Inside this issue:
SIX09
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JUNE 2020 FREE
Team effort
Seniors prepare to graduate
School district prints and donates face shields for township workers
BY BILL SANSERVINO
BY BILL SANSERVINO
Lawrence Township asked for help and the school district stepped up to answer the call. School district officials on May 18 presented the township with 150 face shields that had been produced using one of the district’s 3D printers. Lana Mueller, Lawrence Township Public Schools operations manager, said the district set about the task of making the face shields after municipal manager Kevin Nerwinski requested them for township workers, who will be returning to a full-day schedule after Memorial Day (the building will remain closed to the public). Nerwinski said he initially got the idea from a resident (Robert Dember) who told him in a Facebook message about a Pennsylvania school district that was making face shields with a 3D printer. He suggested that the same could be done in Lawrence. Nerwinski said that when he made the decision to continue operations at town hall, he recalled Dember’s idea and contacted Andrew Zuckerman, assistant superintendent of schools, to find out if it was possible to partner with the LTPS and use a 3D printer See SHIELDS, Page 4
Thomas Eldridge holds the cake he was presented with May 12 by colleagues on his front lawn after being told he was named N.J. School Business Administrator of the Year.
LTPS administrator wins state award Eldridge named School Business Administrator of the Year BY BILL SANSERVINO
Thomas Eldridge knew something exciting was happening when a caravan of about 20 cars pulled up in front of his house on Tuesday, May 12. It wasn’t until his colleagues from the Lawrence Township Public Schools and the N.J. Association of School Busi-
ness Officials spilled out of the cars wearing face masks and carrying balloons and signs that he realized he had been selected as the NJASBO School Business Administrator of the Year. “I had no idea what I was seeing when I stepped outside of my door! My wife asked me to come outside, so I went,” said Eldridge, who is the LTPS business administrator/ board secretary. “I couldn’t process what I was seeing,” he said. “As all the faces came into focus on my lawn and street, home never felt so much like home.
I was in great company; dozens of the most kind people I have ever known.” For Eldridge, winning the award was as much of a surprise as the sudden sight of colleagues on his front lawn— all celebrating at a safe distance, of course. “My colleagues were very generous in their selection,” Eldridge said. “I have always felt blessed to be in the company of people who share common values and a shared mission. My school district is committed to equipping each student with the skills necesSee ELDRIDGE, Page 5
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The 2019-20 school year is coming to an end, and despite the unusual circumstances, the seniors at Lawrence High School are looking forward to the end of their high school careers. The district’s students have been working from a virtual/ remote learning environment due to COVID-19 since March 16, and the members of the Class of 2020 have kept up their studies and worked toward graduation day. Although the district will not hold in-person commencement exercises this year, school officials have come up with a number of alternate plans to make sure this year is still a special one. “Our seniors have worked hard and deserve to be celebrated,” said Superintendent Ross Kasun in a message to the community. “We wish we could give them a traditional graduation ceremony. Since that is not possible due to the pandemic, our high school administration has worked hard on creative ways to honor the seniors as well as to plan a virtual graduation ceremony. The Gazette will post a story detailing plans for upcoming celebratory events, including graduation, on communitynews.org in early June. Meanwhile, to read about this year’s Top 10 academic seniors and their feeling about this year, turn to Page 6.
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2 Lawrence Gazette | June 2020
A return to hyperlocal BILL SANSERVINO FROM THE EDITOR
interesting and engaging content each month that will allow our readers to take full advantage of this vibrant region— extending south with our area code all the way to Cape May. We have many members of our staff lending their expertise in this area, including Dan Aubrey, arts editor of our sister publication U.S. 1. Finally, highlighting this month’s issue on Page 10 is our annual feature of the Top 10 academic seniors graduating from Ewing High School. We asked each student the usual questions about their plans for college and favorite memories from their time at LHS, but also gave them an opportunity to talk about how they’ve been spending their time during lockdown. They also expressed their feelings about experiencing a senior year like no other in recent history. For the most part, they seem to have weathered the storm well, despite the fact that they won’t have the chance to go to a senior prom or have a traditional graduation ceremony. I would like to congratulate them and the rest of the Class of 2020 and wish them the best as they move forward into an uncertain future.
This month we return to our regularly scheduled Lawrence Gazette after running a special “regional” issue last month. Because of the ongoing health crisis, I had to opportunity to act as the editor of last month’s edition, which included news from towns throughout our area. While it was interesting to look with an editorial eye at our entire coverage area for April issue, I am happy to be back to focusing on Lawrence Township this month. We felt it was important to return to hyperlocal coverage this month so that we can let you know as much as possible about what’s going on in town. That being said, I wasn’t able to fit all of the news from the past 30 days in this issue, but you can find a lot more on our website communitynews.org, which we are updating continuously. We do have plans, however, to continue regional coverage at some level in our papers. Inserted in the center of this issue you will find the first edition of Six09, our new arts, food and culture Contact BILL SANSERVINO: bill@compublication. munitynews.org, (609) 396-1511, ext. 104, Our hope with Six09 is to present facebook.com/BillSanservino.
We are a newsroom of your neighbors. The Lawrence Gazette is for local people, by local people. As part of the community, the Gazette does more than just report the news—it connects businesses with their customers, organizations with their members and neighbors with one another. As such, our staff sets out to make our town a closer place by giving readers a reliable source to turn to when they want to know what’s going on in their neighborhood. EDITOR Bill Sanservino (Ext. 104)
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SHIELDS continued from Page 1 to make face shields for township workers. Nerwinski said that Zuckerman was “all for the idea,” and he connected him with Kristin Burke, the LTPS technology supervisor and Karen Rubenstein, a technology and robotics teacher at Lawrence Intermediate School who works with the 3D Printer. The two then worked with Jack Oakley, township director of emergency management, who was able to get her the coding to print the face shields. “Karen then did the work, Kristen involved the students who wrote messages to go inside each face shield pack, and the rest is history,” Nerwinski said. Nerwinski said that the delivery was timely, because workers are going back full-time next week. “Each of our employees will have one at their work station when they come to work next Tuesday.” He said that the face shields will not be used by the township’s first responders, who have their own certified PPEs. “They will be worn by our municipal employees during the day to help protect them and others from spreading the virus.” Nerwinski added: “Our municipality has remained fully operational during this pandemic. Our departments worked in shifts to maximize the ability to socially distance from one another but continue to provide the services that our community expects... The face shield along with
Lawrence Township municipal manager Kevin Nerwinski wears one of the face shields created and donated by the Lawrence Township Public Schools. a mask provide a very effective means to reduce the spread of the virus.” According to Mueller, it takes 27 hours for the 3D printer to make 20 masks. The Lawrence Township Education Foundation funded a 3-D printer for Lawrence Intermediate School, Lawrence Middle School and Lawrence High Schools in the 20132014 school year. The schools educate students in grades 4-12. “In difficult times, members of our community always find meaningful ways to make a positive difference,” Nerwinski said. “This community has a lot to be proud of.” Contact BILL SANSERVINO: bill@communitynews.org, (609) 396-1511, ext. 104, facebook.com/BillSanservino.
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4 Lawrence Gazette | June 2020
ELDRIDGE continued from Page 1 sary to find happiness in their lives.” He added: “The members of NJASBO are caring educators focused on bringing resources and services to the classroom. I’m honored by their choice and grateful to be one of them.” Eldridge has been the business administrator/board secretary since 2001. He began his career in school finance as the business administrator/ board secretary at the Frenchtown Board of Education in 1995, before joining the Gloucester Township Board of Education as the assistant business administrator in 1997. He said that as a business administrator, he is “guided by the philosophy that my role is to find ways to deploy resources to help make the educational mission happen and educational dreams come true.” Eldridge added that he believes that “education’s purpose is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to find happiness in life.” In recommending Eldridge for the award, LTPS Superintendent Ross Kasun said, “It is clearly evident that his leadership ability, wisdom, integrity, skill set and passion for excellence make him an ideal candidate for this outstanding award.” “He embodies a servant leadership style, which fosters an effective and positive district environment while working with the whole community. His dedication and efforts have cultivated a positive district climate that
inspires students and staff.” In addition to being a member of NJASBO, Eldridge has provided professional development instruction in a facilities class for the organization to rave reviews. A current member and past president of the Mercer County Association of Business Officials, Eldridge often mentors new business administrators in districts throughout the county and the state, through NJASBO. He also has provided information and guidance through articles he has written, including, “An Introduction to School Finance” for the New Jersey School Boards Association, Winter 2019, and “How to Read the Board Secretary’s Reports,” published in the May/June 2014 issue of School Leader Magazine. Eldridge also has been a workshop and conference presenter for NJASBO, NJSBA, MCASBO, and the N.J Association of School Administrators. Additionally, he has been a presenter at the New Jersey Government Management Information Sciences Conference. A resident of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Eldridge is married and has two children. He has a master’s degree from Rider University and an MBA from Pennsylvania State University. Contact BILL SANSERVINO: bill@communitynews.org, (609) 396-1511, ext. 104, facebook.com/BillSanservino.
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June 2020 | Lawrence Gazette5
top 10 LHS seniors 2020
Ian Wang
Tucker Simpson
Rikki Kong
Susanna Gagliardi
Sadena Rishindran
Yale
Dartmouth College Economics or philosophy
University of Pennennsylvania
Virginia Tech Honors College
University of Maryland
Undecided Rank 1, GPA: 4.78
Rank 2, GPA 4.71
Business
Biomedical engineering
Rank 5, GPA, 4.46
Career plans: Twitch streamer
Career plans: Law or business or some combination of the two
Rank 3, GPA: 4.64
Rank 4, GPA: 4.54
Career plans: Software developer
Career plans: Consulting or business management
Career plans: Biomedical scientist/ researcher
Planned college activities: The Social Impact Consulting Group and the Wharton Management Club
Planned college activities: Society of Women Engineers, Virginia Tech Orchestra, Outdoors Club
Planned college activities: Club basketball team, Association of Women in Computing
Planned college activities: Intramural dodgeball and STEM stuff How do you feel about the way your senior year turned out? When the going gets tough, the tough go home and take a nap. I’m tough. Favorite high school memory: Spring 2019, AP Stat, Mr. Williams, lychee juice, water gun.
Planned college activities: Dartmouth Outing Club the club hockey team How do you feel about the way your senior year turned out? I have stayed busy during the stay-athome period by getting a job with K & J Lawn Care, and trying to stay on top of my school work. As for the senior events being cancelled, as my Dad has always said, “Sometimes you get the bear, sometimes the bear gets you.” Favorite high school memory: Going to Orlando with my friends for the DECA International Career Development Conference.
How do you feel about the way your senior year turned out? I’m very bored at home and have been making dalgona coffee pretty much every day during quarantine. Although I’m sad that our senior year celebration has been cut short, I’m still grateful for the time that I had with my classmates and I wish them nothing but the very best. Favorite high school memory: Going to Florida with my friends for DECA.
How do you feel about the way your senior year turned out? It’s really sad that the Class of 2020 has to miss out on so many big events that we’ve been looking forward to since freshman year, but I know that this is beyond anyone’s control and everyone is just trying to make the best out of a bad situation. Favorite high school memory: Any time that I was with my friends.
Computer science
How do you feel about the way your senior year turned out? It’s sad and unfortunate that this pandemic had to happen during our senior year, and that we have to miss out on all the fun senior memories. Although I’d rather be in school with my friends, I can’t do anything to change the situation so I’ve just been trying to make the best of it. Favorite high school memory: Playing at MCT’s for tennis with my best friend and the waffle party in Latin 3.
Devon Meth
Pranav Phadke
Laasyasri Vaddepalli Victoria Chen
Ishitha Bhagwati
Boston University
Northeastern University
Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Human physiology
Combined computer science and mathematics
Computer science.
Electrical/computer engineering and computer science
Computer science
Career plans: Sports-oriented medicine
Rank: 7, GPA 4.48
Career plans: Software engineer or data scientist
Rank: 9, GPA: 4.43
Career plans: Computer science
Planned college activities: Club Penguin
Planned college activities: Cultural and coding clubs
How do you feel about the way your senior year turned out? Anything to pass the time like biking, running, hiking, fishing, work, Xbox and online school. It’s unfortunate it happened during senior year but we’ll find a way to make up for it.
How do you feel about the way your senior year turned out? I am pretty unhappy about the whole situation. I really want to go outside and spend time with my friends before I leave for college.
Rank: 6, GPA: 4.50
Favorite high school memory: Qualifying for Cross Country Meet of Champions and then passing out.
Career plans: Software engineer
Favorite high school memory: Singing “Beijing Huan Ying Ni” with Ian, Josh, and Harshil during International Alliance’s Culture Fest.
6 Lawrence Gazette | June 2020
Rank: 8, GPA: 4.45
Planned college activities: Tennis club, peer tutoring and STEMrelated clubs How do you feel about the way your senior year turned out? Although I feel like my senior year is incomplete, I still had special memories during the first half of my senior year. Favorite high school memory: My first day of high school, walking in with mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety, but also innocence. It makes me realize how much I’ve grown throughout high school and how it changed me for the better.
Career plans: The video game industry or cyber security Planned college activities: Society of Women Engineers, Rutgers Programming Association How do you feel about the way your senior year turned out? I enjoy not waking up at 6 a.m. everyday, but I do feel a lack of structure to get work done since I am not in a school environment. Favorite high school memory: In sophomore year my teacher jokingly told me and a group of friends that we should still be studying when we went to Hershey Park. So we took a photo of us studying while on a roller coaster and gave it to her.
Rank: 10, GPA: 4.4314 Planned college activities: I am unsure right now How do you feel about the way your senior year turned out? It’s unfortunate that we won’t have prom and graduation, and I really miss seeing my friends. However, on the bright side, I get to spend more time with my family and even more time on TikTok. Also, I really enjoy not having to wake up at 6 a.m. for school any more. Favorite high school memory: Watching the pep rallies with my friends.
HEALTH @capitalhealthnj
JUNE 2020
HEADLINES
B I - M O N T H LY N E W S F R O M C A P I TA L H E A LT H
CAPITAL HEALTH READY FOR SAFE POST-PEAK REOPENING OF SERVICES
In uncertain times, people often look to their community institutions for a sense of stability and comfort. For many residents in Mercer, Bucks, and Burlington counties during the ongoing health crisis, Capital Health is that institution. As the region’s leader in providing progressive, quality patient care, Capital Health has been taking an organized approach to meeting the needs of the community during the COVID-19 crisis and going forward as restrictions start to ease. Now it prepares to welcome patients back and schedule elective procedures in a safe, healthy environment.
Health continues to practice all precautionary measures for safety. Patients who test positive for COVID-19 continue to be treated in a highly secure area that keeps patients in a safe environment while making sure all visitors and staff are protected.
RESUMING ELECTIVE SURGERIES During his daily COVID-19 media briefing on May 15, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced that hospitals in New Jersey will be permitted to resume elective surgeries starting Tuesday, May 26. Through intensive planning and implementation of processes that assure the highest level of patient and visitor safety, the health care professionals at Capital Health have a system of care that responds to all requirements for great services provided in a safe environment.
“There’s an old saying that describes how difficult challenges reveal who your true friends are,” said Sam Plumeri, Jr., chairman of the Capital Healthcare, Inc. Board of Trustees. “The outpouring of support we’ve seen shows that Capital Health has no shortage of friends in Mercer, Bucks, and Burlington counties. It also reaffirms our dedication to the safety of our community, now and in the future. It’s important for everyone to know that they can always rely on us to provide the safe care they need.”
“As we welcome more patients back in to our facilities, we are continuing to take necessary precautions to make sure the health and safety of our community and our staff remain the highest priority,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health. “We continue to practice social distancing, require visitors and staff to wear face mask and are fully operational.”
SAFETY FIRST Bolstered by the support of its community, Capital Health emergency departments and medical offices continue to take all the necessary precautions to keep patients safe on the front lines and across all service lines. Capital Health is now providing a broader range of inpatient and outpatient care that its neighbors can rely on as the pandemic evolves. This gradual reopening balances Capital Health’s patient-focused approach to care with best practices in infection prevention for our patients, visitors and staff.
CONTINUING VIDEO VISITS Capital Health will continue to offer video visits for both primary care and behavioral health through secure connections on patients’ computers or smart devices. New and established patients can schedule appointments with the same providers they see at Capital Health. The community is encouraged to maintain good health by scheduling appointments with their primary care and specialty physicians. Capital
A GRATEFUL COMMUNITY PARTNER Capital Health continues to be grateful for the wonderful community support it has experienced during the pandemic, having received generous donations for its front-line staff including PPE, hand sanitizer and other necessary supplies.
If you or your loved ones are experiencing a medical emergency, the patient care teams at Capital Health urge you to seek care immediately at their hospitals as they have safety procedures in place to protect you from infection. They look forward to seeing you and your family again at Capital Health. Health Headlines by Capital Health | Lawrence Gazette7
UNDERSTANDING BRAIN TUMOR SYMPTOMS signs to guide you to the right plan for care Brain tumors, while relatively rare, do not discriminate, affecting men, women, and children across all age groups and ethnicities. And because the brain is the critical organ that controls all others, it’s important to recognize the signs that may suggest a brain tumor and discuss them with your health care team. “The many parts of the brain control different body functions, so symptoms will vary depending on tumor location, type, and size,” said DR. NAVID REDJAL, director of Neurosurgical Oncology at the Capital Health Center for Neuro-Oncology. “However, there are some common symptoms to watch for which, if ongoing, may indicate the presence of a brain tumor. Anyone experiencing one or more of them over an extended period of time should see their doctor to get an accurate diagnosis.” “At the Center for Neuro-Oncology, our advanced technological resources and multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment are just as important as the compassionate and individualized care we provide,” said Dr. Redjal. “If a person experiences new symptoms or changes to existing ones, talking to your doctor is an important first step.” The Center for Neuro-Oncology, part of Capital Institute for Neurosciences and Capital Health Cancer Center, is a referral center for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer involving the brain and spine. The Center is housed in state-of-the-art facilities where patients have access to an experienced and caring team of physicians, nurses and staff who work closely with referring physicians to facilitate rapid and thorough evaluations and
COMMON BRAIN TUMOR SYMPTOMS INCLUDE: HEADACHES: A persistent, progressive pain that is different from a migraine, does not respond to over-the-counter pain medication (like aspirin or ibuprofen), gets worse when laying down, and may be accompanied by vomiting or changes in vision. SEIZURES: In some cases, a seizure may be the first indication that a person has a brain tumor. FOCAL PROGRESSIVE SYMPTOMS: Localized symptoms— such as hearing problems, difficulty walking or speaking, or feeling clumsy—can often help identify the location of the tumor. MASS EFFECT: Occurs when a brain tumor presses on surrounding normal tissue, causing nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, vision problems, headaches, and behavior changes. SUDDEN PERSONALITY CHANGES/COGNITIVE CHANGES/ MEMORY LOSS: A tumor may cause disruptions in normal brain function that lead to changes in a patient’s behavior and ability to reason, remember, and learn. recommendations for patients and their families. In addition to providing advanced, neuro-oncologic and neuroscience care, the Center participates in clinical trials to help fight and find cures for cancer. To learn more about Capital Health’s Center for Neuro-Oncology, visit capitalneuro.org.
Nationally Recognized Trauma Center Ready to Help Treat Severe Injuries While the number of cars on the road has decreased with stay-at-home orders, severe injuries can still take place in and around homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The experts at the Bristol Myers Squibb Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center would like to remind everyone that safety measures are in place to protect you from infection if you need immediate, lifesaving care for a severe injury. “Our trauma center has been certified eight times as a Level II Trauma Center by the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons [ACS]. This means that when residents of our community need us most, we are ready to meet the highest quality standards for safely treating severe injuries,” said DR. DOMINICK EBOLI, director of the Bristol Myers Squibb Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center. The Full Spectrum of Care According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, injury is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Care provided in a trauma center decreases the chance of death following injury by 25 percent compared to care in general hospitals.
8Lawrence Gazette | Health Headlines by Capital Health
In addition to providing the necessary resources for trauma care, ACS level II verification also means that centers like the Bristol Myers Squibb Trauma Center address the needs of injured patients across the entire spectrum of care, providing patients at Capital Health Regional Medical Center with access to important injury prevention programs, pre-hospital care and transportation, acute hospital care, rehabilitation, and research. “Through programs and resources not available in most general hospitals—including 24-hour immediate access to trauma surgeons and other specialists—we are able to provide comprehensive care for severe injuries. The key is to call 911 as soon as the injury occurs so that we can treat the injury as soon as possible,” said DR. DENNIS QUINLAN, associate medical director of the Bristol Myers Squibb Trauma Center. To learn more about the Bristol Myers Squibb Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, visit capitalhealth.org/trauma.
DON’T DELAY: Call 911 If You Suspect a Stroke While the fear of contracting COVID-19 has encouraged compliance with stay-at-home orders and social distancing, front-line employees at Capital Health and across the country are seeing an alarming trend of people hesitating to call 911 and delay necessary treatment for time-sensitive emergencies like stroke. “When it comes to treating stroke, we always say ‘time is brain,’ which means that the sooner we can treat you, the better chance we have at a successful outcome,” said DR. CHRISTIAN SCHUMACHER, medical director of the Capital Health Stroke Program and a board certified stroke neurologist at Capital Health. “At Capital Health, we have safety procedures in place to protect you from infection, while making sure you get the immediate, lifesaving stroke care that you need.” The Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center at the Capital Institute for Neurosciences is a major referral center for the treatment of all types of neurovascular diseases, including cerebral aneurysms, strokes, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs), cavernous malformations, carotid artery and vertebral artery atherosclerotic disease, intracranial stenosis as well as Moyamoya disease. The only Joint Commission certified Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center in the region, located at Capital Health Regional Medical Center (RMC) in Trenton, continues to provide safe emergency stroke and neurovascular services 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week during the current health crisis. “As soon as you call 911, our prehospital alert system allows our team in the hospital to prepare for your arrival, saving valuable time to treatment,” said Dr. Schumacher. “Your call could also activate our Mobile Stroke Unit, which can be co-dispatched with basic and advanced life support service to provide safe, immediate care at your location before you even arrive at the hospital.” CONTROLLABLE RISK FACTORS FOR STROKE There are steps you can take right away to lower your risk. Get started by talking to your primary care doctor to learn about stroke screenings and how you can treat or manage controllable risk factors such as:
… High blood pressure … High cholesterol … Heart/blood vessel disease … Cigarette smoking
… Physical inactivity/ obesity/poor diet … Diabetes mellitus
IF YOU SUSPECT A STROKE,
B-E F-A-S-T B
— Balance
E
— Eyes
F
— Face Drooping
A
— Arm Weakness
S
— Speech Difficulty
T
— Time to call 911
Is the person experiencing a sudden loss of balance? Has the person lost vision in one or both eyes?
Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven? Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly? If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 immediately. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.
… Atrial fibrillation … Sickle cell disease
Visit capitalneuro.org to learn more. IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS EXPERIENCING SIGNS OF A STROKE, CALL 911.
Health Headlines by Capital Health | Lawrence Gazette9
HELPING THE HOMELESS DURING COVID-19 Capital Health Joins Local Agencies to Support Underserved Population
New Jersey is among the states hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and as one of the most densely populated states in the nation, urban areas like the City of Trenton are at increased risk of becoming hots spots for the disease. To address the needs of all people in this community and help slow the spread of coronavirus, Capital Health is collaborating with the City of Trenton, the Mercer County Human Services Department, the Mercer County Board of Social Services, the Trenton Health Team (THT), and other community partners to implement a multifaceted response. “For residents, stay-at-home orders and testing are important lines of defense against the spread of COVID-19, but for the city’s homeless population they are virtually impossible,” said Dr. Eric Schwartz, executive director of Capital Health’s Institute for Urban Care. “To help provide Trenton’s homeless with safe options for protecting themselves and the community against the spread of COVID-19, Capital Health is proud to join with the City of Trenton, Mercer County, and all of our partners on the Trenton Health Team in several important initiatives.” Because the virus can be spread by infected people whether or not they are showing symptoms, testing is an important tool for understanding how and where health care organizations direct their efforts. In Mercer County, Capital Health joined with the county’s Division of Public Health, the City of Trenton, and other health care organizations in the region to organize a drive-through COVID-19 testing center. The center is open by appointment only to Mercer County residents age 18 or older who have an order for testing from their primary health care provider. “Drive-through testing is an important service for Mercer County residents, but for the city’s homeless population and those without
transportation who have COVID-19 symptoms, a drive-through site is simply not an option,” said Dr. Schwartz. “To address the needs of this underserved population, Capital Health works with community partners to make walk-up test sites available in each Trenton ward one day a week.” For most people who test positive for COVID-19, sheltering in place is a common recommendation, but for those who are homeless, self-isolation is virtually impossible. Capital Health worked with its partner agencies and the City of Trenton to help establish an emergency shelter to provide homeless people with a safe space for recovery while not putting others in the community at risk. Other initiatives to provide support for the Trenton homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic include the coordination of food pantries and meal programs through local churches and community organizations and working with local pharmacies to ensure access to their services. To learn more about Capital Health Institute for Urban Care and its work in the City of Trenton, visit capitalhealth.org/urbancare. For more information about Mercer County resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit mercercounty.org/covid-19.
VIDEO VISITS FOR PRIMARY CARE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NOW AVAILABLE Now more than ever, your primary care provider should be your first point of contact if you’re not feeling well. To safely and conveniently provide you with the most appropriate care, Capital Health Medical Group offers video visits with the same great doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants that patients see in our Primary Care Network locations throughout the region. Available to current and new patients, these appointments are now covered by insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, and in many cases co-pays will not be charged. If you are a patient at one of our primary care offices, call your office to schedule your video visit. If you are a new patient, call 1.844.343.2464. The incredible physical toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on both patients and health care workers is unmistakable, but the crisis is also having a significant impact on the population as a whole that is sometimes less obvious. With more people experiencing feelings of helplessness, loss, and loneliness during the current health crisis, Capital Health – Behavioral Health Specialists offers video visit appointments to help current and new patients process and navigate these challenging times. 10Lawrence Gazette | Health Headlines by Capital Health
Out of an abundance of caution for patients and providers, Capital Health – Behavioral Health Specialists has temporarily switched to video visits only, with limited group support options available as well. Video visits for behavioral health are now covered by most major insurances, including Medicare, and in many cases co-pays will not be charged. Referrals from primary care providers are not required. To schedule a video visit appointment with one of the providers at Capital Health – Behavioral Health Specialists, call 609.689.5725 or visit capitalhealth.org/behavioralhealth for more information.
HeALtH
Is it safe to go to the hospital during the current health crisis? DR. SETH ROSENBAUM ASK THE DOCTOR
Concerned about your health? Experts from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton are ready to answer readers’ questions. Send your questions to askthedoc@ rwjbh.org. Is it safe to go to the hospital? Yes, it is safe to go to the hospital, though it’s understandable that patients and their families may be fearful of seeking medical care right now. At Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, a high reliability organization, safety has always come first; it is embedded in everything we do. With the safety of our patients and team members at the forefront, and as a nine-time recipient of the Leapfrog Group’s Safety Grade A, we are taking the appropriate precautions
and using best practices to continue to ensure the highest quality care, protection, support and comfort for our patients. Some of these measures include: Adherence to the governor’s executive orders and adherence to all national, state and local public health guidance and regulatory policies; Staff vigilance regarding the appropriate use of personal protective equipment with all patients; Stringent cleaning and disinfection in all rooms, including equipment and surfaces, frequently and between patient (RWJUH Hamilton also utilizes Tru-D ultraviolet disinfecting technology for an added level of disinfection); Active screening of team members, patients and visitors (when permitted) upon entering a facility, for symptoms of COVID-19; Requiring everyone who enters our facility to wear a mask or face covering; continued restriction of visitors; social and physical distancing
measures for all people in our facilities; and Strict hand hygiene and availability of hand sanitizer throughout our facilities; conducting COVID-19 testing for all surgical patients prior to their procedures, as well as for all emergency department patients admitted to the hospital that meet criteria; and continued preparation and readiness for potential future surges. What should I do if I need surger y? Now that the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey has passed, we are moving forward in a thoughtful and structured way to ensure that those patients who require surgery receive the treatments they need, safely. There is no need to delay surgery, particularly if it is time-sensitive; discuss any concerns you have with your physician. Rest assured, at RWJUH Hamilton, we are here when you need us.
At YoUr SerViCe
Can I visit the emergency department for an emergency other than COVID-19? Absolutely. It is vitally important that care should not be delayed for patients experiencing signs and symptoms of a heart attack, stroke or other emergencies. RWJUH Hamilton remains ready to safely provide care in our Emergency Department. I put off some routine testing because of COVID-19. Should I schedule it now? Yes. If you’ve put off any medical care due to COVID-19, please don’t delay it any longer. As a high reliability organization, we’ve taken every precaution and continue to provide health care services. We will also initiate a resumption of services in keeping with the governor’s executive orders and adherence to all public health guidance and regulatory policies. Learn more at rwjbh.org/ welcomeback. Dr. Seth Rosenbaum, board certified in infectious disease, is Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton.
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12 Lawrence Gazette | June 2020