RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute Earn ASTRO APEx Accreditation

West Orange, N.J., October 12, 2026 – RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute have earned a systemwide accreditation from the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO) APEx – Accreditation Program for Excellence®, a national program recognizing radiation oncology across the entire health system for meeting rigorous national standards for safety, quality and patient-centered care.

The accreditation marks the first time the entire RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute radiation oncology program has been accredited through ASTRO as one unit. While individual radiation oncology programs across the health system were previously accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) or the American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO), this APEx designation places RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute as one of only six health systems nationwide to achieve accreditation for 10 or more locations.. Those locations include: Clara Maass Medical Center, Community Medical Center, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Jersey City Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Center, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, and Trinitas Regional Medical Center.

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In addition, RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute received APEx accreditation for radiopharmaceuticals for programs at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, and Clara Maass Medical Center in Bellville. All three hospitals are among less than 20 hospitals nationwide to achieve this specialized accreditation.

"Achieving APEx accreditation from ASTRO reflects our team's steadfast commitment to delivering exceptional care and upholding the highest standards in radiation oncology at New Jersey's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center," said Steven K. Libutti, Senior Vice President, Oncology Services, RWJBH; and Vice Chancellor and William N. Hait Director, Rutgers Cancer Institute. "This national recognition underscores the trust our patients and community place in us and reflects the strong culture of quality, safety and continuous improvement that we are building across our health system."

APEx is the most comprehensive and fastest-growing radiation oncology practice accreditation program in the United States, with more than 450 individual U.S. facilities to date accredited through the program. To achieve this distinction, centers undergo a voluntary, multi-step evaluation of their protocols for safety, quality assurance, and patient engagement by independent APEx surveyors.

APEx is managed by ASTRO, the world's largest professional society dedicated to advancing radiation oncology and supporting the physicians and care teams who deliver radiation therapy. Each year, more than one million Americans receive radiation treatments for cancer and other diseases, and radiation therapy is integral to 40% of cancer cures worldwide.

"ASTRO congratulates RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute for earning APEx accreditation," said Sameer R. Keole, MD, FASTRO, Chair of the ASTRO Board of Directors. "By achieving this comprehensive, industry-leading certification, the RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute team has affirmed its commitment to delivering radiation oncology care that is safe, effective and wholly centered on patient needs."

APEx accreditation reflects the principles outlined in ASTRO's Safety is No Accident: A Framework for Quality Radiation Oncology and Care, the foundational guide for quality and safety in radiation oncology. Learn more about APEx at www.astro.org/APEx.

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ABOUT RWJBARNABAS HEALTH

RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey's largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.

RWJBarnabas Health partners with its communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate manner and is the state's largest safety-net provider and a leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.

RWJBarnabas Health's commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including Rutgers Cancer Institute — the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center — and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey's largest private employers, with more than 45,000 employees, contributing more than $7 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org.

ABOUT RUTGERS CANCER INSTITUTE

As New Jersey's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Rutgers Cancer Institute, together with RWJBarnabas Health, provides patients access to the most advanced cancer treatment options including clinical trials close to home at our facilities throughout the state. Our groundbreaking cancer research is the engine that drives access to the most advanced cancer treatments, where our discoveries become your care.