A top-ranked New York City hospital is opening a cancer center in Middletown.

"Patients will be able to come in, sleep in their own beds at night without having to commute down the Parkway or pay for tolls," says Dr. Elizabeth Jewell, with Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth.

For Maria Rubbo, of Old Bridge, Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth in Middletown means no more exhausting trips to New York City for chemotherapy, made worse when she's not feeling well.

"It'll be a big difference for us, won't have to fight the traffic or get up so early," says Rubbo.



The facility has nearly 50 exam and chemotherapy rooms and two state-of-the-art radiation delivery systems. Same day GYN, breast, and skin surgeries will also be performed for the first time outside of the hospital's Manhattan location.



"Well this will be great because it only takes 10 minutes from my house, and my husband, if he chooses, doesn't have to sit in the room with me. He can come home and do some things," says Rubbo.



Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno points out they'll also employ about 350 highly skilled and well-paid people, many opting to move to the area.



"They go to the restaurants in this area, the stores in this area, shopping in the area, all of that has an exponential effect, a positive effect on this area and the state," says Guadagno.



The hospital expects 45,000 patient visits in one year alone. They expect to start serving patients on Dec. 12, pending inspections.

The cancer care facility will be open to adults only, Monday through Friday.