RARITAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — Hunterdon Health recently marked the start of construction on a major renovation of its Cancer Center, launching the next phase of its Beaming Beyond Cancer campaign with a ceremonial wall-breaking event.
The multi-year renovation project is expected to be completed in early 2027. Hospital officials said the Cancer Center will remain fully operational throughout construction to ensure uninterrupted care for patients.
The renovation builds on recent investments in cancer care, including the installation earlier this year of a new linear accelerator that enhances the precision, safety and efficiency of radiation therapy. Hospital leaders said the technology also improves the patient experience and can reduce the number of treatments required.
“This is an exciting day at Hunterdon Health,” said Pat Gavin, president and chief operating officer. “It’s been a long time coming, but today we are finally starting construction on the Cancer Center. As we all know cancer is devastating, it touches far too many lives. Anyone who visits our Cancer Center experiences unmatched compassion, hope, and smiles. Our patients deserve the highest level of care, and those who provide that care deserve a facility that matches their skill, commitment, and heart.”
Officials said the renovation will transform the Cancer Center into a modern, patient-centered space designed to better support patients, families and caregivers. A centerpiece of the project will be a new glass atrium, intended to serve as a welcoming entrance and a place of healing for patients and their loved ones.
“The Cancer Center renovation is not simply a construction project — it is a central and defining facet of our strategic vision,” said Dr. K.C. Rondello, chair of the Hunterdon Health Board of Trustees. “It reflects both future state of the art healthcare and the promise of the organization we aspire to be: one that is innovative, compassionate, and ceaselessly committed to caring for our community’s most vulnerable.”
Rondello also highlighted the importance of community support, noting that more than $1.8 million has already been raised through philanthropy to help fund the project.
Physicians who practice at the Cancer Center said the renovation reflects both the growth of cancer services and the increasing needs of the region. Dr. Myron Bednar of Hunterdon Hematology Oncology, who has worked in the center for more than 20 years, said the expansion is long overdue.
“I started here within a year of the Cancer Center breaking ground over 25 years ago, and I think we are ready for a refresh,” Bednar said. “Over that time, I’ve witnessed remarkable growth. Anyone who spends time in the Cancer Center can see the increased volume and demand for services in our community. On behalf of all of us, we are very excited about this renovation and are committed to investing alongside Hunterdon Health in the future of cancer care in Hunterdon County.”
Hospital leaders said the project underscores Hunterdon Health’s long-term commitment to advancing cancer care through innovation, compassionate environments and continued investment in the professionals who serve patients every day.
