinical trials into community settings, we can help provide patients equitable access to innovative treatments while remaining supported within their local care teams.”

About Catholic Health

Catholic Health is an integrated system encompassing some of the region’s finest health and human services agencies. The health system has over 17,000 employees, four cancer institutes, six acute care hospitals, three nursing homes, a home health service, hospice and a network of physician practices. Under the sponsorship of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, Catholic Health serves hundreds of thousands of Long Islanders each year, providing care that extends from the beginning of life to helping people live their final years in comfort, grace and dignity. For more information, visit: https://www.catholichealthli.org.

About the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC)

The Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center is one of 58 National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the nation. Bringing together more than 300 researchers and clinicians across seven schools and 37 departments at Columbia University and Columbia University Irving Medical Center, the HICCC conducts cancer clinical trials in collaboration with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. With $130 million in annual cancer research funding, the HICCC serves a catchment area of 11 million people across the New York City metropolitan region and beyond. The center serves as a hub for multidisciplinary cancer research, training, and community engagement, including programs that work to reduce barriers to prevention, screening, treatment, and survivorship services.