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M O THE GOOD LIVING MAGAZINE from MONMOUTH MEDICAL CENTER N M O U T H H E A L T H & L I F E September 2009 I $3.95 S E healthONMOUTHlife P M T & E M B E R 2 0 0 9 MOMS making a difference: local ladies Photos and the causes from ‘The o Best f Monm close to outh’ pages 11 their hearts 16 & 64 + OUR MEAL AT BELFORD BISTRO • INSIDE 3 AREA SHOW HOUSES • GURU-GUIDED GETAWAYS HEALTH LINK • Get a better blood test • Relief for celiac sufferers • Where health pros turn when they need a new joint Welcome LETTER Advancing care AT MONMOUTH MEDICAL CENTER, THE TREND of performing surgery through small incisions is clearly illus- trated in a history that is rich in laparoscopic milestones. In 2006, Monmouth’s Department of Surgery added another impressive achievement to its long list of minimally invasive firsts, becoming the first and only hospital in the region to offer the da Vinci S Surgical System—the sophisticated robotic plat- form that combines computer and robotic technologies with the skills of the surgeon to overcome the limitations of traditional surgery. For Monmouth, the da Vinci system has painted a pic- ture of surgical precision and a future in which an ever-widen- ing population of patients will be able to benefit from the advantages offered by minimally invasive surgery. Now Monmouth—the hospital that performs the most pediatric surgeries and same-day procedures in Monmouth and Ocean counties each year—has broadened its robotic sur- gical scope to include children. In this issue, you’ll read how The Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center has joined the ranks of surgical pioneers, as the first pediatric robotic surgery is performed by pediatric urologist Thomas Vates III, M.D., and urologist Michael Esposito, M.D., who is nationally renowned in utilizing the robotic system for uro- logic surgery, and his partner Mutahar Ahmed, M.D. Robotic technology’s entry into the operating room represents the latest advance in minimally invasive surgery. We are so proud to be able to extend these benefits to our youngest patients. Also in this issue is coverage of a new program for adults and children with a genetic autoimmune disorder characterized by a reaction to the ingestion of gluten—a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. The Kogan Celiac Center of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System opened its first satellite location at Monmouth in May to offer central Jersey residents convenient access to comprehensive testing and treatment for celiac disease. It is part of our hospital vision to be a leader in design- ing new ways for delivering key services by forming innova- tive and collaborative relationships with other providers. By working together with our Saint Barnabas Health Care System affiliates, as well as our highly skilled medical staff, we are meeting this goal. Sincerely, FRANK J. VOZOS, M.D., FACS Executive Director Monmouth Medical Center Monmouth PROFILE by David Levine says, “because I reminded them so much of Greg.” Double tribute He’d occasionally run into Justin or one of the other Rubins at local music clubs, where he often worked HONORING TWO SIBLINGS LOST TO BRAIN CANCER, A SPECIAL EVENT as a road manager and event promoter for musical acts HELPS OTHER FAMILIES COPE such as Cheap Trick and Blues Traveler. “I’d seen him less than a handful of times over the the leader, even at age 7. And I was his next 20 years,” Rubin remembers. Justin Rubin, left, and his late brother’s little sidekick.” In February 2004, Feldman heard that his late onetime “sidekick,” Andy Feldman The two boys were instantly friend’s mother, Elizabeth Rubin, was trying to contact inseparable. For the next seven years, him. “I called her and she said, ‘Before you hear it from they did their best to cause trouble. someone else, I want to be the one to tell you that “We were bad kids, always looking for Carolyn has brain cancer too.’” laughs out of something stupid,” Carolyn, Greg’s older sister, was Feldman’s sis- Feldman remembers. “When fire- ter’s best friend. “She was like a sister to me too,” he says. crackers exploded in the school bath- “I just couldn’t believe it. But I was touched that Mrs. Andy treasures Greg’s favorite hat. Here Greg’s mother, Elizabeth room, the principal came right to our Rubin had reached out to me.” Rubin, sees it for the first time in 25 years as son Justin looks on. classroom. He knew whom to go to.” By June of that year, Carolyn—now Carolyn night we saw people we hadn’t seen since Greg’s fun- But in eighth grade, a tumor Kelly Wallach, married with three young children— eral,” says Rubin. “My family is not a morose bunch. grew on Greg’s leg, caused by a deadly was failing. “I knew she too would die on July 9th,” Levity is important to us, and laughing helped get us cancer called glioblastoma that forms says Feldman. And she did—20 years to the day after her through the tragedies. For all these old friends to come in the brain but can shed malignant brother’s death. together for this joyous occasion was wonderful.” cells that take hold anywhere in the Feldman attended Carolyn’s wake, although he On July 9, 2009, the plaque naming the family body. He grew sicker, and as a high was a bit worried that his presence might cause the room was unveiled. Feldman gave a speech. “I am not a school freshman had a brain operation Rubins even more pain. It was just the opposite. “When speaker, but I felt at ease,” he says. “The day felt so natu- that left him in a coma for two he walked in, he was like a ray of light,” Rubin says. ral. Everything worked.” months. “He was in the hospital for “Even in a very sad setting, we were all really happy to “Andy is a special part of our family,” says Rubin. almost a year, and I went to see him see him.” “We are all thrilled to have him around again.” And Feld- every day,” Feldman says. With old bonds rekindled, Feldman knew he man vows to stay near for years to come. Greg recovered enough to return wanted to do something to honor his friends. As the “This brought us closer than we ever were,” IT’S HARD NOT TO SEE CANCER AS A VILLAIN to school the next year, but was thin and had balance 25th and fifth anniversaries of Greg and Carolyn’s he says. I with a diabolical, evil will. What else could snatch the life problems. The former playground king was sometimes deaths approached, he decided to do what he does of a 21-year-old—and then come back for his sister 20 bullied—until Feldman, who now went to a different best—put on a show. And he found the perfect project RAISING AWARENESS—AND FUNDS— years later on the same date? high school, heard about it. “I called some kids I knew at for which to raise money. The David S. Zocchi Brain FOR BRAIN CANCER CARE So it was with Greg Rubin and his sister Carolyn. his school and said, ‘How can you let this happen?’ They Tumor Center at Monmouth Medical Center was build- Justin Rubin, a filmmaker in California, has created an And their friend Andy Feldman of Middletown, a 46- took over and protected him.” ing a new family room, where patients’ families could award-winning short film describing his siblings’ illnesses year-old music and events promoter, recently chose to Greg lived another eight years. “We were still hell- gather in private to make decisions, talk to caregivers or and explaining the need for more brain cancer research. honor the two siblings’ memory—and fight the foe—by raisers, going to concerts at The Stone Pony, skiing in the just find a few moments of peace. Feldman asked the “This work is critically underfunded, and the number staging a concert to benefit the David S. Zocchi Brain Poconos when he felt OK. He kept in touch with a lot of Rubins if they would like the room to be named in of brain tumors diagnosed each year is growing,” he Tumor Center at Monmouth Medical Center. his friends, even when he was sick. But I was the one honor of Greg and Carolyn. says. “Brain cancer will touch your life somewhere along When Feldman was growing up, his house and who was always there for him.” “There was no hesitation from our family,” says the way.” the Rubins’ were back-to-back in Deal, and the two Still, Feldman couldn’t be there when Greg died, Rubin. “After the two battles we’d gone through, we • You can see his film and learn how to help at families’ 13 kids wore down the dirt path between the while in Spain seeking special medical treatments, on knew better than anyone that in a hospital people need www.NoNext.org. two homes. He recalls the day Greg Rubin strutted into July 9, 1984. a place to go to talk and think. And to have it named • For more information about the David S. Zocchi his first-grade class. “Greg’s death was like a time bomb going off,” says after Greg and Carolyn is very special. My parents really Brain Tumor Center and the Gregory Francis Rubin and “He was larger than life, bigger than everyone else, his brother Justin Rubin, 40, a filmmaker living in Cali- appreciate how much the room will mean to families in Carolyn Kelly Wallach Family Room, go to www.mmc J E R R and he announced, ‘I am the king and I am taking over!’” fornia.

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