Physician Profile

Coral O. Omene, MD, PhD

4.9

(57 reviews)

Coral O. Omene, MD, PhD

Coral O. Omene, MD, PhD

4.9

(57 reviews)

  • Program Director, Breast Cancer Disparities Research
  • Medical Oncologist
Contact Information

To schedule a new patient appointment call 844-CANCERNJ (844-226-2376)
To schedule a follow-up appointment call 732-235-7615
For all other inquiries call 732-235-2465.

About Me

I am a medical oncologist with a passion for women’s health who is dedicated to the care of treating and managing a diverse pool of breast cancer patients.  I am committed to taking care of the whole patient and believe that the relationship between doctor and patient is a journey that we take together and is lifelong. I care deeply about the wellbeing of my patients and work with a multidisciplinary team at Rutgers Cancer Institute including medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurses, social workers, pathologists, radiologists among others to ensure that the best care possible encompassing the medical, social and emotional aspects are achieved for each patient.  I believe that clinical trials are an important tool to improve patient outcomes and I routinely discuss clinical trial options with my patients.

I began my career upon completion of a combined MD/PhD degree at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Interestingly, although I started out in an immunology laboratory, I subsequently obtained a PhD studying the functional characterization of the interaction between the breast cancer gene product, BRCA1, and the protein BARD1, which was discovered in our laboratory, in an effort to understand the mechanisms of tumor suppression by BRCA1. This turn in my career set the path for my lifelong interest in breast cancer.

Since then, I have dedicated myself to studying the translation of novel laboratory observations and discoveries to the care of patients. I completed my Internal Medicine residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia University Medical Center. During residency, I became fascinated by the challenging breast cancer subtype, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and the lack of effective therapies, especially given its aggressive nature, poor prognosis, its complex biology, and its cruel predilection for young African American women. After residency, I pursued a fellowship at NYU School of Medicine, in the field of Hematology/Oncology, with a special interest in the area of breast cancer. At NYU, I continued my pursuit in combining clinical and research training and was awarded the Dean’s Scholar-NYU Physician Scientist Training Program grant, and later subsequently was the first recipient to receive the Breast Cancer Research Fellowship at NYU Langone Medical Center.

My research in recent years, included my NIH K08 research project aimed at modifying the risk for developing TNBC using a natural compound derivative. This research has the potential to be readily translatable as chemoprevention in the clinical setting for triple negative breast cancer patients and populations at high risk. Currently, I am studying changes in response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in African American women with Triple Negative Breast Cancer and the interplay with host factors such as obesity that impact on cancer disparities. The ultimate goal is the development of interventional strategies and clinical trials in these populations. I am a site Principal Investigator for multiple industry and cooperative group clinical trials including the innovative I-SPY2 Trial of neoadjuvant treatment for locally advanced breast cancer. I am Co-Chair of the BIG TEN Cancer Research Consortium Breast Cancer Clinical Trial Working Group.

I actively participate in local, regional and national scientific conferences including the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Association for Cancer Research and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. 


Clinical Expertise

  • Breast cancer
  • Triple-negative breast cancer
  • Translational research
  • Clinical trials

Honors

  • Jonas E. Salk Award, 1994
  • Dean’s Scholar, Physician Scientist Training Grant (PSTP), 2009
  • Matthew Harris Breast Cancer Research Fellow, 2010
  • AACR Minority Scholar in Research Award, 2011
  • NIH/NCI K08 (Clinical Scientist Research Career Award), 2012
  • Gerald Weissmann Young Scholar Award, 2015
  • Certificate of Excellence for Scientific Presentation, CRCHD, NIH/NCI, 2016
  • AACR Minority and Minority-Serving Institution Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research Award, 2021

Ratings and Reviews

4.9 Overall

Based on 57 reviews

4.9

Gives easy to understand instructions

4.9

Spends enough time with you

4.9

Shows respect for what you say

4.9

Provider listens carefully to you

4.9

Provider explains things in way you understand

February 13, 2024

I have a very strong team Dr.Coral Omene, Mille Cappos & Laure Sullivan.

January 2, 2024

Excellent doctor very caring.

November 14, 2023

God bless her for her concern for us while we went through a lot of depression and she supported us. Thank you.

July 24, 2023

My initial visit with *Dr. Omene and I expected she was indeed an understanding, kind and trustworthy physician!

July 12, 2023

The provider is good.

June 8, 2023

Excellent care.

May 31, 2023

Cancer sucks but I am blessed to have the team I have.

April 21, 2023

*Dr. Omene was very thorough, she listened closely to my daughter in law who is in charge of my health care. She gave her such good explanation of how we will proceed.


Insurance

Accepted Health Plan information is only as accurate as the most current information submitted. Prior to your appointment, it is advisable to verify with your insurance company they are still a participating plan prior to receiving services or care. Each plan is different and some provide different levels of coverage that could make a difference in your out-of-pocket costs. It is always best for the patient receiving care to contact their insurance company to obtain more information.

  • Aetna
  • Amerigroup
  • Cigna
  • Consumer Health Plan
  • Horizon BCBS
  • Horizon NJ Health
  • Magnacare
  • Medicaid
  • Medicare
  • Multiplan
  • Oxford Health
  • Qualcare HMO
  • Qualcare PPO
  • United Community
  • United Healthcare
  • United Medicare
  • WellCare

Articles and Press