Blood Transformed a Cutting-Edge Treatment for Sickle Cell Disease Helps One Patient Live Pain-Free
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Summer 2020 Blood Transformed A cutting-edge treatment for sickle cell disease helps one patient live pain-free. Tiny Fighter Innovative treatment helps a 3-year-old with a serious brain tumor. High Stakes How doctors protected one lung cancer patient from COVID-19. Gut Check Pediatric specialists help kids fight chronic gastrointestinal diseases. Hi. welcome to this issue of HealthU Here at Hackensack Meridian Health, our researchers and clini- cians have played a significant role in fighting the virus. Learn Your how they’ve applied groundbreaking innovation to the care of Safety patients being treated for COVID-19 on page 10. One innovation was recently featured on CBS’s “60 Minutes”: the convalescent Is Our plasma therapy clinical trial at Hackensack University Medical Priority Center. Our trial is unique because of its rigorous criteria—iden- tifying donors with super-high levels of neutralizing antibodies and infusing a larger amount of plasma than other studies. Since March, New Jersey has remained at the center of Today, as the state contin- the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the courage of our ues to carefully reopen the economy, we are focused on health care heroes, along with the social-distancing efforts ensuring our patients are safe when receiving the care they of the community, we can now focus on recovery and need. It has always been and will continue to be our preparedness for future surges. top priority. If you are hesitant to seek in-person care, please know we have enhanced our processes to protect patients, team members and doctors, including: } Separate areas in hospitals for treating non-COVID-19 patients } Specially designated entrances for certain procedures and services } Monitoring temperatures of patients, team members and visitors } Rigorous cleaning and sanitizing procedures, including UV-light cleaning } COVID-19 testing of all patients staying at our hospitals } Providing masks to patients, visitors and team members } Providing appropriate personal protective equipment for team members } Social-distancing practices throughout our facilities To keep patients, vistors and team members safe, we are providing } Practicing tried-and-true best practices for infection prevention, masks—like the one worn here by Bob Garrett—to all who visit, including rigorous hand hygiene work or stay in our hospitals. Patient safety is even at the heart of this issue of HealthU. Typically, we photograph every patient in the magazine. Our pho- tographer achieves an in-person connection with patients to tell Hackensack Meridian their unique story in a beautiful, visual way. Because this issue was planned during the surge of COVID-19, that face-to-face Children’s Health connection would have been too risky. Our team took a creative approach—replacing photo shoots with illustrated portraits of Ranked Among the Top patients. We give you an inside look at how we achieved this on Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and page 3. K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital earned top 50 We are committed to doing everything we can to ensure you rankings in the annual U.S. News & World Report’s receive the safest care possible. For more information about 2020–21 Best Children’s Hospitals report. Both hos- our commitment to safety, visit HackensackMeridianHealth.org/ pitals also earned the distinction of being among the GetCareNow. New York Daily News’ top five children’s hospitals in the New York metropolitan area. Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO Learn more at HMHforU.org/BestChildrens. Hackensack Meridian Health 02 HealthU Summer 2020 Behind the Scenes a look at how we produced this issue of HealthU during the surge of COVID-19 Typically, we photograph every patient appearing in HealthU. Because this issue was planned during the surge of COVID-19, that Portrait in Place contact would have been too risky. Instead, our team took a cre- ative approach and replaced photo shoots with illustrated portraits of patients. Here is a look at how we did it. First, patients sent 1 us photos of them- selves that we could reference in creating an illustration. Next, our illustrator 3 created a rough black- and-white drawing resem- bling the final product. To establish the 2 composition, our illustrator created a collage using the provided photos. Finally, our illustrator 4 applied color to achieve the final version you see in the magazine. Tune in to our HealthU podcast! Hear about one of our doctor’s experiences Learn everything you need to know ONLINE For more details, visit behind the scenes of COVID-19 at about COVID-19 testing at EXCLUSIVES HMHforU.org/Podcast. HMHforU.org/BehindTheScenes. HMHforU.org/COVID19Testing. MORE FOR YOU Visit HMHforU.org for these and other great health care stories, and to subscribe to the HealthU e-newsletter. HackensackMeridianHealth.org 03 CContents Summer ■ ■ 2020 Hi. Welcome to this issue of HealthU 02 A message from Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. BETTER U ■ TIPS AND RESOURCES TO HELP YOU LIVE YOUR HEALTHIEST LIFE Tips for a Safe and Healthy Summer 05 Avoid heat exhaustion when working out ■ Kids and anxiety ■ Sleep tips ■ Recipe for wagon wheel pasta supper U • Ask 08 We answer your top health-related questions. INNOVATION ■ TRANSFORMING MEDICAL RESEARCH INTO TREATMENTS The Test of Our Lives 10 Researchers and clinicians are applying the latest research and innovation to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. SPOTLIGHT ON U ■ YOUR STORIES OF HEALING AND TRIUMPH Blood Transformed 12 A cutting-edge treatment for sickle cell disease has given Razel Colon new blood cells—and a new beginning. Tiny Fighter 16 An innovative treatment plan and a doctor who refuses to give up are giving hope to 3-year-old Addie, diagnosed with a serious brain tumor. On a Roll 18 Local primary care doctor Ruben Perez, M.D., comes roaring back after shoulder surgery. A Breath of Fresh Air 20 Natalie Santos suddenly couldn’t breathe. A quick-thinking medical team and an Impella® heart pump saved her life. Lasting Legacy 22 Saddarra Wertz turned to gastric sleeve surgery to help her lose weight safely and give her daughter the best possible life. Gut Check 24 Pediatric specialists across the Hackensack Meridian Health network are helping kids fight chronic gastrointestinal diseases and live their lives to the fullest. High Stakes 28 Lung cancer patient Barbara Provost was at high risk for COVID-19. When she needed surgery, her doctor created a protocol—now being used across the hospital—to ensure her safety. SCHEDULE ■ EVENT AND CLASS LISTINGS Your Calendar for Late Summer 2020 30 Live and virtual events and classes you won’t want to miss. TEAM PLAYERS ■ EMPLOYEES WHO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR THEIR PATIENTS Comfort in a Time of Crisis 34 Patient Advisor Melines Genao-Rivera provided much-needed comfort to a COVID-19 patient when his family couldn’t be near. BY THE NUMBERS ■ A SNAPSHOT VIEW OF AN IMPORTANT HEALTH ISSUE COVID-19 Crisis in Numbers 35 The impact of the pandemic across the Hackensack Meridian Health network. CEO Robert C. Garrett, FACHE COO Mark Stauder Medical Advisor Ihor Sawczuk, M.D. Production Team Michael McCauley, Marisa Tranchina, Jacki Kronstedt, Joe Colón This free magazine is prepared by the Marketing and Communications Team of Hackensack Meridian Health. Inquiries or ideas can be addressed to healthu@ hackensackmeridian.org. ■ © 2020 Hackensack Meridian Health ■ The material provided in this magazine is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care. 04 HealthU Summer 2020 INSIDE THIS SECTION 6 Kids and anxiety 7 Getting better sleep 7 Wagon wheel pasta recipe Better 8 Answers to your health-related questions tips & resources to help you live your healthiest life U Fit for Life exercise and fitness are pillars of good health Keep Your Cool Throughout the summer, many of us take to the outdoors to get fresh air and exercise while maintaining social-distancing rules. But as summer temperatures rise, so too does the danger of heat exhaustion when working out outdoors. The Heat of the Moment Heat exhaustion happens when your body overheats. Common symptoms include: Cold, pale and Body aches or Tiredness/ Headache clammy skin muscle cramps weakness Nausea or Dizziness/fainting Heavy sweating Rapid, weak pulse vomiting The Safe Outdoors When spending time outdoors this summer, remember these six tips to stay safe: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Stay hydrated. Stay indoors during Wear light-colored, Always use sun- Understand your Stay informed. Check Drink plenty of peak sun hours, lightweight and screen. Sunburn can individual risk. Cer- local news for extreme fluids to maintain between 10 a.m. and loose-fitting cloth- dehydrate you and tain medications (beta heat warnings. Avoid a normal body 4 p.m. If possible, ing. Dark, tight-fitting keep your body from blockers, diuretics outdoor activities temperature. schedule your outdoor clothing traps heat, cooling down. Wear a and antihistamines, during these times. activities in the early keeping your body wide-brimmed hat and for example) increase morning or evening. from cooling properly. sunglasses, and apply the risk of heat 7 sunscreen of SPF 30 exhaustion. In addition, or higher 30 minutes frequently check on Safely wear a mask. before going out, then those at highest risk When wearing a reapply according to for heat-related death, mask outdoors in high directions on the pack- such as the elderly temperatures, choose age. Products labeled and disabled or home- a breathable material, ° “broad spectrum” or bound people. Children like light-colored “UVA/UVB” work best. and pets should cotton, for your face also be checked on covering. Also have 104 frequently as they multiple face cover- Turn It Down often can’t always ings on hand, in case If you experience any symptom of heat exhaustion, stop what communicate when your first becomes you’re doing and move to a cooler place.