Pauline Lerma, MD, Appointed Medical Director Of CINJ Hamilton's Breast Consultation Program

HAMILTON, NEW JERSEY - Pauline Lerma, MD, of Lawrenceville, NJ, has been appointed medical director of the breast consultation program based at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJ Hamilton) and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey Hamilton (CINJ Hamilton). The program, designed for women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer, focuses on the patient's total needs including diagnostic treatment and ancillary services. It offers a unique approach to treatment that gives every patient an opportunity to discuss their total care with cancer specialists all at one time, including medical and radiation oncologists, pathologist, breast surgeon, oncology social worker and a breast care nurse coordinator. The benefits of the program include: coordinated and streamlined care to reduce anxiety; information to make educated decisions; access to the latest treatments available via research protocols; and emotional support.

Bringing Research and Clinical Trials Closer to Home

Pauline Lerma, MD, Medical Director Of CINJ Hamilton's Breast Consultation Program

"In her role as medical director of the breast consult program, Dr. Lerma will be developing, extending and coordinating access to care for women diagnosed with breast cancer in the greater Mercer County area,"says Michael Eleff, MD, medical director at CINJ Hamilton. "In conjunction with her breast cancer colleagues at CINJ in New Brunswick, she will bring the latest in research studies and cancer research closer to home."CINJ Hamilton Executive Director Lisa Breza, RN, BSN, notes, "Dr. Lerma has been an integral part of our team since 2004 and having her appointed as medical director and designated medical oncologist adds continuity to our already strong breast consultation program."

Pleased about her new role, Dr. Lerma says, "I am passionate about helping my patients and am honored to be appointed to this position. The patients at CINJ Hamilton are like family to me and I look forward to delivering them the latest developments in research and clinical cancer trials.” Dr. Lerma is board certified in medical oncology and hematology and internal medicine. She is an assistant professor of medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ. Dr. Lerma is a member of the American Society of Hematology and the American Society of Oncology; she is licensed to practice medicine in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

About CINJ Hamilton - The Cancer Institute of New Jersey Hamilton (CINJ Hamilton) is home to RWJ Hamilton's medical oncology practice in a specially-designed free-standing facility for cancer treatment, offering cancer patients targeted therapies and access to advanced research studies. CINJ Hamilton is an affiliate of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) in New Brunswick, the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in New Jersey. In 2007, the medical practice at CINJ Hamilton was the only group in the nation to receive the prestigious Press Ganey Summit Award—recognition given for its superior level of patient satisfaction. For information on services and support groups at CINJ Hamilton, call 609.631.6960 or go to rwjhamilton.org/cinj.

More About RWJ Hamilton
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJ Hamilton) is the only New Jersey hospital to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Located in Hamilton Township, NJ, the hospital is part of the RWJ Health System and Network and is affiliated with the University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey-RWJ Medical School and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

The RWJ Hamilton Health Care Corporation serves communities within a five-county area and includes an acute care hospital, the Cancer Institute of New Jersey Hamilton, three affiliated medical groups, seven Lakeview Child Centers, and the RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, home of a medically-based fitness center and the hospital's extensive community education program. Over 1,900 hospital employees and 650 medical staff physicians share RWJ Hamilton's passion for Excellence Through Service. For more information, visit www.rwjhamilton.org.