HackensackUMC Physician Speaks At Vatican

Pecora is the chief innovations officer, professor and vice president of Cancer Services, HackensackUMC; past president of Regional Cancer Care Associates; and COTA founder and executive chairman. 

Pecora participated in a panel, “Rationalizing Health Care Through Big Data,” moderated by Emmy-award winning CNN correspondent and neurosurgeon, Dr. Sanjay Gupta. 

It was the Vatican’s Third International Conference on the Progress of Regenerative Medicine and Its Cultural Impact in Rome, Italy. 

"These panel discussions are comprised of some of the most world-renowned, award-winning scientists, physicians, patients, faith leaders, and others who are focused on pediatric cancers, rare genetic diseases, and diseases that occur with aging,” said Robert C. Garrett, president and chief executive officer, Hackensack University Health Network.

Hosted by the Vatican’s Pontifical Council For Culture, The Stem For Life Foundation and the STOQ Foundation, this exclusive, three-day, international event gathers the world’s leading cell therapy scientists, physicians, patients, ethicists and leaders of faith, government and philanthropy to discuss the latest cellular therapy breakthroughs as well as hope for the future.

The three-day conference is attended by Holy Father Pope Francis, moderated by renowned journalists, and broadcasted around the world. 

As part of the visit to Rome, Garrett, Pecora and Joseph Simunovich, chairman of the Hackensack University Health Network Board of Trustees, were invited to attend a special reception at the residence of Ambassador John Phillips, U.S. Ambassador to the Italian Republic and the Republic of San Marino. 

“Joe Simunovich and I are so incredibly proud to be here in Vatican City on behalf of the Hackensack University Health Network to support Dr. Pecora,” Garrett added. “HackensackUMC has encouraged an environment of research and innovation, and as a physician leader, Dr. Pecora has gone above and beyond to seek new ways in care.”

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