Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
A Rutgers University cancer research and treatment institution in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, historically known as the Cancer Institute of New Jersey or CINJ, is a cancer research, treatment, prevention, and education institution affiliated with Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It operates adjacent to and is physically connected by a sky bridge to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, its primary clinical affiliate. The institute provides multidisciplinary cancer services for adults and children while also conducting laboratory, clinical, population, and prevention research. The institute is one of the National Cancer Institute's 56 Comprehensive Cancer Centers and is described as the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center located in New Jersey. Its work spans the full cancer-care and research continuum: basic laboratory investigation, translational research, clinical trials, cancer prevention, population studies, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship support, and access to information about new therapies. Its clinical environment serves both adult and pediatric patients, with pediatric inpatients treated through The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital and adult inpatients treated through Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. The institute itself does not have inpatient beds in its current facility. Rutgers Cancer Institute has developed as an integrated academic medical institution rather than a conventional consumer brand. Its role combines the research capabilities of a university cancer center with the clinical infrastructure of a hospital partnership. Patients and families can use its Resource and Learning Center to obtain information about advanced therapies and clinical trials. The institute also supports education and professional development connected with cancer medicine and research. According to the cited reference material, the institute has more than 850 employees, manages more than 120,000 patient visits annually, and receives more than $99 million each year in cancer-related research grants. These figures describe the scale of the organization in the source material and are not presented as independently verified current figures here. The New Brunswick campus has undergone substantial expansion and reconfiguration. Additions increased the facility's total area to approximately 225,000 square feet, while the patient-care setting was designed to retain a smaller-institution atmosphere despite the center's size. A major subsequent development was the planned Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, a new cancer hospital intended to expand inpatient, outpatient, research, and supportive-care capacity. The project was announced by RWJBarnabas Health officials in 2019, received a Middlesex County investment in 2020, and held its ceremonial groundbreaking in June 2021. The new facility was planned as part of a broader effort to create a leading cancer hospital in New Jersey and to deepen cooperation among Rutgers, RWJBarnabas Health, local government, and educational institutions. Leadership has included William N. Hait, Robert S. DiPaola, and Steven K. Libutti as permanent directors. Libutti became the third permanent director in January 2017, and H. Richard Alexander joined Rutgers later that year as chief surgical officer. The institute's identity is therefore grounded in academic cancer medicine, public-facing clinical care, research translation, and regional service to New Jersey rather than in commercial product sales.
History
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey is the academic cancer institute of Rutgers University and is based in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It developed as a regional center dedicated to cancer research and care, combining university-based scientific investigation with clinical services delivered in cooperation with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. The institution is commonly associated with the abbreviation CINJ and was later identified in its official public-facing name as Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. The institute's activities cover laboratory science, clinical research, prevention, population research, cancer diagnosis, treatment, and patient education. Its position within Rutgers gives it an academic mission, while its relationship with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital provides the hospital infrastructure required for complex oncology care. The two facilities are adjacent and connected by a sky bridge. The institute treats both adults and children, although inpatient treatment is provided through affiliated hospitals rather than through inpatient beds located in the current cancer institute building. The institute became one of the National Cancer Institute's designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers. The designation places it within a national network of cancer centers recognized for research capacity and integrated cancer programs. The reference material identifies it as one of 56 such centers and the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in New Jersey. Its physical campus has expanded significantly. Later additions brought the facility to approximately 225,000 square feet and increased capacity for patient services, research, and support functions. Despite the larger footprint, the patient-care environment was intentionally reorganized to maintain a more personal and less hospital-like feel. The Resource and Learning Center gives patients and families access to information about cancer treatment, advanced therapies, and clinical trials. Leadership changes have marked different phases of the institute's development. William N. Hait served as director from 1993 to 2007, followed by Robert S. DiPaola from 2008 to 2016. Steven K. Libutti became the third permanent director in January 2017. H. Richard Alexander joined Rutgers in October 2017 as chief surgical officer, adding senior surgical leadership to the institute's clinical structure. A major later phase involved plans for the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center. In 2019, RWJBarnabas Health officials announced a proposal for a new 12-story, $750 million cancer hospital across from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. The plan called for 96 inpatient beds and numerous outpatient treatment bays. The development was connected to a land-acquisition arrangement involving Lincoln Street School; the proposal included construction of a replacement school at another location. In May 2020, Middlesex County announced a $25 million contribution and a partnership with Middlesex County College intended to create education and workforce-training opportunities. A ceremonial groundbreaking took place on June 24, 2021. The Morris Cancer Center project was presented as part of a wider ambition to build a top-tier cancer hospital and expand the region's cancer-care infrastructure. Existing cancer institute buildings were expected to transition toward administrative use after the new hospital opened. The project also illustrates the institute's institutional model: Rutgers University, RWJBarnabas Health, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, county government, and local educational organizations working together around research, treatment, training, and economic development. The institute's reported scale includes more than 850 employees, over 120,000 patient visits annually, and more than $99 million in annual cancer-related research grants. These metrics, supplied by the cited reference, show the breadth of its operations but should be checked against current institutional reporting before being treated as current figures. Overall, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey functions as a public-facing academic cancer center whose principal value lies in specialized medical care, research translation, prevention, clinical-trial activity, and education rather than in commercial products.
- 2021
Morris Cancer Center groundbreaking
[1]A ceremonial groundbreaking for the new cancer center took place on June 24.
- 2020
Middlesex County investment announced
[1]Middlesex County announced a $25 million investment in the planned cancer hospital and related educational and workforce-training collaboration.
- 2019
Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center plans announced
[1]RWJBarnabas Health announced plans for a new 12-story cancer hospital in New Brunswick with expanded inpatient and outpatient capacity.
- 2017
Steven K. Libutti becomes director
[1]Steven K. Libutti became the institute's third permanent director in January.
- 2017
H. Richard Alexander joins Rutgers as chief surgical officer
[1]H. Richard Alexander joined Rutgers in October as chief surgical officer.
- 2016
DiPaola's directorship ends
[1]Robert S. DiPaola completed his period as director.
- 2008
Robert S. DiPaola becomes director
[1]Robert S. DiPaola began serving as director of the institute.
- 2007
Hait's directorship ends
[1]William N. Hait completed his term as director.
- 1993
William N. Hait begins directorship
[1]William N. Hait became director, beginning a period of leadership that continued through 2007.
Products and positioning
An academic, research-intensive comprehensive cancer center combining Rutgers University research with hospital-based oncology care in New Jersey.
Clinical oncology
Comprehensive cancer care
Multidisciplinary cancer services for adults and children, supported by the institute's academic specialists and its clinical relationship with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Care includes treatment-related services and access to information about advanced therapies and clinical trials. Inpatient treatment is delivered through affiliated hospitals because the current institute facility does not maintain inpatient beds.
Medical research
Cancer research programs
Research activity spans laboratory science, clinical investigation, cancer prevention, and population research. The programs are intended to translate scientific findings into improved prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes, and are supported by cancer-related research grants.
Patient support and research access
Clinical trials and patient information services
The institute provides access to clinical-trial information and maintains a Resource and Learning Center where patients and families can review material on advanced therapies, treatment options, and new studies. This offering supports informed participation in academic oncology and research programs.
Brand decisions
2020
Add county and education partners to cancer-center developmentStrategyBackground
The planned Morris Cancer Center was treated as a regional development project involving healthcare, government, and education partners.
Action taken
Middlesex County announced a $25 million investment and collaboration with Middlesex County College to create education and job-training opportunities.
Aftermath
The investment and proposed training collaboration broadened the project's intended impact beyond clinical capacity to include local education and workforce development.
Middlesex County investment. $25 million (2020 announcement)
2019
Plan a new comprehensive cancer hospitalStrategyBackground
RWJBarnabas Health officials sought to expand the region's cancer-care infrastructure and support an ambition to create a leading cancer hospital associated with Rutgers Cancer Institute.
Action taken
Officials announced plans for the 12-story Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, including 96 inpatient beds and expanded outpatient treatment space. The proposal also involved acquiring the Lincoln Street School site and replacing the school elsewhere.
Aftermath
The project received a Middlesex County investment in 2020 and held a ceremonial groundbreaking in June 2021. Existing institute buildings were planned for eventual administrative use after the new facility opened.
Proposed project cost. $750 million (2019 announcement)
Sources2 sources
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