Beloved N.J. Breast Cancer Doctor, Mother Of 12, Dies In Hospital Where She Worked

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The Essex County community is mourning the loss of a prominent breast cancer doctor and pedestrian crash victim who died in the same hospital where she helped to care for her patients.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, a vehicle struck mother, wife and physician Dr. Jan Huston-Pryor, 66, of Essex Fells, as she was walking on the 200 block of Devon Road around 9:25 a.m. Tuesday.

Emergency responders transported Huston-Pryor to HackensackUMC Mountainside Hospital in Montclair and Glen Ridge, where she was pronounced dead at 9:45 a.m.

The driver, who prosecutors declined to identify, remained at the scene. No one had been charged as of Tuesday morning. An investigation is ongoing.

Huston-Pryor was married and is the mother of 12 children, including several who were adopted from around the country and overseas, NJ.com reported.

She most recently served as medical director of the Breast Health Program at HackensackUMC Mountainside and was the founder and director of Summit Breast Care.

HackensackUMC administrators said that Huston-Pryor was a beloved colleague and strong advocate for women's health throughout the community.

"Jan positively impacted thousands of lives through her skill, dedication and commitment to her patients," HackensackUMC Mountainside CEO John Fromhold said. "Her affiliation with HackensackUMC Mountainside was a constant source of pride for myself and all of her colleagues at the hospital. Jan's immeasurable commitment to her family, to her patients and to the community at large ensures that while she will be greatly missed, she will never be forgotten."

“Dr. Huston was kindhearted and enthusiastic, always bringing laughter and a smile to those around her," a hospital Facebook post stated. "[She] will be greatly missed by [her] Mountainside friends and family, but will never be forgotten.”

Huston-Pryor also headed the Connie Dwyer Breast Center at St. Michael’s Medical Center from 2007 to 2014, according to the hospital.

“We are all shocked and saddened by her untimely passing,” St. Michael’s administrators wrote. “Many of us remember her fondly as a dedicated and skilled surgeon who was beloved by her patients and co-workers. She will be dearly missed.”

See related article: Car Strikes, Kills Essex County Doctor: Prosecutor

Main photo: HackensackUMC Mountainside

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