in good hands doing what they love pennies from heaven

Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative
Annual Report
in
good
hands
pennies
from
heaven
doing
what they
love
LEADERSHIP MESSAGE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Rolf H. Henel
Chair
How can we
even begin to
thank you?
Gene Marsh
Vice Chair
Jack Inserra
Secretary
Neil Abitabilo
Treasurer
Since 2009, BVMI has changed lives, one patient at a time. We couldn’t do it without generous
donors. Because of them, we can provide free medical care to Bergen County residents who work,
but can’t afford insurance.
We couldn’t do it without wonderful volunteers. Last year, 50 clinical volunteers donated 4,800
hours of service worth $450,000. Another 15 non-clinical volunteers performed vital administrative tasks. Almost half of our volunteers have been with us since we opened our doors!
We couldn’t do it without a special brand of healthcare. Our whole team works hard to be
warm, personal and culturally sensitive. Patients tell us that our consistent primary care keeps
them healthy so they can work and care for their families. Fully half of patients in our Diabetes
Care and Education Program have shown significant improvement and another 20%
are stable, exceeding national benchmarks. All women (65% of our patients) receive
comprehensive gynecological care through our Women’s Health Initiative.
Heidi O. Ahlborn, MD
Michael W. Azzara
Samuel A. Cassell, MD, Founding Chair
Roy D. Cho, Esq.
Andrea Costa Egan
Janet Finke
Tito Jackson
Tammy King
Wendy Klein, Esq.
Marilyn Schotz
Charlotte Sokol, MD
Christopher Vanuga
Bernard Weinstein
Carl Wierum, MD
Amanda Missey
Executive Director
ADVISORY BOARD
Despite healthcare reform, we continue to see about the same number of patients – in 2014,
almost 1,000 in 5,700 medical visits. Even with full implementation of the Affordable Care Act,
there are roughly 35,000 people in Bergen County who might qualify for our services.
So when people ask “Is BVMI still needed?” the answer is a clear yes.
We’ve outgrown our current home and will be moving in late 2015. In addition to expanding
patient care space, we’re also exploring the addition of two vital services, dentistry and
optometry.
Do visit us and see how your gifts are being put to work. And know that every patient at BVMI
says THANK YOU!
Michael R. Armellino
Kathleen M. Burke, PhD, RN
Kenneth Herman, EdD
Gladys Laden
Charles Matar
Joseph Rutch
Joanne Westphal
Earl A. Wheaton, MD
Joan M. Wright
STAFF
Michael Arteta
Eligibility Interviewer/Lab Technician
Arthur R. De Simone, MD
Medical Director
ROLF H. HENEL, Chairman of the Board
AMANDA MISSEY, Executive Director
Kathleen DiGiulio
Administrative Assistant
Vicky Fliman, RN
Patient Navigator
WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM
36%
23%
20%
17%
Donated Goods/Services
Special Events
Foundations
Individuals
3% Corporations
.8% Other
.2% Patient Donations
Mary Granholm, RN, MSN, APN-BC
Chartis Fellow Nurse Practitioner
Holly Homa, RN, BC, CDE
Certified Diabetes Educator
Hilary Jones, BSN, RN
Assistant Nurse Manager
Michelle Kaye, MSN, RN
Nurse Manager
Howard L. Lipton, DO
Associate Medical Director
Amanda Missey
Executive Director
Dale DeAngelis Mottola
Administrative Director
Michelle “Angie” Olmo
Discharge Assistant/Lab Technician
HOW WE SPEND OUR MONEY
81% Patient Care
12% Fundraising
7% Management/Administrative
Jeanne Patrican
Director Donor Relations
Rebeca Ramirez
Front Desk Associate
Blanca Vidal
Lab Technician
in good hands
Ask Alicia and Luis Furtado to describe
their care at BVMI, and you are rewarded
with two warm smiles. Alicia, a hospital
nurse in the couple’s home country of
Argentina, says, “Beautiful. We feel
loved here, by everyone from the doctors
to the nurses to the people at the
front desk.”
The Furtados learned about BVMI from
a friend who was a patient. Since 2010,
Alicia has benefited from the Women’s
Health Initiative, seeing Dr. Lisa Ann
Miller, a weekly volunteer. An initial
gynecological issue was addressed,
then a mammogram revealed a breast
lump, which was successfully removed.
Alicia says the surgery occurred right
around her birthday, and recalls being
surprised and touched by a little
celebration at BVMI.
“We are good patients and we follow
instructions,” she adds. That’s especially
important for Luis, who was diagnosed
with diabetes at BVMI. He hadn’t felt
well for some time and had a variety
of symptoms, but had no idea it was
diabetes. The good news is his condition
is being controlled, under the guidance of
volunteer diabetes specialist Dr. Charlotte
Sokol, the rest of the diabetes team, and
Mrs. Furtado. “Alicia learned how to take
care of me,” Luis says, “and I learned how
to take care of myself.”
Luis now enjoys a healthier diet, thanks
in part to a BVMI program where a chef
demonstrates to patients how to prepare
more nutritious meals. “BVMI not only
treats its patients, it teaches them,”
Luis says.
The Furtados speak highly of the referral
system at BVMI. “When I receive a referral
to a specialist, I know I will be in good
hands,” says Luis. Alicia agrees, crediting
Dr. De Simone with obtaining high quality
care for her – care she couldn’t have
afforded on her own.
Flashing another big smile, Alicia
says, “The treatment here is excellent.
It’s important for BVMI’s donors to
know that.”
Fortunately for BVMI, Ed and Kathy
Ludwig are connectors.
Kathy discovered BVMI through her
involvement in Women United in
Philanthropy. She and Ed were so
impressed with BVMI’s level of caring
and professionalism that they made a
generous gift, which was matched by
Aetna in recognition of Ed’s seat on
the corporate board.
At a meeting of that board, the
Aetna Foundation president made a
presentation. Ed introduced him to
BVMI. The result? A $40,000 grant for
two new positions in our women’s health
program. BVMI is now connected –
and grateful – to them all.
When volunteerism and generosity
crossed paths in a unique way, it was
like Heaven on Earth for BVMI.
It all began when Alice Wright and
Sharon Ramsaier signed on as BVMI
volunteers. Alice, a school nurse, came to
BVMI when its doors opened. Sharon, an
experienced outpatient clinic manager,
signed on a year later. Sharon loves it
here, because "Nurses who volunteer can
rarely stay in this field. Here, you do what
only a nurse can do." Alice was sold when
she learned that “BVMI serves people
who fall between the cracks – they can’t
afford care, but have a bit too much to
receive assistance.”
Not only did Alice and Sharon share a
love for BVMI, they shared a pastor
between their respective churches,
Redeemer Lutheran Church in Maywood
and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in
Hasbrouck Heights. Ultimately, another
“divine intersection” was formed. The
Maywood congregants, Alice among
them, voted to close their church building
in the face of declining attendance.
Seeking to continue their ministry
through the work of others, they would
sell the building and donate the proceeds
to worthy organizations. Can you guess
which organization Alice recommended?
When the sale was completed, funds
were disbursed. Sharon saw BVMI’s
check before Alice did, and said,
“Wait until you go to work tomorrow!”
Then she relented and told her the
amount: over $47,000.
Pastor Susan Nelson-Colaneri says,
“Lutherans believe that God works
through the healing professions.
It was a natural expression of our
faith to support the work of BVMI.
The donation also honors the service
of Alice Wright, an ardent advocate
for those in need, a tireless volunteer
within her church community.”
Sharon adds, “Sometimes people
don’t realize that BVMI is funded largely
through donations. We hope people
who read about this will be inspired
to do what they can.”
pennies from heaven
Crystal Hill never missed a BVMI
appointment. With heart issues and
diabetes, her effort paid off; she
obtained medication assistance and
specialist care when needed.
“They didn’t rush you out the door,”
she says. “I learned to do a breast exam
and to eat well. I felt truly cared
for.” Crystal credits Drs. Becker and
De Simone with improving her health
and praises their coordination of
medical records and referrals.
Today, Crystal has health insurance.
And she’s “paying it forward,” caring for
an older uncle. “BVMI was here when
I needed them,” Crystal says. “They
saved my life.”
doing what they love
“I had no choice. She dragged me in!”
Eyes twinkling, Dr. Jayant Kirtane shares
how he came to volunteer at BVMI.
His wife, Dr. Rehka Kirtane, concurs.
During yoga class, Rehka met a fellow
student who happened to be a BVMI
trustee. On the verge of retiring from her
pediatric practice, she offered her services.
Upon learning that BVMI focused only on
adults, she came up with another idea.
“My husband is a retired cardiologist,”
she explained. “Can he volunteer?
I’ll assist him.”
Five years later, the Kirtane team remains
passionate about BVMI. “It’s an ideal
setup,” says Jayant. “The patients are
hard-working, deserving and appreciative,
and they need our help. Meanwhile, the
medical practitioners get to do what they
love – without traditional constraints.”
He adds, “There is no clock-watching.
You just feel good about being here.”
“This model is state of the art,” says Rehka.
“Other doctors can learn from seeing how
things are run here. We’re all on the
same wavelength.” Jayant agrees, adding,
“We’ve also been able to make more
referrals to specialists over the years.
Their feedback is effective. We get good
answers, and our patients get complete,
comprehensive care.”
Jayant and Rehka also travel to India,
where they grew up and went to
medical school. They volunteer at a
well-established clinic that reaches many
villages, and are heartened to see the
progress that has been made over time.
Rehka says that the clinic also trains local
people, called “foot doctors,” to help.
“It creates a whole chain of primary,
basic care,” she says.
Back home at BVMI, the couple feels
a strong bond to their service here.
They point out that, while yoga connects
the inner and outer selves, BVMI is all
about connection, too. Rehka explains it
this way: “Patients say, ‘I had no place to
go; now I do, and I have a family here.’”
Juan Alvarez hasn’t been in the U.S.
for long, but he’s focused on success
through hard work, ESL classes at
Bergen Community College, and
staying healthy.
Juan was grateful to find a source of
quality, affordable health care at BVMI.
“They focus on my needs,” he says,
“and the doctors take time to answer
my questions.”
Too often, Juan observes, people
must choose between food and
medical care. He sees BVMI as “a
match in the darkness.” As more
people learn about BVMI, the flame
gets brighter. Clearly, Juan already
has a way with words.
because
of you
Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative would like to thank the
following donors for gifts made from January 1–December 31, 2014.
n LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Lynda and Gene Marsh
Margot Badenhausen
The Leadership Council is a newly
Marilyn Schotz
Nancy Benzel
formed giving society of core friends
Eileen and Mario Steinvurzel
Sollace and Peter Bommer
Debrah and Eugene Rosensweet
who have shown dedication to BVMI’s
Eileen and Bernard Weinstein
Brook Fund, Inc
Mitchell J. Rubinoff, MD
mission by making an investment of
Lucy and Carl Wierum, MD
Kyung Hee Choi
Joanne and Denis Salamone
Donna and Herbert Cole, MD
Cipora Schwartz
Member - $1,000-$2,499
Elizabeth Cole and David Kahn, MD
Diane Scriveri
Ann Alford
Janet Cook
Rabbi Joel Soffin
Sustainer - $50,000+
Harry Allan
Bonnie and Arthur DeSimone, MD
Stephanie and Michael Stern
Lynn Diamond
Alyssa Becker, MD and
Jocelyn and Marc Dreier, MD
Norma Turner
Serge Dumay, MD
Ramon Villa
Benefactor - $25,000-$49,999
Eunice and Mark Borofsky
Tony Fabiano
Fran and Josh Weingast
Ligerie and James Burns
Andrea and Brian Field
Helaine and
Thomas J. Chisholm
Ruth and Noel Friedland, MD
Roy D. Cho
Ann and Barry Galton, MD
Marcia and Michael Corrigan
Mary Stuart and Angus Gephart
Shari Greenberg
Margaret and Jack Geraghty
n ORGANIZATIONS AND GRANTS
Kristin and John Halvey
Jane and Thomas Glover
American Medical Association
Jacquelyn and James Higgins
Cynthia and Lawrence Goldman
Jack Inserra
Richard Goldweit, MD
BD
Jodi and Tito Jackson
Helen Goody
Breast Cancer Survivors Foundation
Wendy Klein and Craig Hersh
Regina and Peter Gross, MD
Chartis Foundation
Joan and William Kuhns
Joyce Haun
Chuck Russo Wine & Spirit World
Diane and Leo Leyva
The Henschel Family
Eastwick College
Mary and William Liffers
Benita and Ken Herman, EdD
Englewood Hospital and
Amanda and Andy Missey
Robert Honsinger
$1,000 or more to the Annual Fund in
a given year.
George Becker, MD
Emilia and Rolf H. Henel
Kathleen and Edward Ludwig
Ambassador - $10,000-$24,999
Kathleen and Michael Azzara
Charles and Marilyn Clark
Charitable Fund
Lizabeth A. Kopp, MD and
Michael G. Faust, MD
Fred Kassner Family Foundation
Patron - $5,000-$9,999
Elaine and Myron Adler
Heidi Ahlborn, MD and
Thomas Ahlborn, MD
Anisfield Family Philanthropic Fund
Carol and Samuel Cassell, MD
Andrea and Kevin Egan
Janet Finke
Fry Family Foundation
Sylvia Golden
Kathy and Elliott Jones
Jennifer and Charles Matar
Lisa Ann Miller, MD and
Robert Miller
Peggy and Christopher Sullivan
Fellow - $2,500-$4,999
Lindsey and Richard J. Moynihan
Eileen and Adam Jarrett, MD
Phyllis A. Nazari
Michelle Kaye
L. Donald Weinstein, MD
Foundation
Medical Center
Evangelical Lutheran Church,
NJ Synod
Linda and Joseph Pizzurro, MD
Richard Klein, MD
Barry Poskanzer
Rima Kopelman, MD and
Hackensack Lions Club
Roger Rosenstein, MD
Hackensack University
Erilyn and John Riley
Medical Center
Sigrid and George Snell
Lee Langbaum
Charlotte Sokol, MD and
Elizabeth and Christopher McCarthy Henry & Marilyn Taub Foundation
Henry and Elaine Kaufman Foundation
Nancy McHale
Martin Blechman, MD
Leeanne and Richard Tavoso
Susan Mendelowitz
Horizon Foundation for New Jersey
Karin and Christopher Vanuga
Jane and Robert Morais
Inserra Supermarkets
Teri and Mark Vogel, MD
Pearila Namerow, PhD and
Kajima Foundation
The Walter and Peggy Jones Fund
Jeanne and Earl Wheaton, MD
David Namerow, MD
Lillian Pitkin Schenck Fund
Kathleen and Randy Neumann
M&T Charitable Foundation
Modera Charitable Foundation
Contributor - $250-$999
Barbara and Kevin O'Brien
Rima and Allen Demby, MD
Deborah Albericci and
Judith L. Opper
Robert S. Albericci
Peter Armellino
J&J Pharmacy
Susan and Richard Nashel
Michael Armellino
Ronnie and Laurence Levine
Family Dentists, P.A.
Fred C. Rummel Foundation
Vivian and Neil Abitabilo
Tammy and Alfred King
Thomas Renny, DMD,
Our Family United LLC
Nora and Joseph Rahaim
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because
of you
continued from previous page
OritaniBank Charitable Foundation
Quest Diagnostics
Silver
Family Promise of Bergen County
PGA Tour
Sanofi
Marjorie Tallman Educational
Andrea and Kevin Egan
Provident Bank Foundation
United Water
Foundation
Tamara Freeman, DMA and
The Robert G. and Ellen S.
PSEG Foundation
Gutenstein Family Foundation
RealSource Association of Realtors
Ridgewood Residents for Valley, Inc. n LEGACY SOCIETY
The Legacy Society provides lasting
Russell Berrie Foundation
Barry Freeman, EdD
Ruth and Noel Friedland, MD
Van Dyk Health Care
Ann and Barry Galton, MD
Weber Energy
Cynthia and Lawrence Goldman
TD Bank
support for BVMI through wills and
TD Charitable Foundation
bequests. To learn more about how to
Bronze
Triangle Manufacturing Co.
support BVMI with a planned gift,
Bergen Regional Medical Center
Unitarian Society of Ridgewood
please contact Amanda Missey.
Brach Eichler LLC
Sandy and Miles Lazerwitz, DDS
Michael Armellino
Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman
Legislative District 37
Lizabeth A. Kopp, MD and
& Leonard, PA
Janet Finke
n MATCHING GIFTS
Regina and Peter Gross, MD
Michael G. Faust, MD
Weinberg/Vanieri Huttle/Johnson
Inserra Supermarkets
Lynda and Gene Marsh
Companies who offer a matching gift
PNC Wealth Management
Lisa Ann Miller, MD and
program increase the impact of gifts
Doris Swenson
Rolf H. Henel
Robert Miller
to BVMI. BVMI appreciates the
n GALA SPONSORS
following companies that made
Platinum
matching funds available in 2014.
Anonymous
Aetna Foundation
BD
Advocate
Suzanne and Ronald Saldarini, PhD
Pfizer Foundation Matching
Holy Name Medical Center
Heidi and Thomas Ahlborn, MD
Marilyn Schotz
The Valley Hospital
Deborah and Donald Aronson
Cipora Schwartz
Gifts Program
Valley Emergency Room
Associates PA
n IN-KIND GIFTS
Poskanzer Skott Architects
Florence and Murray Sabrin, PhD
Kathy and Michael Azzara
Sigrid and George Snell
Gold
Benzel-Busch Motor Car Corp.
Sokol Family Foundation
Michael Armellino
Bogota Savings Bank
Evelyn and Clifford Surloff
Englewood Hospital and
Boiling Springs Savings Bank
Triangle Manufacturing Co.
Hudson City Savings Bank
The GE Foundation
Parlance Chamber Concerts
Medical Center
Direct Relief
Ellen and Harold Bruck, MD
Hackensack University Medical Center Kathleen Burke, PhD
Emilia and Rolf H. Henel
Carol and Samuel Cassell, MD
J&J State Street Pharmacy
Hudson City Savings Bank
Christian Health Care Center
L. Donald Weinstein, MD
Novo Nordisk
The Luckow Family Foundation
Donna and Herbert Cole, MD
Carol and Robert Zurier, MD
TD Bank
Joan Cowlan
BD
Karin and Christopher Vanuga
Eileen and Bernard Weinstein
Helaine and
Great care and effort have been taken to ensure that this listing is accurate.
In the event of an error, we sincerely apologize. Please contact Amanda Missey at 201-518-8484 if an inaccuracy is found.
BVMI changes lives, but we can't do it without your help. Please give generously - it makes a difference!
The mission of Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative, Inc. is to provide free primary medical care and, where possible,
referrals to free specialty care for working, low-income Bergen County residents who have no health insurance.
241 Moore Street, Suite 101
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Writing and Editing: JD Communications
Design: E.Fitz Art
bvmi.org
Photos: Pete Byron
201-342-2478