Northwell Cancer Institute | Image Credit: © barinovalena - stock.adobe.com

 unveiled its Center for Women's Cancer at the 

. The $14 million, 21,000-square-foot facility is Long Island’s first dedicated cancer center for women, representing a major transformation in delivering specialized care at every stage. The outpatient center integrates breast surgery, gynecologic oncology, medical oncology and comprehensive support services in a single location, addressing the interconnected nature of women's cancer risks and providing services focused on women and their unique care needs.

The Center for Women’s Cancer addresses a critical gap in cancer care delivery by recognizing the genetic and clinical connections between breast and gynecologic cancers, particularly for patients with BRCA gene variants and other hereditary cancers. This integrated approach positions Northwell Health at the forefront of precision oncology for women.

Northwell Cancer Institute Center for Women's Cancer

The facility features 26 state-of-the-art exam rooms, 10 consultation rooms, two procedure rooms, an onsite laboratory and a tranquil healing garden. Patients have easy access to other services, including infusion therapy, radiation medicine, plastic surgery, genetic counseling, genomic testing, imaging and clinical trials, which are just steps away in the same building and on the same cancer campus.

"This new center represents our commitment to precision oncology and the recognition that women's cancers require specialized, coordinated care," said 

, physician-in-chief and executive director of the Northwell Cancer Institute. "By unifying our expertise in breast and gynecologic malignancies, we're not just enhancing convenience—we're creating a new approach where genetic counseling, surgical intervention, medical therapy and psychosocial support come together seamlessly, ultimately improving survival rates and quality of life for our patients."

The Center for Women’s Cancer at the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center will significantly increase Northwell’s ability to serve women diagnosed with 

. In 2024, the American Cancer Society estimates there are about 311,000 new invasive breast cancer cases and 117,000 new gynecologic cancer cases in the United States each year.

The Center for Women’s Cancer connects the Northwell Cancer Institute and the health system’s 

 (KIWH), therefore strengthening clinical synergies. More than 20 physicians and teams from multiple specialties will collaborate daily, enabling real-time multidisciplinary care planning and accelerated treatment protocols. The KIWH provides women’s health care across all stages of life through clinical care, research, education and advocacy.

"Patients going through their cancer journey will benefit from being on the same campus for their surgery as well as for their medical therapy," said 

, chief of breast cancer surgery at Northwell Health. "The center’s design also allows physicians in related specialties to dialogue with each other more easily."

Dr. Kostroff emphasized, "It was natural to bring together the specialists treating patients with breast and gynecologic cancers. Variants in the BRCA and other genes can increase risk for these patients. Also, patients can access everything they need on our expansive cancer campus on the Nassau-Queens border, which can also alleviate some of the stress of having to travel from place to place for consultations, imaging and treatment."

, system head for gynecologic medical oncology at the Northwell Cancer Institute and medical director for the Center for Women’s Cancer, noted the operational advantages: "The center makes it easier for us to develop care plans with our colleagues and manage our patients as one team.

"Whether it is a medical oncology trial, a radiation medicine trial or a surgical trial, they will all be available to patients in the same building, limiting the need to go to different sites to enroll," Dr. John added. "Particularly for patients with recurrent disease, we have ongoing trials that offer unique therapies that are otherwise not available, and we expect that the number of trial opportunities will continue to grow."

Rita Mercieca, RN, MBA, senior vice president and chief administrator of the Northwell Cancer Institute, highlighted the center's transformative approach. "We're not just treating cancer; we're honoring the entire woman—her health, her responsibilities, her life journey. This center represents a transformative approach to women's cancer care,” she said. Women from our community have helped us shape a care model that sees beyond medical protocols – recognizing women as complex, resilient individuals with multifaceted lives.”

The Center for Women’s Cancer has a patient-centered design. Through the Northwell Cancer Institute, patients have access to nurse navigators who can coordinate care and guide patients through every step of their journey, from consultation, treatment and survivorship. The center features navigators who are fluent in nine languages including Armenian, Cantonese, Hindi, and Spanish.

The center provides comprehensive support services including oncology nutrition, social work, financial counseling, pharmacy services and integrative medicine. Complementary therapies will include meditation, yoga, reiki, exercise therapy, tai chi and more.

E4H Architecture, headquartered in Boston, designed the Women’s Center for Cancer. The company is the largest architecture & interior design firm dedicated to healthcare & health science.

For more information or to make an appointment, contact Cancer Care Direct to talk with a 

 at the Northwell Cancer Institute: 833-292-0219 (833-CWC-0219).

Articles

The Northwell Cancer Institute has launched the Center for Women's Cancer at the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center, a $14 million facility dedicated to women's cancer care. This center integrates breast surgery, gynecologic oncology, and comprehensive support services, addressing the interconnected nature of women's cancer risks. It features state-of-the-art facilities and offers access to various services, including clinical trials. The center emphasizes precision oncology and multidisciplinary collaboration, enhancing patient care and experience. It aims to improve survival rates and quality of life for women with breast and gynecologic cancers.

The Northwell Cancer Institute unveiled its Center for Women's Cancer at the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center. 

Northwell Cancer Institute Unveils $14M Center for Women's Cancer, Creating an Integrated Care Model With Comprehensive Services in One Location

Early-Stage Clinical Trials | Image Credit: 

 has appointed Geraldine O’Sullivan Coyne, MD, PhD, MRCPI, an internationally recognized oncology researcher and physician leader, system head of Northwell and principal investigator for 

 (START), a newly established unit at the health system aimed at bringing innovative early-stage clinical trials to patients in a community-based cancer center.

Last May, Northwell Health and START, the largest global network of fully dedicated, community-based, early-phase oncology trials, signed a strategic partnership with the goal of expanding access to cutting-edge clinical trials at the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center in New Hyde Park. The site will be the first START center in New York. START trials provide promising new hope for patients facing complex and rare cancer diagnoses. A START center is also planned for Northwell’s Victoria and Lloyd Goldman Health Care Pavilion in Manhattan.

Dr. O’Sullivan Coyne brings more than 15 years of experience in global research, medical oncology and cancer leadership in roles at national and international organizations. Most recently, she was a clinical investigator at START Dublin, Ireland. Previously, Dr. O’Sullivan Coyne held leadership roles while serving for seven years at the National Cancer Institute (NCI); she has held roles that include staff clinician in the Developmental Therapeutics Clinic (DTC) and Early Clinical Trials Development Program, and associate research physician and head of the Clinical Sciences Section.

“Dr. O’Sullivan Coyne’s appointment and her exceptional areas of expertise will help transform Northwell's commitment to bring innovative early-phase cancer clinical trials and personalized medicine to our patients,” said 

, medical director and deputy physician-in-chief of medical oncology at the Northwell Cancer Institute. “She is an outstanding clinician, outstanding scientist and has an incredibly dynamic and caring personality – she is perfectly suited to lead this START site at Northwell.”

During her time at the NCI, one of her research focuses was the clinic’s sarcoma and rare tumors initiatives, including the ongoing partnership with the Pediatric Oncology Branch (POB) at the NCI for the enrollment of young adult patients with solid malignancies, NF1 and inoperable plexiform neurofibromas and/or malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST), in early phase trials as well as collaboration with the Surgery Branch at the NCI for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

“Early phase clinical trials provide our patients access to the most exciting and promising therapies that can lead to improvements in outcomes; however, these treatments are new and have unknown side effects. These early phase trials are among the most complicated that are conducted in medicine to ensure safety and maximize potential benefit,” explained Dr. Carvajal. “We want patients to have the best possible outcome and at the same time be able to track the scientific information we need. Northwell is proud to offer clinical trials in the communities where our patients live. In the past, patients either traveled to an academic medical center or were lucky enough to live relatively close by to receive treatment.”

“Dr. O’Sullivan Coyne played an integral role in the development and launch of START Dublin — START’s first early-phase research unit in Ireland — and we are thrilled to see her bring that same expertise and leadership to New York,” said Nick Slack, MBE, chairman & CEO of START. “She is a world-class physician and clinical researcher whose dedication to patients and deep scientific experience will add tremendous strength to this new site. We’re proud to see her further our mission to expand access to cutting-edge therapies through a globally connected, community-based research model.”

“Through the START and Northwell partnership, we're not just expanding our research capabilities; we're offering renewed hope to patients with the most challenging cancer diagnoses in treatments such as immunotherapy and targeted approaches." Dr. O’Sullivan Coyne said.

Dr. O’Sullivan Coyne completed her general medicine training at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland in Cork; and PhD (molecular medicine) at University College Cork, School of Medicine Cork Cancer Research Center, Cork, Ireland; completed clinical fellowships in hematology/oncology and advanced developmental therapeutics at the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.

She is an active member of various international scientific groups, has received numerous clinical awards in Europe and the United States and has published over 100 research works.

Geraldine O’Sullivan Coyne, MD, PhD, MRCPI, has been appointed as the system head of Northwell Cancer Institute and principal investigator for The START Center for Cancer Research. This collaboration aims to expand access to early-phase oncology trials at the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center in New York. Dr. O’Sullivan Coyne brings extensive experience from her roles at the National Cancer Institute and START Dublin. Her leadership is expected to enhance Northwell's commitment to innovative cancer treatments, offering new hope for patients with complex cancer diagnoses through community-based clinical trials.

Northwell Cancer Institute appointed Geraldine O’Sullivan Coyne, MD, to The START Center for Cancer Research to bring trials to the community setting.

Northwell Cancer Institute Names Global Oncology Researcher Geraldine O’Sullivan Coyne, MD, PhD, to lead START Unit’s Early-Stage Clinical Trials

 (START), renowned for being the largest global network of fully dedicated, community-based, early-phase oncology clinical trial sites, today announced plans to form a groundbreaking partnership. A new START early-phase clinical trial site is to be established at the Zuckerberg Cancer Center, part of Northwell Health’s 

A second START clinical trial site is planned for the Goldman Health Care Pavilion on Third Avenue between 76th and 77th streets in Manhattan. Slated to open in 2026, this outpatient facility, led by the Northwell Health Cancer Institute, will offer innovative cancer care programs for various cancer types and will also provide access to Northwell's cutting-edge cancer research and clinical trials.

The partnership will expand access to innovative cancer clinical trials for Northwell patients.

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This strategic partnership will focus on instituting a highly specialized, early-phase clinical trial site by combining START’s expertise in running early-phase, community-based cancer trials with the Northwell Cancer Institute’s nationally recognized cancer specialists, so patients across Northwell’s footprint receive the latest cutting-edge cancer care close to home.

"START’s mission to bring the hope of early phase clinical trials to all communities globally aligns perfectly with Northwell's commitment to raising the standard of health care for all," said 

, Chairman and CEO of The START Center for Cancer Research. "We're thrilled to partner with Northwell to institute an early-phase trial site, making cutting-edge, early-phase cancer trials accessible to communities that would otherwise not have access to these research options. We are eager to open trials within Northwell’s Cancer Institute."

"Through START’s extensive relationships and depth of experience in running early-phase trials, this partnership will provide our physicians and patients with unprecedented access to the latest advancements in cancer treatments, reinforcing our commitment to advance cancer research and revolutionize treatment for the diverse patients we serve across the New York metropolitan area and beyond,” said 

, physician-in-chief and executive director of the Northwell Cancer Institute.

Northwell’s Cancer Institute is the largest provider of cancer care in New York State, serving the most diverse geographic footprint, treating more than 19,000 new patients each year.

The START Center for Cancer Research represents the industry’s largest global network of eight early phase clinical trial sites led by a team of 25 industry-leading Principal Investigators. With over 500 currently active studies, the START network supports the largest portfolio of industry sponsored early phase cancer trials globally. The Northwell Site will be START’s ninth site and will be fully integrated into the START network.

START's expanded site network offers a strategic advantage in navigating the challenges commonly faced in early-phase cancer research. The START network is specifically designed to eliminate site-based bureaucratic obstacles that impede progress, enabling faster, more efficient trial execution. By focusing on patient recruitment and trial execution directly in the communities where they live and receive treatment, such as the community that Northwell serves, START ensures an equitable and diverse participant base, enhancing the relevancy and impact of cancer research for all.

About The START Center for Cancer Research

Cancer care must crack the diversity codeWhen clinical trial participants are diverse, researchers are more likely to save lives.

Deeply rooted in community oncology centers globally, The START Center for Cancer Research provides access to specialized preclinical and early-phase clinical trials of novel anti-cancer agents. START clinical trial sites have conducted more than a thousand early-phase clinical trials, including for 43 therapies that were approved by the FDA.

START represents the world’s largest roster of principal investigators (PIs) across its eight clinical trial sites. Committed to accelerating passage from trials to treatments, START delivers hope to patients, families and physicians around the world.

New START early-phase clinical trial site brings advanced cancer research to Northwell’s Cancer Institute, increases patient access

Northwell, The START Center for Cancer Research to Form Strategic Partnership

The Pancreatic Cancer Center team of the Northwell Health Cancer Institute has developed a collaborative care model to treat this rapid-moving form of cancer. This edition of Health Story features an informal conversation with Dr. Matthew Weiss, deputy physician-in-chief and director of surgical oncology of the Northwell Health Cancer Institute and nationally-renowned hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon. Dr. Weiss describes the goals and practices of the Pancreatic Cancer Center and the Institute, and explains how its multi-disciplinary approach to targeting cancers supports and benefits physician-patient relationships, and encourages participation in research toward more successful outcomes.

Videos

The Pancreatic Cancer Center team of the Northwell Health Cancer Institute has developed a collaborative care model to treat this rapid-moving form of cancer. This edition of Health Story features an informal conversation with Dr. Matthew Weiss, deputy physician-in-chief and director of surgical oncology of the Northwell Health Cancer Institute and nationally-renowned hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon.

Northwell Health

Articles

Northwell Cancer Institute Unveils $14M Center for Women's Cancer, Creating an Integrated Care Model With Comprehensive Services in One Location

Northwell Cancer Institute Names Global Oncology Researcher Geraldine O’Sullivan Coyne, MD, PhD, to lead START Unit’s Early-Stage Clinical Trials

Northwell, The START Center for Cancer Research to Form Strategic Partnership

Northwell Health Cancer Institute: Patients and Physicians Working Together, Moving Forward