Dr. David Sharon Retires After Nearly 30 Years Leading Cancer Services
Long Branch, NJ – September 1, 2020 – Monmouth Medical Center has announced the retirement of its longtime chief of oncology — a physician praised as shaping the hospital’s culture of excellence in cancer services.
Dr. Sharon joined the Monmouth Medical Center Medical (MMC) and Dental Staff in 1985 and has served as medical director of the Leon Hess Cancer Center and chief of hematology/oncology since 1992. In addition to serving the hospital as a member of the Board of Trustees, he served as President of the Medical and Dental Staff from 1992 to 1995 and has led the hospital’s multidisciplinary Cancer Committee for 28 years.
Over his nearly 30-year tenure leading cancer services, Monmouth Medical Center has consistently earned recognition from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons as an Academic Comprehensive Cancer Program. This prestigious honor is achieved by only one in five hospitals in the country and is awarded only to those institutions that offer cancer care meeting the most rigorous national standards.
MMC saw many firsts during Dr. Sharon’s tenure, including the debut of the Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center, the first facility in Monmouth and Ocean counties dedicated to breast care under one roof, and status as the first facility in the state — and the fifth in the nation — to earn American College of Radiology accreditation for stereotactic breast biopsy.
“Throughout his long career at Monmouth Medical Center, Dr. Sharon remained steadfastly committed to providing the community with the highest standard of cancer care,” says Eric Carney, President and Chief Executive Officer of Monmouth Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus. “Within the hospital, Dr. Sharon has been a friend and trusted advisor to our medical and nursing staffs, as well as our Boards of Trustees and Management Team. Additionally, he was highly valued as a clinician by our partners at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.”
Taking over the reins of oncology leadership at MMC is medical oncologist Seth D. Cohen, MD, who was appointed this summer to the newly created position of Regional Director of Oncology Services for the RWJBarnabas Health Southern Region.
Carney notes that the hospital is profoundly thankful to Dr. Sharon, who has impacted the lives of countless patients through his work both at MMC and as a clinician through Monmouth Hematology Oncology Associates (MHOA), an affiliate of RWJBarnabas Health’s Medical Group,”
“A passionate advocate for Monmouth Medical Center, we are so grateful to Dr. Sharon for helping shape the culture of excellence that defines both the Leon Hess Cancer Center and the Jacqueline M. Wilentz Breast Center,” he says.