Catholic Health Collaborates with the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia to Advance Cancer Care and Expand Clinical Trial Access

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 or NCORP grant, which focuses on providing NCI 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, allowing patients to receive advanced care close to home while benefiting from the expertise and 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 HICCC at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia, we are able to bring innovative cancer 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 Herbert and Florence Irving 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, bringing research and clinical excellence together 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. “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.”