Fall 2008

Exclusive Interview… NJ Burkett National and International Reporter for ABC News Superlative Healing Center for Wound Healing and Hyberbaric Medicine Investing In Good Health

Win $500! Take Our Survey See page 8 uality Nursing Education at QTrinitas School of Nursing

Now a National League for Nursing (NLN) Center of Excellence in Nursing Education!

T rinitas School of Nursing is the first school in New Jersey and the first hospital-based school in the nation to receive this award.

The NLN Center of Excellence program recognizes schools committed to excellence and that have invested resources in a specific area of nursing education. Trinitas School of Nursing was recognized for its historical commitment to open access and educational mobility.

Trinitas School of Nursing, the sixth largest school of nursing in the US, conducts a Cooperative Nursing Program with Union County College. The program confers both a Diploma in Nursing and an Associate in Science Degree. 12 W. Jersey St., 5th floor Elizabeth, NJ 07202 908-659-5200 (Phone) Students may enroll in the Day, Evening, or the LPN or RN divi - 908-659-5201 (Fax) sion on a full-time or a part-time basis. www.ucc.edu/go/trinitas Welcome to… 8 0 0 2 L L A

Magazine F

Trinitas Hospital is changing its name!

To reflect our growth and expanded capabilities, the Board of Trustees of Trinitas Hospital voted recently to change the institution’s name to Trinitas Regional Medical Center. This change will take place following IRS approval, and may already be in effect by the time you read this.

We feel strongly that the new name recognizes the status of Trinitas as a regional healthcare provider and reflects the broad range of services available at our facilities.

Indeed, the positive changes taking place at Trinitas are unprecedented. And our new name will better reflect our mission and goals as we provide services to those who work and live in Central and Northern New Jersey and beyond.

With more than 2,400 employees and a medical staff of close to 500 physicians, Trinitas is one of the largest employ - ers in Central New Jersey. A teaching hospital, Trinitas proudly offers highly specialized care through no less than ten Centers of Excellence.

This is an exciting time for us as we expand to meet an ever-growing number of health needs in our region. The degree to which we accomplish these objectives will ultimately determine the value of the Trinitas Regional Medical Center name.

I thank you for taking this journey with us!

Sincerely,

Gary S. Horan, FACHE President & CEO

In addition to its 531 beds located in two major Elizabeth campuses, Trinitas has a healthcare presence that encompasses much of New Jersey. These locations include renal dialysis centers, behavioral health crisis centers, school-based physical and occupational therapy services, outpatient clinics and more.

FALL 2008 1 CONTENTS

FALL 2008

FEATURES 3 Dateline: The World Elizabeth Native, NJ Burkett, Writes the “First Draft of History” 10 Superlative Healing: The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine 15 The Economics of Good Health: Investing in Good Health Makes Good Corporate Sense 19 Urological Surgeries Provide Welcome Relief for Patients 24 Sleepless No More! Successful Treatment of Sleep Apnea 27 Hospice: A Stop Along Life’s Journey Victor M. Richel 28 Sisters of Charity Carve Distinctive Niche Chairman, Trinitas Health & Hospital Board of Trustees in the Community Gary S. Horan, FACHE President & CEO, Trinitas Hospital IN EVERY ISSUE HEALTHY EDGE STAFF 22 Community Calendar Executive Editor ...... Doug Harris Director of Public Relations and Marketing 31 Foundation Focus: Editor ...... Kathryn C. Salamone News of the Trinitas Health Foundation Manager, Public Relations and Marketing Contributing Writers ...... Mel Elberger, 35 Vital Signs: Rena Sandberg Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center News Contributing Photographers . Doug Harris, John Mazurkiewcz, Kathryn C. Salamone 39 Hospital Beat: Graphic Design ...... Jama Bowman People and Events of Note The HEATHLY EDGE - Winner of ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: the 2007 NJ/IABC IRIS Award! Rob Rubilla (908) 337-3276 Trinitas Hospital is a Catholic Teaching Hospital sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: in partnership with Elizabethtown Healthcare Foundation. Healthy Edge HEALTHY EDGE Magazine is published quarterly by Trinitas Hospital and Trinitas Comprehensive Public Relations Department Cancer Center, 225 Williamson Street, Elizabeth, NJ, 07207. Trinitas Hospital 225 Williamson Street This is Volume 2, Issue 3. This material is designed for information purposes only. None of the Elizabeth, New Jersey 07207 information provided in Healthy Edge constitutes, directly or indirectly, the practice of medicine, the dispensing of medical services, a professional diagnosis or a treatment plan. The information in Healthy Edge should not be considered complete nor should it be relied on to suggest a course of If you are not interested in your copy of treatment for a particular individual. You should not rely on information provided in Healthy Edge HEALTHY EDGE which is sent to you free of as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment. You should never charge, please feel free to pass it along to disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in Healthy someone else. Edge. If you have any health care related concerns, please call or see your physician or other qualified health care provider. 2 HEALTHY EDGE HEALTHY EDGE EXCLUSIVE Dateline: The World ELIZABETH NATIVE, NJ (NEWTON JONES) BURKETT OF WABC NEWS, WRITES THE ‘FIRST DRAFT OF HISTORY’ by Doug Harris s

WABC-TV reporter NJ Burkett and I met for cheeseburgers w e at Café Luxembourg, a busy, French bistro on 70th Street, three N C B blocks from WABC headquarters. Despite the heat he arrived in A W immaculate condition. Navy pin stripped suit, every hair in f o y s

place, he looked trim and tanned and ready to go on the air, e t r u

although it was several hours before the official start of his day. o His legendary attention to detail is the hallmark of his award- C winning television career. Burkett has won several of the most prestigious awards in American television news, including four Emmy Awards from the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and two Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio and Television News Directors Association. He shared both the George Foster Peabody Award NJ Burkett’s blog captures devastation and the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award with his colleagues at ABC News for his reporting on 9-11. he saw following Hurricane Ike’s recent landfall in Texas.

INTERVIEW

As a native of Elizabeth, what keeps multicultural, multiethnic childhood Mayor Bloomberg, or parishioners at the City close to your heart? experience. I remember my third grade a church in Bedford Stuyvesant or teacher going around the room and hurricane victims in the Dominican I remember walking to school with asking where everyone came from. Republic. I can walk anywhere and my friends and playing practical jokes My classmates were from such exotic feel comfortable because I can relate on them along the way. It was a great places — Russia, China, Puerto Rico, to anybody. time to grow up. I went to Abraham Vietnam — and when she came Lincoln Elementary School on Grove around to me, I felt so deprived! What do you think are Elizabeth’s Street, and then Alexander Hamilton greatest strengths? My childhood in Elizabeth is essen - School for junior high. I was in the tial to understanding who I am now. Without doubt, it’s the diversity of Elizabeth High School graduating class I don’t know where I’d be or what I’d its people. Elizabeth has struggled at of 1980. I lived in Elizabeth for the first be doing, but I do know I would be a times, but what sustains the City is the 18 years of my life until I left to go to completely different person if I had strength of the work ethic of its people Columbia University, but my parents never lived in Elizabeth. who come from all over the world to still live there. I think my upbringing is absolutely make a better life for themselves and to One of the things that was very essential to who I am now and it forms raise their families. That’s what powers important to my upbringing and that the basis of everything I do profession - the City. helped me later in life was having a ally. I’m comfortable interviewing Continued on page 4 FALL 2008 3 s w e N C B A W f o y s e t r u o C

Getting the story right, NJ Burkett confers with members of US military in the Middle East.

Where do you live now, and how many essential services. The new often do you get to visit family and Cancer Center is breathtaking. Trinitas friends in this area? Hospital and Save the Children are my two favorite charities. I’ve lived in a tiny village on the North Shore of Long Island since a How did you become interested month before September 11, 2001. It in the media? is about a half-mile off the water. It’s a My eighth grade teacher assigned great escape from the city, and while I us to do a career report on what we love New York, I also want my children wanted to be when we grew up. I (10 year-old Jay, and eight-year old remember going home that afternoon, Amanda) to have trees and open beating my brains trying to come up spaces around them while they grow with something. My mother said, ‘Look, up. I get back to Elizabeth pretty regu - you’re a news junky. You’re always larly, at least half a dozen times a year. watching the news and telling stories. You served twice as the Master of You should be a reporter.’ I thought, Ceremonies of the Trinitas Health ‘Maybe she’s on to something.’ Foundation’s Gala Dinner and That project got me interested in Fundraiser. Please tell our readers reporting and I decided to volunteer why you’ve decided to be part of my time at the Elizabeth cable televi - this event. sion station, which was just starting up. I think they had 70 or so bars and Trinitas is my hometown hospital. taverns wired up for cable TV, and they It’s where my grandmother worked (in were just starting to offer a local access the coffee shop) and where I was treat - operation in black and white. I eventu - ed for a hernia when I was eight years ally got my own show. old. I walked by the hospital every day on my way to school. But, lately, I was Was it a news show? intrigued because I had heard so much No, a sports show. I wasn’t a big about it. I wanted to see it for myself. sports fan, generally, but I loved bas - Trinitas is really a lifeline for so ketball as a kid. So I ended up with my many communities, and it performs so own pre-game and post-game Knicks 4 HEALTHY EDGE s w e basketball show where I took tele - N C B phone calls from viewers. I had a cult A W following at all the bars and taverns! f o y

Here I was, a little blond headed kid s e t r who had his own Knicks show. It was u o great, and it was where I learned to be C comfortable in front of the cameras. You just don’t learn that stuff in a class - room. Nobody is born knowing it, you just have to work at it. And it turned out that this is what I wanted to do. I loved it.

Where did you think it would all lead? I wasn’t sure. I thought maybe I would be a sportscaster. Later, I did Today’s technology enables play-by-play for Elizabeth High School NJ Burkett to generate football and basketball games. reporting that can be sent in an instant from far But the real turning point for me corners of the world. was in the 9th grade when I represent - ed Hamilton Junior High School in a citywide speech contest. I ended up winning. I became a sort of folk hero in junior high school, which is a good time to be a cool, charismatic folk What would you say are the guiding It turned out to be a profound life hero, I suppose! principles of your life? experience. It just goes to show you that if you treat people with respect Who had the most influence upon Without doubt, it’s to treat every - and dignity, they respond in kind. your career? one at every level of society with That would have to be Bill Beutel. respect and dignity. We all remember your historic He was my mentor and Bill was a jour - While on assignment in Israel, I had reporting of the terror events of nalist in the truest sense. Bill got me a little time on my hands, so I asked the 9/11. How did that terrible day start the job at Channel 7. He was always a driver to stop when we reached the for you? caring man, he never talked down to desert. Because I had heard about the The worst day of my life started like people. Bill Beutel was truly loved in hospitality of the Bedouin people, any other day. I was on the subway every corner of New York City. One of I wanted to meet them. I told the driver when the first plane hit the North Tower. the greatest honors I ever experienced that if I was not back in 20 minutes, he I arrived in the WABC newsroom just was when his wife asked me to eulogize should look for me. I trotted down to as the second plane hit. You could hear him at his funeral. I got to stand in this Bedouin camp in the middle of the a pin drop - the entire newsroom was front of his many friends and relatives desert and met one of the tribe mem - aghast. and talk about what he meant to me bers. He didn’t speak English and as a man and as a professional. It’s My cameraman, Marty Glembotzky, I didn’t speak Arabic, but we achieved a ironic that Bill’s portrait hangs in the and I drove 80 blocks south to the very profound communication through television station’s cafeteria — that was World Trade Center. We were the nonverbal signals and gestures. It was the one place he never went! closest people to the towers except, of clear to him that I wanted to meet him course, for the fire, police and rescue Christopher Jones of Channel 5 also and get to know him. He gestured for personnel. We set up the camera on mentored me when I was a college me to enter his tent and he offered me West Street, right at the base of both intern. He practically adopted me tea, which I accepted. He introduced towers. I thought I would be doing a during my senior year at Columbia, me to his wife and children, and he towering inferno story on the heroic and when my internship ended he showed me his world. We had no lan - work of the rescue personnel. No one paid me out of his own pocket. It was guage in common. But, what we did thought the buildings would collapse. a great experience. have in common was our humanity. Continued on page 6 FALL 2008 5 s o i w d e u t N S C b B a A L W k c f a o l B y s f e o t r y u s o e t C r u o C

Marty Glembotzky, NJ Burkett’s camera man, captured this narrow escape from the collapse of the World Trade Center. The video is part of the collection of the Newseum in Washington, DC.

Then, suddenly, the South tower started to come down as we were shooting. Debris was raining down on us, and we turned to see there was a door to an adjacent office building. What should have been the last 30 sec - NJ Burkett took a break from his Master of Ceremonies duties at the Trinitas Health Foundation Gala in May 2008 to join his parents, Barbara and Newton Jones onds of my life is on tape on YouTube. Burkett, for this family photo. It’s also on permanent exhibition in the Newseum, the new museum of news in Washington, DC. remember both of us were crying. While I was on the phone, we To this day, I ask myself why we In the days afterward I somehow found passed through this beautiful, vibrant lived when so many all around us didn’t. the strength to go on. You just put it open-air market where everybody goes Why was that door there? What if it in a box and put it away. on Fridays. It was like a movie scene — had been locked? Many people didn’t a great place for man on the street have a door to duck in to. People stop Were there any other times that you interviews. I was juggling the phone me on the streets even now and say feared for your life? and trying to tell the driver to stop, ‘Thank God you’re alive.’ It affected me. I had just finished interviewing a but he drove about a block and half I knew I had to live. Palestinian academic in Jerusalem and past the market. Then I heard a huge We spent the next three nights in a we were in the car headed back to the boom. A suicide bomber had blown up satellite truck covering the story. There Jerusalem Bureau. It was the end of the the market. was no cellphone service that day. day, and as we were driving back, I Another moment came when we No one was getting through to the called my boss and told him what I were flying in the Channel 7 helicopter, switchboard at the newsroom — all covered for that day so he could returning to the City from an assign - the lines were overloaded. I finally inform the editorial meeting back in ment just north of Bear Mountain. got my dad on the phone, and I New York. A storm had blown down a wall in a school and we were rushing to get the tapes back. We were in the air and Advanced Podiatry, P.A. we hit this unexpected snow storm. Dr. Glenn Davison • Dr. Robert Hutchison Immediately, we were in zero visibility Fellow American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons | Diplomates, American Board of Podiatric Surgery and the pilot had to outfly the storm. Specializing in the medical and surgical treatments of: She eventually landed at Stewart • Bunions & Hammertoes • Ankle Arthroscopy • Biomechanic gait control with Airport in Newburgh. Later, we found • Ingrown and Fungal Nails • Corns, Callouses, and wart orthotics for deformities such as • Shockwave therapy for heel pain removal flat feet and arch pain that the engines had over-revved and • Diabetic preventative and • Traumatic injuries to the the helicopter had to be trucked back wound care foot and ankle to the City. We participate with Medicare, Medicaid, and most major insurance plans Union Manhattan We were in Israel when Israeli sol - 1308 Morris Avenue 19 East 80th Street diers with heavy machine guns started 908.688.5577 212.737.2528 shooting at Palestinian demonstrators 6 HEALTHY EDGE s

in a building just above our location. I w e remember being face down in a rental N C car staring at the carpet asking myself, B A

‘What am I doing here?’. We were W f o

pinned down for quite a while and it y s e t was total luck that we didn’t get hit. r u o How often do you travel out of the C area on assignment? It varies. Some years it seems to be a lot and other years not so much. In 2006, I was in Israel three times. At one point, we were camped-out for three weeks on the Lebanese border covering the Israeli war with Hezbollah. I have been very busy over the past several weeks with hurricanes. I was in Florida for Fay, Louisiana for Gustave and Texas for Ike — which caused some of the worst hurricane damage I have ever seen.

How much extra notice do you get for such assignments? Thanks to his upbringing in Elizabeth, award-winning journalist NJ Burkett is com - I usually get almost no notice. fortable with the peoples and cultures he finds wherever he goes around the world. When Yassar Arafat’s health was failing, I was assigned to the story and told my plane was leaving Kennedy Airport in two hours. During the London subway attacks, I was called at home at 4:30AM Associates in ENT & Allergy PA and went straight to the airport. Diego Saporta, MD I find it invigorating. When stuff happens, it happens fast. I have this Magalie Nelson, MD ‘tell me I can’t get there’ attitude. I’m Certified, American Board reminded of a plane crash that Dan of Otolaryngology Rather covered in the early 60’s. He was the first on the scene, but there was no way to get the story out. Then he spotted a telephone line worker up on a telephone pole, and he asked if he could make a call. He ended up phoning in the story from that tele - 470 North Avenue phone pole. If Dan can do that, then there’s nothing I can’t do. Besides, I Elizabeth, NJ 07208 love the logistics of getting from point 908-352-6700 A to B. I always carry my passport and [email protected] my American Express card — there’s nothing else you really need. • Ears, Nose & Throat Can local stories also have a • Complete Management of Nasal Allergies profound impact? • Comprehensive Audiological Testing Absolutely. When you can show someone getting a life-saving opera - • Hearing Healthcare by Licensed Audiologists tion, when you can awaken people to • Hearing Aids Continued on page 8 FALL 2008 7 prejudice, when you can open the In the years ahead, what do you viewers’ eyes to injustice, that’s the hope to achieve professionally and good stuff and it makes me feel great personally? about what I do. I celebrated my 19th anniversary with Channel 7 in June. It’s been great and Do you have a “pet project” that I’m doing exactly what I set out to do. you’d like to pursue? I go to places that people would never Well, you heard it here first — I’d ordinarily visit and meet people most like to write a book about growing up would never ordinarily meet. I’ve had the best of times and the worst of times. in Elizabeth, and my time on the streets of New York and around the There really is something to that world. I’ve written some of it and ‘first draft of history’ thing. I get paid to write the first draft of history and kicked around some titles. It’s not that’s what I love to do. I just hope something I’m definitely going to do, that given the turmoil in the media but I’ve thought a lot about it. My that I can continue to do what I love. blog entries on the station’s website I hope that the business doesn’t con - are a dress rehearsal of sorts for the solidate to the point that they focus so book. I wrote one recently about my much on the bottom line that guys like experiences covering Hurricane Ike, me won’t be able to make a living. which I called Waste Land, Texas. People ask me if I want to be an I have a more personal “pet proj - anchor, but that’s not what I got into the business to do. I got into the busi - ect” that involves my brother Rob, ness to travel and experience history. and supporting him in his fight with This job has its moments but, at this esophageal cancer. He is 43 years old point in my life, I can’t imagine doing and a fantastic guy. My children love anything else. I can’t imagine sitting their Uncle Rob and he loves them. behind a desk, or being a CPA, or He has been going through a tough selling cars. I love getting out and time and we’ve been going through speaking with people and writing it with him. that first draft!

$500 HEATLHYEDGE SURVEY WINNERS!

Congratulations… to Scott and Mary Beth Schaefer of Clark, winners of the $500 HEALTHY EDGE survey raffle. Scott’s response to the Summer issue’s readership survey was chosen at random during a drawing on September 8th. Scott calls the HEALTHY EDGE “enjoyable reading,” adding, “I like the community and medical news. It’s good to know what health resources are available.”

YOU can win $500! Take part in our newest survey, available online now through December 15th. Visit our survey at www.TrinitasHospital.org/survey and give us your thoughts. A brand new $500 winner will be chosen from the respondents, and it could be you!

8 HEALTHY EDGE

Superlative Healing CENTER FOR WOUND HEALING AND HYPERBARIC MEDICINE by Mel Elberger

When you have an itch, you scratch it. That’s what Alexandra Conte did. But when the scratch on her right leg became a wound that did not heal, she became concerned. The worrisome scratch occurred in January of this year. In February, she made an appointment with the Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine at Trinitas Hospital. A patient with conditions including Lupus Erythematosus, Scleroderma, Reynaud’s Syndrome and Venous Disease, Alexandra came under the care of Jacques G. Losman, MD, a physician at the Wound Center. “Patients like Alexandra come to the Wound Center concerned as to why a wound has not been healing properly,” said Dr. Bruce W. Haims, Life improved dramatically for Alexandra Conte (center), shown with her children MD, a specialist in surgery, who serves Justin and Brianna, following treatment for her non-healing wounds at Trinitas. as Medical Director of the Wound Center. “Our staff helps each patient understand the process of wound heal - to April, her wound opened in May ommended Hyperbaric Oxygen ing, explains what is happening every and another wound developed right Therapy. Alexandra was placed in a spe - step of the way, and charts progress in next to it. Alexandra became distraught. cially-designed chamber in the Wound moving through the treatment process. In June, Dr. Losman recommended Center that administers a 100 percent We help patients reclaim something debridement, the cutting away of dead oxygen-rich environment under pres - they thought they had lost,” Dr. Haims or contaminated tissue from the sure. She went for hyperbaric oxygen added. wounds to prevent infection. During treatments five days a week and each “Alexandra’s multiple conditions debridement, when Alexandra’s treatment was two hours long. Oxygen contributed to the non-healing of a wounds did not bleed, Dr. Losman reached Alexandra’s wounds through small scratch that became a wound became concerned that her non-bleed - the bloodstream, resulting in greater the size of a silver dollar, requiring ing was a symptom of non-circulation. blood vessel formation and reduced likelihood of infection. advanced medical treatment,” Dr. Dr. Losman’s assessment was con - Haims explained. firmed when he performed a circulation “I heard that Hyperbaric Oxygen Since the beginning of this year, test on Alexandra’s wounds. There was Therapy could be a difficult experi - Alexandra had been on a roller-coaster no circulation. No oxygen was getting ence,” Alexandra said. “But the staff at ride between hope and despair. to the wounds. Dr. Losman prescribed the Wound Center put my mind at Surgeon Jacques G. Losman, MD, had Vacuum-Controlled Assisted Closure ease from the first treatment. The nurs - also treated Alexandra for non-healing (VAC) Therapy, a system that uses the es and Hyperbaric Technologists were wounds in 2006 and 2007. “Minor controlled negative pressure of a vacu - very patient and caring every step of traumas to the skin were the causes of um to help promote wound healing. the way.” her non-healing wounds in those In August, Dr. Losman recommend - years,” he recalled. Oxygen is the Key ed Apligraf, which is a bi-layered, cul - Although she was making progress To accelerate the healing of tured infant foreskin, first used in New under Dr. Losman’s care from February Alexandra’s wounds, Dr. Losman rec - Jersey at Trinitas Hospital.

10 HEALTHY EDGE Returning to Normal Alexandra, who lives in Port Reading near Woodbridge, serves as Assistant Director of Human Resources at Passaic County Community College in Paterson. She regrets that she had to take two months off from work since her wounds began to develop. “I enjoy my work, but I know that I will work even better because I’m getting the right care at the Wound Center.” Because Alexandra’s wounds have been improving, she can now drive to work, unlike this past spring when it had been difficult for Alexandra to CURRENT KNOWLEDGE drive. It was also difficult for Alexandra Following the successful treatment of to stand in front of her stove while CONTRIBUTES TO her wound, Alexandra Conte has been cooking, so she had to sit in a chair. BETTER HEALING able to return to cooking, one of her Now she can stand and cook her passions. Kimberly S. Oliver, RN, BSN, favorite meals just as she had always CWCN, a nurse at the Center for done. “I thought my non-healing Wound Healing & Hyperbaric wounds would curtail some of the Dr. Losman’s interventions promot - Medicine at Trinitas Hospital, things I could do, and although they ed the healing of Alexandra’s wounds serves as the Center’s Clinical did for a while, with the Wound and he is pleased with her progress. Center’s outstanding treatment, I can Coordinator. Kim oversees all clini - “I was glad to see significant improve - now live a balanced and full life again.” cal aspects at the Center, provides ment in Alexandra’s non-healing in-service education for the clinical Now Alexandra has renewed opti - wounds after she went through our staff, serves as a liaison with physi - innovative treatments,” Dr. Losman mism about her condition. “When cians, and is part of the selection commented. you’re confronting wounds that don’t heal or that get better and then open process for patients undergoing “Alexandra’s non-healing wounds again, you wonder if you’ll come hyperbaric oxygen therapy. were addressed with treatments cus - through it,” she explained. “Dr. Haims tomized to her condition,” Dr. Haims “Part of what makes my job so and Dr. Losman are superb doctors. remarked. “That’s one of our main rewarding as Clinical Coordinator is They are caring, patient, compassion - goals here at the Wound Center — to that I have to be current in all the ate, and most of all, dedicated to evaluate each patient and prescribe an latest technology and newest proce - individualized treatment plan.” Continued on page 12 dures in wound care,” Kim explains. “By keeping up with these advances, I can evaluate them for possible use in our array of treatments. That way all of our patients are assured that we are doing the very best we can to teat them effectively.” Kim, who joined the Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine in 2005, received a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Bloomfield College, and has more than 10 years of experience in acute and long term care nursing. She also has credentials as a Certified Wound Care Nurse. Members of the Wound Center staff bring consistent quality care and attention to patients whose non-healing wounds demand advanced treatment. FALL 2008 11 decreases the ability of the veins to transport the blood upwards toward the heart. The blood in the legs or the affected extremity is not returning to be cleaned and oxygenated. With the compromise of blood flow over time, symptoms may arise. These include pain, varicose veins, skin break - down, venous stasis ulcers, infection, and breakdown of the lymphatic chan - nels leading to edema. Characterized by pronounced swelling, edema of the extremities and CVI can be cyclical in their causes. Edema can cause CVI, and CVI can cause edema. In either case, chronic wounds and stasis ulcers can result. Edema inhibits the formation of colla - gen, a fibrous protein found in connec - Susan Harley, Program Director, and Bruce W. Haims, MD, the Center’s medical director, take a moment to insure the comfort of a patient about to undergo a tive tissue, bone and cartilage. Edema hyperbaric treatment. promotes infection by inhibiting blood flow and circulation. “Millions of people in the U.S. providing excellent treatment. I’m erly? Many non-healing wounds and endure the pain and debilitation of very happy that I went to the Center sores are caused by other illnesses or non-healing wounds,” said Susan for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric underlying medical conditions of which Harley, Program Director of the Center Medicine at Trinitas Hospital. Dr. a patient may be unaware. Diabetes, for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Haims, Dr. Losman, the nurses, and the smoking, poor blood circulation, heart Medicine. “Statistics show that 1.5 mil - support staff have made my experience problems, poor nutrition and many lion people who are diabetic suffer at the Wound Center very positive.” medications may cause wounds to from such wounds. Another 2.5 million develop or just not heal. Why Wounds Don’t Heal people have pressure ulcers, more There are three primary reasons a commonly known as bed sores.” We all suffer cuts, burns, sores, and wound won’t heal: a blood circulation larger wounds as part of a normal, issue (Chronic Venous Insufficiency or Types of Wounds Treated active lifestyle. Given a careful clean - CVI), Edema, or infection. Chronic The main types of wounds treated ing, some antiseptic cream and a Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is caused by at the Wound Center are diabetic and bandage, most minor wounds will inadequate function of the valves in vascular wounds, pressure ulcers, begin to heal immediately and close the veins. These one-way valves keep venous ulcers and trauma wounds. completely in a few days. the blood in the veins moving toward Increased blood glucose levels and Why does a wound not heal prop - the heart. Inadequate valve function decreased immune function contribute to poor wound healing in patients with diabetes. Approximately 15 percent Open 7 Days a Week from 7:00am to Midnight of people with diabetes will develop Since 1974 a foot ulcer due to vascular disease. 511 Elizabeth Ave. Diabetes remains the leading cause of non-traumatic amputation. Elizabeth, NJ 07206 Diabetic ulcers frequently do not Phone: (908) 289-4011 heal because of a combination of www.alvarezcafe.com hypoxia, or low oxygen production and Seafood & Steakhouse infection. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Trinitas Staff ID gets 10% Discount Luxury Condos for Sale greatly increases tissue oxygen levels FREE DELIVERY (Min. $30.00) Visit our website at which enhances the healing process for www.alvarezcondos.com patients with diabetic ulcers. 12 HEALTHY EDGE Pressure ulcers often result from “I had a productive lifestyle before WORKING WONDERS staying in a single position for a long I was diagnosed with non-healing time – regardless of the age of the wounds, and after going through the WITH WOUNDS patient. Lying in a bed or sitting in a Wound Center’s healing treatments, wheelchair for extended periods of I can continue to do everything I was Responding to the needs of patients time can cut off the blood supply to an doing before,” Alexandra said. who suffer from stubborn non-heal - area of the skin. Venous ulcers are the “Nothing in my life ended because I ing wounds is part of the day-to-day most common type of chronic wound. had non-healing wounds. The Wound commitment of the medical special - They can occur in a patient with a clot Center gave me a new beginning.” ists at the Center. Bruce Haims, MD, or a vein problem in the leg. Trauma Medical Director of the Center, wounds include injuries resulting from A Wound Center leads the activities of other medical crashes or burns. Recognized for Excellence specialists on the staff. Jacques The Center for Wound Healing and Treatment Options Losman, MD, is a surgeon. Morteza Hyperbaric Medicine at Trinitas Hospital Khaladj, DPM, is a foot doctor spe - The treatment options offered at is one of the nation’s most successful cializing in Podiatric Orthopedics. the Wound Center include the VAC wound centers. Its unique team of Podiatrist Robert Gasalberti, DPM, Therapy System, Hyperbaric Oxygen highly trained physicians, nurses, and and Ronald DiScenza, MD, special - Therapy, and Apligraf. foot specialists help sufferers with non- ist in internal medicine/geriatrics, healing wounds get their lives back. The VAC Therapy System employs a also bring their specialties to the They specialize in wounds that have computer-controlled therapy unit to staff. The newest member of the resisted healing after months or even maintain a constant negative pressure Wound Center’s medical team is on the wound site. Clinical studies years of traditional treatment. Meenakshi Kukreja, MD, a specialist demonstrate that the VAC Therapy By using well-researched, proven in General Medicine, Rehabilitation System also removes infectious materi - techniques, the Wound Center’s multi - Medicine and als and other fluids from the wound. disciplinary team provides healing and Physiatry, who also relief for patients who previously In Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, the has a practice amount of oxygen dissolved in a thought their wounds were irreparable in sports patient’s blood plasma is increased as or would ultimately result in amputation. medicine. much as three to five times, compared The expertise of the Wound Center’s to breathing oxygen at sea level. The physicians in pioneering wound closure resulting increased oxygen-carrying technologies such as Vacuum-Controlled capacity is delivered to all tissues where Assisted Closure (VAC) Therapy has Meenakshi there is insufficient blood flow. A number been shared at a number of national Kukreja, MD of benefits are produced that include wound healing conferences. The improving the body’s elimination of Wound Center’s overall healing rates The nursing staff at the Wound poisons such as carbon monoxide, are consistently above 95 percent. improving the body’s response to infec - Center includes Bridgette Kramer, “At the Wound Center we not only tion, and supporting tissue growth and RN, CWCN; Liberty Nii-Moi, RN, save limbs but give patients hope for the wound healing. This treatment provides WCC, CDT; and Kimberly S. Oliver, future by providing them with the most a non-invasive procedure for patients. RN, BSN, CWCN, all of whom are Continued on page 14 Certified Wound Care Nurses.

Hyperbaric Technicians Lillian Candelaria and Mauricio Lopez elmora HEALTH CARE operate the chambers and monitor Family owned for three generations patients during Hyperbaric Oxygen Prescriptions • Compounds • Medical Supplies Therapy. Hospital Beds • Wheelchairs • Nebulizers Diabetic Supplies • Support Stockings At the Wound Center, doctors, nurses and technicians work as a Most insurances accepted Automated Refill System • Free Delivery 6 days team toensure excellent outcomes.

162 Elmora Ave, Elizabeth, 07202 TOLL FREE 1-800-873-9342 or 908-352-8808 www.elmorahealthcare.com

FALL 2008 13 effective, state-of-the-art techniques for Formerly director of public relations for a wound care and healing,” Ms. Harley large New Jersey hospital, Mel Elberger explained. ”The vast majority of patients is currently a communications consultant leave the Wound Care Center completely and freelance writer. He earned a Ph.D. in healed and able to return to normal communications. In addition to health and activities within a short period of time.” medicine, he works on writing assignments for clients in a wide range of fields.

To contact the Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine at Trinitas, call (908) 994-5480 or visit the Center's website at www.woundhealingcenter.org.

Diversified Clinical Services, the nation’s largest wound care management provider, partners with Trinitas and nearly 300 other hospitals across the country to provide wound healing and hyperbaric medicine for non-healing wounds. Morteza Khaladj, DPM, meticulously examines a foot wound at the Center.

FINDING WOUND HEALING ON THE WEB

“Set it up then tear it down” has been care2.com, a medical website, and the motto of stagehand Justin Zizes, Jr. found the Center for Wound Healing throughout his 35-year career. Justin and Hyperbaric Medicine at Trinitas is a second-generation stagehand in Hospital. He also found out about a Local 1 of the stagehands union in treatment called Hyperbaric Oxygen New York City. He has set up the stage Therapy. He made his first appointment in Madison Square Garden for the at the Wound Center in early August. Rolling Stones, in Yankee Stadium for Justin saw Jacques G. Losman, MD, the Pope, and many others. a physician at the Wound Center. “We “It’s a physically demanding job and studied oxygen in the tissues surround - I sometimes work 28 hours straight ing his pressure ulcer and found levels without sleep,” Justin stated. He has to be severely reduced,” Dr. Losman been lifting heavy equipment including said. “We also found Methicillin speakers, stage props, and lighting Dr. Jacques Losman and Justin Zizes Resistant Staphylococcus aureus systems with crews of other men for (MRSA) in his blood and administered three and a half decades. No plush used to working many hours a week IV antibiotics. MRSA is a type surroundings for Justin; instead, he is and I look forward to getting back to of bacteria that is resistant to certain always walking on hard concrete and my active lifestyle, setting up stages for antibiotics. To oxygenate and heal the sometimes walking on steel. shows again.” wound, we recommended Hyperbaric The heavy lifting and walking on hard Oxygen Therapy.” And, as a Manhattanite, what’s Justin’s surfaces has taken its toll on Justin take on the Center for Wound Healing “When he first came to the Wound who stands 6’8” tall and weighs 260 and Hyperbaric Medicine? “Dr. Center, his foot was inflamed,” Dr. pounds. Three years ago, he devel - Losman is a warm and colorful doctor. Losman continued. “Now, the inflam - oped a pressure ulcer on his left foot. The nurses and technologists always A resident of Midtown Manhattan, he mation has been considerably reduced, do all they can to make me feel com - first visited a physician and podiatrist and the ulcer has been healing well.” fortable, and it’s not hard to get to in New York City but his pressure ulcer Justin is encouraged by his progress. Elizabeth from Manhattan,” Justin did not significantly improve. “With every treatment, I feel my condi - said. “To treat my pressure ulcer suc - This past summer he decided to do tion getting better and better,” Justin cessfully, it was the information high - research on the web to find better said. “The Wound Center is doing a way on the Internet that finally led me treatment options. He clicked on great job healing a tough wound. I’m to the right place for my wound care.”

14 HEALTHY EDGE The Economics of Good Health INVESTING IN GOOD HEALTH MAKES GOOD CORPORATE SENSE by Rena Sandberg

In the seemingly endless battle Health Care Costs Solution: against escalating health care costs, Clinical Preventive Services employers can help cut their costs and What exactly are clinical preventive Employees who are healthy report fewer turnover rates while also reducing services? These services can directly sick days, experience less accidents, and healthcare claims. The tactic is simple: prevent disease such as flu vaccinations generally have a higher morale. help employees to stay healthy or can detect diseases such as cancer through preventive programs and or cardiovascular disease in their early Nancy DiLiegro, PhD, FACHE, better health management. stages. The goal of clinical preventive Vice President of Clinical Services at services is to help people embrace Trinitas Hospital, agrees. “As a result It is not uncommon today for healthy lifestyles. In addition, these of such programs designed to keep employees go to work when they do services help to reduce a company’s their employees healthy and fit, a not feel well. When a company offers a absentee rates, cut healthcare claims, company should experience less sick mediocre health plan, illnesses are poorly and lessen their employee replacement calls,” she says. managed and force the employees to costs. Health insurance companies predict continue to work with little productivity. Dr. Robert Beswick, Medical the medical expenses for a company’s By doing so, their work slowdown can Director of Occupational Health at employees by using historical data and cost their company more in lost produc - Trinitas Hospital, has observed first analysis. They charge premiums based tivity than what employers dish out for hand the value of flu vaccinations in on the amount of claims they have sick days and other medical benefits. In the workplace and programs devoted paid in the past as well as the expected fact, decreased on-the-job effectiveness to smoking cessation. cost of future claims. The cost surges caused by illness, called “presentee- when the insurer pays more in claims “Not only is being immunized ism,” is said to account for approxi - than they collect in premiums, espe - against influenza effective for the mately 60 percent of employer health cially when the cost of future services individual but it is also beneficial costs. Preventive services such as weight are predicted to inflate. to surrounding coworkers,” notes management programs and smoking Dr. Beswick. “The more people who Today, the average annual premium cessation seminars can help reduce are immunized, the lesser the degree cost for single coverage greatly surpasses these costs by suppressing the rise of of transmission of disease throughout $3,500. What’s disturbing is that cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hyper - the general population. Similarly, since preventable illnesses make up 70% tension and other chronic illnesses. second hand smoke has been linked or more of the total costs of illness. to exacerbating asthma and other res - By implementing wellness programs In the 1950s and 1960s, employees piratory diseases, stopping smoking is and/or preventable services, a company constantly demanded higher wages. In particularly useful not only to the indi - can significantly reduce these costs. an effort to reduce total compensation vidual, but for those in the smoker’s Reduced Employee Turnover companies offered medical benefits – work environment as well as at home.” which were relatively inexpensive at Rate, Shifting Costs the time – instead. Today, benefits cost Decreased Absenteeism, It might be a cliché, but it’s undeni - companies about 30.2 percent as a Less Expensive ably true: a healthy employee is a percentage of total compensation. In Healthcare Claims happy employee. Those who are in good health tend to have higher 2006, the gross total that both public Clinical Preventive Services and morale and manage their stress levels and private employers spent on major Wellness Programs can save a corpora - better than sickly, unhappy employees. employee benefit programs was tion thousands – sometimes millions – approximately $2.33 trillion – almost of dollars that might otherwise be Jim Dunleavy, Administrative 50 percent more than what was spent spent on temporary help or down time Director of Rehabilitation Services at just as recently as 2000. due to the sickness of their employees. Continued on page 16

FALL 2008 15 Trinitas Hospital, adds, “The productivi - will be able to reap longer term bene - month at the hospital. In addition, ty of those on the job is also improved fits. Health care is an investment worth Trinitas recently became the first organ - with a healthy, fit workforce.” The end making,” he says. It is evident in ization in Union County to become result: Happier, more productive work - numerous studies that advocating part of the Start! Walking workplace fit - ers, and less turnover rates for the worksite wellness provides ample ness program of the American Heart company. dividends in the long run through Association. More than 350 employees Many corporations frown at the healthier employees and significantly participated in the eight-week program idea of investing in their employees’ reduced health care costs. during which free pedometers helped wellness because medical costs very participants keep track of their goals. often drain half of corporate profits. Trinitas: A Step Ahead This walking program brought Trinitas Instead, they look to shift costs and Trinitas Hospital is aware that its an award from the American Heart cut benefits. health-care costs are greatly affected Association as the first organization in Glenn Nacion, Vice President of by the lifestyle-related behaviors of its Union County to become a GOLD Human Resources at Trinitas Hospital, employees and is therefore committed START! Fit Friendly Company. to their health and wellbeing. says it is unfortunate that many “We have recognized the impor - employers fall into this common trap. A complementary series of health tance of a having a healthy workplace,” “Such employers simply look at seminars, lectures and programs said Dr. DiLiegro, adding, “The walking their quarterly profits as opposed to a designed to encourage employees to program promoted a wellness culture long-term investment in which they adopt healthier lifestyles is offered each by providing support to employees and

TRINITAS TAKES GOOD HEALTH SERIOUSLY

A Health and Wellness “umbrella” at Trinitas encourages a learning culture that improves the health status of everyone it touches. The mission is reflected through a wide variety of education, training, screenings and hands-on activities. New employees receive a valuable health benefit before they even begin their careers at Trinitas in the form of a wide-ranging pre-employment physical. The physical is very com - prehensive and, as a result, many health-related issues have been discovered, including diabetes, hypertension, lung cancer, vision problems, hernias and thyroid disease. The Trinitas Hospital Fitness Center is a full service facility that serves the general commu - nity and the employee population. The Center offers locker/shower rooms, full cardio pro - grams including treadmills, steppers, elliptical machines, recumbent and upright bicycles, weight equipment including resistance machines and free weights, yoga and step classes, and physical and occupational therapy. Expert staff members provide individualized exer - cise plans for every client. Shown here going through his usual 45-minute three-day-a- week workout is Department of Behavioral Health & Psychiatry employee Brian Nandy, Director of the Youth Enrichment Services porgram at Elizabeth High School. The Center’s staff also works closely with the hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Department and outpa - tient Physical and Occupational Therapy Departments to transition patients to a healthier lifestyle. Moreover, the Center offers referrals to such services as nutritional and smoking cessation programs. In a closely related development, Trinitas became one of the first hospitals in the region to offer a 100 percent no-added trans fat menu for staff and patients. Heart-healthy cooking demonstrations are offered regularly, and low-fat recipes are posted in the hospital and on the website. These programs are offered in addition to regular training in CPR, first aid and workplace safety issues.

16 HEALTHY EDGE BIG BUSINESS implemented physical, nutritional and fits in with nationwide changes since cultural changes,” she added. Trinitas our society is working toward creating BELIEVES IN continues to promote a healthy work - more and more smoke-free environ - BETTER HEALTH place by giving employees a significantly ments,” notes Dr. DiLiegro. “We fully discounted rate at the hospital’s fitness understand the difficulties that smokers One of New Jersey’s major employ - center, offering a 100 percent no-added face when trying to kick the habit. ers, Public Service Electric & Gas trans fat menu for the staff and We intend to work closely with our (PSE&G), understands the value of patients, giving heart-healthy cooking employees while also educating the its employees’ health. The company demonstrations on a regular basis, and public and those who visit the hospital often provides a variety of services posting low-fat recipes throughout the or who conduct business here.” and programs with an emphasis on hospital and on the hospital’s website. The hospital’s exemplary efforts were As the smoke-free campus campaign preventive healthcare. unfolds in November, the hospital plans recognized at the annual NJBIZ PSE&G requested the participation education programs and smoking ces - Healthcare Heroes event at which of Trinitas Cancer Center’s physi - sation support activities for employees Trinitas was honored as the 2008 cians at two lectures on the topic of Corporate Achievement Hero among a and visitors alike. men’s prostate health and cancer field of five prestigious nominees. Programs such as this make it abun - prevention. Board Certified Urologist Trinitas is also committed to its new dantly clear that such long-term invest - Brett Opell, MD delivered remarks designation as a smoke-free facility. ments will help to create a healthier to a capacity audience on ways to Joining 22 other hospitals throughout workforce since these programs spell prevent prostate cancer and the the state, Trinitas has designated itself as good health not only at the workplace importance of routine screenings for a Smoke-Free facility, advocating smok - but at home. Investing in preventive care the disease. Dr. Clarissa Henson, ing cessation at its various locations. is critical for businesses’ profitability, their Chief of Radiation Oncology at “Trinitas opting to go ‘smoke free’ employees and future generations. Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center, also presented information on the current treatment options for Se Habla prostate cancer. Español The success of these presentations has encouraged PSE&G to schedule additional lectures including a women’s health forum, again in partnership with Trinitas.

Ariela Finkiel, Director of Program Planning and Development at Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Any of your sewer needs. Center, explains that when employ - We do it all. ers invest the time to offer preventive health information, it benefits their Sewer Cleaning employees in two significant ways. Heavy Duty Equipment “First, it helps employees become High Pressure Jetting more aware, knowledgeable and Color Video Inspection proactive about their own health. Free Estimates Secondly, and more importantly, with proactive and preventive efforts, 908.230.9715 the men and women who work for the organization will almost always We charge by the job, benefit from early detection of not and you don’t pay until only cancer but other serious dis - the problem is solved! eases and conditions.”

FALL 2008 17 LIFE-SAVING PREVENTIVE SERVICES

Preventable illnesses and diseases are major reasons why companies are burdened with additional costs. Sick days, short-term disability and “presentee-ism” all contribute to cause high turnover rates, replacement costs and life insurance benefits. Jim Dunleavy, Administrative Director of Rehabilitation Services at Trinitas Hospital, says, “The sources of major healthcare costs to employers today are those health factors that can be managed or eliminated through regular exercise and good nutri - tion.” Investing in clinical preventive services, such as screening procedures, seminars, counseling, etc., is a reliable method to help employees feel positive about being fit. Moreover, these preventive measures can help employers get the biggest bang for their buck in their investment in health care. Programs such as these below, when implemented properly, have proven to be highly effective in maintaining a healthy workforce and cutting costs.

TOBACCO CESSATION How much it could save: It is esti - ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE mated that the annual expenditure for PREVENTION What it is: A tobacco cessation treat - colorectal cancer treatment averages ment package would include screening, about $6 billion. The cost of getting What it is: A confidential alcohol counseling and medication to help a screened is significantly less than the screening for all employees takes place user quit smoking. cost of treating the cancer. once a year or a concise intervention Why it’s important: Tobacco cessa - program is implemented for those who tion can help lower the rate of heart DIABETES AWARENESS are not yet dependent on alcohol. disease – the number one cause of PROGRAMS Why it’s important: Employees who death in the United States. Tobacco have an alcohol-abuse problem have users are at double the risk than non- What it is: Conducting diabetes high absenteeism rates and tend to users for heart disease as well as other awareness seminars or offering screen - have almost double the health care conditions such as stroke and lung ing procedures such as the Fasting costs than those who do not abuse cancer. Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) can encour - alcohol. age employees to get tested. How much it could save: A cessation How much it could save: Alcohol treatment package offered to smokers Why it’s important: The rapid abuse costs businesses in the United nationwide could result in an annual increase in obesity is causing a spike States approximately $134 billion net medical savings of $3 billion. in the Type 2 diabetes population. annually in productivity losses. Glenn Nacion, Vice President of Human Early detection can help those with Resources, adds that companies will the disease avoid serious complications also witness increased productivity, such as chronic hyperglycemia, stroke, simply by employees taking less or coronary heart disease. “cigarette breaks.” How much it could save: Practically $1 of every $5 allocated for health care COLORECTAL CANCER costs is for a person with diabetes. In SCREENING 2007, it was estimated that $116 billion were spent on direct medical costs for What it is: A Fecal Occult Blood Test, those with diabetes. sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy, would be performed to detect colorectal cancer. Rena Sandberg is a regular contributor to HealthyEdge. She has Why it’s important: Colorectal can - written stories on innovative surgical cer is the second-leading cancer killer procedures as well as articles about nationwide. If colorectal screening was exercise, nutrition and fitness, time implemented throughout the United management, and the benefits of States and people ages 50 and older Feng Shui decorating principles regularly used this service, over 18,000 at home and at work. deaths could be prevented annually.

18 HEALTHY EDGE Urological Surgeries Provide Welcome

Relief for Patients by Rena Sandberg

Saginaw, Michigan resident, Beverly present many symptoms, each of which Whitaker, was determined to live a nor - needs to be considered and evaluated mal life — something she was unable to for the most appropriate treatment. do since her suffering with incontinence Not everyone fits all the criteria.” began more than a year ago. Admitted As Dr. Riachi explains, while some to the hospital with a mild stroke, 66- patients suffer from overactive bladder, year-old Beverly suddenly began to some experience stress incontinence or experience urge incontinence and over - even “mixed” types of the condition. active bladder – a condition in which Beverly’s disorder required a procedure persistent, powerful urges to urinate called InterStim ® Therapy – a minimally - Beverly Whitaker, offered a video testi - cause the bladder to empty involuntari - invasive procedure that is designed monial about her successful treatment under the care of Dr. Labib Riachi prior ly. As time progressed, her condition specifically to subdue the erratic con - to returning to normal life back in worsened. She became alienated from traction of the bladder. This two-stage Saginaw, Michigan. every-day social activities due to the outpatient operation first requires a test severity of her condition. “I’m not a implant which allows the patient to person who easily gets depressed,” she determine the effectiveness of the system. Beverly no longer lives as a prisoner said, “but this really depressed me.” “A soft wire is placed near the tail - in her home, frightened about having Eager to Learn Options bone and is attached to a small, portable an accident at any given moment. device,” explains Dr. Riachi. Stimulation When asked what she planned to do Just when she thought there was no is then applied to the sacral nerve and with her new-found sense of freedom, hope, Beverly spotted a newspaper the device is carefully tuned to a voltage she replied, “I’m going to play black - article describing the success of Dr. specific to the patient’s needs. jack in a casino!” Labib E. Riachi, specialist in advanced pelvic surgery and female urinary Ready to Live Life At 90, Looking for Relief incontinence at Trinitas Hospital, in to the Fullest Two weeks shy of her 90th birth - treating a 97-year-old Elizabeth, New day, Evelyn Deligdish of Englishtown, Jersey, woman with incontinence. Within a few hours after the first round of surgery, Beverly happily New Jersey, underwent the TVM (Total Without hesitation, she travelled more reported a significant change. “I didn’t Vaginal Mesh Plasty) procedure — a than 600 miles by car to New Jersey to have the urge to go to the restroom complete reconstruction of the vagina meet with Dr. Riachi. for almost two hours!” she exclaimed. that treats vaginal and bladder pro - Not only did Beverly insist on get - lapse — as well as the minimally-inva - Following the temporary implant, ting treatment immediately following each patient returns home to see how sive Gynecare TVT-Obturator procedure her 10-minute consultation, but she she does with the temporary system, (TVT-O) that cures female urinary requested surgery that was intended for leaving her to decide if she is the right incontinence. Evelyn is one of the 13 a completely different urinary disorder. candidate for the permanent implant. million women in the United States “This sent me a chilling message If the patient experiences a significant who live with urinary incontinence — that the patient in front of me was not decline in problematic symptoms, she a condition that results in an inability properly educated about her condi - returns approximately one week later to hold urine. Although incontinence is tion,” said Dr. Riachi. “Incontinence is a for the second procedure which is also typically associated with aging, it can broad spectrum of entities and can performed on an outpatient basis. Continued on page 20 FALL 2008 19 A New Smile… be a problem for women of all ages — women who suffer from urinary incon - especially those who have experienced tinence. A New You! childbirth. The innovative TVM procedure that Surgeries Lead to Better IMPLANTS & Evelyn underwent at Trinitas Hospital Quality of Life COSMETIC DENTISTRY involves only several incisions, is treat - As one of the first in the nation to ed under regional anesthesia, and has perform the TVM and TVT-O surgery, Personal encounters the added benefit of discharge from Dr. Riachi has successfully performed Start With a Smile… the hospital within 24 hours following these surgeries on an ever-increasing the procedure. Sometimes Nature number of women and dramatically Often the result of childbirth, improved their quality of life. Having Needs A Little Help menopause, or a genetic predisposi - studied with pioneering physicians in tion, vaginal prolapse is defined as the France and Belgium, Dr. Riachi has • Implant Placement/Resortation weakening of the supporting structures gained the knowledge and expertise of the uterus, pelvic floor and vagina. • Invisalign to instruct more than 300 physicians Bladder prolapse, common in older • Veneers throughout the nation on a number of women who have given birth to multi - • Periodontics - Orthodontics urogynecological surgeries. In addition, ple children, is found among • Bonding Dr. Riachi has conducted lectures in a menopausal women who have discov - • Crowns/Re-Construction variety of cutting-edge techniques that ered that their bladder has “fallen.” All Phases of General Dentistry The cutting-edge TVT-O (Tension-free treat overactive bladder, urinary incon - Nitrous Oxide Analgesic Vaginal Tape) surgery that Dr. Riachi tinence and prolapse. EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE performed on Evelyn offers hope to TVT-O surgery involves placement of Center of DENTAL SERVICES Dr. Richard J. Lukenda Dr. Richard L. Sufficool Dr. Richard Lukenda

Insurance Claims Processed Convenient Financial Arrangements

FOR APPOINTMENT & CONSULTATION 908-925-8110 www.centerofdentalservices.com Se Habla Español My Mowimy Po Posku Fala Se Portuguese 924 NORTH WOOD AVE. LINDEN

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20 HEALTHY EDGE reports. Dr. Riachi’s proficiency, com - passion and meticulousness left a last - ing impression on Evelyn. “I admire how professional he is,” she said with - out hesitation. “My experience with him was wonderful.” At the age of 90, Evelyn feels a renewed vitality and energy. She is grateful that the procedure has given her the freedom to enjoy her 65th wedding anniversary with her husband, Irving. Dr. Riachi is pleased that steps are being made to help women who suffer from overactive bladder and inconti - Dr. Riachi listens to a concern expressed by an interested attendee at an information - nence. “These conditions have hin - al seminar he recently conducted in Westfield. dered many women from fully and actively going on with their daily lives. a meshlike tape to keep the urethra in paper about Dr. Riachi, Evelyn decided They are prevented from comfortably its original position. Performed in 10 it was time to put an end to her suffer - doing their jobs and, very often, these minutes, this procedure is done under ing and have the surgery performed. A conditions have a negative impact on local anesthesia which results in minimal mere two weeks after the surgeries, her their intimate relationships as well. pain and discomfort for the patient. condition has drastically improved. “I We’re glad that we’re helping to make After reading an article in the news - feel so much better now,” Evelyn a positive change in their lives.”

#1 in performing anti-incontinence and prolapse surgery Enjoy life with no embarrassment, and social unease.

www. RiachiSurgery.com

FALL 2008 21 Community Calendar

Seminars (Offered Free to Our Community) Special Events All seminars take place in the Physicians Conference Room, Sunday, December 14 210 Williamson Street, Elizabeth, except where noted. An Afternoon With A Star To register for any seminar, call (908) 994-5138 or register online NJ PAC, 3:00 pm at www.TrinitasHospital.org. Featuring internationally renowned recording artist Gloria Gaynor November 13, 2008 Professional Training Opportunities For information on orchestra tickets or a 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Programs for healthcare providers “Meet and Greet,” call (908) 994-8249. “Boosting Positive Teen Potential: and first responders. May 7, 2009 The Youth Enrichment Services (YES) Program” CPR; ACLS & PALS (Advanced Trinitas Health Foundation Brian Nandy, MA, LPC Cardiovascular Life Support) & Gala Dinner Dance Department of Behavioral (Pediatric Advanced Life Support); The Birchwood Manor Health & Psychiatry Defibrillator Training; EMT Basic 111 North Jefferson Road Training and Renewals; PHTLS; Incident Whippany, NJ 07981 November 18, 2008 Command System; Advanced Medical 6:00pm Cocktails 11:30 am – 1:00 pm 7:30pm Dinner & Awards “Losing Precious Sleep: Life Support Proceeds benefit the patients Why Can’t I Fall Asleep?” Trinitas Hospital Institute of Healthcare of Trinitas Hospital . For reservations Saira Ahmed, MD & Community Education for this event, call Laura Ciraco, Sleep Disorders Center 425 Morris Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ (908) 994-8249 or [email protected] For further information, November 19, 2008 call (908) 527-5222, ext. 12 11:30 am – 1:00 pm “Diabetes 101: What You Need to Know” Special Programs Kathy McCarthy, RN Diabetes Educator, (Offered Free to Our Community) Diabetes Management Center Look Good, Feel Better December 19, 2008 Thanks to a partnership of the American 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Cancer Society (ACS), the National “Advance Care Planning: Cosmetology Association, and the Your Decision Counts” Cosmetic, Toiletry & Fragrance Association Sr. Mary Corrigan, Director of (CTFA) Foundation, Trinitas offers patients Pastoral Care, Trinitas Hospital Check out at its Comprehensive Cancer Center per - www.TrinitasHospital.org sonal beauty tips and techniques that they can use everyday. for more information… Location and date to be announced Call Amparo Aguirre at (908) 994-8244 for information and to register. Made For Me Boutique November 6, December 4 Appointments only. Call Amparo Aguirre at (908) 994-8244

Official N.J. State Inspection Managing Your Medications: Computerized Wheel Alignment “Ask the Pharmacist” Check Engine Light Diagnostic Offered the fourth Tuesday of every month, Tune-Ups / Shocks / Brakes / Mufflers / Wheel Balance / Axles except December. October 28, November 25, FLEET SERVICE SPECIALIST January 27, 2009 615 E. Jersey St., Elizabeth, NJ 908-351-7175 11:30 am - 1:00 pm “Where Your Car Wants To Go” Free of charge, by appointment only. Servicing the Elizabeth Community for Over 20 Years Call (908) 994-5984. 22 HEALTHY EDGE All speakers, dates, times and locations were current as of press time. Readers are encouraged to call in advance if they wish to confirm any information published here about seminars, special events, classes, support groups or special programs.

Support Groups (Offered Free to Our Community) Classes Alzheimer’s Support Group Breast Feeding Support Group Breast Feeding Classes First Wednesday of every month Friday mornings Every Tuesday Nov. 5, Dec. 3, Jan. 7, 2009 10:00 am - 11:30 am October 21, 28 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm WIC Center November 4, 11, 18, 25 Family Resource Center 1124 East Jersey Street, December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 300 North Avenue, Cranford, NJ corner of Jefferson , Elizabeth 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Open to anyone caring for a person WIC Center who suffers from Alzheimer Disease. Cardiac Support Group 1124 East Jersey Street, (201) 707-5154 (Open to cardiac patients only) corner of Jefferson , Elizabeth October 16 Breast Feeding Information: Breast Cancer Support Group (908) 994-5142 Meets third Monday of every month. 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Childhood Obesity Prevention Nov. 17, Dec. 15, Jan.19, 2009 Physicians Conference Room Second Friday of each month 11:00 am – 12:30 pm 210 Williamson Street, Elizabeth Call Ann Marie Scanlon, RN at Nov. 14, Dec. 12, Jan. 9, 2009 Conference Room A 2:00 pm (908) 994-5082 to register. Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center WIC Center 225 Williamson Street, Elizabeth Coping With Cancer 1124 East Jersey Street, Open to patients, families, friends corner of Jefferson , Elizabeth Support Group and loved ones. Please RSVP in Instructor: Rosa Tamayo, MPA, RD Meets second Tuesday of every month English to Donna Filocamo, LCSW, Call (908) 994-5219 to register Nov. 11, Dec. 9, Jan. 13, 2009 at (908) 994-8730; in Spanish to 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Nutrition Education Program Griselda Hildago, (908) 994-8535. Conference Room A for Expectant Mothers Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center WIC Center 225 Williamson Street, Elizabeth 1124 East Jersey Street, corner of Jefferson, Elizabeth Speakers address cancer-related topics. Call Claudia Lopez, (908) 994-5142, Trinitas Hospital Sleep Disorders CPAP for dates and registration Support Group Baby Shower for Auxiliary Quarterly meetings held on last Expectant Mothers Wednesday of the month WIC Center Continuing its tradition of volunteerism, January 28, 2009 1124 East Jersey Street, community health education and 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm corner of Jefferson, Elizabeth commitment to the mission of Trinitas Physicians Conference Room Sessions about Prenatal Nutrition Hospital, the Auxiliary of Trinitas 210 Williamson Street, Elizabeth will be provided. Call Claudia Lopez, (908) 994-5142, Hospital is a committed group of Call (908) 994-8694 to register. volunteers who dedicate their time for dates and registration and energy to a variety of events and programs. The Auxiliary fosters interest among its members and throughout the community in the work of Trinitas Hospital, provides and encourages PAUL J.P. BOLANOWSKI, MD volunteer service for and in the hospital, and sponsors and conducts JUSTIN SAMBOL, MD fundraising activities for the benefit of the hospital. The Auxiliary also Constantino Lovoulos, MD offers educational programs on health- related subjects for the community. PRACTICE LIMITED TO CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY With Staff Privileges at Trinitas Hospital and University Hospital For more information about how the activities of the Auxiliary benefit 219 South Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ Trinitas Hospital, call the Auxiliary at (908) 994-8988 908-352-8110

FALL 2008 23 Editor’s Note: In the Winter issue of Sleepless No More! HealthyEdge, I published my personal experience as someone plagued by sleepless - By Kathryn Salamone ness for many years. The article, Memoirs of a “Sleep-less” Beauty, chronicled my six week exploration of sleep disorders, my experiences with two sleep studies conducted at Trinitas Sleep Disorders Center, and the beginning of my treatment for sleep apnea with a CPAP Within a few weeks after I started ed off to sleep within about 20 (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) using the CPAP machine at the begin - minutes each night. That was machine in late December 2007. fairly normal for me. But, the real ning of this year, I began to feel an Nine months later, here is the overwhelming improvement in my benefit was that my sleep was now continuation of my story. overall wellbeing. I definitely experi - uninterrupted by snoring, gasping, or enced a period of adjustment with the other apnea episodes during which I CPAP machine. To sleep with a mask had previously stopped breathing. covering your nose takes a bit of get - ting used to. But, the relief that the Refreshed and Renewed continuous flow of air provides is unde - Another immediate result of using niable. Allow me to explain. Suddenly, I began to wake up each the CPAP machine was the relief I felt After I was diagnosed with sleep morning feeling refreshed and from heartburn and a persistent cough. apnea, the CPAP machine was calibrat - renewed. I began to recall dreaming Through my research, I had learned that people with sleep apnea could ed to deliver the most effective level which meant that I was experiencing experience severe burning in their of oxygen for my breathing needs the deepest levels of sleep. One of the esophagus, much like indigestion, and throughout the night. The mask is symptoms of sleep apnea is that the a nagging shallow cough. I no longer connected to a hose that draws from person who suffers from the disorder awakened with a burning sensation a reservoir of humidified water posi - is frequently awakened and seldom achieves REM (rapid eye movement) and my annoying cough ceased to tioned at bedside. The hose is long sleep which is so critical to positive bother me. To be relived of these enough to provide ample comfort as I sleep health. The period between symptoms was a God-send. turn around or move while sleeping. dreaming and wakefulness became Yet, there was more. The CPAP machine offered benefits moments I could appreciate as I eased Facing my hour-long commute almost immediately. I found that I drift - into the new day. became much more manageable for me. Prior to being outfitted with the CPAP machine, there were many morn - ings when I had to pull off the road to catch a “cat nap.” My evening com - mute tended to be even more difficult. Not only was I tired from prolonged periods of unproductive sleep, but I was also coping with the fatigue of the day. Dealing with the stress of traveling expressways in North Jersey was compounded by the sleep deficits I experienced. With better sleep, driving did not pose the worry and potential hazards it once did.

Say Goodbye to “power naps” As a step to becoming more physically fit, I take Qi Gong (pronounced chee gong) I no longer began to feel extreme classes at a wellness center near my home. Trainer Joanne Galinak provides direc - fatigue at mid afternoon. Enjoying tion in the series of movements used in Tai Chi and yoga that help with focus, more productive sleep translated into strength and balance. sustained energy levels throughout 24 HEALTHY EDGE the day. I also no longer needed to take a “power nap” when I got home from the office just to get a “second wind” to make it through the evening at home. Physically, I feel more energetic. Because of the level of fatigue I experi - enced on a consistent basis, I never worked a serious exercise plan into my weekly routine. Since I’m the kind of person who needs motivation to exer - cise, I need to carve out time for a for - mal fitness/exercise program. That was my goal earlier this year which I have yet to reach. Before the end of this year I plan to make a commitment to better cardio health. Improved sleep helped when family commitments and events presented themselves earlier this year. My son’s senior year of high school brought with it final college road trips as well as all the special events later in the school year. Preparing for and hosting a grad - A full agenda of stops in Alaska and California this summer included a visit to Big uation party for family and friends was Basin National Park where my husband and I were surrounded by giant redwoods. not the energy-robbing event it might With my CPAP machine as an essential part of my luggage, I was well rested and have been before. able to enjoy the 12-day itinerary. Keeping up with an Active Household When my 21 year-old-son returned to live at home this summer before his senior year of college, two of my three children were home again. Not a com - pletely full nest, but certainly an active one! I was less stressed by the com - ings and goings of young people at our home and genuinely enjoyed hav - ing both boys home. A visit with my 23 year-old daughter in New England in September — the five-hour one-way drive to northern Massachusetts was always grueling — was a recent chance for us to reconnect. My improved sleep health was also a big contributor to my enjoyment of a two-week trip with my husband this summer. Getting better sleep improved my overall mood and helped my clarity of thought. Although I must admit that at age 58 I am beginning to experience “senior moments” more frequently than I would like, I believe that I my thought processes are still firing up pretty well!

Continued on page 26 FALL 2008 25 Feeling better rested has helped me to enjoy my personal and professional Fruchter & Associates, LLC life to a greater degree. But, more Lawyers working for you. importantly, it has helped solve the problem of persistent health issues. We Make Hospital and Home Visits Although I once thought I was doomed Specializing in Tickets • Accidents • Wills to a lifetime of coping with continuous fatigue and chronic health issues, I can Harvey Fruchter now happily report that sleep issues are Jared Weiss no longer anything for me (or my spouse!) to lose sleep over! 726 Boulevard, Kenilworth, NJ 07033 p 908.241.2626 [email protected] f 908.245.5800

To contact the Sleep Disorders Center at Trinitas, call (908) 994-8694 or visit the Center's website at www.njsleepdisorderscenter.com.

PRECISE DOCUMENTATION FOR MEDICAL REVIEW

Thanks to data storage technology, factors. For instance, it my use of the Continuous Positive showed the periods dur - Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine was ing which I experienced recorded within the unit on a daily sleep, when there may basis. Vipin Garg, MD, Medical have been a leak from Director of The Sleep Disorders the nasal covering, and Center at Trinitas Hospital who had occasions when I reviewed all of the data obtained dur - stopped breathing or ing my initial diagnostic sleep studies, experienced shallow informed me that the CPAP machine breathing, despite use of functioned much like a “mini sleep machine. The data pro - disorders center” since it collected vided him with all the data each time I used the machine. details he needed to continue to monitor my In preparation for my first follow-up entire case and verify with Dr.Garg in August, I mentioned visit with Dr. Garg in March, I inserted my compliance with the machine. a memory card (like those used in that I had been aware of some wake - digital cameras) into a data copying According to Dr. Garg, the data fulness and restlessness during the port on the CPAP unit. Within a mat - obtained each night showed that I night. I explained that I had been ter of seconds, information was was attaining 6 hours and 48 minutes maintaining a regular bedtime hour copied from the unit directly onto the of productive, restorative sleep most but had recently adjusted my wake-up memory card. When I brought the nights. Compliance with use more time to approximately 45 minutes memory card to my appointment, Dr. than 4 hours was 97%, which meant earlier than my previous routine. Dr. Garg was easily able to retrieve the that the machine was highly effective. Garg advised that I might be experi - During this office visit, he made a information that had been copied encing some restlessness caused by minor adjustment in the calibration of from the unit. The card provided him my body’s natural adjustment to that the CPAP, modified the level of humid - with daily compliance reports that ver - earlier rising hour. He indicated that ification the unit delivered, readjusted ified my use of the CPAP machine. my sleep was not being adversely the amount of time that it took the During our discussion, he displayed affected and that my body would machine to “ramp up” to deliver the the information on a monitor and probably complete its natural adjust - appropriate amount of humidified air pointed out different aspects of the ment to the new schedule within a and also suggested a chin strap to data and what it meant. Dr. Garg short period of time. improve the security of mask place - explained that data recorded in the My next appointment with Dr. Garg ment during sleep. machine and saved on the memory to review my sleep patterns will be in stick presented a view of numerous At a second follow-up appointment the spring.

26 HEALTHY EDGE Hospice: A Stop Along Life’s Journey by Nancy Rager, RN, CLNC, WCC Director of Clinical Services, Center for Hope

In ancient times, hospice was defined as a place where weary travel - ers stopped for shelter. It was a place of refuge, a place of rest, as one embarked on a difficult road. Today’s definition of hospice isn’t much different. Hospice supports patients and their families during the last stage of life. The journey home doesn’t have to be the most difficult journey one will make. With the assis - tance of an interdisciplinary team which includes nurses, doctors, home health aides, social workers, spiritual support team members and volunteers, hospice brings a sense of comfort and control to individuals and their families. Although the “shelter” where one receives hospice can vary — it may be year after the death. This brings peace Hospice is provided based on the a private residence, nursing home, of mind to the patient as they know patient’s need and not on his/her hospital or a hospice center — hospice their family will receive ongoing ability to pay. is a compassionate partner in assisting bereavement support. patients and their families as they face Even with the passage of time, the challenges associated with a life Financial worry may often be a the original concept of hospice has limiting illness. major burden for those facing terminal not changed. It still continues to be illness. Many services may be covered life-affirming as it helps to prepare One of the greatest challenges that under Medicare, Medicaid, commercial patients and their families for dying as healthcare professionals face is getting insurance, and many HMO’s. a natural conclusion to life. Hospice patients to talk about hospice. The Regardless of age, religion or race, neither hastens nor postpones death; topic of conversation is usually the care offered at Center for Hope instead, it improves the quality of life. addressed when the patient is already in a medical crisis. This delay is one of the reasons why referrals to hospice are postponed and made later and later. End-of–life discussions are difficult but necessary. For many, the acceptance of death is a step closer to spiritual and emo - tional well being. Early interaction with the hospice team allows time to con - trol the patient’s pain and stabilize symptoms as well as give the patient a chance to say good-bye. Grief counsel - ing is offered to all family members during the illness as well as for about a FALL 2008 27 Sisters of Charity Carve Distinctive

Niche in the Community By Rena Sandberg

Within the Catholic tradition, Today, Mother women who are called to the religious Elizabeth Ann Seton’s life have chosen to dedicate their lives followers in the to God and His work. In giving up Sisters of Charity marriage and children, Sisters redirect of St. Elizabeth their energies and love of God to pop - continue to ulations and efforts that today are make countless increasingly in need of their dedication contributions to the good news and good work of to the the Church. improvement of the lives of The lives of Sisters remained largely those whom unchanged for centuries. Women who they serve. entered the religious life lived in con - vents separated from the communities Here are they served. However, as a result of profiles of the Vatican II ecumenical council of the several Sisters of z Roman Catholic Church in the 1960’s, Charity who “pro - rt Sisters slowly became part of the world claim the good news” e by the power of their M around them. Soon, many sisters ith become more integrated into the com - example and their Sister Jud munities where they lived and worked. commitment to others. Thanks to its connection with one of the prominent religious orders in our area, Trinitas Hospital is fortunate to Sister Judith Mertz ment of the Sisters of Charity, Sr. Judy have among its family of employees opened the doors of Josephine’s Place Soon after completing high school, in October 2003. A peaceful place members of the Sisters of Charity of Judith Mertz chose to make a lifelong where women can spend time and feel St. Elizabeth. Since 1859 when Elizabeth commitment to God and the Sisters of safe, this welcome refuge located on Ann Seton founded the United States Charity. After many years as a teacher Elizabeth Avenue in Elizabeth offers branch of the Sisters of Charity based in and an administrator, and later work - classes in sewing, crocheting and knit - Madison, New Jersey, the religious order ing with the disabled, “Sr. Judy” took ting, English as a Second Language, has made a profound impact on those it another path along the road of service. has served. Although she was not tai-chi and yoga, and a number of Catholic by birth and was a widow with As a result of her experience with other grounding programs for women children, Elizabeth Seton realized after immigrants, Sister Judy realized that who need a helping hand. there was more work to be done. She the death of her Catholic husband that, “For women in Elizabeth, set out to create a haven for women as a convert to Catholicism, she was Josephine’s Place serves as a center who as new émigrés deal not only with called to a different life, a new commit - where they can get information about language difficulties but also with the ment. She brought together other social service agencies and elsewhere adjustments necessary to become women who believed that they, too, where they can have their needs met,” accustomed to their new home and could make a difference in the world, to explains Sr. Judy. “Many may be sepa - new society. bring healing to the sick and learning to rated from their extended families, so the uneducated. With the support and encourage we provide a ‘safety net’ for them.”

28 HEALTHY EDGE Although her level of energy and community with a number optimism is astounding for a woman of services. Vatican II who has spent nearly 50 years as a and the Civil Rights Sister of Charity, a core of nearly 30 Movement proved volunteers help her to “get it done” to be at Josephine’s Place. Grants, personal life-altering events for donations and two annual fundraisers Sr. Marion. give Sr. Judy the wherewithal to coordi - nate the programs and activities that “As a give life to Josephine’s Place. result of Vatican II, Now serving more than 64 neigh - many Sisters, borhoods, Sr. Judy is living proof that including me, her mottos, ‘Dream it and it will come,’ became more and ‘God will provide’ are more than visible to, and just mottos, but true calls to action. in, neighbor - Sr. Judy continues to dream big. “I n hoods, housing o would love to eventually obtain finan - t projects and social n cial support from the business commu - a service cr nity who will soon realize that what centers. We became . S we’ve accomplished here is worth S more conscious of social ist M supporting,” she emphasizes. er Marion injustices.” Sr. Marion was on the front lines, witnessing protests and boycotts, meeting social justice icons Director of Community Initiatives at Sister Marion M. Scranton Martin Luther King and Ceasar Chavez. Trinitas Hospital. Her energies are “These leaders represented the hurts As a teenager, Sister Marion directed to ensure that services are and injustices of particular groups Scranton realized that the spiritual road given to those who are often under - whose voices were finally being heard.” was the path for her to follow to devel - served. She coordinates a wide range op her connection with God. With a With her heightened awareness, of health and wellness programs, number of service projects already Sister set out to reduce and eliminate health expos and outreach programs. behind her, she chose the Sisters of social injustices in urban settings. “As I She is able “to stretch the walls of the Charity where she could enhance her saw the poorest of the poor, I became hospital,” thanks to the assistance of spirituality while devoting her life to much more conscious of the disparities dedicated employee volunteers. service for others. in all avenues of life,” she said. “We often speak of life as a journey. While working in Catholic educa - Another turn in her journey That journey has always made me hun - tion in Essex County, first as a teacher brought her to Third World countries gry to learn more about injustices in and then as an administrator, Sister where she experienced the Latino/ society. That hunger compels me and gained a command of Spanish which Hispanic cultures which continues to my fellow Sisters of Charity to do what - she used to assist the Spanish-speaking help her in her current post as the ever we can to transform the society in which we live.”

Sister Maryanne Tracey Like her fellow Sisters, Sister Maryanne Tracey began considering the religious life as she was entering her teen years. “From early on, I had a desire to serve God and to love God more by helping others,” she said. Early employment following her high school graduation was not fulfilling

Continued on page 30 FALL 2008 29 months to two years until to help people deal with the stresses they can acquire a perma - associated with their current circum - nent address.” stances and then give them the tools to move forward to better situations,” The Coalition she notes. “We always say that the day helps with mone - families move in is the day they start tary services such moving out. So, my happiest day is as budget cre - when families are able to move out ation, making on their own. That is the day when sure children families have gotten their lives back are registered together again.” in appropriate schools, and As far as what’s in store for Sister debt and savings Maryanne, she places her trust in God. counseling to “I have loved all of the ministries I’ve help families been involved in. Right now, I am in Si become not only the place I need to be, so until I feel ste debt-free but to that something else is calling me, this r M learn wise spending is where I will stay.” a and saving habits. All of rya this is delivered through pro - nneTracey fessionals who present workshops Look for profiles of other Sisters that cover finance, parenting, and ten - of Charity who are associated ant’s rights. with Trinitas Hospital in a future enough and she soon entered the issue of HealthyEdge. Sisters of Charity. “At the Coalition, first we work hard She obtained an undergraduate and graduate degree in administration as well as certifications in administration, spirituality, and spiritual direction. ETER LYNARCZYK M.D., F.A.C.S. Early teaching stints in New England P J. M , eventually brought her to New Jersey. Diplomate American Board of Surgery She later became the Vocation Director for the Sisters of Charity responsible for coordinating and conducting retreats “My philosophy is not to fit the patient to a protocol, for elementary and high school stu - dents and young adults. but to fit the protocol to the patient.” As Sister Maryanne later felt com - pelled to follow in the footsteps of Mother Seton in direct service with the Former Medical Director of Trinitas Center for poor, she accepted her current position Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine as Coordinator of the Hospitality House General Surgery - Vascular Surgery Program of the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless. For 28 years, The Wound Care Specialist Coalition has responded to the grow - Second Opinion Consultant ing needs of homeless working families in Union County at three houses in Elizabeth. An Informed Patient is a Happy Patient “Coalition housing offer residents the opportunity to regain control of their lives and to simplify the transition to a more stable home,” explains Sr. 240 W ILLIAMSON STREET , S UITE 302, E LIZABETH , NJ 07202 Maryanne. “These homes offer rent- TEL : (908) 355-3600 F AX : (908) 355-9490 free space to families for up to 18 30 HEALTHY EDGE Foundation Focus: News of the Trinitas Health Foundation by Kathryn Salamone

THE TRUSTEES OF THE TRINITAS HEALTH FOUNDATION: SHARING A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE

Energy, talent and commitment are commodities found in great supply on Catherine J. Flynn, Esq. the Trinitas Health Foundation Board. Key community members and business An active trial lawyer, Ms. Flynn’s career has leaders who populate the Board bring focused on professional liability and healthcare litiga - their educational and professional tion. Ms. Flynn graduated summa cum laude from St. backgrounds to the decision-making Peter’s College where she earned her Bachelor of process as it affects hospital programs Science degree and then graduated from Seton Hall and projects. University School of Law three years later. She is a member of the American Society of Law and “Board effectiveness can be summed up in two words — synergy Medicine. and diversity,” explains Nadine Brechner, Executive Director of the Foundation. “Talents and backgrounds that are diverse and complementary are the best possible mix to achieve Diane M. Francis, MPH, CCS success. Creating a Board that is well- A graduate of Cornell University with a Bachelor of versed in problem solving, willing to Arts Degree in Anthropology, Diane Francis is the analyze the needs of the organization, Director of Health Economics and Reimbursement at and capable of visionary thinking is Ethicon Endo-Surgery Incorporated. She received her what every organization hopes to MS Degree in Public Health from Columbia University. achieve. At Trinitas, we have been lucky She has been involved on the Board of Directors for to find such individuals who share our Central Brooklyn Federal Credit Union. mission and goals and who have the highest ideals of community service in mind. Their commitment to our core beliefs continues to contribute to our success.” The primary responsibilities of the Thomas D. Jacobson Trinitas Health Foundation are to raise funds and to invest and monitor the Since 1993, Mr. Jacobson has been the President/ assets of the Foundation. In addition, CEO of Jacobson & Company, Inc. He received a the Board members approve disburse - BS/BA in Business Management from Bucknell ments to Trinitas to meet specific University. Mr. Jacobson has affiliations with the equipment or program needs. National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Mid Jersey Chapter Following the introduction of and is a former President of the Ceilings and Interior the Officers of the Trinitas Health Systems Construction Association. Foundation Board and other board members in previous issues, here is the next group of Board members we are proud to introduce. FALL 2008 31 TRINITAS HEALTH FOUNDATION Continued from page 31 Trinitas Health Foundation Board of Trustees Officers: Vito Mazza John C. Gibardi, Chairman President and Owner of The Vito Mazza Salon, Day Thomas S. Kachelriess, Vice Chair Spa and Hair Restoration Center located in Woodbridge, Susan Head, Vice Chair NJ, Vito Mazza is a successful businessman who has Eugene J. Carmody, Treasurer owned and operated several salon locations in Central Gary S. Horan, FACHE, New Jersey. His salon was nominated by Salon Today as President & CEO one of the “Top 200 Fastest Growing Salons in the Jan Margolis, Secretary Country” in 2003 - 2005. Three of his children work in the business that celebrated its 40th anniversary in Elinor K. Blore 2007. Mr. Mazza, who has hosted fundraisers for the Joseph Cantalupo benefit of Trinitas Health Foundation, promotes strong George A. Castro self-esteem among hospital staff as well as patients. Century 21 Atlantic, Roselle Park, NJ Martha DeNoble Kevin McCloskey Richard English Kevin M. McCloskey served as Senior Vice President Botond Farkas and Chief Operating Officer for Synergy Bank for seven AMB Property Corp., East Rutherford, NJ years. Prior to that time, Mr. McCloskey was the Vice Catherine J. Flynn, Esq. Lindabury, McCormick Estabrook & President and Chief Operating Officer for Lakeview Cooper, Westfield, NJ Savings Bank. He holds an MBA from Rutgers Diane M. Francis, MPH, CCS University in Finance and Real Estate. Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH Carroll Keating Mary Patricia Keefe Sol Kramer Thomas D. Jacobson Jacobson & Company, Elizabeth, NJ Vito Mazza Robin McHugh Vito Mazza Salon & Day Spa, Inc., As the Chairperson of the Trinitas Auxiliary, Robin Woodbridge, NJ McHugh works in cooperation with the Health Kevin McCloskey Foundation to raise funds for various programs within Robin McHugh the Hospital. A graduate of St. Joseph’s Hospital School Trinitas Hospital Auxiliary, Chair of Nursing, Robin worked at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital as Michael Minitelli a staff nurse where she had earlier volunteered as a Township of Union, Union, NJ “candy striper.” She holds a Bachelor’s degree in History Tricia Mullaney from Kean University as well as a Master’s degree in the Paul D. Napoli Public Service Enterprise Group, Newark, NJ same discipline from New York University. Ms. McHugh was appointed to the Foundation Board in 2007. Sister Clare Maureen Tracy Trinitas Hospital, Elizabeth, NJ Felicia Fornarotto Trinitas Hospital, Elizabeth, NJ, Controller Nadine Brechner Trinitas Health Foundation, Elizabeth, NJ Executive Director & Assistant Secretary Honorary Trustees John M. Boozan, MD Jerome Eckenthal Ehrenkranz & Co., Roseland, NJ Harold Krevsky, Esq. Krevsky, Silber & Bergen, Cranford, NJ Gloria H. Piserchia Robert Silbey, MD Debra Valenti

32 HEALTHY EDGE “THE STAFF AT TRINITAS HOSPITAL SAVED MY LIFE.” A Grateful Patient Testimonial, A Call to Action

For Sol Kramer of Elizabeth, a Remember the life-saving experience of Review your stocks recent patient at Trinitas Hospital, there Mr. Kramer or others you have known. Review the stocks you have held for is absolutely no doubt that Trinitas Your thoughtful and generous support more than a year. Which ones have Hospital saved his life. He took the today may end up saving your life, too! appreciated the most? It may be the time to express his gratitude in a Take advantage of these helpful tips best thing for you to make your year- “thank you” letter to Trinitas Hospital’s to make the most of your year end giv - end gift using one or more of these President and CEO Gary S. Horan. ing, and then make the gift that saves stocks. Here’s why: If you sell the stock, Mr. Kramer explained the circum - lives. you will incur capital gains tax on the stances surrounding his life-saving appreciation. However, if you donate the experience at Trinitas. After collapsing Talk to your advisor stock you get a charitable deduction for in his doctor’s office, Trinitas Hospital the full amount of the stock, just as you Before making any significant gift to Paramedics were called and performed would if your gift was made with cash. Trinitas Health Foundation or to any life-saving measures. He was immedi - ately transported to the Trinitas Hospital other nonprofit organization, ask your Consider a life income gift Emergency Room. At 87 years old, Mr. account, attorney, or other advisor help Trinitas offers Charitable Gift Annuities Kramer was diagnosed with pulmonary you understand the impact of your gift and Deferred Gift Annuities. These life- edema and acute renal failure. He spent on your income tax return and your income plans are designed to fit your the next 20 days in the hospital, 10 of estate. needs. A Charitable Gift Annuity allows which he was on a respirator in the you to make a gift now, obtain tax bene - Critical Care Unit while during the sec - Plan your giving early fits, and receive income for the rest of ond 10 days he was totally debilitated This is especially true if you want to your life. With a Deferred Gift Annuity, and weak. With constant care and reha - make a gift of non-cash assets (stock, you can make a gift now, obtain tax ben - bilitation, the nursing staff literally real estate life insurance annuities or efits and defer the income until you are nursed him back to health. trust arrangements). at least 65 or are ready to start receiving the income for life. In his own words, Mr. Kramer Calculate your income expressed his admiration for those who Please send your gift to the Trinitas provided his care: Take the time to assess your tax lia - Health Foundation, P.O. Box 259, bility for the year. Did your unearned Elizabeth, New Jersey 07207. For more “From orderly to nurse to doctor to income increase? Did you sell any information on the Foundation’s giving administration, Trinitas has succeeded in appreciated assets? Will you owe more programs please contact Nadine instilling a culture of compassion and taxes? This alone may motivate you to Brechner, Chief Development Officer or caring that is evident in everything you increase your giving and make your Florence Ruvolo, Director of Annual & do. I compliment you on maintaining this donation before December 31. Planned Giving, at 908-994-8249. compassionate healing atmosphere in your hospital. One can not put a price on the value of what they did for my family ITALIAN RISTORANTE and myself.” & CATERING Northern Italian Cuisine Like Mr. Kramer, you, your loved #### Star Ledger ones and neighbors can find the doors of Trinitas Hospital are always open. FABULOUS BUFFET PARTIES Weddings Are Our Speciality Our mission is to provide excellent care 75 HOT & COLD DISHES (Includes cake, coffee & soda) $ 95 $ 95 Per Up To for all of our patients, just as we did for From 10-200 people 18 Person 38 200 People Mr. Kramer. • Hour Open Bar • Unlimited Wednesday & Friday • Cocktail Hour Italian Wine As the holidays approach, the FABULOUS BUFFET $ 95 • 5 Course Dinner On Table Trinitas Health Foundation asks that Only… 9 • Wedding Cake • Champagne you take the time now to start plan - ning your year-end gift to Trinitas. 120 Chestnut St., Roselle Park • (908) 241-1131 / (908) 245-2611 FALL 2008 33 FOUNDATION FOCUS

HOLIDAYS COME ALIVE AT TRINITAS HOSPITAL DURING “SEASON OF HOPE”

As the year draws to a close, you donors. Every gift — in memory of or can remember those you love in a spe - in honor of someone — helps the cial way through the Trinitas Health Foundation make a difference in the Foundation’s annual “Season of Hope” lives of patients at Trinitas Hospital. fundraiser. Each year, the lobbies at the Williamson Street and New Point Patients, family members, visitors Campuses reflect the traditions of and employees can take part by mak - Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanzaa as ing a contribution to the Trinitas Health visitors are greeted with symbols of Foundation. Donations ranging from the season. $10 to $1,000 help maintain state-of- the-art equipment and defray the cost Thanks to the generosity of so many, the lobbies burst with decora - of new technology. tions that celebrate the season. If you would like to know more Through the years, ornaments have about giving opportunities during the been dedicated to loved ones, family annual “Season of Hope” fundraiser, members and special people who have contact the Trinitas Health Foundation made a difference in the lives of at (908) 994-8249.

BECOME A PARTNER Support Services Inc. MOBILE LIFE IN HEALTHCARE 24 Hour Ambulance Transportation SUPPORT PROGRAMS WITH THE TRINITAS • Hospitals • Ambulatory Patients • Same Day Surgery • MRI Tests HEALTH • Nursing Home’s • Dialysis Transport • Hospital Discharge • Radiation FOUNDATION • Residences • Wound Care • Skilled Nursing Facility Serving Union, Middlesex, Essex and Monmouth Counties The Trinitas Health Foundation For Your Sense of Security raises funds to help ensure Trinitas Major Insurance Accepted • High Quality Equipment • All Employees are NJ State Certified Technicians Hospital has the best healthcare Department of Health & Senior Services FULL INSURED available for you, your family, 732-952-8755 Fax: 732-952-8754 Email: [email protected] friends and neighbors, if needed. You can help support Trinitas by giving a gift of cash, or securities, by participating in a special event NJ Lic: 6073 6848 or by honoring a loved one through Plumbing • Heating a memorial or tribute gift. Air Conditioning For more information on the Residential • Commercial • Industrial Foundation’s giving programs, please call (908) 994-8249 or No Job Too Small! email the Trinitas Health Foundation at [email protected]. C HAPMAN B ROS 36 North Avenue East To make a gift, contact the Since 1932 Cranford, NJ 07016 Foundation at Trinitas Health Foundation, PO Box 259, 908-276-1320 Elizabeth, NJ 07207-0259.

34 HEALTHY EDGE Vital Signs: Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center News by Kathryn Salamone

NAVIGATOR GUIDES PATIENTS THROUGH JOURNEY WITH BREAST CANCER

The diagnosis of breast cancer and as easy as possi - the treatment process that follows can ble.” feel overwhelming and confusing. The The Patient staff at Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Navigator can Center (Trinitas CCC) understands help the patient those feelings and has implemented a prepare for, keep pilot Patient Navigator Program in track of and find partnership with Advanced Surgical ways to get to Associates to help guide women appointments, through their fight with breast cancer. help enhance A Patient Navigator serves as an communication expert patient representative to help with the woman’s newly diagnosed breast cancer patients health care “navigate” the complexities of today’s provider, and health care system. The Navigator’s get questions relationship with a patient may begin answered so TCCC Patient Navigator Program Coordinators Amparo Aguirre, at the time a woman is diagnosed. The they can make Trinitas Hospital Outreach Coordinator, and Jeanette Barefoot, Navigator assists the patient through active, informed RN, Trinitas CCC Director of Clinical Operations, are available every aspect of the treatment process, decisions about to help patients in their progress as cancer survivors. providing education, support and prac - their care. The tical help with problems that can arise Navigator can at any time during the fight against also help women better understand the me and the people who accompanied breast cancer. The Navigator works procedures that they are having and me know what to expect.” collaboratively with doctors, social why they may be necessary, help find Another patient enrolled in the pro - workers, financial counselors, and even more information on the health gram, Marcela Palacios, commented, many other resources to assist the care they are seeking, direct patients to “The Breast Patient Navigator helped patient in moving through the process local resources, provide emotional sup - give me the optimism and security that as smoothly and with as much support port for the woman and her family, I needed during this challenging time. as possible. and assist with completing forms. I had different options of where to go “The mission of the Patient Sister Catherine Drury is a breast for my treatment and after speaking Navigator, is to help heal women phys - cancer patient enrolled in the Patient with the Patient Navigator I learned ically and emotionally,” said Amparo Navigator pilot program. “The Patient what I could expect at the Trinitas Aguirre, Trinitas Hospital Outreach Navigator greeted me in a caring and Comprehensive Cancer Center. I knew Coordinator. “We don’t want any comforting manner and really put me that I wanted to be treated there.” woman to experience breast cancer at ease,” explained Sister Catherine. alone.” “She also provided information quickly, For more information about the James H. Frost, MD, FACS, of answered my questions about different Breast Patient Navigator pilot Advanced Surgical Associates, contin - tests and procedures I was going to program, please contact Jeanette ues: “The Breast Navigator Program have, and kept track of when and Barefoot, RN, MSSL, OCN, Director of ensures that patients receive the best where these tests would be. I would Clinical Operations at (908) 994-8749 possible service and care in a timely definitely recommend the Patient or Amparo Aguirre, Trinitas Hospital and efficient manner, helping make the Navigator to anyone beginning treat - Outreach Coordinator at (908) 994- journey from diagnosis to survivorship ment for cancer because she helped 8244. FALL 2008 35 VITAL SIGNS

PROSTATE CANCER PROGRAM LAUNCHED

Dr. Brett Opell, board certified mately 7,000 men are diagnosed with Urologist at Trinitas Hospital and part - prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer is the ner at Advanced Urology Associates most frequently diagnosed cancer group practice in Elizabeth and among men in New Jersey and the Rahway, now heads up the Prostate United States, and the second leading Cancer Program at the Trinitas cause of cancer deaths among men. Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Opell will collaborate with community As part of the prostate cancer pro - physicians and local urologists, along gram, the Center’s Multidisciplinary with Trinitas CCC clinical researchers, Prostate and Urologic Tumor Board medical oncology and radiation oncol - brings specialists together to review ogy specialists, to develop and expand individual cases. Such multidisciplinary clinical programs and support services tumor boards have become the mark for patients with prostate cancer. of excellence for cancer programs “The formal creation of a Prostate around the country. Cancer Program at Trinitas means that Dr. Opell completed his surgical res - Dr. Brett Opell men in Union County and beyond who idency and urological training at are fighting prostate cancer can now Georgetown University Medical Center benefit from the expanded, multidisci - in Washington, D.C. He is Board expertise include prostate cancer, plinary resources available right here Certified by the American Board of female incontinence, the prevention in Elizabeth,” said Dr. Opell. Urology. In addition to general urology, and treatment of kidney stones, and Each year in New Jersey, approxi - Dr. Opell’s specific areas of urologic laparascopic kidney surgery.

36 HEALTHY EDGE PROSTATE CANCER PREVENTION

As the new director of the Trinitas For the last 20 years, the Prostate Watchful waiting is usually the Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test has approach taken for older and more frail Cancer Program, Dr. Brett Opell, board been an extremely effective screening patients. In such patients, the cancer is certified Urologist at Trinitas Hospital and tool. However, just because a person not treated while the PSA is monitored partner at Advanced Urology Associates may have an abnormal PSA, does not over time to see if it increases. A radi - necessarily mean that he has prostate group practice in Elizabeth and Rahway, cal prostatectomy is the removal of cancer. Other variables that can alter shares answers with HealthyEdge readers the prostate gland with surgery. the PSA may include benign prostate to these FAQs about prostate cancer pre - Radiation Therapy destroys cancer vention. enlargement, aging, or infection. An age adjusted PSA, which allows for a cells with External Beam Radiation Q. What are the risk factors linked to lower threshold in younger men and and/or radioactive seeds known as prostate cancer? a higher threshold for older men, can Brachytherapy. Cryotherapy destroys allow for greater screening accuracy. cancer cells by freezing the prostate A. Family history, race and age are all PSA velocity (which is the change in gland. Often used in conjunction with risk factors. Prostate cancer is two to PSA over time) has become an three times more likely for men whose Radiation Therapy, Hormonal extremely important tool to assist fathers or brothers had the disease. Manipulation , lowers a man’s testos - urologists in deciding if a patient African-American men are at highest terone and helps suppress the prostate should undergo a biopsy. Prior to PSA, risk of prostate cancer, followed by cancer cells and cells that may have Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) was the metastaticized. Chemotherapy is used Hispanic and Native American men. main screening tool for prostate cancer. in more advanced cases in which hor - Men 50 years and older have an Currently, we use the PSA and the DRE increased risk of prostate cancer. in conjunction with each other. A mone manipulation fails. Q. What are symptoms of prostate certain percentage of patients will have Q. Is there a way to test to see which cancer? a normal PSA and an abnormal DRE men have a greater risk of developing and have symptoms of prostate cancer. prostate cancer? A. I normally tell my patients that men Q. When are prostate biopsies neces - have two potential problems with the A. As with all cancers, the future lies in sary? prostate — enlargement and cancer. genetics. The PCA3 test is a new test that However, these 2 potential problems are A. An abnormal PSA and or an abnor - improves the detection of prostate can - usually unrelated. Symptoms that men mal DRE point to the necessity of a cer. It uses genetic markers that detect may be concerned about are often prostate biopsy. the prostate cancer gene 3 which is attributed to an enlarged prostate rather Q. Is there a special diet men should involved in the development of prostate than to cancer. Problems urinating are fellow to ensure prostate health? cancer. This test is used most often generally a symptom of prostate among patients who have persistently enlargement or infection, not a symp - A. Healthy lifestyles and diet are important, however, research is still elevated PSA despite a negative biopsy. tom of prostate cancer. There are no being conducted. In fact, Trinitas CCC symptoms in the early stages of prostate Q. What is the one most important is part of the Selenium and Vitamin E cancer; symptoms appear in advanced thing to remember in helping to Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT), a or later stages of prostate cancer. prevent prostate cancer? phase III trial of selenium and vitamin E Q. What screening tests are used to supplementation for prevention of A. SCREENINGS! A screening test can diagnose prostate cancer? prostate cancer. Results of the trial are often help find cancer at an early stage, anticipated in 2013. A. The American Urological Association when the cancer is less likely to have and the American Cancer Society rec - Q. What treatments are available for spread and may be easier to treat. There ommend offering screenings annually prostate cancer? are advantages and disadvantages to all screening tests. Having an open dialog beginning at age 50 in men with a life A. If detected early enough, prostate expectancy of 10 years. High-risk men, cancer is highly treatable. There are sev - with your physician regarding the risks such as African Americans, and those eral treatment options available and the and benefits for prostate cancer screen - with a strong family history of prostate urologist serves as the “Quarterback” ing is important. However, the most cancer, are urged to consider screening involved with the diagnosis, screening, important message for men is don’t in their 40’s. and management of treatment, if needed. postpone or forgo your screenings! FALL 2008 37 VITAL SIGNS

NURSES IN ONCOLOGY ACHIEVE NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Trinitas Cancer Nursing experts gave multiple presentations at the 33rd Annual Congress of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) held recently in Philadelphia. Their presence at the nation’s premier cancer nursing confer - ence included a poster discussion on improving patient adherence to clinical protocols, a poster on an innovative interdisciplinary program to relieve patient fatigue, a presentation on achieving high rates of oncology nursing certification, and an abstract on enhancing programs related to National Cancer Survivors Day. The Trinitas Cancer Nurses achieved national recognition among their peers — nearly 6200 attended the conference — by sharing their best practices for out - Oncology nurses from the Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center, from left, Carol standing patient care at Trinitas. Blecher, RN, MS, AOCN, APN,C; Juanita Fryar, RN, BSN, OCN, Nurse Manager; A Team Approach toward Julio Fumoso, Chief Pharmacist; Diane Davis, RN, BSN, OCN, Nurse Manager; Promoting Patient Adherence to Oral and Jeanette Barefoot, RN, OCN, MSSL, Director of Clinical Operations, were Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Protocols photographed following their successful Oral Chemotherapy Poster Presentation offered details on a partnership pro - in Philadelphia. gram designed for physicians, nursing and pharmacy professionals to provide A staff development presentation, A podium abstract entitled Child’s safe and effective management of Planting the Seed and Growing OCN Play: Two Innovative Survivor’s Day oral anti-cancer regimens. The poster Certified Staff , focused issues surround - Programs , explained the functions of demonstrated the effectiveness of ing staff certification, including analysis the National Cancer Survivor’s Day checks and balances used at Trinitas to of motivational factors influencing the Foundation and further described the maximize patient safety and treatment desire of staff to seek certification and Healing Hearts artwork created in effectiveness. the generation of effective staff educa - 2006, and the Scrapbook for Hope tion strategies leading to certification. project developed earlier this year. The Development of an Interdisciplinary Exercise Program for Patients Reporting Fatigue Related to Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy , described a partnership between Oncology and Rehabilitative Medicine designed to increase awareness of patient fatigue and to help patients overcome it. Since fatigue sometimes causes negative effects on a patient’s quality of life, clinical experts at Trinitas systematically screen patients for fatigue and intervene to improve the lives of those patients.

38 HEALTHY EDGE Hospital Beat: People and Events of Note

TRINITAS SCHOOL OF NURSING ACHIEVES NATIONAL ACCOLADES

At the annual Educational Summit (CNE) credential. Its students routinely of the National League of Nursing in score in the top percentiles in passing September, Trinitas School of Nursing the National Council Licensing was designated as an NLN Center of Examination (NCLEX) for Registered Excellence in Nursing Education for Nurse Licensure on first writing. 2008-2011. This designation was For more information about awarded in recognition of the school’s the Trinitas School of Nursing, sustained efforts to create an environ - call (908) 659-5200 or visit ment that promotes student learning the school’s website, and professional development. www.ucc.edu/go/trinitas Trinitas School of Nursing is one of six schools of nursing in the United Dr. Beverly Malone, Chief Executive States to receive this designation this Officer of the National League for year, joining 13 other schools named Nursing, (left) congratulates Mary as NLN Centers of Excellence . Trinitas is Elizabeth Lebreck Kelley, Dean of the the first school in New Jersey and the Trinitas School of Nursing, and Rose first cooperative program in the nation Santee, the School’s Associate Dean. to receive this award. Each year since 2004 the NLN has invited nursing schools to apply for designation as a Center of Excellence based on their ability to demonstrate sustained excellence in the categories of faculty development, nursing educa - tion research, or student learning and professional development. Schools must also have a proven commitment to continuous quality improvement. “For more than 37 years Trinitas has been the fiercest advocate for its widely diverse student body,” stated Mary Elizabeth Lebreck Kelley, MSN, MEd, RN, CNE, ANEF, Dean of the Trinitas School of Nursing. “The School’s histor - ical commitment to open access and educational mobility provides an oppor - tunity for life-changing educational attainment for individuals who want it.” The School of Nursing is no stranger to national recognition. In 2007, the School was the first in the United States to have 100% of its eligi - ble faculty certified with the NLN Certification in Nursing Education FALL 2008 39 HOSPITAL BEAT NURSING STUDENTS EXPERIENCE LEARNING VIA SIMULATION

Trinitas School of Nursing senior and that of the patient become non- students were introduced recently to factors in the learning process.” the world of virtual reality in healthcare The benefits of using the IV simula - education through the Virtual IV™, a tors include improved training efficien - new simulator for accessing the veins cy and effectiveness as well as increased of a patient. Since nursing curricula student proficiency and confidence. require that students be taught basic When using the simulator, the student clinical skills prior to performing these receives feedback in the form of bleed - skills on patients, such systems offer ing, bruising, swelling, as well as other learning benefits by offering experience patho-physiological reactions. The sys - inpatient care without the patient. The tem records and evaluates a student’s virtual reality simulators provide a fail- performance using customized per - safe environment for nursing students. formance metrics. “The student may practice limitless The School acquired the IV simula - Thanks to the simulators, students times and is free to fail without the tor systems thanks to a generous nurses learn valuable clinical skills and anxiety of causing pain or injury to an grant from the Summit Area Public the risk for injury is decreased among actual patient,” notes Teresita Proctor, Foundation. patients they care for. MS, RN, ACNS-BC, CNE, Director of Technology Integration at the Trinitas School of Nursing. “Student anxiety

40 HEALTHY EDGE HIGH-TECH SUBSPECIALTY RADIOLOGY NOW AT TRINITAS

University Radiology has joined the CAD program. nity for University medical staff of Trinitas Hospital to “This finely tuned Radiology to con - provide the full range of state-of-the-art review of images tribute to the level radiology services to Trinitas patients. A represents a sec - of service and care team of nine University Radiologists will ond, and actually that this hospital serve as the core group of physicians a third look, help - brings to its com - on the Trinitas staff. ing to provide the munity,” explains assurance that “With 40 years of experience Dr. Gene Kennedy, every patient is and 75 Board-Certified physicians, the new Chairman looking for,” University Radiology provides us with the of Radiology explains Beam. subspecialty range and clinical diagnostic Leonard B. Resnikoff, MD, Vice-Chairman, Services. “The expertise and experience we need to Many eyes and and Eugene Kennedy, MD, Chairman healthcare profes - provide the very best care to our many minds read - sionals at Trinitas patients,” states Lauris Beam, Admin- ing and interpreting images means that are highly-skilled and truly committed istrative Director of Radiology Services. actual wait time for study results will be to doing an excellent job. University “University Radiologists can respond to substantially reduced, giving Trinitas Radiology is pleased to join in their our needs 24-hours a day, every day of physicians the information they need commitment to excellence in providing the year, whether it’s an emergency situ - faster. ation requiring a high-tech brain scan or radiological services for residents of an x-ray for a broken bone.” “Our new affiliation with Trinitas Union County and other communities Hospital provides an excellent opportu - in Central New Jersey.” University Radiology also offers clinical coverage in an exhaustive number of radiology subspecialties. Their physicians have specialized training We salute the success of HEALTHY EDGE and experience in MRI, CT, cross- Year after year, we love creating award-winning sectional imaging, gastrointestinal, work for a great client… orthopedics, interventional, and neurological imaging, as well as in mammography. As a result, every Trinitas Hospital patient is matched with a radiology expert that can assist in making a fast Mazmania and accurate diagnosis for each patient’s particular health concern. Online Marketing www.mazmania.com “At any given time, we will be able 201-838-5635 to offer the services of three highly qualified radiologists at the hospital, while an additional radiologist will be solely dedicated to the needs of the Diagnostic Imaging Center. This new level of service is a significant enhance - ment of the services we had previously offered to our patients,” Beam notes. As another new service at Trinitas, two University Radiologists will inde - pendently evaluate every screening mammogram providing two separate opinions of breast health. The digital mammogram will then be checked a third time with a sophisticated software FALL 2008 41 HOSPITAL BEAT

CONGRESSMAN’S VISIT HIGHLIGHTS READING EFFORT

Congressman Albio Sires (pictured, center), representing the 13th Congressional District in New Jersey, visited Trinitas Hospital recently to learn more about the Hospital’s “Reach Out and Read” program. Following a tour of the Pediatric Health Center, Congressman Sires joined Trinitas CEO Gary S. Horan and volunteer reader Ruby Young in a reading session with several young children. "Reach Out And Read" is a national program designed to make early litera - cy an important part of pediatric patient care between the ages of six months and five years. At Trinitas, children are given a new book each time they visit the Pediatric Health Center. Over time they acquire their own library of a dozen or more books, explained Carol Pepe, Associate Director, Case Management Services, Medical Capital Corporation at a Glance Location: National with corporate headquarters in Anaheim, CA “We inscribe the child's name in their Branch offices in New York, Chicago and Dallas Transaction Size: Up to $100 M or more books so they feel a sense of owner - Financing Commitment: One year minimum Use of Proceeds: Debt restructuring, operating capital, acquisitions, growth ship, and, in the process, they feel The Medical Capital Corporation Advantage initiatives, shareholder buyouts We provide custom financing solutions for healthcare companies Criteria: Must be in the healthcare industry more encouraged to want books, and that are positioned to grow their value through experienced man - Stage of Development: Established companies with current revenues of at least $250,000/mo. to read books,” she stated. Over agement, thoughtful planning and strategic exit plans. At Medical Corporate Structure: Public or private, for profit or not for profit 20,000 books have been distributed Capital Corporation, we truly view every client as an individual and DIP/Chapter 11: Yes Acquisition Funding: Yes Financing Solutions: Accounts receivable purchasing, term loans, operating at Trinitas. structure each deal to provide an optimal financing structure that lines, and other alternative solutions best meets the client’s requirements. Medical Capital doesn’t have a Due Diligence Fees: No upfront fees or commitments “typical deal,” each client is unique and each financing solution is Representative Clients: Hospitals, surgery centers, physician groups, pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors, durable medical equipment, staffing individually tailored to specifically address their particular situation. companies, nursing homes, pharmacies, imaging centers, suppliers, etc. Bruce Jones 33 Wood Avenue, Suite #600 • Islen, NJ Boost Your Cell 732-829-5486 732-767-5347 Business! Advertise in the HEALTHY EDGE and reach over 67,000 households and over 8,000 physicians, healthcare HHCH HEALTH CARE, INC. professionals and decision-makers 221 WEST ST. GEORGES AVE, LINDEN, NJ 07036 throughout Eastern and Central Union County! Start reaching the right people -
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42 HEALTHY EDGE RESPIRATORY VESTS IMPROVE PATIENT CARE

For patients who suffer from breathing improve breathing problems caused by chronic conditions, throughout the day and the natural process of breathing can be prevent potential breathing very difficult. Thanks to a new respiratory difficulties in the overnight vest, many patients at Trinitas are period,” says Kim. breathing much easier. Airway Clearance Dorothy Vanderzee, Therapy, accomplished through the use who has a unit at home, of specially designed vests, has resulted demonstrated the use of in a dramatic improvement in the care the disposable vest during of these patients. a recent hospital stay. She According to Kim Shafer, Director finds it to be a real benefit of Respiratory Care, the vests offer an in reducing her breathing alternative to manual Chest Physio- problems. “Before I was Kim Shafer, RRT, Director of Respiratory Therapy, (left) therapy (CPT). “Manual CPT is a able to get the Vest for and Respiratory Therapist Irene Erazo, RRT, (right) dis - ‘hands-on’ treatment during which use in my home, I was cuss the use of the Airway Clearance Therapy vest with the Respiratory Care Practitioner assists hospitalized every few Trinitas patient Dorothy Vanderzee. the patient in secretion clearance by months with several bouts clapping or percussing over all the lung of pneumonia,” she explains. “With the has really made a difference for me and fields,” she explains. “This requires use of the Vest, I’ve only had to be the 10 - 20 minute treatments twice a placing the patient in multiple positions hospitalized for breathing problems day are relatively easy for me to work to facilitate drainage. Many compro - twice in the last 18 months. The Vest into my schedule.” mised patients cannot tolerate the turning and positioning, making manual CPT ineffective, especially for lower lung clearance.” The disposable Airway Clearance Therapy vests currently in use in the hospital wrap around the patient’s Hilton Newark Airport, 1170 Spring Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07201 908-351-3900 / www.newarkairport.hilton.com chest. Two tubes are then connected to a unit that pulsates in a way that mobilizes lung secretions in patients with pneumonia, recurrent respiratory infections, muscular weakness, and Travel should lead you to the Hilton Newark Airport. Experience the Hilton Serenity Bed Collection and all the Hilton Newark Airport has to offer including great event space, renovated restaurant and lounge as well as a brand new Starbucks Café. chronic lung disease. More than 40 Contact our professional catering team for your next event and receive 10% off your entire catering bill. patients have been successfully treated *Must be booked and consumed by April 30, 2008. Please reference this ad when booking. with this disposable vest since its intro - duction into patient care. For continuity of care, the patient can use the vest at home without the CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES assistance of a respiratory care practi - tioner. Since it fits just like an article of 240 Williamson Street • Elizabeth, NJ 07207 clothing, the patient can easily put it 908-994-5300 • Fax 908-994-5308 on, attach the tubes, and turn the unit on to begin treatment. Normally treat - ments are recommended twice a day, ARTHUR E. MILLMAN, MD FACC/FSCAI when waking up in the morning, and just before going to bed. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MECICINE “Treatment at these times really SETON HALL UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MEDICAL EDUCATION have the most benefit since they help FALL 2008 43 ELIZABETH BECOMES PART OF NJ “LIVE WHERE YOU WORK” PROGRAM z

Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage provides low-interest mortgage loans to o V a recently announced that the City is the homebuyers purchasing homes in L f newest member of the state’s Live towns where they are employed. Other o y s e

Where You Work program. Elizabeth benefits include down payment and t r u has become the fourth state municipal - closing cost assistance for the purchase o C

ity to partner with the Housing and of a home within Smart Growth Areas o t o

Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) on and flexible underwriting criteria for the h P the program. loan qualification process. Homes must “Live Where You Work is a key com - be located in a municipality that has ponent in Governor Corzine’s efforts to become a Live Where You Work partner New Jersey Housing and Mortgage provide work force housing to the resi - with HMFA. The Live Where You Work Finance Agency Executive Director Marge Della Vecchia and Department of dents of New Jersey,” said New Jersey initiative further enhances Governor Community Affairs Commissioner Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Corzine’s efforts to revitalize and build Joseph Doria joined Mayor Bollwage Commissioner Joseph Doria recently at sustainable communities that will pro - (center) at the announcement of vide a greener environment, access to the announcement of the partnership Elizabeth’s participation in the “Live transportation and affordable housing which took place at the Waters Edge Where You Work” partnership program. Development Complex. “Mayor Bollwage opportunities for residents. and Elizabeth should be commended for “Easily accessible, the City of their commitment to the residents of this Elizabeth contains diverse, unique and the City of Elizabeth is a great place to city and I encourage more municipalities wonderful communities offering the live, work and raise a family.” to join the program.” best of everything,” said Mayor Trenton, Jersey City and The Live Where You Work Program Bollwage. “From recreational opportu - Woodbridge are the three other cities is a work force housing initiative that nities to fine dining and entertainment, taking part in the program.

F.A.S.T. CONNECTION PROGRAM HELPS CITY COMBAT NEGATIVITY IN HOUSING MARKET

The City of Elizabeth has taken a proactive stance to stave and in their off foreclosures in the current real estate market that could price range. undermine the housing boom of the early part of this In addition to decade. As many families who moved into two family homes identifying the in the City now find themselves unable to keep up with costs potential buy - of home ownership, the City has embarked on a program of ers, the other real estate matchmaking that brings current homeowners and important com - first time buyers together. ponent of the program was Recently, the Elizabeth Home Improvement Program the selection Members of the staffs of the Elizabeth Home (EHIP) and the non-profit organization Brand New Day coor - of homes that Improvement Program and Brand New Day dinated a Foreclosure Assistance and Selection Tour (F.A.S.T.). would be helped to escort pre-qualified homebuyers The idea was to match first time homebuyers with ready-to- viewed on the as they toured selected homes in the City. sell homeowners looking to avoid foreclosure. F.A.S.T. tour. While some of F.A.S.T. participants were pre-qualified first time home the houses on the tour were already classified as foreclosed buyers who had gone through an extensive housing program properties, the majority of the homes were identified as pre- designed to help prepare them for homeownership. They foreclosure sites whose owners needed to sell quickly. learned about credit scores, budgeting, loan programs, and all the in-and-outs of buying a home. The EHIP and Brand Ultimately F.A.S.T. minimizes the potential spiraling effect New Day successfully located participants who were financial - of the foreclosure crisis by mobilizing potential homebuyers ly ready to purchase a home if they found one to their liking and guiding them through available properties.

44 HEALTHY EDGE

225 Williamson Street Elizabeth, New Jersey 07207