The Cancer Center at Shore Medical Center

Built to be the best, Shore’s comprehensive cancer program has received national recognition from two very important quality assurance organizations:

American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer

Since 1987, Shore Medical Center has received approval from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC), by meeting or exceeding the organization’s stringent standards for patient care. Only one in four community cancer programs nationwide are qualified to earn this level of approval. Approval is granted to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to provide the best in cancer diagnosis and treatment and are able to comply with established CoC standards. Each cancer program must undergo a rigorous evaluation and review of its performance and compliance with the CoC standards every three years. CoC-approved cancer programs throughout the nation diagnose and/or treat 80 percent of newly diagnosed cancer patients annually.

The Shore Medical Center Radiation Oncology Department is accredited by the American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO). ACRO Accreditation ensures that Shore’s program meets the most current and stringent standards in staffing, equipment, quality control and technical capability.

Medical Oncology

Radiation Oncology

John James Wilson, MD
Bio >

The Shore Cancer Center was designed and developed to bring the most advanced cancer care available to the people of southern New Jersey in a private and attractive space that is comfortable for patients, their families and friends.

In addition to Varian TrueBeam® linear accelerator and a Toshiba Aquillion Prime CT scanner, the radiation therapy department houses a patient and family library, a conference room, and social service and nutritional counseling areas in support of our patient-centered philosophy.  

Radiation treatments are painless and patients are typically in the treatment room for approximately 15 minutes. In most cases, daily treatments are given over the course of several weeks.

The medical oncology department has an infusion suite with eight chairs, an on-site pharmacy and three exam rooms. All nurses are oncology certified nurses (OCN) and chemotherapy certified.

The Cancer Center at Shore Medical Center was conceived, designed and built specifically to support the special needs of cancer patients, their families and friends. It represents the new look of 21st century, patient-centered cancer care – a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach combining clinical excellence with patient comfort and convenience.

A blend of leading-edge technology and beautiful design, the Cancer Center supports the technical needs of physicians, radiation therapists, physicists, nurses and other specialists while providing a convenient, safe, caring and attractive atmosphere of healing, privacy and dignity.

The Cancer Center is a free-standing facility on the Shore Medical Center Campus, conveniently located at the corner of Shore Road and Medical Center Way. The exterior design blends with residential development in the area. Inside, the feeling is inspiring – a quiet, tastefully decorated space that is welcoming and relaxing.
 
Every aspect of the design was chosen to reduce stress, with muted colors, warm wood and a generous use of natural light. The waiting areas, patient access and treatment rooms provide for different privacy requirements. Two waiting rooms are offered – one with television and the second a quiet waiting room.

The patient and family library offers research materials, cancer-related books and pamphlets and Internet access. The library is stocked with materials from the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute and the Oncology Nursing Society. Materials are available in English and Spanish.

Free Tobacco Cessation Counseling Sessions

Are you ready to quit using tobacco products? If so, Shore is ready to help! Shore Oncology Clinical Social Worker Candice Tummillo, MSW, LCSW will provide you with free one-on-one support so you can quit for good. Whether you smoke, vape or use smokeless tobacco, our program can provide you with the tools you need to quit successfully so you can live a healthier life. We suggest participants work with their primary care physician in tandem with this program to discuss tobacco cessation medication management. Schedule your first appointment today by contacting Candice at candice.tummillo@shoremedicalcenter.org or 609-653-4520. Appointments are available on Wednesdays from 3 to 4pm. Virtual sessions are also available. Due to COVID restrictions, participants are required to wear a mask for the duration of the session. 

• Location: Center for Family Caregivers - Shore Medical Center, 1st floor

Advanced Care Planning Sessions

What if you became too sick to make your own healthcare decisions? With Advanced Care Planning, you can make those decisions ahead of time so all of your healthcare wishes will be met. If you need help developing your Advanced Care Plan, Shore Oncology Clinical Social Worker Candice Tummillo, MSW, LCSW, can work with you one-on-one to design the right plan for you. To make an appointment, contact Candice at candice.tummillo@shoremedicalcenter.org or 609-653-4520. Due to COVID restrictions, participants are required to wear a mask for the duration of the one-hour session. Virtual sessions are also available at your request. 

• Location: Center for Family Caregivers - Shore Medical Center, 1st floor

Supportive Therapy  

Your Oncology Clinical social worker will help you cope with feelings of loneness, fearfulness, sadness, anxiousness, and grief & loss. 

• Psychosocial intervention
• Often completed upon patient’s request after a cancer diagnosis and includes: 
• Learning about you and your family’s requests and wishes
• Discovering your feelings towards your cancer diagnosis 
• Practicing how to navigate everyday life with kindness to develop joy   
  • Fertility and Sexuality Counseling: Shore Medical Center – Cancer Center works with South Jersey Fertility Center. Their main office is located in Marlton, NJ. The nearest location to Shore Medical Center is the Egg Harbor Twp. NJ. Fertility preservation is a significant topic to discuss with women who are between the childbearing ages diagnosed with cancer. Our oncology clinical social worker will discuss your preferences and make the appropriate referrals.      

Attendance at Family Meetings

Your social worker will be able to schedule family meetings to provide support to you and your family as you learn about your diagnosis and become familiar with treatment planning and future care.  

Gilda’s Club: Linwood, NJ 

Gilda’s Club provides weekly support groups. The groups give patients and caregivers an opportunity to discuss their feelings and emotions as they move through their cancer journey, time to connect with others who feel similarly and can understand, while also gaining practical knowledge and advice on a multitude of cancer related issues. There are groups for patients, caregivers and also for those who have lost a loved one. 

Healthy lifestyle workshops like yoga and meditation teach patients and caregivers practical skills and coping strategies to help deal with the range of feelings and emotions one might experience as they move through their cancer journey. 

Educational lectures are provided by community healthcare professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to present on cancer related topics. Topics can range from medical advances for specific types of cancer to managing cancer related side effects, precision medicine, talking with your healthcare team and even discussing cancer with your children and grandchildren. 

Social activities like potluck suppers, holiday parties, book club and crafting are held to build community and have some fun with other people and families who are also touched by cancer. 

Shore Cancer Center
Corner of Shore Road & Medical Center Way in Somers Point, NJ 08244. For more information call 609-653-3585. Click the map below for door-to-door directions

Hours

Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm

Parking

There is a parking lot adjacent to the Cancer Center. The gate will open automatically and a code will be given at the main desk in the Shore Cancer Center for exiting the parking lot.

The programs offered at Shore's Cancer Center would not be possible without the support of community members like you. For more information on how you can support Shore's Cancer Center and other programs for our current and future patients, Click Here.

Shore Medical Center provides a full-range of healthcare services to our community regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. We recognize that a critical part of offering healthcare services includes mitigating concerns our patients may have related to billing matters.

Financial Assistance
This business philosophy is our commitment to the community, patients and family members we serve. It runs parallel to our not for profit mission and is evidenced by the following proactive measures taken by Shore Medical Center to provide financial assistance to our patients. Shore Medical Center endorses both the American Hospital Association and the New Jersey Hospital Association fair billing and collection guidelines. For more information, visit these websites, call or write:

American Hospital Association Headquarters One North Franklin Chicago, IL, 60606-3421 Phone: 312-422-3000 www.aha.org

New Jersey Hospital Association 760 Alexander Road (PO Box 1) Princeton, NJ, 08543-0001 Phone: 609-275-4000 www.njha.com

Self-Pay Discounting Program
Shore Medical Center has a discounting program to assist patients who are least able to pay. The policy is designed to provide financial relief to our self-pay population by reducing the medical center’s standard charge for services rendered. At the time of patient billing, the charges are reduced to an estimated cost of services.

State Charity Care Program
The medical center also ensures that all patients receive information pertaining to the State Charity Care Program for the uninsured and under-insured. To inquire about Shore’s Self-Pay Billing and Discount Policy, Charity Care or payment arrangements, contact the Patient Financial Services Credit and Collections Office.

Healthcare for the Uninsured
The State of New Jersey provides a telephone number to the general public for questions related to the New Jersey Department of Health, Health Care for the Uninsured Program. New Jersey State Department of Health call 1-800-367-6543 or write to: Healthcare for the Uninsured Program CN 360 Trenton, NJ, 08625-0360

Financial Counseling & Screening
Shore Medical Center also offers financial counseling and screening for patients to ensure that any potential third party coverage under other government programs, such as Medicaid, can be identified. This service is provided at no cost to the patient. The hospital approves payment arrangements for our patients who cannot pay their bills in full. These payment arrangements can be tailored to the individual needs of the patient.

We do not charge additional fees in the form of interest for carrying the balances being paid under these arrangements. The hospital absorbs a significant amount of bad debt annually (balances due by patients that are intentionally not paid), or are incurred as a result of mitigating circumstances, bankruptcy filings and other collection matters.

Collections & Billing Issues
Shore Medical Center pursues collection of balances rightfully owed by patients for services rendered and contracts with third party collection agencies for the purpose of collecting delinquent account balances. The collection agencies operate under the federal fair debt, credit and collection guidelines. Collection agency activity is closely monitored by the medical center to ensure that patient collection efforts are appropriate and in line with our customer service philosophy.

All patient complaints regarding dissatisfaction with services rendered or billing issues are handled promptly and in a courteous manner to ensure that customer service remains the focus of any patient concern. All complaints are considered valid and patient feedback is welcome with respect to disputed matters. The Patient Financial Services Department, Insurance Billing Office may be contacted at 609-653-3717.