MILLVILLE — Cumberland Neph­rology Associates and South Jersey Healthcare officially opened their new kidney dialysis center on High Street and Elizabeth Drive in mid-December.

The Kidney Center of Millville brings what officials describe as an important quality-of-life service and tremendous convenience for local citizens who suffer from chronic kidney disease and require dialysis treatment.

Construction on the the 11,000 square foot $2 million medical facility began in February 2008.

“We are excited to present this exceptional facility for kidney dialysis to the residents of Millville and the outlying Bayshore communities of Cumberland County,” said Chet Kaletkowski, SJH president & CEO. “As with our Vineland Kidney Center, South Jersey Healthcare and Cum­berland Nephrology Associates, have collaborated to provide an exceptional team of medical professionals and unsurpassed technological equipment to serve our patients.”

What’s described as the most advanced dialysis technology is utilized in the new center. Its blood purification system sterilizes water using heat rather than chemicals to kill bacteria and endotoxins, reducing the risk of infection and inflammation.

“Our dialysis equipment is state-of-the-art,” says center director Kevin Barber, D.O. of Cumberland Nephrology Associates. “Heat sterilization technology, no-reuse dialyzers, and a fully integrated computerized equipment and clinical charting system, provide the technology. This, along with our staff of highly qualified, compassionate doctors and nurses, provides the best possible dialysis care for our patients.

“Patient satisfaction, quality, and integrity is the benchmark of care at the SJH Kidney Centers.”

Medical services include in-patient hemodialysis, home hemodialysis, and in-patient nighttime dialysis.

Beyond the medical equipment, the center includes individually controlled 32-inch flat screen televisions with cable and DVD/VCR capability, plus internet connections.

Each year Cumberland Nephrology Associates and the SJH Kidney Centers serve thousands of patients in Cumberland and Gloucester counties. Currently, some 250 dialysis patients and upwards of 100 renal transplant patient are being served.

“We are extremely proud of the new Kidney Center at Millville,” says Kalet­kowski. “It demonstrates a commitment to providing quality medical care for kidney patients in the greater Millville area.

“I commend all of our Cumberland neph­rologists and staff for their dedicated service to a healthy community.”

In addition to di­rector Barber, the medical staff of the new center in­cludes associate director Mi­chael D. Yoslov, D.O.; Gerald Hers­kovits, M.D.; Jean K. Mathew, M.D.; Arshi Quadeer, M.D.; and advanced practice nurse Stephanie Sapio.