Translational Research Office

Program Overview

The John Theurer Cancer Center (JTCC) and the HMH Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI) Translational Research Office (JCTO) has been developed to serve as an essential bridge bringing together CDI Researchers and JTCC Clinicians in support of our mission to deliver innovation from bench to the clinic. Our goal is to support the Oncology Translational Research Program across the HMH network for successful conduct of preparatory/preliminary proof of concept studies jointly developed between physicians and basic research scientists at the CDI. We work collaboratively with CDI scientist(s) and JTCC physician(s) as well as across the HMH network to identify, collaboratively develop, and execute translational studies ensuring full compliance with all local, state and federal, as well as Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) regulatory regulations and policies, thereby providing an essential service to facilitate the collection of compliant clinical research data necessary to support these exciting new innovations.

As of Dec 2024 we have successfully achieved following milestones:

1. Supporting 4 translational studies:
1. Activated study at 3 HMH satellite locations.
2. Screened 2535 patients across all sites.
3. Enrolled 328 participants.
4. Completed Total 961 patient visits.
2. Implemented data assessment plan for improving data accuracy and quality:
1. Issued and resolved about 1200 queries.
2. Reviewed Consent & ICEC for study participants: >300 participants.
3. Designed and built REDcap database for clinical data capture.
4. Improved amendment approval times for studies we are supporting.
5. Provided project based and ad-hoc support to 11 CDI researchers.

Our Mission

The mission of JCTO is to work collaboratively with below listed entities to assist in the facilitation of effective and appropriate support for Translational Oncology Clinical Research projects meeting the National Cancer Institution designation requirements:

• Biorepository
• Center for Discovery and Innovation
• Cell Therapy Manufacturing Facility
• Hackensack University Medical Center
• Institutional Review Board office
• Jersey Shore University Medical Center
• John F. Kennedy University Medical Center
• JTCC Oncology Clinical Research (Finance, Project Management, IIT (Investigator Initiated Trials), Data, Regulatory Start Up and Maintenance, and Quality)
• Office of Research Administration
• Pathology
• Pediatric Translational Science Consortium
• Clinical Trial Management System administrators

Expertise

Clinical Operations: Screening, Consent, Sample Collection
Clinical Data: Collection & Assessment
OnCore Management
Protocol Development
Quality
REDCap Database
Regulatory
Site activation and monitoring

Key Staff

Chintan Patel, MS CCRP
Manager, HMH Oncology Clinical Research
chintan.patel@hmhn.org

Lauren Machere
Clinical Research Coordinator, HMH Oncology Clinical Research
lauren.machere@hmhn.org

Navjot Kaur
Clinical Research Coordinator, HMH Oncology Clinical Research
navjotg.kaur@hmhn.org

Hanna Mattanovich
Clinical Data Coordinator, HMH Oncology Clinical Research
hanna.mattanovich@hmhn.org

Oversight Provided by

Ernest Richards, Ph.D., FACN
VP, HMH Oncology Clinical Research
Assistant Professor, Department of Oncology
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine