The new program is designed to ensure holistic, patient-centered care for older adults with cancer, and is focused on treating the whole patient, not just their disease. Treatment options and expected outcomes vary by age and health condition. Just as importantly, there are social, cultural, spiritual, financial, and emotional factors to consider with each patient.
“We serve a dynamic population that is aging and experiencing higher cancer rates than the national average,” said Noah Goldman, MD, Medical Director of Cancer Center Programs, Penn Medicine Princeton Health. “We see a significant and growing need for specialized cancer care for older adults. Today, 70 percent of our patients with cancer are 65 or older, and 18 percent are at least 80 years of age. Each one of those individuals faces unique challenges, and we are committed to working with them to develop care plans that are personalized to their needs.”
In support of our vision, the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation awarded Princeton Health a grant of $2.5 million. These funds will support efforts to recruit a team of professionals with expertise in geriatrics, including clinicians, supportive care staff, and community health navigators. Funds will also be used to implement clinical trials; test new treatments and care delivery models in partnership with Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center; expand staff education; and utilize community health navigators to increase outreach to our senior community.
This collaboration is a testament to our shared commitment to ensuring health equity, particularly to our most vulnerable patients and communities. We are grateful for the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation’s long history of support and look forward to the impact we can have together.
In addition to corporate support, this invaluable program has also received considerable community support.
We were particularly touched by a leadership gift from Annette Merle-Smith, a longstanding community member and grateful patient. Born and raised in Massachusetts, Annette and her husband raised their children in Princeton, where she lived a colorful life, filled with many passions. She had a deep dedication to a wide range of cultural, educational and environmental organizations in our area and beyond, each with a special mission and connection.
Before Annette passed away earlier this spring, she made a thoughtful and meaningful gift to her community hospital. After learning about the new Geriatric Oncology Program from Dr. Sedhom, she was determined to help ensure that this important work to care for older adults with cancer would be available to all those who need it.
“It brought my mother great joy in her last days to be able to play a small part in the realization of a program that will hopefully be able to provide such valuable support to those who are suffering,” shared Annette’s daughter, Meg Bergstrand.
We are profoundly grateful to Annette for leaving such an important legacy to the hospital on which she relied and supported for decades.
Pictured above (l-r):
(1) Ramy Sedhom, MD, Medical Director of Medical Oncology and Palliative Care, Penn Medicine Princeton Health; John Damonti, President of the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, Vice President of Corporate Philanthropy and Patient Assistance; and Noah Goldman, MD, Medical Director of Cancer Center Programs, Penn Medicine Princeton Health.
(2) Annette Merle-Smith (center) with granddaughter and daughter, Meg Bergstrand.
Article as seen in Foundation News Fall 2023.
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