A New Beginning - Jersey Shore Medical Center

Transcription

Jon Bon Jovi Is Back on Track p10
A LESSON IN LOVE p27
Knowledge is POWER p28
SEPTEMBER/
OCTOBER
2014
A New
Beginning
Jersey Shore University Medical Center
An expert team helped
this family bring home
healthy twin girls.
page 14
MORE ONLINE AT JERSEYSHOREUNIVERSITYMEDICALCENTER.COM
Connect
WITH US
Did you know that improving
your dietary consumption
can play a substantial role in
reducing your cancer risk? Read about
plant-based cancer-fighting foods, the
benefits of whole grains, and more,
available on September 9 at
Facebook.com/MeridianHealthNJ.
Meridian tweets hot
health-related tips and
info to help create a
healthier you. Visit us this fall at
Twitter.com/MeridianNJ.
In one trip to the emergency room,
Chris Henry went from being a
working mom with abdominal pain
to a colon cancer patient. Five years
later, her cancer is in remission.
Watch Chris tell her story at
YouTube.com/MeridianHealthNJ.
Jon Bon Jovi Is Back on Track p10
A LESSON IN LOVE p27
Knowledge is POWER p28
SEPTEMBER/
OCTOBER
2014
A New
Beginning
An expert team helped
this family bring home
healthy twin girls.
page 14
MORE ONLINE AT JERSEYSHOREUNIVERSITYMEDICALCENTER.COM
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A MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY
It’s that time of year again: Summer
break is winding down, and fall is upon
us. Getting the kids ready to go back to
school keeps parents pretty busy. From
flu shots to sports physicals, there are
many reasons for your kids to visit the
doctor this fall. Meridian Health is here
for every member of your family.
When it comes to health care,
education doesn’t end after you are out
of school. Meridian Health continues to
partner with Geisinger Gold, a nationally
recognized Medicare Advantage plan, to
offer quality coverage to seniors in
Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Whether you’re new to Medicare, or just
interested in exploring your options, you
can attend one of our free Medicare GPS
seminars, where you’ll receive simple,
unbiased information. Turn to page 25 for
event details.
Meridian Health provides exceptional
cancer care close to home. If you or a
loved one is facing a cancer diagnosis,
Meridian Cancer Care has leading
physicians, compassionate care, and the
latest technology and therapies. As the
state’s only system partner of Rutgers
Cancer Institute of New Jersey, our
patients receive the very latest
treatments and protocols only available
at NCI-designated cancer centers. Visit
MeridianCancerCareNJ.com to meet
our expert physicians.
Continue your health education with
Meridian through our free online Health
2
Meridian HealthViews
SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER 2014
TunedintoYourHealth.com.
Lastly, take a break from all the
hustle and bustle for some family fun.
Join us on September 14 for Jersey
Shore’s Heart and Sole 5K. We look
forward to seeing you there.
Sincerely,
John K. Lloyd, FACHE
President, Meridian Health
Join Our Conversation
Your opinion matters. Wouldn’t it be great to have an impact on your health care experience?
Now you can. Join the conversation today at MeridianSoundingBoard.com/SignUp2.
Health
views
Gordon N. Litwin, Esq., CHAIRMAN
Meridian Health is excited to provide
My Health eNews as part of our
continuing commitment to our
community’s health and wellness.
Visit MeridianHealth.com/
enewsletters today to subscribe!
Wellness Center, where you can learn
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prevention practices to videos and
health calculators. Check us out at
John K. Lloyd, FACHE, PRESIDENT
Chrisie Scott, VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING
AND CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
Elliot Frank, M.D., MEDICAL ADVISOR
Michael McCauley, Gabriella Heizler,
Jacki Kronstedt HEALTHVIEWS PRODUCTION TEAM
This free bimonthly magazine is
prepared by the Marketing and
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Inquiries or ideas can be addressed to
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© 2014 Meridian Health
The material provided in this magazine is
intended to be used as general information
only and should not replace the advice
of your physician. Always consult your
physician for individual care.
Contents
4 Health Snapshots
8
A Helping of Hope ..............................12
Get the latest health news on a wide
range of topics — everything from
hip replacement to health screenings
to nutrition.
Meant to Be ...................................... 13
A New Beginning ...............................14
In the Right Place
Finding the Right Solution ................ 16
Matt Schiappa (pictured above)
dodged a potentially deadly cancer,
thanks to the sharp eyes of his
physician.
Going Above and Beyond ................. 17
Success Stories
Extending a Surgeon’s Reach ............. 6
In the Right Place ................................ 8
Out of the Blue .................................... 9
Rock On ..............................................10
Getting Back to Life .......................... 18
When Pain Gets In the Way .............. 20
Heart to Heart ................................... 21
Health and Wellness
A Lesson in Love ............................... 27
Knowledge Is Power ......................... 28
22 Events Calendar
Community health programs, fun
events, and support groups around
the region for adults and children.
Taking Care of Our Community ........ 30
Hold the Soda ................................... 31
Engage in Some Healthy Competition
Follow the lead of NFL Hall of Famer Harry Carson and four-time Olympic medalist
Christie Rampone! Together with a friend, set goals, get active, and start eating
better. Encourage one another to stick with it. Do it every day and you both win! Visit
TunedintoYourHealth.com to learn how to share your story.
MeridianHealth.com
1-800-560-9990
3
t of 10 strok
u
o
e
8
s
Health
snapshots
1 extra
daily serving of fruits
and vegetables =
stroke risk
could be prevented by
healthy lifestyle habits
Health and
Wellness Fair
Join us for a health
and wellness fair
at Meridian Health
Village at Jackson.
To find out how to
celebrate our newest
location with FREE
health screenings,
fitness demos, and
more, turn to page 22!
Study: “Nutrition in the primary and secondary prevention of stroke.” May 2012.
Too Many U.S. Adults Not Getting Key Vaccines: CDC
10%
Doctors agree that vaccines are a powerful tool in
preventing disease. But according to a national survey
from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, many adults aren’t getting the
stroke
Every
40 seconds
message.
risk
The study has
showed
slight growth
an American
a stroke
in vaccinations for shingles,
HPV, tetanus, and pertussis
over the last two years. But
the number of adults getting
recommended vaccines for
Could Half of All
Breast Cancers Be
Prevented?
Girls’ Night Out
Take a break from
your busy schedule
and join us at Girls’
Night Out. Get
pampered, shop
'til you drop, while
learning how to
improve your health
and quality of life.
See page 7 for more
details!
4
6%
When we think about fighting diseases
like heart disease, we usually think
prevention first: eating healthier,
exercising, making lifestyle changes. But
for breast cancer, much of the effort and
attention still focuses on treating it in its
most advanced form.
“New research suggests that emphasizing
prevention could avoid more than half of all
breast cancers,” says Ladan Ilkhani, M.D., of
Ocean Medical Center. “Eating healthier,
exercising, and drinking less alcohol make a huge
difference. So do drugs like tamoxifen for women
at higher risk. By acting on what we know works,
we could prevent thousands of new breast cancer
cases each year.”
16% stroke
risk
pneumonia, hepatitis, and other serious diseases is still
well below targets. And whites are still far more likely
than blacks and Hispanics to be protected.
“We need more education and publicity
about the importance of vaccines,” says
Eugenia Zilber, M.D., of Bayshore
Community Hospital and Riverview
Medical Center. “We also need to
encourage more doctors to
remind their patients when
they need them.”
vs.
Most Women Don’t Know Warning of Stroke
If you’re having a stroke, every minute makes a difference. But you can’t react if you
don’t know you’re having one. The American Heart Association surveyed 1,205
women and found that many don’t recognize the warning signs.
“Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, and is the third leading cause of
death in American women,” says Mary Sedarous, M.D., of Jersey Shore University
Medical Center.
The risk is especially high in black and Hispanic women. But according to the
study, one in five women overall and one in four Hispanic women don’t know the
signs of a stroke.
If you have any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately:
FACIAL WEAKNESS.
Your face feels
numb or frozen,
especially on
one side.
ARM WEAKNESS,
especially on
one side
SPEECH
PROBLEMS.
You can’t speak
or understand
properly.
Stroke:
When Minutes Count
Attend our free event to learn
the signs and symptoms, risk
factors, and what you should
do if someone is having a
stroke. Turn to page 23 to
learn more.
TIME.
The faster you
get treatment,
the less damage
to your brain.
Knee or Hip Replacement May Help Prevent Heart Disease
For many, joint replacement marks an end to unbearable pain and a return to a more active life.
Now, a study suggests it can also lower the risk for heart attack, stroke, and other cardiac events.
The study followed people with arthritis over seven years. People who had joint replacements
were 40 percent less likely to have a major heart event, such as a heart attack, congestive heart
failure, or other problem that requires heart surgery.
“Joint replacement surgery can lead to more activity, which reduces the risk for heart
problems related to hypertension and diabetes,” says Gregory Roehrig, M.D., of Southern
Ocean Medical Center. “People with new joints also tend to have less pain and stress, have less
depression, and need less pain medication, all of which can improve heart health.”
Join the Movement
Our Meridian Health team is
committed to helping you maintain
and protect your bone and joint
health. To learn more about our
educational programs, read about
local patients, or find a doctor, visit
MeridianOrthopedicsNJ.com.
MeridianHealth.com
1-800-560-9990
5
Extending a Surgeon’s Reach
Brian Flaherty is a prostate cancer survivor, thanks to his
longtime urologist’s vigilance and skill.
Ocean Medical Center
WHEN BRIAN FLAHERTY WAS DIAGNOSED WITH EARLY-STAGE PROSTATE
cancer at age 49, he knew he had to thoroughly research his treatment
options. Robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery offered him the best
chance for a fast and complete recovery. Some friends and
family urged Brian to go to New York City or Philadelphia
for the procedure. But after careful consideration, he decided
that his best move was to stay local.
For three years, he’d been seeing Pierre Mendoza, M.D.,
medical director of Urologic Robotic Surgery at Ocean
Medical Center and part of Meridian Cancer Care, for
Pierre Mendoza, M.D.
regular checkups and biopsies, ever since a benign
Board certified in
enlargement of his prostate had revealed some
Urology
precancerous cells that warranted close monitoring.
Brick
1-800-560-9990
And Brian knew that in addition to being an
excellent diagnostician, Dr. Mendoza was a robotic
surgery expert who had completed fellowship training in
robot-assisted surgery and had been involved in more than
1,000 cases.
“I felt very comfortable with Dr. Mendoza’s experience,
and to me, the logical choice was to stay under his care,”
Brian says.
A Powerful Tool Makes Great Surgeons Even Better
At Ocean, Dr. Mendoza uses the da Vinci® Surgical System,
a medical robot that extends and enhances surgeons’
physical capabilities, allowing them to see more clearly and
operate more precisely.
The da Vinci System consists of a console and four
robotic arms. The surgeon sits at the console a few feet
away from the patient, watching a magnified, threedimensional view of the surgical site and controlling
the robotic arms located by the patient’s side. The
arms are equipped with a camera and tiny surgical
instruments, and they instantly respond to the
surgeon’s hand motions. In fact, every movement
of the surgeon’s fingers translates to an even
more precise motion of the robotic arms
in real time.
Recovered from prostate
cancer thanks to the care
he received at Ocean
Medical Center, 49-year-old
Brian Flaherty is back to
work as a nuclear medicine
technologist.
6
“The da Vinci System allows surgeons
to maneuver, cut, staple, and sew with
great dexterity in small spaces without
damaging surrounding tissues, blood
vessels, and nerves,” says Dr. Mendoza.
“This results in less blood loss, less pain,
and a faster recovery.”
“Robot-assisted surgery is particularly
useful for urological procedures, including
prostatectomy, complex kidney operations,
bladder cancer surgery, and adrenal gland
procedures,” he adds. “In fact, most
prostatectomies in the U.S. are now done
with the da Vinci System, which is a huge
shift that just occurred in the past decade.”
It Takes a Team
In addition to urological procedures like
Brian’s, surgeons at Ocean are using the
da Vinci System for general surgery and
gynecological procedures, including
minimally invasive hysterectomies. It
may eventually be used for ear, nose,
and throat procedures as well as
cardiothoracic surgeries.
“We have experienced surgeons
who are credentialed on the use of the
da Vinci System as well as a dedicated
anesthesia and nursing team who all play
a role in the success of our procedures,”
Dr. Mendoza says. “Because as powerful
as the technology is, it’s only as good as
the surgeon and team operating it.”
Small Incisions and a Fast Recovery
“Brian was a relatively young, otherwise
healthy patient, and we caught his cancer very
early,” Dr. Mendoza says. “Robot-assisted
surgery was our best option to ensure that
we removed all the cancerous tissue while
preserving urinary and sexual function.”
He performed Brian’s surgery, a robotassisted radical prostatectomy to remove
the entire prostate gland, through five
half-inch abdominal incisions.
Brian went home after two days in the
hospital, and after a week he could
urinate normally. He attributes his fast
recovery to Dr. Mendoza’s surgical
technique as well as his recommendation
to do Kegel exercises, which strengthen
the muscles that control the flow of
urine, prior to surgery.
Today Brian is fully recovered, healthy,
and back to work as a nuclear medicine
technologist. He notes that as a medical
professional himself, he was particularly
impressed by the kindness and attention
to detail he experienced at Ocean.
“That was my first experience as a
patient, and I was so grateful to all the
staff, and especially the night nurses, for
constantly checking in on me and making
sure I had everything I needed,” he says.
“I feel very fortunate that this type of
advanced, compassionate care was
available to me so close to home.”
Expect Excellence
At Meridian, robotic-assisted surgery is done at Ocean Medical
Center, as well as Jersey Shore University Medical Center and
Riverview Medical Center. To find out more about the da Vinci® Surgical
System, visit MeridianHealth.com/RoboticSurgery.
HV_OMC_GNO_8.375x3-14.qxp_Layout 1 7/18/14 12:25 PM Page 1
You Deserve It.
Enjoy a night out with the girls!
Thursday, October 16, 2014
4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Take a break from your busy schedule and join us at Girls’ Night Out at Ocean Medical Center. Get
pampered, shop ‘til you drop, and learn how to stay healthy at this FREE event. Mingle with Ocean
Medical Center medical experts and learn how to improve your health and quality of life. Discover a
healthier, happier you at Girls’ Night Out.
Registration requested. Call 1-800-DOCTORS or for more
information, go to www.OceanMedicalCenter.com/GirlsNightOut
Taking Care of
New Jersey
®
MeridianHealth.com
1-800-560-9990
7
Freehold resident Matt Schiappa
was just 43 years old when
he was diagnosed with skin
cancer. He is healthy and happy
today, grateful for the care he
received at Jersey Shore.
In the Right Place at the Right Time
Matt Schiappa dodged a potentially
deadly cancer, thanks to the sharp eyes of his physician.
ATTORNEY MATTHEW SCHIAPPA OF FREEHOLD WASN’T THRILLED WHEN
another motorist rear-ended him on his way to a deposition in February
2013. Little did the 43-year-old know the crash — and a nudge from a
perceptive physician — would end up saving his life.
Following the accident, Matt was troubled by pain in his head and shoulder.
His employer referred him to Timothy Rider, M.D., of Jersey Shore University
Medical Center, for a worker’s compensation exam.
A Timely Discovery
During his visit, Dr. Rider noticed a suspicious-looking mole on Matt’s back.
He urged Matt to see a dermatologist as soon as possible.
Matt was skeptical at first.
“I told him that I’d had the mole for at least 11 years, because when I first
met my wife in 2002, she remarked on it,” he says.
Dr. Rider repeated his advice and offered to write a referral letter. Matt said
he already had a dermatologist and said he’d make an appointment soon.
On his way out, Dr. Rider handed Matt an X-ray prescription. When Matt
reached for it, Dr. Rider didn’t let go. “He leaned in, looked me in the eye
and said, ‘You’re going to the dermatologist, right?’” Matt recalls.
The gesture got Matt’s attention. He made an appointment that afternoon.
A Tragedy Avoided
Just days later, Matt was diagnosed with invasive malignant melanoma, a dangerous,
fast-growing form of skin cancer. He was referred to surgical oncologist James
Goydos, M.D., at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. As the state’s only
system partner of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, our patients receive
the very latest treatments and protocols only available at NCI-designated
cancer centers.
8
Timothy Rider, M.D.
Board certified in
Family Medicine
Freehold
1-800-560-9990
Fortunately the cancer
hadn’t spread. However,
Dr. Goydos explained that
Matt’s melanoma likely would have grown deep
enough to metastasize within 12 to 18 months.
Matt had surgery to remove the melanoma in
April 2013. The procedure was successful, and
Matt has been healthy for more than a year. He
visits his dermatologist every three months for a
checkup and has body scans four times a year to
check for dangerous lesions.
Matt recently sent Dr. Rider a photo of him and
his family on vacation in the Bahamas. “Should
the day ever come when you feel down or low,
perhaps you can look at the picture and
remember with pride that you saved a man’s life
and kept his family together,” he wrote.
Dr. Rider is appreciative, but insists he didn’t go
above and beyond. “Matt did the most important
thing by getting himself checked out,” he says.
Easy Online Access
With ZocDoc, you can search
doctors in your insurance network
and book an appointment on the spot!
Read doctor reviews and learn more at
ZocDoc.com/Hospitals/MeridianHealth.
Out of the Blue
After a surprising bladder cancer diagnosis, Joseph Carrier
is healthy again and grateful for the care he received at Southern Ocean.
Southern Ocean Medical Center
JOSEPH CARRIER, 66, OF BARNEGAT WAS BEING TREATED FOR
congestive heart failure when a routine medical test found trace
amounts of blood in his urine. “It was quite a year,”
says Joseph.
He was referred to Deep Trivedi, M.D., a urologist
and director of Minimally Invasive Urology at Southern
Ocean Medical Center.
“Whether blood is detected microscopically or
noticed during urination, it needs to be evaluated
Deep Trivedi, M.D.
because it is a symptom of bladder cancer,” says
Board certified in
Dr. Trivedi. Bladder cancer affects women and men,
Urology
but about 66 percent of cases are diagnosed in men
Manahawkin
1-800-560-9990
with an average age of 73. There is no routine screening
test for bladder cancer.
To determine if Joseph was suffering from the disease, Dr. Trivedi
performed a cystoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure, in which he
guided a small scope through the urethra to evaluate the bladder.
During Joseph’s cystoscopy, Dr. Trivedi found a tumor in the lining
of his bladder and immediately removed it through the scope.
Reducing the Chance of Recurrence
Learning that he had bladder cancer was a huge
surprise for Joseph.
“I had no symptoms at all, so I was lucky that
Dr. Trivedi found the tumor and was able to
remove it immediately during the cystoscopy
instead of me coming back for surgery,” he says.
Afterward Dr. Trivedi wanted to use every tool
possible to prevent cancer cells from returning.
“If left unchecked, Joseph’s type of bladder
cancer had an 80 percent chance of recurring,” says
Dr. Trivedi. “We wanted to keep him in remission.”
To accomplish that goal, Joseph had six bacillus
Calmette-Guérin (BCG) treatments, a proven
therapy with few side effects that delivers a vaccine
directly into the bladder to fight off aggressive
cancer cells. For the next three years, Joseph will
be on a BCG maintenance regimen, receiving a
course of treatment every three to six months to
further reduce the chances of the cancer coming
back. A periodic urinalysis and cystoscopy helps
doctors check for any signs of the disease.
Tailoring Treatments
Because bladder cancer affects each patient
differently, Dr. Trivedi customizes treatments
depending on the location in the bladder and the
spread of the disease. In addition to BCG
therapy, he offers robotic surgery on the bladder
along with chemotherapy or radiation treatments
before or after surgery.
“As part of Meridian Cancer Care, urologists
and oncologists employ the latest research,
technology, and multi-disciplinary approaches to
fight cancer,” says Dr. Trivedi.
Although his bladder cancer diagnosis was
unexpected, Joseph is pleased with the results of
his care and treatment.
“Dr. Trivedi is an experienced professional and
a very caring person,” says Joseph. “I had great
confidence in him and am thankful that he
helped me to overcome cancer.”
Meet Our Meridian Cancer Care Experts
Joseph Carrier had great confidence
in his team at Southern Ocean, where
the Barnegat resident was successfully
treated for bladder cancer.
To help get you back to the life and people you love,
Meridian offers every medical advantage, like a
remarkable team of cancer experts who work together to
create the most effective treatment plan for you. Hear them
talk about the latest breakthroughs in surgery, technology,
and radiation therapy at MeridianCancerCareNJ.com.
MeridianHealth.com
1-800-560-9990
9
Jon Bon Jovi,
pictured here
with his podiatrist,
John Connors,
DPM, is back to
his active life due
to the expert care
he received at
Riverview.
Rock On
Riverview Medical Center helped
Jon Bon Jovi get back to performing pain free.
Riverview Medical Center
FOR THE PAST THREE DECADES, JON BON
Jovi has been performing concerts all
over the world in front of millions of
loyal fans. What those fans did not
realize was that he was pushing through
intense foot pain for many of those
concerts. “The pain was so severe during
my 2013 Because We Can Tour that I
would want to jump through the ceiling
whenever it was touched,” Jon says. “I
got to the point where I was given
injection therapy, orthotics, Shockwave
10 Meridian HealthViews
therapy, and platelet rich plasma (PRP)
therapy, but they did not alleviate the
chronic condition.” PRP therapy is a
revolutionary new treatment that relieves
orthopedic pain through injections of the
patient’s own blood.
Making an Appointment
After the tour concluded, Jon revisited
John Connors, DPM, a sports podiatrist
at Riverview Medical Center, who has
been treating him for more than six
John Connors, DPM
years. Dr. Connors
Board certified in
explained that he
Podiatric Surgery
Little Silver
had chronic plantar
1-800-560-9990
fasciitis and there
were few options left.
Chronic plantar fasciitis is a very
common and painful disorder that affects
the heel and bottom of the foot. It is
often caused by overuse injury of the
plantar fascia — the ligament that
connects your heel bone to your toes.
“Plantar fasciitis is one of the most
common sports-related injuries I see,”
Dr. Connors says. “Jon had two choices:
either live with the pain or operate to
release the ligament. Since Jon is still
active as a performer and an avid runner,
I recommended the surgery because the
pain was affecting his ability to work and
exercise.”
I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT
GREAT EXPERIENCES AT
RIVERVIEW. THEY BROUGHT
OUR FOUR CHILDREN INTO THE
WORLD AND HAVE BEEN GREAT
TO MY FAMILY WHENEVER WE
HAVE BEEN THERE FOR CARE.
A Minimally Invasive Surgery
At Riverview, under the care of
Dr. Connors, Jon underwent endoscopic
plantar fasciotomy (EPF), which is a
minimally invasive and minimally
traumatic surgical treatment for chronic
plantar fasciitis. The surgery is performed
to release the plantar fascia. This is
needed in cases that do not respond to
conservative, nonsurgical treatment. Dr.
Connors has also performed this surgery
on some of the best athletes in the world,
including world record holders and
Olympic champions.
Dr. Connors made a small incision on
either side of the heel and inserted a
cannula (or camera), which allowed him
to surgically release the proximal medial
—JON BON JOVI
band of the plantar fascia with small
instruments. There are many benefits to
minimally invasive surgery, like less pain,
a shorter hospital stay, less scarring, and
smaller incisions. The surgery was
performed in the afternoon, and Jon was
back home by early evening.
Back to Performing Pain Free
Following surgery Jon wore a boot on his
surgically repaired foot for two weeks to
allow the tissue to heal. “The hardest thing
was holding him back from running and
using the elliptical because he had little
postoperative pain,” Dr. Connors says.
“This was tough because a lot of times
people use pain as a form of guidance.
His wife and kids had to stay on top of
Get Your Joints in Motion
Our bodies are supposed to provide us with smooth, pain-free
movement, and bone and joint health are critical to everyday
health. Your Meridian Health team is committed to helping you
maintain this health. Learn more about our educational programs that
focus on wellness and ways to protect your bone and joint health at
MeridianOrthopedicsNJ.com.
him to follow the rehabilitation plan.”
Six weeks is the typical recovery
time for this surgery. “Exactly six
weeks later, Jon was again walking
and jogging on the treadmill,” Dr.
Connors added. “He is now 100
percent for the first time in years.”
When asked about Riverview, Jon
says, “I have had nothing but great
experiences at Riverview. They brought
our four children into the world and
have been great to my family whenever
we have been there for care.”
Giving Back
Being back on his feet has also allowed
Jon to continue spending time on
another passion of his: improving the
health and well-being of the residents
of New Jersey. The Jon Bon Jovi Soul
Foundation exists to combat issues that
force families and individuals into
economic despair. By funding and
creating programs and partnerships,
the foundation supports innovative
community efforts to break the cycle
of poverty and homelessness.
In 2011, Jon and his wife, Dorothea,
opened the JBJ Soul Kitchen, a
charitable restaurant uniquely their
own where those who can afford to pay
are encouraged to participate alongside
those who are in need and volunteer
for their meal.
“I was born and raised in New Jersey.
Giving back to this community will
always be important to me,” Jon says.
by Robert Cavanaugh
You get hip pain that brings
you to your knees.
You get to Meridian Health.
You get your moves back.
MeridianOrthopedicsNJ.com
MeridianHealth.com
1-800-560-9990
11
Eugene Leonard enjoys
taking his dog, Suburban,
for walks. He and his
wife, Sandra, have
been together for
45 years.
Meet Our Nurse Navigators
Our nurse navigators are here to help
you. Our team can answer questions
about your diagnosis, assist with scheduling
appointments, and more. Find out about our
personalized guidance and support at
MeridianHealth.com/NurseNavigators.
right arm due to the pain in his shoulder.
He was unable to walk on his own
because of pain in his right knee and
thigh. “My quality of life was nonexistent,
and I was miserable,” Eugene says.
A Beam of Light
A Helping of Hope
New treatment for advanced prostate
cancer offers ray of sunshine to Toms River man.
EUGENE LEONARD, 83, IS NO STRANGER TO PAIN, ALTHOUGH YOU WOULDN’T
know it from his persistently sunny outlook on life. For the past three
years, he has battled advanced prostate cancer that metastasized, or
spread, to his bones, causing extreme pain in specific areas
of his body.
A Turn for the Worse
In 2011, Eugene started losing weight rapidly. He had no
appetite and was becoming increasingly weak. His wife
encouraged Eugene to see his primary care physician, who
Douglas Miller, M.D.
eventually delivered the news that Eugene had prostate cancer
Board certified in
and it had spread to his bones. He was referred to Christina
Radiation Oncology
Walsh, M.D., an oncologist at Riverview Medical Center and
Brick
1-800-560-9990
part of Meridian Cancer Care, who started Eugene on a
treatment plan of four chemotherapy pills a day and a monthly
injection of Lupron Depot®, which helps enhance the quality of life for
advanced prostate cancer patients.
As time went on, Eugene’s health began to deteriorate. “Because the
cancer was in my bones, I couldn’t eat or even brush my own hair or
teeth without feeling intense pain,” Eugene says. He couldn’t move his
Shortly after Eugene became disabled by
the pain, he met Douglas Miller, M.D.,
a radiation oncologist at Ocean Medical
Center, who recommended Xofigo, a new
treatment for patients with stage 4 prostate
cancer that has metastasized to the bones.
These patients must have also stopped
responding to hormone therapy. “Xofigo
is a new treatment that helps to eliminate
the severe pain these patients experience,”
Dr. Miller says. “It is not a cure for
prostate cancer, but it has the potential to
dramatically increase a patient’s quality
of life as they live with this disease.
Although the criteria for Xofigo is narrow,
the potential impact is incredible.”
Eugene had his first Xofigo injection on
March 19, 2014. On March 26, he woke
up and felt no pain in his arm or leg. “I
brushed my teeth, I ate on my own, and I
even took out the garbage,” says Eugene.
He is scheduled for six total treatments
at Ocean, which occur once a month.
Throughout a patient’s treatment, the
radiation oncology and nuclear medicine
teams work together to make the process
seamless for every patient. “Dr. Miller
and the nuclear medicine team make
everything easy, and I feel like I’ve known
them forever,” Eugene says.
Eugene’s pain has diminished dramatically.
He takes his dog for a walk every day,
enjoys time with his wife, and is back to
his happy-go-lucky self. “I couldn’t believe
it when I woke up without any pain the
week after my first treatment,” Eugene
says. “It felt like a miracle.”
by Randi Russell
Meant to Be
One appointment saved
56-year-old Debbie Pressburger’s life.
Southern Ocean Medical Center
Joseph
Barbalinardo, M.D.
Board certified in
General Surgery
Manahawkin
1-800-560-9990
IS THERE SUCH A THING AS COINCIDENCE? AFTER
An Efficient Team
a life-changing experience at Southern Ocean
Medical Center, Debbie Pressburger has started
to believe everything happens for a reason.
In 2013, Debbie had a routine colonoscopy
with Frank LaBue, M.D., a gastroenterologist at
Southern Ocean, who found a large polyp on
the right side of her colon. The polyp was
removed, and Debbie was advised to get a
follow-up colonoscopy in one year because the
polyp had the potential to turn into cancer.
On March 18, Dr. Barbalinardo performed a
laparoscopic right hemicolectomy — a minimally
invasive technique to remove the entire right side of
the colon. “In order to reduce the chance of the cancer
returning, we remove a large portion of the colon and
the lymph nodes around the area,” Dr. Barbalinardo
says. “With the laparoscopic approach, patients
experience less pain and can go home sooner than they
would with traditional open surgery.” After a few days
in the hospital, Debbie was sent home. After a few
weeks, she was back at work.
Mehul Patel, D.O.
Debbie is now healthy, thanks to Meridian Cancer
Board certified in
Care and the efficient coordination of care between her
Internal Medicine
Manahawkin
physicians. She gets blood work and a CT scan every
1-800-560-9990
three months and needs to have a follow-up colonoscopy
in one year to make sure the cancer does not return.
“If it weren’t for that first appointment with Dr. Patel, I may not have
caught the cancer as early as I did,” Debbie says. “The team at Southern
Ocean saved my life.”
by Randi Russell
A Life-Changing Test
One year went by quickly, and Debbie never
made an appointment for her follow-up
colonoscopy. However, she did make plans to
get weight-loss surgery, which luckily requires
months of preoperation tests. One of those tests
was an upper endoscopy with Mehul Patel, D.O.,
a gastroenterologist at Southern Ocean. “When
I went to Dr. Patel to schedule my upper
endoscopy, he saw that I had a polyp removed
last year and recommended that I get a
colonoscopy as well,” Debbie says. “That one
moment changed my life.”
During the colonoscopy, Dr. Patel found a
large mass where the original polyp had been.
“When we find cancer in the colon during a
colonoscopy, we biopsy a portion of it and also
tattoo the area to make it easier for surgeons to
locate and remove the tumor,” Dr. Patel says.
“Debbie is extremely lucky we performed a
colonoscopy that day.”
Three weeks after that life-changing
colonoscopy, Debbie was in the operating room
with Joseph Barbalinardo, M.D., a surgeon at
Southern Ocean. “It all happened so quickly,”
Debbie says. “Dr. Patel, Dr. Barbalinardo, and
everyone involved in my case worked together
so well and really made my life their priority.”
Debbie Pressburger credits the team
at Southern Ocean Medical Center
with saving her life after she
was diagnosed with
colon cancer.
Another Cancer Success Story
When a friend suggested they get
colonoscopies, Maryanne Gural never
imagined she’d be diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
After chemotherapy and radiation, Maryanne is
back to spending time with her grandkids. Hear
Maryanne’s story at MeridianCancerCareNJ.com.
MeridianHealth.com
1-800-560-9990
13
A New
Beginning
A multi-disciplinary medical
team helped this family bring
home healthy twin girls.
Ginja B. Massey, M.D.
Asbury Park
1-800-560-9990
Mark G. Martens, M.D.
Board certified in
Obstetrics-Gynecology
Neptune
1-800-560-9990
Michael A. Graff, M.D.
Board certified in
Neonatal-Perinatal
Medicine and
Pediatrics
Neptune
1-800-560-9990
Spring Lake Heights residents
Dawn White Ryan and her
husband, Joe, with their 6-monthold twins, Abigail and Emma, are
thrilled knowing their twins will
always have each other.
Advanced Care for the
Smallest Patients
WHEN DAWN WHITE RYAN, 39, DISCOVERED
A Rocky Recovery
that she was pregnant with twins, she
was primed to expect the unexpected.
The pregnancy had been a victory:
Dawn’s fallopian tubes had been removed
during a previous surgery to clear scar
tissue caused by endometriosis. But she
beat the odds and became pregnant after
one round of in vitro fertilization.
“Finding out that we were having twins
was unbelievable,” she says. “At that
point, my husband and I finally allowed
ourselves to be cautiously optimistic.”
Fortunately the doctors at Jersey Shore
University Medical Center were also
ready for the unexpected, as Dawn’s
pregnancy, delivery, and recovery proved
challenging.
Although Dawn’s thoughts were focused
K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital
on her children, she wasn’t out of the
at Jersey Shore University Medical
woods herself. A few days after returning
Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
home, she developed severe pain and a
(NICU) houses one of the few level III
high fever. Doctors discovered that an
NICUs in the state, providing the most
infection that had started in her placenta
expert and advanced level of care for
had spread to her incision site. It had
high-risk newborns.
To create a soothing environment
also weakened the tissue around her
for babies, each area has individually
incision, allowing her abdominal organs
controlled lighting and soundproofing as
to push outward and form a hernia.
well as the following equipment:
Dawn was readmitted to Jersey Shore
• Isolette/incubator that maintains
on December 13, where she was seen by
temperature, humidity, and oxygen
OB-GYN Mark Martens, M.D., who is
levels while protecting infants
specifically trained in infectious diseases.
from germs
“Dawn had a strep D infection, which
•
Ventilators to assist breathing
is treatable with penicillin,” Dr. Martens
• Monitors that alert staff of the
says. “Unfortunately she was allergic
slightest changes in your baby’s
to penicillin. We had to use another
heart rate or breathing
antibiotic that can be administered
Children older than 28 days are treated
only intravenously.”
in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
The next six days were rough. While
(PICU). Jersey Shore also has a regular
Dawn was receiving antibiotic infusions,
nursery for infants with common, easily
she wasn’t able to visit her still-hospitalized
treated conditions such as jaundice.
babies. But she was heartened to know
“We care for several hundred infants
they were doing well. Dawn finally left
every
year,” says Michael Graff, M.D.,
the hospital on December 22, and on
of
Jersey
Shore University Medical
January 2, Emma and Abigail, now 5
Center and part of Meridian Pediatric
pounds each, finally came home.
Network. “Our focus is not just the
“As troubling as the whole experience
babies but also the parents, and we do
was and as scared as we were, we have the
everything we can to calm their fears
utmost gratitude for the doctors and
and allow them to interact with their
nurses at Jersey Shore,” Dawn says. “From
children as much as possible.”
my perinatal doctors (Joseph Canterino,
M.D., and Yinka
Oyelese, M.D.), who
visited me even after I
Join Meridian Momtourage!
was readmitted to the
hospital, to the NICU
Sign up and sound off with the Momtourage
nurses who were so
mothers circle. Whether you’re looking
loving and nurturing,
to socialize or share advice, join the conversation
the entire team went
today at MeridianMomtourage.com.
above and beyond.”
An Early Arrival
After a smooth first two trimesters, the first
inkling of trouble started. Dawn began to
experience phlebitis (inflammation of the
veins), carpal tunnel syndrome, and
numbness of her hands and feet, and at 32
weeks, she was diagnosed with preeclampsia.
Then, on December 8, 2013, nearly six
weeks before her due date, Dawn’s water
broke. She was rushed to Jersey Shore,
where Ginja Massey, M.D., was the
attending OB-GYN on call.
The delivery was particularly
complicated, Dr. Massey recalls. Dawn
had undergone several other uterine
surgeries, and one of the babies was
breech (feet down).
“This was really a team effort
between the perinatal doctors, the
neonatologists, and the OB-GYNs,”
she says. Dr. Massey performed an
emergency C-section, and the twin
girls were rushed to the Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Sunday, September 14 – Jersey Shore University Medical Center 5k, Neptune – 10:00 a.m.
Run or Walk towards a healthier heart!
Whether you are a competitive runner, walking for a cause, or would like to just
enjoy a stroll, don’t miss this event to keep your heart healthy with Meridian
CardioVascular Network.
Awards:
• $3,000 in prize money
• Prize money distributed to Top 3 finishers and Top 3 in five
year age groups
To learn more about the 5k/walk or to register, visit
www.JerseyShoreUniversityMedicalCenter.com/5KRace.
MeridianHealth.com
1-800-560-9990
15
Finding the
Right Solution
Bayshore Community Hospital
Linda Grant received
state-of-the-art restoration
at Bayshore after breast cancer.
Parlin resident Linda
Grant is happy with the
results of her breast
reconstruction — the final
step in her breast
cancer journey.
LINDA GRANT DIDN’T LET BREAST CANCER GET
her down.
She worked every day, through chemotherapy
treatments and radiation therapy. After having a
mastectomy on her right breast, she was ready to
move on to reconstructive surgery.
She was referred to Asaad Samra, M.D., a
plastic surgeon and the vice chair of surgery
at Bayshore Community Hospital.
“Dr. Samra was very good about
thoroughly explaining the choices
[for reconstruction] so that I
could make an informed decision
after my mastectomy,” Linda says.
Linda chose to have a silicone
Asaad H.
implant.
Samra, M.D.
Board certified in
Plastic Surgery
Holmdel
1-800-560-9990
Making the Best Choice for Her
Last fall, Dr. Samra performed
Linda’s implant surgery along
with a lift of her left breast to
provide symmetry.
“Some breast cancer patients are unaware
that a lift in the unaffected breast is part of the
reconstructive surgery process and a covered
benefit by most insurers,” Dr. Samra says. “It’s
not only ‘cosmetic surgery,’ it’s also part of the
emotional healing process for women with
breast cancer.”
A month later, the incision near her implant
began to split open. “Some patients do very well
with implants, but for others, previous radiation
treatments may affect blood flow and interrupt
the healing process,” says Dr. Samra.
Unfortunately, when Dr. Samra surgically replaced the implant with a
smaller version, the incision spontaneously erupted six weeks later.
Dr. Samra had to remove the second implant.
Taking the Next Big Step
After discussing her options with Dr. Samra for future reconstruction,
Linda decided on an intricate technique called free TRAM (transverse
rectus abdominus myocutaneous) flap. Surgery and recovery are more
complex with the free TRAM flap — which involves removing skin, fat,
and a small portion of muscle from the lower abdomen and
transplanting it to the chest, where individual arteries and veins are
microscopically reattached to establish blood flow — but the body is
less likely to reject the patient’s own tissue. It may be a good choice for
patients who have had radiation or issues with implant reconstruction.
“After going through a mastectomy, chemo, and radiation to beat
cancer, I felt like I had to give reconstruction one more try so I could
restore myself,” Linda says.
In January, Dr. Samra and a team of plastic surgery colleagues
successfully performed the procedure to reconstruct Linda’s right breast.
Afterward Linda was closely monitored and recovered in Bayshore’s
Intensive Care Unit and was discharged in only four days.
Moving Ahead
Today, Linda is happy with her results and relieved that it is the last
step in her breast cancer journey.
“Dr. Samra guided me through the entire process and helped me
to stay strong and focused,” she says. “I’m feeling good, my body is
healing, and everything worked out in the end.”
Hear More Inspirational Stories
At Meridian Cancer Care, we look beyond your
cancer, seeing you as the unique person you are.
Hear from our patients at MeridianCancerCareNJ.com.
Going Above and Beyond
Expertise and technology benefit brain cancer patient.
MIDDLETOWN RESIDENT CHARLES SLEIGHT, 64, IS NO STRANGER TO SPINE AND
joint issues. Through the years, he’s had surgeries and other treatments, such
as injections and physical therapy, to alleviate the problems. When his neck
began bothering him last year, he turned to Bruce Rosenblum, M.D., a
neurosurgeon on staff at Riverview Medical Center and part
of Meridian Neuroscience, for care.
“I worked with Dr. Rosenblum in the past and trusted him.
I learned that I had a herniated disk in my neck and scheduled
surgery with Dr. Rosenblum and Arthur Phair, M.D., an
orthopedist, to correct it,” Charles says. “The surgery went well,
and I went on to rehabilitation for a week. But when I came
Bruce R.
home, I started experiencing problems.”
Rosenblum, M.D.
Board certified in
Although Charles was walking fine in rehabilitation the
Neurosurgery
week
before, he began falling and couldn’t stand on his own.
Shrewsbury
1-800-560-9990
At first, Charles thought he was having knee problems as a
result of a joint issue he experienced earlier in the year. But
when he called Dr. Rosenblum to explain the problem, Dr. Rosenblum told
him to go directly to the Emergency Department.
Emergency Diagnosis
At 11 p.m., Dr. Rosenblum met Charles and his wife at Riverview for
an emergency MRI of his neck and brain. The scans confirmed what
Dr. Rosenblum suspected — Charles’ walking problems had nothing to do
with his vertebrae. They were the result of a large mass in his brain.
“We conducted whole-body CT imaging to determine if lesions were located
elsewhere in the body. Thankfully the tumor
was isolated to the left side of the brain,”
Dr. Rosenblum explains. “In order to treat
his tumor effectively, however, we
needed to know what kind of
tumor it was.”
State-of-the-Art Technology
Dr. Rosenblum used sophisticated BrainLab
technology along with intraoperative CT
imaging to safely biopsy Charles’ tumor.
This technology provides direct, real-time
imaging guidance, allowing Dr. Rosenblum
to access the tumor using a very fine
needle without harming other tissues in
and around the brain.
“Because the tumor was in such a
sensitive location, it was imperative we
were as precise as possible,” Dr. Rosenblum
explains. “Without this technology, taking
a biopsy of the tumor would have been
much riskier.”
Full Gamut of Care
Because Dr. Rosenblum was able to
accurately biopsy the tumor, physicians
learned he had a central nervous system
lymphoma — thankfully, a treatable
type of cancer. Charles was referred to
oncologist Richard Scher, D.O., at
Riverview and part of Meridian Cancer
Care, who prescribed a five-month
regimen of chemotherapy. After his
treatment, Charles’ cancer was in remission.
Today, Charles is enjoying life with his
wife and caring for his two young
grandchildren.
“I cannot praise Dr. Rosenblum and the
entire team at Riverview enough,” Charles
says. “They saved my life.”
Sixty-four-year-old
Charles Sleight, a
retired police officer,
enjoys being outdoors
and tending to his
garden.
Specialty Cancer Services
Tailored to You
Meridian Health is the first and only
system partner of the Rutgers Cancer
Institute of New Jersey, providing our patients
with access to the latest clinical trials. Read more
about our state-of-the-art diagnostics, advanced
treatments, and experienced specialists at
MeridianHealth.com/CancerCare.
MeridianHealth.com
1-800-560-9990
17
Getting Back
to Life
Meridian
Rehabilitation Services offers
the full continuum of care.
Meridian Health
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS
illness or injury, Meridian Health has the
expertise and resources to save lives. But what
happens after treatment? Meridian goes the
Jorge F. Corzo, M.D.
distance to see you through your recovery and
Board certified in
Physical Medicine
get you back to your life with our expert
and Rehabilitation
rehabilitation services.
Tinton Falls
1-800-560-9990
“The goal of physical medicine and
rehabilitation is to give people back their lives,”
says Jorge Corzo, M.D., medical director for
Meridian Rehabilitation and fellow with the American Board
of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. “It’s not enough to
just survive a medical issue. We are here to help patients
regain vitality and function. We’re the ones who help patients
get back to fishing or whatever they enjoy.”
Circle of Care
Meridian Rehabilitation offers many levels of rehabilitation,
tailored to the needs of each individual. This continuum of
care includes acute and subacute rehab, which offers
comprehensive rehab in facilities, and outpatient and home
health rehabilitation services for patients who do not need
care within a facility.
The continuum of care is unique in that it includes
programs to help patients prevent health issues and maintain
quality of life by staying fit and learning how to live a healthy
lifestyle through Meridian Fitness & Wellness centers.
“Patients utilize our services not just as treatment but also
for preventive care. In partnership with patients’ primary
care physicians, we offer wellness and fitness programs to
help keep patients viable and healthy,” explains Dr. Corzo.
“However, if something happens — such as the diagnosis of
Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or a car accident — we also offer
every level of rehabilitative care to help patients regain
quality of life.”
Meridian Rehabilitation’s wellness programs serve to
complete the circle of care by helping patients maintain the
level of function and wellness they achieved in rehab or on
their own through exercise and living a healthier lifestyle.
Power of Prevention and Wellness
Meridian Fitness & Wellness centers are unlike other gyms in
the area. The centers, which are overseen by physiatrists,
exercise physiologists, and specialty physicians, allow members
Meridian Rehab Gets Highest Rating
Meridian Nursing and Rehab facilities at Brick,
Shrewsbury, Manor By the Sea in Ocean Grove,
and Wall have received the highest possible overall rating
of five stars in U.S. News & World Report’s sixth annual
Best Nursing Homes. Read more about our services at
MeridianHealth.com/Rehab.
in need of intensive therapy.
“In addition to aggressive therapy,
patients in the acute setting have
access to other types of medical care if
needed without leaving the facility,”
explains Dr. Corzo. This may include
imaging tests or appointments with
other specialists.
Subacute Rehabilitation
to work with clinicians, therapists,
dieticians, physical trainers, and other
specialists, as needed. Members not
only use state-of-the-art exercise
equipment to improve fitness but also
can take classes to improve overall
wellness. Topics may include healthy
eating or smoking cessation.
“Health is a lifelong process,” says
Dr. Corzo. “One of the things that
makes Meridian Rehabilitation different
is that we focus on wellness and
prevention.”
Tailored Therapy
Matthew Stackable of Brick is
dedicated to exercising and his
rehabilitation and feels much
healthier as a result.
Meridian Rehabilitation offers physical,
occupational, and speech-language
therapy as well as neuropsychology,
recreation therapy, social work, dietary
assistance, and more to appropriate
rehabilitation patients. These therapies
are all overseen by physiatrists and are
provided in a number of settings for
patients recovering from all different
types of illness and injury. This may
include stroke, amputation, cancer,
heart attack, Parkinson’s disease,
balance problems, joint replacement,
and much more. Each patient is
evaluated and referred to the level of
rehabilitation care that best fits their
needs and abilities.
Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation
Meridian’s two inpatient acute
rehabilitation centers — Shore
Rehabilitation Institute on the campus
of Ocean Medical Center in Brick or
Riverview Rehabilitation Center in Red
Bank — offer the most aggressive level
of therapy possible. Patients in acute
rehabilitation receive three hours of
intense therapy a day with continual
physician oversight. Patients may
include those recovering from stroke,
amputations, or head trauma who are
Subacute rehabilitation services are
offered through five freestanding
facilities throughout the area and the
Transitional Care Unit (TCU) at
Southern Ocean Medical Center. These
facilities also offer comprehensive
therapy services under the direction of
a physiatrist, but do so in a home-like
environment where patients may
approach therapy more slowly.
“Not every patient can tolerate or
require the intensity of acute
rehabilitation. Subacute therapy
transitions patients to more aggressive
therapy or bridges the gap before going
home,” says Dr. Corzo.
Home-Based Rehabilitation
Patients who need to continue their
therapy but are unable to go to
outpatient locations for therapy benefit
from Meridian At Home. This may
include patients who cannot drive or
have medical and nursing issues that
keep them at home, such as those who
need home infusion services. In this
home-based service, therapists go to a
patient’s own home to help him or her
regain function, strength, and quality
of life.
Outpatient Services
Meridian Rehabilitation offers 13
outpatient locations throughout
Monmouth and Ocean counties. These
locations offer patients a wealth of
therapy services to continue on their
wellness journey. When patients
graduate from outpatient therapy, they
can begin a supervised program at
Meridian Fitness & Wellness centers to
maintain their progress.
“In everything we do, we tailor
rehabilitation services to meet the
needs of our patients,” says Dr. Corzo.
“To us, wellness is a lifelong circle.”
MeridianHealth.com
1-800-560-9990
19
When Pain Gets in the Way
This Aberdeen woman is living
her life without pain after hip replacement surgery.
WHEN 76-YEAR-OLD HELEN LIETZ FIRST BEGAN TO FEEL A PAIN IN HER HIP,
she thought little of it. As time went by, however, her small pains
became big problems. Everyday tasks became more difficult, making it
harder for Helen to visit distant friends and family.
Helen sought out help to explain this discomfort from
Michael Cunningham, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon and part
of Meridian Orthopedics, and the experts at Bayshore
Community Hospital’s new Joint and Spine Center.
“Helen was suffering from osteoarthritis,” Dr. Cunningham
says. “She had lost some of the joint cartilage in her hip, and
Michael J.
the damage to the cartilage and bones was causing her pain and
Cunningham, M.D.
limiting her mobility.” Dr. Cunningham spoke with Helen about
Board certified in
Orthopedic Surgery
her options. They decided that while a hip replacement would
and Orthopedic
probably be in her future, for the moment Helen would stick to
Sports Medicine
Holmdel
less intense medication to ease the pain.
1-800-560-9990
Helen Lietz, pictured here with her
husband John, works out with a trainer
twice a week and loves playing bridge,
quilting, and reading.
Time for a Change
Even with the best planning and
preparation, the unexpected is often
inevitable. Helen learned this just
three months after her meeting with
Dr. Cunningham. “I was getting out of
my car one day, and the pain I felt was
too much to bear,” Helen recalls. “I
remember thinking: ‘I don’t want to go
through life like this.’”
Fortunately, Dr. Cunningham was able
to offer a solution with hip replacement.
“By creating new joint surfaces at the end
of the bone and the hip, Helen no longer
felt the pain of worn-down cartilage,”
Dr. Cunningham explains.
“After the surgery, it was a little strange
adjusting to the prosthetic hip,” Helen
says. “But once I got over that feeling I
was amazed. I had forgotten what it was
like to live without that pain, and I could
even walk a little faster.”
Returning to Life, Without Pain
After spending two weeks in the Joint and
Spine Center’s Rehabilitation Unit, Helen
was ready to return home. At their last
meeting, Dr. Cunningham encouraged
Helen to take her time with rehab to ensure
a full recovery. “I promised him I wouldn’t
be playing catcher any time soon,” the
grandmother of five says with a laugh.
Despite the end of Helen’s baseball career,
her hip surgery has been a grand slam in
other areas of life. Helen has been able to
comfortably attend her grandchildren’s
recitals and baseball games, and just three
months after her surgery she began driving
again — this time, pain free.
by Noah Carpenter
Are You a Candidate for
Joint Replacement?
Join us at our free event to learn
if hip or knee replacement could
be right for you, treatment options, and
what to expect from joint replacement
surgery and recovery. Turn to page 24
for event information.
Sixteen-year-old Jacob
Gildea enjoys freestyle
hip-hop dancing
with his crew.
Heart
to Heart
K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital
When a Manahawkin
teen collapsed, his
girlfriend stepped in
to perform CPR.
Meridian Takes Care
of New Jersey’s Children
Meridian Health has partnered with
the American Heart Association to
create a Community of Life Savers by
providing students and staff in our local
schools with CPR education. Visit
YouTube.com/MeridianHealthNJ to hear
more about this valuable program.
PEOPLE OFTEN REMIND JACOB GILDEA OF
Intensive Team Care
Manahawkin to be extra nice to his girlfriend,
Emily Paulino. After all, it’s not every day a
young man’s sweetheart saves his life.
When the 16-year-old suffered a severe
allergy-induced asthma attack while outside this
past June, 15-year-old Emily sprinted back to
her house to grab Jacob’s inhaler. She also called
911. As the dispatcher summoned an
ambulance, Emily performed hands-only CPR.
Three pediatric
intensivists managed
Jacob’s care at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital:
Matthew MacCarrick, M.D.; Bruce Grossman, M.D.;
and Samuel Thomas, M.D., all part of Meridian
Pediatric Network. All say Jacob’s outcome could have
been different if not for the actions of cool-headed Emily.
“There’s every reason to believe Jacob wouldn’t be alive
if Emily didn’t do what she did,” Dr. MacCarrick says.
Dr. Grossman says the incident underscores why it’s so
important for people to know CPR — and to start the
intervention as soon as possible.
“The outcomes are much improved when people don’t
wait for paramedics to arrive,” Dr. Grossman says.
No Fear
“Jacob was grabbing his chest and turning blue,”
Emily recalls, “and I laid him on the ground on his
side. I put my hands above his breastbone and
started doing compressions. It was scary, but I took
a deep breath and thought, ‘I have to do this.’”
Paramedics arrived in minutes and
transported Jacob to Southern Ocean Medical
Center, where doctors inserted a breathing tube
and stabilized him. He was then airlifted to
K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore
University Medical Center. Doctors put Jacob on
a breathing machine and intravenously gave him
medicines to open his airways and reduce
inflammation in his lungs.
Jacob spent five days in the hospital, two of
them in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. His
parents, Brett and Theresia, were at his side the
whole time.
Matthew J.
MacCarrick, M.D.
Board certified in
Pediatric Critical
Care and Pediatrics
Neptune
1-800-560-9990
Can’t Say Enough
Jacob still regularly takes his asthma medication and is
doing great now. But, to keep their son healthy and
hopefully head off another incident, the Gildeas are
consulting with an allergist.
They’re counting their blessings, too. Jacob’s friends,
Bruce J.
along with many fans of his dance crew, DigiMental,
Grossman, M.D.
Board certified in
rallied around the family during their ordeal. Some raised
Pediatric Critical
money to help the Gildeas with expenses. Jacob says the
Care and Pediatrics
Neptune
family was overcome by the tremendous community
1-800-560-9990
support they received.
That, of course, includes Emily.
“It’s hard to find a way to say thank you to someone who has saved your
life, basically,” Jacob says. “But I try to do the best I can.”
MeridianHealth.com
1-800-560-9990
21
Events
calendar
All programs are FREE unless otherwise noted. Reserve
your spot by calling 1-800-DOCTORS (1-800-362-8677)
or 1-800-560-9990 or by visiting MeridianHealth.com.
In cases of severe weather, a program may be canceled as
late as an hour before the start time. Call 1-800-DOCTORS
or 1-800-560-9990 to confirm.
Turning on the Lights in Jackson:
Grand Opening Celebration
Celebrate the grand opening of our newest location. Meet our physicians,
tour the building, and participate in a health and wellness fair featuring health
screenings, flu shots, fitness demos, healthy snacks, raffles, giveaways, and
more. Special appearances from the Pawsitive Action Team.
OCTOBER 7, 10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. AND 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
MHV Jackson, Conference Center
Meridian CardioVascular
Network
MERIDIAN WOMEN’S HEART
CONNECTION
❤ Just for Women
Did you know that heart attack symptoms
are different for women than men? Join
Monica Bais, M.D., as she discusses signs
and symptoms and prevention for women.
OCTOBER 8, 11:00 A.M. – NOON
MFW Hazlet
Congestive Heart Failure
Learn how to maximize your quality of
life while living with congestive heart
failure (CHF).
SEPTEMBER 15, 2:00 – 3:00 P.M.
O East Wing, Conference Room C
MFW Hazlet
Meridian Cancer Care
Colorectal Lecture and
Screening
Thomas Lake, M.D., will discuss the risk
factors and how early detection can
save your life. Free colorectal take-home
kits will be distributed. Lunch will be
provided.
SEPTEMBER 10, NOON – 1:30 P.M.
Look Good, Feel Better
The American Cancer Society offers this
program to individuals being treated
for cancer. If you look good, you will
feel better. Learn some makeup and
hair tricks to make you look and feel
better. To register, call 1-800-227-2345.
SEPTEMBER 22, 1:00 – 3:00 P.M.
MFW Hazlet
SEPTEMBER 22, 6:30 – 8:30 P.M.
MFW Manahawkin, Family Resource Center
Hypertension and You
Fresh Start Smoking Cessation
This four-session smoking-cessation
program is offered by Meridian Cancer
Care and the American Cancer Society.
Success in the program requires
attendance at all four sessions.
SEPTEMBER 2, 4, 9, AND 11, 6:00 – 7:30 P.M.
J Cancer Conference Room
SEPTEMBER 23, 25, AND 30 AND OCTOBER 2
6:00 – 7:30 P.M.
O East Wing, Conference Room C
OCTOBER 6, 10, 13, AND 17, 10:00 – 11:00 A.M.
R Mausner Conference Room
Woman to Woman
Meridian Health is proud to partner
with Susan G. Komen to promote
breast health awareness. If your
women’s group is interested in hosting
a breast health awareness program,
call 732-987-5823.
B
R Shrewsbury River Conference Suite
SPEAKER: MONICA BAIS, M.D.
OCTOBER 8, 10:00 – 11:00 A.M.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Jeffrey Hager, D.O., will discuss the signs
and symptoms, causes, and treatment
options for PAD.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2:00 – 3:00 P.M.
Aortic Aneurysm
Owano Pennycooke, M.D., will explain
the causes, signs, symptoms, and
treatment options for aortic aneurysms.
MFW Hazlet
J Cancer Conference Room
LOCATION KEY
SEPTEMBER 23, 11:00 A.M. – NOON
OCTOBER 20, 1:00 – 3:00 P.M.
To register, call 1-800-DOCTORS or 1-800-560-9990.
Learn ways to manage your blood
pressure through lifestyle changes.
Blood pressure screenings to follow the
lecture.
R
J
O
S Southern Ocean Medical Center
MFW Meridian Fitness and Wellness
MHV Meridian Health Village
Varicose Veins: Causes and
Treatment Options
Learn about varicose veins and their
causes and latest treatment options.
SEPTEMBER 16
LECTURE: 7:00 – 8:00 P.M.
SCREENINGS: 8:00 – 9:00 P.M.
Headaches and Migraines
Learn the causes, diagnosis, and
treatment options of headaches and
migraines.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2:00 – 3:00 P.M.
O East Wing, Conference Room B
SPEAKER: ANTOANELA ZAHARIA, M.D.
SPEAKER: LAWRENCE MUELLER, M.D.
Alzheimer’s Disease
SEPTEMBER 25
LECTURE: 9:00 – 10:00 A.M.
SCREENINGS: 10:00 – 11:00 A.M.
Learn the signs and symptoms, causes,
and treatment options for Alzheimer’s
disease.
J Brennan Rooms 104/105
SPEAKER: LAWRENCE MUELLER, M.D.
OCTOBER 16
LECTURE: 7:00 – 8:00 P.M.
SCREENINGS: 8:00 – 9:00 P.M.
SPEAKER: LAWRENCE MUELLER, M.D
MFW Hazlet
SPEAKER: GIRIJA SURYA, M.D.
OCTOBER 22, 2:00 – 3:00 P.M.
SPEAKER: JEFFREY HAGER, D.O.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2:00 – 3:00 P.M.
Ocean County Library – Manchester
21 Colonial Drive
SPEAKER: PAUL KOSTOULAKOS, D.O.
SPEAKER: DANIEL D’ANDREA, M.D.
Stroke: When Minutes Count
Learn the signs and symptoms, risk
factors, and what you should do if
someone is having a stroke.
Meridian Neuroscience
Living Better with Parkinson’s
In partnership with the Parkinson’s
Disease Foundation, this forum will
feature local experts who will discuss
medical technology and advancements,
medication, as well as lifestyle
management tips and techniques to
better manage your condition and
improve daily living. Lunch will be
served. Registration is required.
SEPTEMBER 10, 9:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.
Tower Hill Church
255 Harding Road, Red Bank
Are You Getting a Good Night’s
Sleep?
R Navesink River Conference Suite
Solutions to Balance Problems
Learn some of the causes of balance
problems and what you can do about
them.
MFW Hazlet
Balance screenings to follow the lecture.
AngioScreen®
Learn your risk for heart attack
and stroke. This vascular workup
includes carotid artery ultrasound,
heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation) test,
blood pressure check, screening
for abdominal aortic aneurysm and
peripheral artery disease (PAD),
and body mass index computation.
Participants receive an instant color
report of the findings, educational
material, and private consultation
with a registered nurse.
Fee: $74.95. Registration is required.
SEPTEMBER 9, 9:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M.
B Conference Room A
SEPTEMBER 16, 11:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
MFW Manahawkin, Family Resource
Center
SEPTEMBER 18, 2:30 – 7:30 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
OCTOBER 22, 2:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
O East Wing, Conference Room A
SEPTEMBER 25, 9:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M.
Spine Health
S Conference Rooms 1 and 2
OCTOBER 6, 9:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M.
Are you living with back pain? Learn
about the common causes of back pain
as well as prevention, diagnosis, and
treatment options.
OCTOBER 8, 2:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
R Two River Conference Suite
OCTOBER 28, 9:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M.
MFW Hazlet
OCTOBER 21, 6:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Learn about sleep disorders and tips on
how to get a better night’s sleep.
SPEAKER: RAMIL BHATNAGAR, M.D.
Meridian Pediatric Network
SEPTEMBER 18, 11:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
SPEAKER: ADRIAN PRISTAS, M.D.
SAVE THE DATE
November 13
Safe Sitter
MFW Hazlet
Annual Mitchell-Vassar Vision
Awareness Day featuring Emmywinning broadcaster Ed Lucas.
Meridian offers babysitter training for
boys and girls ages 11 to 14. This class
will review safety for both the babysitter
and children left in their care in a fun
learning environment. The class includes
handling emergency, first aid, and CPR.
Fee: $40.
SEPTEMBER 27, 9:00 A.M. – 3:30 P.M.
OCTOBER 13, 9:00 A.M. – 3:30 P.M.
MFW Hazlet
To register, call 1-800-DOCTORS or 1-800-560-9990. 23
Childbirth/Maternity
Diabetes
Childbirth Education Series
Comprehensive Diabetes
Management
Weight Loss with Hypnosis
Individual or group educational and
support programs. To register, call
Bayshore Community Hospital at
732-888-7362, Riverview Medical Center
and Ocean Medical Center at 732-530-2555,
at 732-897-3980, and Southern Ocean
Medical Center at 609-978-3400.
OCTOBER 8, 7:00 – 8:00 P.M.
Meridian Health offers classes and
seminars for first-time and experienced
parents as well as tours, classes
for siblings, and more! Registration
required. Please register before your
third trimester. To learn more about
our fun and informative classes, visit
MeridianMomtourage.com.
Strike a Pose:
Yoga for Moms and Moms-to-Be
Classes focus on gentle postures,
breathing techniques, and overall
relaxation to prepare for childbirth or
recover after childbirth. Call Meridian
Life Fitness in Point Pleasant at
732-295-1778 for fees and to register.
Fitness
Improving Your Health
with Exercise
Learn how different exercises in and
out of the pool can help improve your
overall health and conditioning.
SEPTEMBER 17, 4:30 – 5:30 P.M.
Counseling and
Behavioral Health
MHV Jackson, Meridian Fitness and
Wellness Center
Addiction and Recovery
Services
Nutrition
For adult family members of addicted
individuals. Call for information.
Children’s Counseling
Map Your Plan for Weight Loss
Learn the tools you need to get started
for successful weight loss.
SEPTEMBER 9, 6:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Meridian Behavioral Health offers
a variety of counseling services at
both our Neptune and Shrewsbury
locations. We offer age-specific group
therapy, a therapeutic after-school
program for children ages 7 to 13, as
well as traditional individual and family
therapy. Call 732-869-2784, ext. 2 for
registration, schedules, and fees.
Heart-Healthy Eating
Regular exercise and healthy eating are
key to keeping your heart healthy. Learn
tips on meal planning and how to cook
heart-healthy from a registered dietician. Light
sampling and refreshments will be provided.
SEPTEMBER 25, 6:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Lose weight with hypnotherapy. Fee: $30.
Food For Thought
Learn the basics of proper nutrition
including the foods your body and brain
need to keep it in top condition.
OCTOBER 28, 6:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Nutrition Counseling
Consult a registered dietician to
design a food plan that meets your
weight-management and medical
nutrition needs. For more information,
registration, or fees, call Riverview
Medical Center at 732-530-2555,
Meridian Life Fitness in Point Pleasant
at 732-206-8263, or Southern Ocean
Medical Center at 609-978-3400.
Orthopedics and Sports
Medicine
Hip and Knee Replacement
Learn who is a candidate, treatment
options, and what to expect from joint
replacement surgery and recovery.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2:00 – 3:00 P.M.
SPEAKER: NADER BAKHOS, M.D.
SEPTEMBER 22, 4:00 – 5:00 P.M.
SPEAKER: JASON WONG, D.O.
OCTOBER 30, 7:00 – 8:00 P.M.
MFW Hazlet
SPEAKER: NASSER ANI, M.D.
This Joint Is Jumpin’
Join us for a swingin’ event featuring live
jazz and swing music, brunch, and dancing.
Not only is dancing fun, it’s entertaining
and provides so many health benefits!
Expert orthopedic surgeons will be on hand.
SEPTEMBER 24, 11:30 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Arthritis:
Rheumatoid and Psoriatic
Edward Allegra, M.D., will discuss the
latest in rheumatoid and psoriatic
arthritis, including research, prevention,
and treatment options. A light breakfast
will be served.
SEPTEMBER 17, 9:00 – 10:00 A.M.
MFW Hazlet
O East Wing, Conference Rooms A, B, and C
LOCATION KEY
B
R
J
O
Weight-Loss Surgery
Medicare GPS
Information
Sessions
Weight-Loss Surgery: The Facts
Whether you’re new to Medicare or just interested in your options, join us
at an upcoming seminar. Call 1-800-846-1583 to register.
SEPTEMBER 10, 10:00 – 11:00 A.M.
SEPTEMBER 25, 10:00 – 11:00 A.M.
SEPTEMBER 19, 10:00 – 11:00 A.M.
SEPTEMBER 29, 10:00 – 11:00 A.M.
MFW Hazlet
Meridian Geisinger Gold Office
550 Route 530, Suite 20, Whiting
Healthy Bones
Balance Screening
Jason Nehmad, M.D., will discuss how
to keep your bones healthy and lifestyle
changes you can make to maximize your
bone health. Bone density screenings to
follow the lecture. Registration is required.
Call 732-206-8263 to register.
SEPTEMBER 22, 11:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
Get Back on Your Feet
James Giannakaros, DPM, will discuss
common causes of foot ailments,
prevention, and treatment options.
SEPTEMBER 23, 9:00 – 10:00 A.M.
Managing Chronic Pain
Steven Ferrer, M.D., will discuss some of
the causes of pain and treatment options.
OCTOBER 14, 7:00 – 8:00 P.M.
Shoulder Injury
Playing golf and other sports can cause
stress and injuries to your shoulder.
Learn about the most common shoulder
dysfunctions and how they can be
prevented, diagnosed, and treated.
SPEAKER: JOSEPH TAURO, M.D.
OCTOBER 16, 5:30 – 6:30 P.M.
SPEAKER: THOMAS SARGENT, D.O.
Meridian Life Fitness, Point Pleasant
OCTOBER 17, 1:00 – 2:00 P.M.
O Rehabilitation Department
OCTOBER 27, 1:00 – 2:00 P.M.
MHV Jackson
Karl Strom, M.D., medical director of the
Bariatric Center of Excellence at Southern
Ocean Medical Center and Bayshore
Community Hospital, with surgeons
Jonathan Reich, M.D., and Silvia Fresco,
M.D., will host educational programs on
the benefits of weight-loss surgery.
SEPTEMBER 9 AND OCTOBER 7, 7:00 – 8:30 P.M.
Ramada Inn
2373 Route 9, Toms River
SEPTEMBER 11, 7:00 – 8:30 P.M.
B Conference Rooms A and B
SEPTEMBER 19, 6:00 – 7:30 P.M.
Double Tree Hilton
700 Hope Road, Tinton Falls
SEPTEMBER 25, OCTOBER 7, AND
OCTOBER 23, 7:00 – 8:30 P.M.
MFW Hazlet
OCTOBER 9, 7:00 – 8:30 P.M.
R
Senior Programs
AARP Smart Driver
This driving program is for adults ages
50 and older who want to develop
safe defensive driving techniques. Fee:
$15 for AARP members and $20 for
nonmembers. Make checks payable to
AARP. Call for dates and times.
Take Control of Your Health
Learn practical skills and strategies
for managing symptoms, working with
health care professionals, setting weekly
goals, problem solving, relaxing, handling
difficult emotions, eating well, and
exercising safely and easily. Six-week
program. Registration required.
S
Ocean County Library, Lacey
10 East Lacey Road, Forked River
Weight-Loss Surgery:
Explore Your Options
Anil Pahuja, M.D., and James V.
Pasquariello, M.D., will discuss the
benefits and options for weight-loss
surgery.
SEPTEMBER 4 AND OCTOBER 2, 7:00 - 8:00 P.M.
Holiday Inn, 290 Route 37 East
Toms River
SEPTEMBER 11, OCTOBER 9 AND OCTOBER 23,
7:00 – 8:00 P.M.
O Community Room
STARTING SEPTEMBER 2, 1:00 – 3:30 P.M.
MFW Hazlet
STARTING OCTOBER 6, 10:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 25, 7:00 – 8:00 P.M.
O East Wing, Conference Room B
Center
STARTING OCTOBER 8, 1:00 – 3:30 P.M.
Meridian Life Fitness, Point Pleasant
Screenings
Blood Pressure
Free blood pressure screenings.
SECOND AND FOURTH MONDAY OF EACH MONTH. 9:00 – 11:00 A.M.
MFW Hazlet
FIRST AND THIRD WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH. 9:00 – 11:00 A.M.
Options for Weight-Loss Surgery
Seth Kipnis, M.D., medical director of
the Center for Weight Loss Surgery at
Jersey Shore University Medical Center,
an accredited metabolic and bariatric
surgery and quality improvement
program, discusses the benefits of
weight-loss surgery.
J Medical Staff Boardroom
FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH. 2:00 – 4:00 P.M.
To register, call 1-800-DOCTORS or 1-800-560-9990. 25
General Wellness
Community Day
and 5K Run/Walk
See page 15
for details
Medication Management
Mark Ende, D.O., will discuss how you can
effectively manage multiple medications.
SEPTEMBER 17, 2:00 – 3:00 P.M.
Living Wills
Learn how you can complete a living will.
SEPTEMBER 19, 10:00 – 11:00 A.M.
Genealogy
Women’s Health
Feeling Fabulous from Within
Join physician experts as they discuss
ways to help you get tuned in to your
health – from sleeping well, eating
right, and exercising regularly – to
increasing your self-esteem to feel
fabulous from within. Plus, enjoy
other activities including healthy
refreshments, massages, makeovers,
and an inspiring presentation by
the experts at Beauty in Bloom
helping girls to feel beautiful and
conﬁdent. Registration required. Visit
BayshoreHospital.org/FeelingFabulous
SEPTEMBER 18, 6:30 – 8:30 P.M.
The new Mitchell-Vassar Lobby at
Interested in tracing your family history?
Join us for a hands-on session in our
computer learning center.
Genealogy Beyond the Basics
National Safety Defensive
Driving Class
Learn safe defensive driving techniques
and save on your insurance. Call for fees
and to register.
SEPTEMBER 24, 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Thyroid Disease and You
Learn about the diagnosis and treatment
options for hyper- and hypothyroidism,
Graves’ disease, and more.
SEPTEMBER 25, 11:00 A.M. – NOON
Girls Night Out
See Page 7 for details
23rd Annual Women’s
Health Night
Meridian offers support groups for a
variety of diseases and conditions. Call for
more information, dates, and times.
Featured Support Group
Breast Cancer Support Group
Come together with other breast
cancer patients and survivors to learn
information and share your journey.
Call 732-859-8857.
R
Call 732-776-3316.
J
2ND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 7:00 P.M.
Call 609-978-3533.
Center
4TH WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 6:00 P.M.
Call 732-836-4573.
O
S Ullman Conference Center
Located at Jersey Shore University
Medical Center. Call 732-774-0151
to schedule a free, confidential
appointment.
1ST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1:30 P.M.
OCTOBER 15, 6:00 – 8:00 P.M.
Infectious Disease Clinic
1ST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 7:00 P.M.
Are you caring for a loved one? Juggling
many things can be overwhelming. Join
William Power, M.D., and Meridian At
Home team members in a discussion
about handling stress, finding resources,
and understanding aging and memory
disorders. A light dinner will be served.
Registration is required.
To learn about current clinical trials
available at Meridian Health, please
visit us at MeridianHealth.com, call
732-776-2953, or e-mail us at
[email protected].
OCTOBER 29, 4:30 – 8:30 P.M.
S
Caring for the Caregiver
B
Clinical Trials
Support Groups
MFW Hazlet
LOCATION KEY
PHONE: 732-776-4265
FAX: 732-776-4530
E-MAIL: [email protected]
Gather your friends and spend an
evening devoted to your personal
wellness. Meet our physicians and
take part in free health screenings,
interactive displays, and giveaways.
Lipid screenings will be done ahead
of time on October 27, from
7:00 – 9:00 A.M., and results will
be provided at the fair. You must
fast for 12 hours before getting
screened.
SPEAKER: JENNIFER ZAITZ, D.O.
Looking to learn more about a medical
topic, disease, or condition? The library
sends a packet of reliable information to
you at no cost.
All Meridian hospitals are American
Heart Association CPR training centers.
Call for dates, times, locations, and
classes offered.
Booker Health Sciences Library
Home Delivery
CPR Training
SEPTEMBER 22, 10:00 – 11:00 A.M.
OCTOBER 20, 10:00 – 11:00 A.M.
Meridian Programs
and Services
R
J
O
A Lesson in Love
Meridian At Home provides loved ones with
exceptional care.
Meridian Health
Dominick
THE LOVE STORY OF BETTY AND BILL ABBOTT
was a fairy tale from the start. They met in
1950, and their relationship flourished for
more than 63 years until Betty passed away
in January 2014 from complications related
to Alzheimer’s disease. Part of the “Greatest
Generation,” known for their service to our
country and the world, the Abbotts
survived the separation of war and raised a
loving family during turbulent times. They
also share a story of hope and caring
through adversity, displayed most clearly
during Betty’s battle with Alzheimer’s.
Additional Support in a Difficult Time
The Abbotts’ relationship included 63
wonderful years of marriage with the same
love, warmth, and respect that they had
always shared since they met. And that love
and caring for each other continued just as
strongly through Betty’s 10-year progression
of Alzheimer’s disease.
“There is no instruction manual for
caring for a spouse or family member with
Alzheimer’s. You simply do the best you
can for as long as you can,” Bill says.
When Bill could no longer provide care
on his own, he was relieved to learn the
many ways hospice care could assist Betty
and his family. “There came a point when
I knew I could not safely transfer Betty
from a chair to bed, and reaching out to
Meridian At Home hospice was the best
thing I ever did.”
Grosso, D.O.
providing comfort and assistance to the patient,
Board certified in
supporting the caregiver and teaching them how to
Internal Medicine
provide better care, and evaluating and reporting
Red Bank
1-800-560-9990
changes in condition that a family caregiver may not
have noticed.”
Meridian At Home provides hospice care in the
home, in the hospital, or in a long-term care facility. A multi-disciplinary team
— including a physician medical director, certified nurses trained in hospice
and palliative care, licensed clinical social workers, chaplains, hospice aides,
and trained volunteers — works closely with the patient and family.
For Bill and Betty, hospice care also provided the benefit of quality time.
“Betty’s 55 days of hospice care were a gift to both her and me. The tender
care she received was extraordinary, and I cannot thank the many people at
Meridian At Home enough. I encourage anyone dealing with Alzheimer’s
disease to connect with someone at hospice as early as possible.”
by Larry Ginsberg
Make Yourself At Home
Meridian At Home offers a variety
of services, including home
therapy (physical, occupational, and
speech), skilled nurses, home health
aides, hospice care, and Life Transitions
senior care management services. To
learn more, visit MeridianAtHome.com.
How Hospice Can Help
The Abbotts’ family physician, Dominick
Grosso, D.O., described the unique
challenges for patients and caregivers
dealing with Alzheimer’s. “People typically
associate hospice with cancer, but hospice
care should be included in an informed
and comprehensive discussion with a
patient, physician, and family as early as
possible for patients with Alzheimer’s.
Hospice care has so many benefits — from
Bill Abbott is grateful for the extraordinary
care his wife of 63 years received at
Meridian At Home.
MeridianHealth.com
1-800-560-9990
27
Knowledge Is Power
Understand your breast
cancer risk and screening options.
Meridian Health
Brick resident
Carolyn Napolitani
found the expert
care and breast
cancer advances
she needed close to
home — at Jersey
Shore University
Medical Center.
BREAST CANCER MADE HEADLINES LAST YEAR WITH A
couple of high-profile diagnoses. ABC News anchor
Amy Robach famously discovered she had breast
cancer after undergoing the first mammogram
broadcast on live TV. And Angelina Jolie took to the
New York Times to tell the world she was having a
double mastectomy after genetic tests revealed she
was at high risk for the disease.
The headlines reflect an important reality: Breast
cancer can affect anyone. It impacts women from all
walks of life and remains the second most common
cancer among American women.
“The good news is that many women diagnosed
with breast cancer now survive the disease,” says
Debra Camal, M.D., medical director of the Breast
Program under Meridian Cancer Care. “The
survival rate for stage 1 breast cancer can be upwards
of 95 percent depending on the features of the tumor
and compliance with postoperative treatment,
including radiation, hormonal therapy, and
sometimes chemotherapy.”
Who Is At Risk?
Several factors can increase a person’s risk for breast
cancer. The risk goes up for all women as they get
older. Women may also have higher risk if they:
• Have family members who had breast or ovarian
cancer
• Have mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes,
which are related to breast cancer
Meridian is Tuned in to
Women’s Health
Paint the Town Pink is our annual
campaign that raises awareness of
the importance of annual mammography by
encouraging women to put themselves on
their “to-do” list. Join our mailing list today
by visiting PaintTheTownPink.com/2015.
• Had radiation treatment to the chest
area in the past
• Are taking estrogen or other hormone
therapy
• Had their first period before age 12
• Started menopause after age 55
• Had children after age 35, or never had
children
• Did not breastfeed
Lifestyle choices can also matter. Women
who exercise less than four hours per
week or are overweight have a higher
risk. So do women who have more than
one alcoholic drink per day.
“Women should talk with their doctor
to learn about what symptoms to look for
and what type of imaging can screen for
breast cancer,” says Catherine Campo,
D.O., breast surgeon at Bayshore
Community Hospital and Riverview
Medical Center, “especially if they are at
increased risk of developing breast
cancer.”
UNDERSTAND YOUR BREAST
CANCER RISK AND SCREENING
OPTIONS
Breast Cancer Screening
Since women fare so much better when
breast cancer is detected early, doctors
recommend regular screening. This can
include:
• Talking with your doctor about your
medical history
• Clinical breast exams to check for
lumps or other problems
• Blood, urine, or tissue tests
• Genetic tests to look for gene changes
linked to cancer
• Imaging tests like mammography that
show the inside of the breast
says Denise Johnson Miller, M.D.,
director of the Breast Surgery Program
at Jersey Shore University Medical
Center. “It’s important to talk with your
doctor to help you choose the right
screening test and interval for you.”
Breast Self-Exams
You can also do checkups at home to
look for lumps or other changes in the
breast. Follow these steps:
• Lie on your back and place your
right arm behind your head.
• Use the three middle fingers of your
left hand to feel for lumps in your
right breast. Feel in small,
overlapping circles.
• Repeat with light, medium, and
firm pressure to feel each layer of
breast tissue.
• Move your fingers up and down
to feel the entire breast.
• Repeat these steps for your left
breast.
• Stand up and look in the mirror for
any changes in breast size, shape,
or texture.
• Examine each underarm while
sitting or standing with your arm
slightly raised.
The most important thing is to know
how your breasts normally look and
feel. If you detect any changes, talk
with your doctor right away.
“Breast cancer can happen to anyone,
but you don’t have to feel powerless,”
says Lisa Vernon, M.D., of Southern
Ocean Medical Center. “Eating healthy,
exercising, and drinking less alcohol
can lower your risk. Most important,
work with your doctor to understand
your risk and get the right screening.”
The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention recommends that
women ages 50 to 74 have a
mammography every two
years. The CDC also
recommends that women
ages 40 to 49, or those who
are at higher risk, talk with
Denise L. Johnson
their doctor about a
Miller, M.D.
mammography.
Board certified in
General Surgery
“Like any medical test,
Neptune
breast cancer screening does
have some risks, which can
include stress or discomfort,”
Catherine Campo,
D.O.
Oakhurst
Debra E.
Camal, M.D.
Board certified in
General Surgery
Oakhurst
GET THE
411
Mammograms
on
According to R. Lance Dillon, M.D., at
Ocean Medical Center, here are some
tips for a successful mammogram:
• Ensure all prior studies are available
for comparison purposes.
• Get any special instructions from the
screening facility before you go.
• Make the appointment for a week
after your period, when breasts are
less tender.
• Tell screening staff if you have breast
implants, you are pregnant or might
be, or you’re breastfeeding.
• Dress in a shirt with shorts, pants, or
a skirt so that you need to remove
only upper clothing.
• Don’t wear deodorant,
perfume, lotion, or powder
under your arms or on
your breasts the day of
your mammogram. They
can make shadows on
the X-ray, making it
harder to read.
Lisa Vernon, M.D.
Board certified
in ObstetricsGynecology
Forked River
R. Lance Dillon, M.D.
Board certified in
Diagnostic Radiology
Brick
To reach any of these physicians, please call 1-800-560-9990.
MeridianHealth.com
1-800-560-9990
29
AngioScreen Saves Lives
If you are interested in hosting
a screening at your workplace
or community site, call
732-751-7590.
David Mooij, superintendent
of Neptune Township
Schools, looks forward to
launching programs to allow
students to earn college
credits through the
school's partnership with
Meridian Health.
Taking Care of Our Community
Meridian Health
Meridian is checking up on Neptune’s heart health.
HEART DISEASE IS SOMETIMES CALLED THE “SILENT KILLER”
because it can strike without warning. So it’s crucial to identify
certain risk factors early on to reduce the chance of a serious or
deadly cardiac event or stroke. That’s what AngioScreen® is
designed to do. “AngioScreen is a noninvasive screening that
provides a snapshot of a person’s cardiovascular health,”
says Brett Sealove, M.D., medical director of Meridian
Vascular Screening Program and part of Meridian
CardioVascular Network.
AngioScreen is available at Meridian Health several
times per month. It’s also available at workplaces
throughout the community. When David Mooij,
superintendent of Neptune Township Schools, learned
Brett A. Sealove, M.D.
Board certified
about AngioScreen, he decided to bring it to his school
in Cardiovascular
district earlier this year for staff and their families.
Disease and Internal
Medicine
“Employee wellness is critical to job performance,”
Ocean
David says. “If employees are healthy, then they’re in
1-800-560-9990
school and our students benefit because they’re here.”
A Picture of Health
The AngioScreen assessment takes just 15 minutes. It
measures a variety of risk factors, including blood pressure,
body mass index, heart rhythm, and pulse. It checks for
blockages in arteries of the neck and legs and measures
details that can detect an abdominal aneurysm
before it ruptures. After the screening, a nurse
educator reviews the results and makes
additional recommendations.
David received the screening along with his
wife and two of their children. “The entire
process was extremely well organized,
Meridian brought in all of the equipment
needed, and the screenings were efficient,” he
says. “Everyone was friendly and seemed very
competent in the area they were working.”
Start the Conversation Today
The AngioScreen events for Neptune were so
successful that they’re providing it again this fall and
opening it up to parents in the community, too.
“One of the neat aspects of the program is its
focus on prevention — when you have more
information about your heart health, it inspires
you to make healthy changes,” David says. “When
we extend the program to parents, they can
portray at home some of the lifestyle changes
kids are learning about in their health classes.
It’s a conversation starter about wellness.”
Hold the Soda
With all of the healthy and
delicious alternatives to soda, it’s worth
considering kicking the habit.
Meridian Health
Jason Nehmad, M.D.
Board certified in
Internal Medicine
Oakhurst
1-800-560-9990
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WAYS THESE
Kidneys
sugar-filled beverages wreak havoc on your
body. Consider eliminating soda from your
life if you are seeking better health. Read on
to learn more about how soda can harm you.
Women who drink
two or more sugary
sodas a day are
significantly more likely to have early signs
of kidney damage, according to multiple
studies.
Bones
“Too much soda puts your bones at risk by
leaching nutrients from your body,” says
Jason Nehmad, M.D., of Jersey Shore
University Medical Center. Multiple studies
have linked soft drinks with low bone
density and low levels of calcium.
Bowels
No one is certain what causes irritable
bowel syndrome — colon muscle
problems, sensitive nerves, infections, and
mental health issues are all prevailing
theories. “For many people, drinks with
caffeine or a large amount of artificial
sweeteners, such as soda, can be a trigger
for symptoms,” Dr. Nehmad says.
Teeth
Sugary beverages feed bacteria in the
mouth, creating acids that can erode
enamel, cause cavities, and eventually lead
to tooth decay. Drinking soda throughout
the day gives the bacteria more opportunity
to attack your teeth.
Seek Out Alternatives
“The good news is, there are plenty of
healthy and delicious alternatives to soda,”
Dr. Nehmad says. The ADA recommends
diet sodas, water, unsweetened teas, coffee,
low-fat or skim milk, 100 percent fruit juice
(without added sugar), and low-sodium
vegetable juice.
Esophagus
Studies have shown that adults who
drink one or more sodas daily greatly
boost their risk of suffering heartburn
during sleep. The high acid content of
carbonated drinks is partly to blame,
according to researchers.
u
Did Yo
Know?
good
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’s
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We’re Listening
Your opinion matters. Wouldn’t
it be great to have an impact
on your health care experience? Now
you can. Join the conversation today at
MeridianSoundingBoard.com/SignUp2.
Peach Melba
Smoothie for Two
INGREDIENTS
1 cup sliced peaches, fresh, frozen,
or canned (drained and rinsed)
1 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt
1 cup crushed ice
1 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened
raspberries (Reserve six berries for
garnish.)
DIRECTIONS
Put peaches, yogurt, ice, and all but
six raspberries into a blender and
puree. Serve in tall glasses. Garnish
with reserved berries, the smoothie
will be so thick that they can float
on top. Add fresh mint leaves if you
have them.
Makes two servings.
Nutrition Facts
Each serving contains about 125
calories, 5 g protein, no fat or
cholesterol, 16 g carbohydrate, 5 g
fiber, and 63 mg sodium.
MeridianHealth.com
1-800-560-9990
31
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Meridian
Health
1945 Route 33
Neptune, NJ 07753
READ HOMETOWN
FAVORITE JON BON JOVI’S
STORY ON PAGE 10.
Challenge a friend
to a healthy competition.
425 Jack Martin Blvd.
Brick, NJ 08724
Get tuned in to your health. Follow Christie Rampone and Harry Carson’s lead. Together
with a friend, set some goals, get active and start eating better. Then encourage one another
to stick with it. Do it every day and you both win. And don’t forget your annual check-up with
One Riverview Plaza
Red Bank, NJ 07701
your doctor. Learn more healthy tips and win a free T-shirt by challenging a friend at
TunedInToYourHealth.com.
727 North Beers Street
Holmdel, NJ 07733
Christie Rampone
4-Time Olympic Medalist
Harry Carson
NFL Hall of Famer
1140 Route 72 West
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Meridian Hospital Leadership
STEVEN G. LITTLESON, FACHE
Executive Vice President, Meridian Health
TIMOTHY J. HOGAN, FACHE
Regional Hospital President, Monmouth County
DEAN Q. LIN, MHA, MBA, FACHE
President, Ocean Medical Center
JOE COYLE
President, Southern Ocean Medical Center
Printed on Recyclable Paper
6116C

A New Beginning - Jersey Shore Medical Center

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