12-20 WWP by Community News Service

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Season of giving Local nonproﬁts adapt to provide during pandemic

Virtual classes will be held through Dec. 9 and after winter break

By RoB ANtHES, JoE EmaNSKi aND Sam Sciarrotta

La Convivencia’s mission is to embrace diversity within our shared humanity to create peace in our communities, said Tasneem Sultan, the organization’s founder and president. There’s no better time to do that than during the winter holidays. For the last two years, La Convivencia has hosted a day of service in December, packed with youth-oriented activities aimed at bringing together people of all faiths and cultures to give back to the community. “In 2019, nearly 300 youth and adults of many cultures and faiths met at the Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church,” Sultan said. “During the activities, they also enjoyed performances of classical Indian dance and a martial arts demonstration. The Holiday Day of Service is an annual event where volunteers gather to give back in the spirit of the holidays that is a tradition present in diverse faiths and cultures.” The day usually consists of decorating cookies, packing personal care items, wrapping presents and writing holiday greeting cards. Everything created on the day of service See NONPROFITS, Page 11

By Sam Sciarrotta

Menaka Surendran (left), Rekha Naidu, Thuvaritha Sivakumar, Sainthavi Sivakumar, Steffina Jerald Kannan, Sayee Sanjana, Naresh Kumar, Malarvizhi Jayaprakash and Priya Balakrishnan are part of a team of needle crafters who crocheted nearly 70,000 Christmas decorations. They earned a Guinness World Record certification for their efforts.

Queens of crocheting Plainsboro crafters part of Guinness record attempt By Sam Sciarrotta

What started as a new hobby turned into part of a Guinness World Record for 10 Plainsboro women. Aparna Nair, Priya Balakrishnan, Malarvizhi Jayaprakash, Rekha Naidu, Menaka Surendran, Thuvaritha Sivakumar, Sainthavi Sivakumar, Steffina Jerald

Kannan and Sayee Sanjana Naresh Kumar earned Guinness certification for their participation in the Mother India Crochet Queens’ effort to create the world’s largest display of Christmas decorations. The Plainsboro group contributed 1,800 handmade items to the total collection of 66,158, shattering the previous record of 4,416 set by the Women’s Weekly, a British group. “It’s like writing your name in history,” Balakrishnan said. The women were among a group of 350. They crafted

snowmen, Santa Claus bobbleheads, nativity figures, snowflakes, Christmas trees, bells, stars and shamrocks. All 66,000 ornaments were collected and displayed in Chennai, India, where they will be converted into blankets, cushion covers, mobile cases and sling bags for orphanages, churches and other charitable organizations. Surendran was able to travel to India last year to present the Plainsboro group’s contributions. Surendran was introduced See CROCHET, Page 14

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West Windsor-Plainsboro schools are running on a fully remote schedule, superintendent David Aderhold announced in a letter Nov. 20. The district will remain fully virtual through Wednesday, Dec. 9. Daily COVID-19 cases have risen statewide from 284 per day to over 4,000 since the school year started. In the WW-P school district, 421 students and 199 staff members have been placed in quarantine or isolation. The quarantine and isolation designations do not necessarily mean a student or staff member has tested positive for the coronavirus. Those in quarantine or isolation may have exhibited symptoms, come into close contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive, traveled from a state on the New Jersey Travel Advisory list or traveled internationally. “Throughout the escalation of the number of cases, the procedures and protocols that the district has put into place have been successful in mitigating school-based spread,” See SCHOOLS, Page 6

2ď&#x20AC;źThe News | December 2020

What is “normal,” anyway? SAM SCIARROTTA FROM THE EDITOR

for us now? Should we even be thinking about returning to what we define as normal? Maybe we should focus on adapting to our current surroundings instead—a temporary “new normal,” if you will. Take La Convivencia and other area nonprofit organizations that Community News staf f profiled for this issue of the News. Each of these charities had to change the way the operated to fit pandemic guidelines, whether that was adjusting annual events or coming up with new ones. I think we could all do better by following their leads. We need to be flexible and willing to adapt our daily lives—especially during the holiday season—to what we’re currently experiencing. We can help mitigate the astronomical spread of COVID-19 in the United States by masking up, eliminating close, indoor group gatherings, and maybe having our winter holiday celebrations over Zoom or FaceTime. It’s time to treat this as our new normal. And we can make it temporary by being proactive and safe this holiday season.

There are a few things that define the holiday season for me. My mom’s crab sauce and my nanny’s filet and twice-baked potatoes are some. Watching The Wizard of Oz on Thanksgiving is another. One of my family’s oldest traditions, though, is the ceramic Christmas tree. Every person I know who celebrates Christmas and has ties to the tri-state area has one of these. The tree is dotted with colorful plastic bulbs—and sometimes birds and a star—that glow when a light bulb at the base of the tree is turned on. My mom has one, my grandparents have them, my aunts and uncles have them. The tree has been a staple of each of my 30 Christmases. Except for last year. When I moved into my own apartment last year, my mom (understandably) was not willing to part with hers. She and my stepdad, though, bought me my own over the summer, and I finally put it out mid-November. It was a nice piece of normalcy in an otherwise not-so-normal year. Contact SAM SCIARROTTA: ssciarrotta@ And that got me thinking about communitynews.org, (609) 396-1511, ext. “normal.” What does that word mean 121, facebook.com/samsciarrotta1

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Around town tional support through a grant from the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission. All events are free and open to the public. For more information email gallery@mccc.edu.

Student earns art honors Megan Serfass of Princeton Junction was honored at the Mercer County Artists Exhibit, hosted by The Gallery at Mercer County Community College on Thursday, Oct. 29, for “Glitch,” her oil on canvas piece. The show was held virtually using online conferencing. The exhibition, an outgrowth of a partnership between the college and the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission dating back to the mid-1990s, accepted 27 pieces from 21 artists. The show was organized by Gallery Director Alice K. Thompson, juried by Colleen McCubbin Stepanic, a mixed media artist, and sponsored by Blick Art Materials. According to Thompson, it was initially feared that the exhibit would be one of the many events cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. “We decided to forge ahead and celebrate the arts at a time when we arguably need it most,” Thompson said. Tiffany Fang of Princeton took home Best in Show for her graphiteon-paper piece, “Sun Spot.” Other winners include “Skull Drawing” (Conte crayon on paper) by Larry Chestnut of Hamilton; “Bahamian Magic” (oil on board mounted canvas) by Carlo Fiorentini of Princeton; “Dialogue 2” (acrylic) by Shahla Mansouri of Hamilton; “Autumn Starfish”

Beth Chaim goes virtual

“Glitch” by Princeton Junction resident Megan Serfass was named one of the winners of the Mercer County Artists Exhibit, hosted by Mercer County Community College. (acrylic on canvas) by William Plank of Lawrenceville; “Hippo” (automotive paint on Masonite) by Megan Uhaze of Hamilton; “Sun Spot” (graphite on paper) by Tiffany Fang of Princeton; “The Moment in Time” (mixed media) by Janis Purcell of East Wind-

sor; “Glitch” (oil on canvas) by MCCC alumna Serfass and “Rooted” (digital art on paper) a self-portrait by Danielle Rackowski of Hamilton. The Gallery at Mercer County Community College is funded by Mercer County Community College with addi-

Amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, Congregation Beth Chaim, the largest Reform Jewish congregation in Mercer County, is continuing to grow a thriving online religious community despite congregants not being able to gather together in person. The latest online effort is a plan to host communal Zoom events so congregants can light Hanukkah menorahs together. “The Maccabees fought for religious freedom and lit the menorah in the Temple in order to bring their community together,” said Adena Blum, senior rabbi of West Windsorbased Congregation Beth Chaim. “We have the same need for community today. As a result of the novel coronavirus, we cannot gather in person, but technology allows us to come together for holidays, education, and worship, and we are making use of that.” Congregation Beth Chaim has scheduled a series of cultural and educational events and worship services during Hanukkah, which starts at sundown on Dec. 10 and continues until sundown on Dec. 18. Each of the

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events or services will take place on Zoom and will include a communal lighting of the Hanukkah menorah. “This is a unique way for us to connect. At this dark time of year and during this dark period of the pandemic, we are looking forward to bringing more light into our lives,” Blum said. Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Congregation Beth Chaim has migrated its educational and worship activities online using Zoom. The congregation also live-streams its services on YouTube. That began long before the pandemic started. “Our live-streaming of services began as a way for us to reach people who could not join us in our sanctuary to worship with us,” Blum said. “Using Zoom to celebrate Hanukkah virtually as a community is part of that important effort.”

Schools to host parent seminar

The West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District will host its next virtual Parent University seminar Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. through Zoom. The topic, “Coping with COVID: The Impact of Social Media,” will focus on how social media has rapidly transformed how adolescents socialize and interact with one another, which has contributed to an ongoing debate about whether social media is helping or harming teens today. The COVID-19 pandemic has only magnified this societal dilemma as teens are spending more time than ever before online. Registration is required. After registering, parents will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the webinar. A full recording of the program will be posted to the WWPRSD YouTube channel after the event. Once posted, a link will be send out for families to view. For more information, to register or to view past Parent University events, visit ww-p.org.

Arts Council sells kits for a cause

The West Windsor Arts Council is offering at-home craft kits, with proceeds to benefit HomeFront. Like many arts and small nonprofit organizations, the organization has developed virtual programming and at-home activities. That is what inspired Art Kits for a Cause. Each kit includes all of the supplies needed for an acrylic painting project and a polymer clay beading project with a printed instruction sheet, as well as a link to videos featuring West Windsor Arts Council teaching artists providing step-by-step guidance. Kits will be distributed to those in need through HomeFront, whose mission is to end homelessness in Central New Jersey. The kits are also available to purchase for personal use or for HomeFront clients. “Art has the power to bring joy, to transform our lives, and to provide us with a tool for expression, which is so important right now,” said Aylin Green, executive director of the West Windsor Arts Center. “This is a win-win-win. When you purchase an art kit, you have the chance to enrich the lives of others, as well as your own, while supporting the arts. The gifts just keep giving when they are donated to HomeFront as well.” RWJ Barnabas Health in Hamilton sponsored the first 25 kits for distribution at its cancer center. “We are grateful to RWJ Barnabas Health for their support of this project,” Green said. Kits are $30 each. For more information, or to purchase, visit westwindsorarts.org.

WHAT DID WE MISS? What are you noticing in your community? What stories do you think we should tell? Do you have news to share? We want to hear from you. Send your news or tips to news@communitynews.org.

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ture scanners and door entry temperaSCHOOLS continued from Page 1 Aderhold wrote. “However, these past ture scanners. Students and staff are two weeks have seen an exponential required to undergo wellness checks, increase in contact tracing, quarantin- and masks are required to be worn on ing, and positive cases in our school buses and in school buildings at all community. Our West Windsor and times. Winter recess will run Dec. 23 Plainsboro families, and the families of to Jan. 1. Starting our staff members, are Jan. 4, the district feeling the effects of will observe a temthis devastating virus. porary 14-day move With the Thanksgiving to full-remote learnholiday upon us, rising through Jan. 18. ing state and national Schools will return to cases, the return of to in-person instrucour college students, tion Tuesday, Jan. 19. and increased interLike the upcoming state and intrastate return-to-school date, travel that we know will this will also be reevalinclude gathering with uated prior to the family and friends, it resumption of physical is evident that the disinstruction. Additiontrict must take actions ally, all students and to protect the health staff who travel out of and safety of our staff, state at any point durstudents, and greater ing remote learning school community.” periods should still The district will quarantine for 14 days. resume in-person The district is worklearning for students ing with the Commuwho opted for the nity Education Prohybrid model and allgram to offer families in instruction models the option to register on Dec. 10. Students for EDP care while stuon the Hybrid 2 scheddents are fully remote. ule will attend school More information, in-person for two days including a registrathat week. The week of tion link, can be found Dec. 14 will run on the Hybrid 1 schedule. The week of Dec. here. The program will adhere to all 21, a three-day week, will finish on the state gathering guidelines, so space is limited. The opening of the program Hybrid 2 schedule. The Dec. 10 date will be reevaluated will be dependent on staffing and prior to a return to school, based on must be in line with any related Execulocal and state COVID data, guidance tive Order in place. As this program adheres to all state from the state, West Windsor and Plainsboro health departments and gathering guidelines, spaces are limany corresponding Executive Orders ited. The opening of this program is by Gov. Phil Murphy. Any changes will dependent on staffing and must be in be communicated before the return- line with any Executive Order in place at the time. to-school date. “Please remain vigilant as we conThe district started the school year with in-person hybrid and all-virtual tinue to see an alarming increase in models. The hybrid model runs on an COVID cases throughout our state alternating weekly schedule—groups and region,” Aderhold wrote. “I wish of students alternate between in-per- you and your families’ health and son classes in the morning and virtual safety in the days ahead.” instruction in the afternoon. Prior to the school year, the district Contact SAM SCIARROTTA: ssciarrotta@ ordered 250,000 masks, face shields, communitynews.org, YOUR HOMETOWN AGENT YOUR HOMETOWN AGENT (609) 396-1511, ext. 800 gallons of hand sanitizer, tempera- 121, facebook.com/samsciarrotta1

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NONPROFITS cont. from Page 1 is donated to local social service agencies, like Arm in Arm and RISE. “In addition, varied groups are invited to showcase arts and crafts reflecting their cultures like making paper Islamic lanterns, learning how to write a message of hope in Chinese calligraphy, and performing traditional holiday music and dance,” Sultan said. “Attendees can build cross-cultural relationships and enjoy ethnic food.” This year’s event, though, will look a little different. The West Windsorbased group will host a Parade of Lights Dec. 5 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to decorate their cars with lights and drive through a collection station at the Ronald R. Rogers Arboretum and Park (across S from High M School T South) where they can deliver personal care items in their trunk for no contact 1 removal by La Convivencia’s team, Arm In Arm and RISE members. Items include dental hygiene products, baby6 wipes, 7diapers, shampoo, 8 conditioner and more. The organization asks that all drive-through volunteers wear13facemasks. 14 15 Participants can also post pictures to La Convivencia’s Facebook page using the hashtags #sharethelight and 20 21 22 #coexistlaconvivencia. La Convivencia’s younger cameramemNew Build bers have also been active. ready The Youth 27 Council has been28 creating29 letters, notes and cards Bc, onhp,their eo own pe, he,for wwpcomSeNd SeNd munity distribution. “Youth Council co-leader Anha,

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based on her experience volunteering with Artis Senior Living, inspired the Letters to Love project and the team ran with it,” Sultan said. “The Youth Council is also writing messages to adults with disabilities in group homes of Enable, Inc., and for Arm In Arm that provides the basic needs of food and shelter to families in need. Writing Letters to Love simply shows that we don’t forget not only the older residents of our state but also those who may not have families to eat dinner and connect with during the holidays.” Completed cards can be mailed to W T FLa S Convivencia, P.O. Box 331, Princeton Junc2 4 5 tion, NJ 308550. Deadline is Dec. 8. The organization has 9transitioned 10 its in-per11 12 son presentations and conferences to online monthly 17virtual 18dia16 19 logues held over Zoom. Sultan said speakers from across the state dis23 24 26 cuss interfaith, social25justice, understanding local policingtd,policies and learning lG, ra about New Jersey’sSeNd Indigenous people. 30 The Youth31Council’s work is also done entirely online, including a new blog on all La Conviviencia’s website. All marketing, delivered education and volunteer recruitment is

West Windsorbased La Convivencia is hosting a Parade of Lights and a card-writing campaign this holiday season.

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now run through social media. “One of the most difficult things has been raising funds during COVID,” Sultan said. “La Convivencia is a volunteer-run organization and it has expenses such as hosting its website, monthly Zoom fees, purchasing materials for events, providing honorariums to speakers, etc. Since La Convivencia does not charge for any activities, it solely relies on donations from those who participate in its online efforts. La Convivencia requests people to donate generously to continue their work...La Convivencia persists to do its work in whatever ways possible and continues to reflect on what more we can do to positively impact our community.” For more information about the organization, visit laconvivencia.org. *** ONE Project knows a thing or two about massive volunteer events. Every summer, the organization hosts the Hunger Project event, where 2,000 people gather at Robbinsville High School to pack meals for the food insecure—the event typically yields 150,000 meals packed and

ready to go in four hours. “This event neatly embodies both the mission and vision of ONE Project to bring people of different backgrounds and faiths together to address social needs through education and volunteerism,” wrote board member Danielle Liegl. “In other words, to work as ONE to make a difference.” This year, though, things obviously had to change. The Hunger Project was cancelled, until the organization recalibrated and decided to reschedule—with some pandemic-appropriate guidelines. Starting in October, 20 ONE Project volunteers got together on a handful of Saturdays to safely pack meals in a masked, socially distant setting at Firkin Tavern in Ewing. The program, dubbed “ONE Firkin Meal at a Time,” will have netted over 10,000 meals by December. The final meal packing event of the year was scheduled for Dec. 5, but was canceled at the end of November due to COVID-19 restrictions. The remaining 2,500 meals were packed separately. “It’s an event that we are really proud of,” said ONE Project chairwoman Stacey Kierman. “We were certainly disappointed to not be able to host the Hunger Project this year due to COVID, so we pivoted our thinking to continue to make an impact on the community during this difficult time.” Liegl said ONE Project was able to keep busy throughout the pandemic with other initiatives as lockdown See NONPROFITS, Page 12

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NONPROFITS cont. from Page 11 pressed on. Volunteers worked with the Sikh Sabha Neighborhood Langar in Lawrence and the Rolling Harvest Food Rescue in Titusville. They also helped pack meals and craft no-sew blankets with the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton and Be Kind, the Joy of Giving. “After these wonderful experiences, we realized we could still tackle local food insecurity by hosting meal packaging events on a smaller scale,” said ONE Project director of events Lauren Beaver. So ONE Firkin Meal at a Time was born. Around 80 volunteers got together for two hours on Saturday mornings to safely package 2,500 meals each session. Meals were donated to local nonprofit food suppliers, including Rise Food Pantry in Hightstown. “These events continually show us how people of a community can really accomplish a lot and make a difference when they come together as one,” said Rajnarind Kapur, the organization’s co-director of student involvement. To donate or to volunteer, visit oneprojectnj.org. *** Last holiday season, Ewing residents Kelly and Chris Stevens had extra reasons to be thankful. They had moved into a new apartment with their two sons, age 15 and 8, thanks to a security deposit from Lawrence-based nonprofit HomeFront. This ended a period of homelessness

for their family, during which they stayed in a low-budget hotel and their oldest son tried to run away. They said the move was a fresh start. Kelly and Chris had jobs they liked at local restaurants. Their children benefited from the stability of having a home of their own. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March. Slowly, everything unraveled. Chris and Kelly lost their jobs and got several months behind on rent. Chris got a new position at a shipping company and worked night shifts at a restaurant, but it wasn’t enough. Afraid, they called HomeFront, and received help with back rent and groceries. Their boys were placed on a list to be sponsored so that they might receive presents this Christmas. HomeFront has provided these kinds of services to local families for 30 years. But it has found surging demand during the pandemic. The nonprofit has distributed more than double the number of groceries and other basic essentials in 2020 than in a normal year, and six times the number of diapers and baby wipes. The pandemic also hasn’t lessened the need for other services provided by HomeFront, such as emergency shelter for 38 families at its Family Campus in Ewing, managing 115 lowcost apartments and helping families with education, job training and placement and life skills. Each holiday season, it also puts on its Christmas Wishes program, where individuals, churches and businesses

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During the pandemic, longtime HomeFront volunteer Madeline Lightman of West Windsor helps the nonprofit meet twice the normal level of demand from local families for groceries and essentials. She is pictured here sorting donated items. purchase gifts for children. Homefront supplies the child’s gender, age and a wish list so that each child will have presents to open on Christmas Day. In 2019, the community supported 3,300 homeless or formerly homeless children through Homefront. The nonprofit always has relied on help from the community in order to provide relief to local people. This remains true as it attempts to meet the increased need in the area. Much of this support comes in the form of volunteering. More than 3,000 people volunteer at Homefront every year. Volunteers, in conjunction with in-kind donations and financial support from the community, have allowed Homefront to help 32,000 local people just this year. “HomeFront helps families to feel better, get educated, learn about parenting, and stand on their own two feet” says HomeFront volunteer Madeline Lightman from West Windsor. “Coming here gives me a purpose to get up in the morning.” For more information, go online at homefrontnj.org or email getinvolved@homefrontnj.org. *** Since 2010, Christine’s Hope For Kids has raised more than $1 million in its mission to help less fortunate children and to support local community agencies whose own missions are to help children in need. Longtime Hopewell Valley residents and Christine’s Hope founders Jean and John Gianacaci believe that every child deserves the chance to be a kid, regardless of their circumstances. One major focus of the organization through the years has been literacy. Christine’s Hope regularly holds book fairs around the area to help raise funds, and every year around Christmastime,

Christine’s Hope volunteers often pack books in bags along with pajamas, blankets and other necessities to be donated to children at local shelters. This year, there will be a new book going into those bags: Always Better Together: A Story of Acceptance, Friendship and Love. It’s a children’s book commissioned by the organization and written by Christine’s Hope board member Linda Martin, a Ewing resident and the shopkeeper of the recently closed Flutter Boutique in Pennington. Always Better Together tells the story of Ella and Sara, who meet and become best friends after Sara moves to Ella’s neighborhood one summer. The friendship is tested once school starts because Sara’s friends don’t immediately accept Sara, who is a stutterer. Through the experience, Ella learns important lessons about accepting other people for their differences. “The books we buy (to put in the bags) are great, but I really wanted a book with a message of kindness and acceptance,” Jean Gianacaci says. “And to make it so that every child received the same book. Linda is an excellent writer, and she has done an amazing book for us.” The Gianacacis founded the nonprofit to honor their daughter, Christine, who died while on a humanitarian mission to Haiti in January 2010. Christine was one of 12 Lynn University students who were in Port-au-Prince when a massive earthquake struck, causing the hotel where the group was staying to collapse. Two professors and four students, including Christine, were killed in the disaster. Gianacaci says it has long been a dream of hers to have a book written in memory of Christine, who, like the character of Sara in the story, dealt with some challenges growing up.

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all week. “The pandemic is upending all our lives — it’s making all of us homebound,” Montaño says. “But for the people we’re serving, being homebound is nothing different than what they are used to. Our model is to have regular deliverers with permanent routes, so they can develop relationships with the people they serve, week after week. That’s where the magic happens.” The sight of a familiar face can be really important in terms of helping clients feel safe. “They look forward to seeing the volunteers, they’re so grateful when they come. That three minutes of checking in, of conversation, can make all the difference. Adding to the challenge is that many Meals on Wheels clients have seen their already fragile social networks diminished further. “Maybe a neighbor or a friend or even family members that were helping, they’re now staying away to stay safe,” Montaño says. “That consistency of seeing the same people — even at a safe distance — has become even more important now.” So while Meals on Wheels of Mercer County is always looking for new volunteers, the need is greater now than ever. Training is provided to all new volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, contact the volunteer coordinator at (609) 695-3483, or email questions to info@mealsonwheelsmercer.org. On the web: mealsonwheelsmercer.org.

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won’t be going out on Christmas day to deliver meals, they will be providing the nonprofit organization’s homebound senior clients with traditional Christmas meals earlier in the week that they will be able to heat and eat on the holiday. This month they will also be distributing “Blizzard Bags” to their clients — care packages full of nonperishable items intended to help the clients get through any winter emergencies that might arise. Meals on Wheels continues to fulfill its mission of providing nutritious meals and easing social isolation for homebound individuals despite the challenges presented by the pandemic. Many volunteers who had regular delivery routes were themselves seniors, and Sasa Olessi Montaño, MOWMC’s chief executive officer, says that many have reluctantly stepped away out of concern for their own health. She estimates that she has lost 65 to 70 percent of her regular delivery team. “If somebody came and offered me either a million dollar check or a million volunteers, I would take the volunteers, because the volunteers are like money for us,” she says. Montaño and her staff have been able to keep meal deliveries going out the standard five days a week — even if it means handling some routes themselves — but she says the Meals on Wheels mission encompasses more than just food. For some clients, the daily visit from their deliverers is the only human contact they will have

been possible, but we’re very fortunate that we can afford to purchase the toys we’ll be giving away this year. The kids are still there, no matter what we’re going through. The kids still need us.” For more information, to order copies of the book, or to donate to Christine’s Hope For Kids, go online to christineshope.org or call (609) 406-7681. *** Every year, Meals on Wheels of Mercer County partners with The Church of St. Ann in Lawrence and the Trenton Kiwanis Club to provide Thanksgiving day meals to seniors who are spending the holiday alone. That was true even in this year of Covid-19, although the coronavirus forced the organizations — and their volunteers — to adapt to the constraints of the pandemic. In ordinary times, volunteers from St. Ann’s and the Kiwanis gather at the church to make the food before it is delivered by Meals on Wheels to those in need. This year, Leonardo’s, the Lawrence restaurant, agreed to prepare the meals in their kitchen to limit volunteers’ exposure to the virus. More than a third of Meals on Wheels of Mercer County’s 325 clients opted into this year’s Thanksgiving Day program. MOW volunteers picked up fully prepared meals on Thanksgiving morning and delivered them to 120 clients throughout the area. While Meals on Wheels volunteers

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When she was 11, Christine was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome, and because of tics that she had that are associated with Tourette’s, she was sometimes bullied or excluded. “She felt the impact of sitting alone in the cafeteria, or not being invited to a party because of a tic,” Gianacaci says. “And throughout her challenges, she was always kind. She always sought out the kid who was being ignored. Her kindness and compassion for others always came through.” Martin says she wanted to write a story that kids would be able to see themselves in. “There were themes we wanted to come through in the story, like bullying,” Martin says. “People think of bullying as someone pushing someone against a locker, but there are other kinds of bullying: peer pressure, exclusion. I think it’s going to be a wonderful tool that can open up a dialog between a parent and a child, and also for teachers to open up that same dialog with students.” The 40-page hardcover book, written by Martin and illustrated by Anita Barghigiani, is on sale now for $24.95. Gianacaci says all proceeds from sales of the book will go toward the organization’s various initiatives. “It’s been a challenging year for everybody (because of the Covid-19 pandemic) but I think you just learn to go in different directions,” Gianacaci says. “We usually get a lot of toys donated to us (for distribution around the holidays). This year that hasn’t

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CROCHET continued from Page 1 to the Mother India Crochet Queens through her sister-in-law, who was already a member. The group was founded in 2016 and has over 6,000 members across 13 countries. It focuses on charitable activities, like distributing scar ves, crocheted toys, knitted cotton and silk caps and crocheted cowls and caps to those in need and other organizations. The Mother India Crochet Queens have previously set records for the largest crocheted blanket, largest crocheted scarf and largest display of crocheted sculptures. Surendran’s sister-in-law told her about the record attempt last year, and she decided to join. There was just one small loose end to be tied up—Surendran had never crocheted before. So she reached out to Balakrishnan, who was an experienced needle crafter. “I was totally new,” Surendran said. “Priya taught me how to crochet, and she helped me with all of the different designs.” Surendran then recruited some of her friends, as well as her daughter, Kumar, and her classmates. “They really wanted to do this, too,”she said. “We started meeting on weekends. I just learned from Priya, and then all of sudden I was teaching these kids. But we were able to complete our target by June of last year.” The women set a goal of 100 deco-

Eight Plainsboro residents crocheted 1,800 Christmas decorations as part of the Mother India Crochet Queens Guinness World Record effort. rations from each individual—most of whom were first-time crocheters. Nair was the largest contributor—she finished 1,000 baubles in a five-month period. She’s been crocheting for over a decade, and Balakrishnan said she was a massive help. “Apart from the designs, we also did pieces of nativity scenes,” she said. “Someone might do Jesus in the cradle, the mother, the father, shepherds. Aparna did one complete nativity scene on her own. She’s ter-

rific. Generally, a baby blanket is 36 inches. For me, that’s three to four days of work. She can do that in a day.” Many of the participants were new to needle crafting, though, and there was a bit of learning curve at first. But they all supported each other throughout the process. “I hadn’t learned how to crochet before,” Sivakumar said. “It was fun to do something new, learning every weekend with Miss Menaka. I would try to finish as many ornaments as I

could that day. It was such a great opportunity and a real accomplishment. I value it so much, and I valued it while I was doing it. I was really proud of myself.” The women got together most weekends for three or four hours a day, learning patterns and crocheting one or two decorations by the end of the day. For the group, it was an opportunity to socialize and share food while working toward a major goal. “Once the kids learned the pattern,

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I would give them a target—maybe 10 decorations by the next week,” Surendran said. “The kids accomplished whatever I gave them. It was initially a bit of a struggle, but they got the hang of it, and they finished their targets way before we did.” Balakrishnan started crocheting through a charity organization when she moved to the United States four years ago. Surendran told her about the Mother India Crochet Queens, and she was immediately interested. Balakrishnan hadn’t worked with patterns before, though, so she watched a lot of videos to get herself acquainted with them. “I think we were a group of three people at first,” she said. “Menaka took up the challenge of teaching the kids and getting them involved.” Balakrishnan said the patterns, for the most part, were simple. The women were able to do 10 or so in one sitting, as long as they were able to find the time. “The craziest part was weaving the ends of the decorations together,” she said. “It can drive you insane. We also had to sew ever y 50 pieces onto a netted cloth so they could be counted for the record more easily.” Jayaprakash also has a background in crocheting. She learned from her mother and aunties, who taught her how to make bags. “We came here and Menaka introduced me to this,” she said. “After

The Mother India Crochet Queens set a Guinness record for the largest display of crocheted Christmas decorations—66,158. that, I got the opportunity to contribute some items. I had crocheted some small things before, but this was my first time making decorations. It is a lifetime achievement, and it really was a nice way to spend a day. Good food and good times.” Kannan also had some experience crocheting, and she was excited to try something new with her skills.

nan said. “If Menaka had doubts about a pattern, she’d call me and ask, ‘How do you do this?’ By the end, we’d give the kids a target of 10 or 20 decorations by the end of the week, but in the next two or three days, they would finish. They’re overachievers.” That hard work paid off for the women. They were able to meet their goal—and then some—within five months, and they were officially honored with their world record certificates in October. And they hope this isn’t their last one. The Mother India Crochet Queens are aiming for another record—this time, they want to create the largest online photo album of crocheted items. The Plainsboro crew has already registered for that. For now, though, they’re all still enjoying the success of this last attempt. “It gave me a sense of satisfaction, Surendran said. “It was an accomplishment. I felt like I had done something great and important in my life. I value this Guinness certificate very much. It’s a big achievement, and it’s a confidence boost.” For more information on the Mother India Crochet Queens, visit micq.co.in.

“I’m glad I’m part of this team,” she said. “I had done it as a hobby before. But when Sayee told me about this, I didn’t know it could be more than just a hobby.” The whole effort was a good mix of experienced crocheters and those new to needle crafting—it made for Contact SAM SCIARROTTA: ssciarrotta@ fun times, a lot of teamwork and some communitynews.org, (609) 396-1511, ext. interesting developments, Balakrish- 121, facebook.com/samsciarrotta1

"Always Professional, Always Personal"

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‘Service-oriented’ Hersh takes vacant council seat Councilman appointed after Virginia Manzari steps down By Sam Sciarrotta

There was no municipal election in West Windsor last month, but a new member still joined township council. Andrew Hersh was appointed to a council seat following the resignation of council president Virginia Manzari. Manzari announced that she and her family were moving out of state and stepped down from her position at a Sept. 14 council meeting. Andrea Mandel will serve as the new council president. “This move is bittersweet for me,” Manzari wrote in a letter to residents. “While I look forward to new adventures with my family, it means I have to say goodbye to a community that I love.” That goodbye is a hello for Hersh, a longtime West Windsor resident. He and his wife, Maureen Connolly-Hersh, have two children, ages 14 and 7. He decided to pursue the vacant seat for one reason: “The opportunity to do more for our community,” he said. Below is an interview with Hersh, conducted by The News. It has been edited for clarity. The News: Have you held municipal office before, in West Windsor

or otherwise? Andrew Hersh: I have served on the West Windsor Human Relations Council for many years, focused on making it increasingly impactful into the everyday lives of our community. I believe that the HRC has done a good job building upon the work of the great folks who came before us. I look forward to supporting these efforts from my new role on council. I also currently serve as an appointed member of the Infrastructure Advisory Committee for the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. It is a state-level appointment. The News: Where did you go to high school? Did you go to college? If so, where and what did you study? Hersh: I moved in high school to Pennsylvania, but I started at Wootton High School in the D.C. suburbs of Maryland and finished at James Buchanan in rural Pennsylvania. My college alma mater is Penn State University. I studied business logistics, which today is better known as supply chain management. I have additionally completed senior fellowships with the George Washington University Center for Cyber and Homeland Security, and the McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure at Auburn University. The News: Are you involved with any volunteer or ser vice orga-

Happy Holidays This holiday season is unlike any other, to cap off a year unlike any other. Throughout this season, and as we move into a new (and hopefully better) year, we wish you moments of peace amid the difficulties, connections with family and friends even if they can’t be in person, the warmth of memories from holidays past, and wonderful glimpses of the joy that still lives under the surface.

Wishing you happy and healthy Holiday Season

Eva Petruzziello

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16The News | December 2020

nizations, in West Windsor or cheerleader for my kid’s sports is my favorite hobby. otherwise? The News: What inspired you to Hersh: Many. We are a service oriented family. I attempt the impossi- pursue the vacant council seat? Hersh: I believe that I can be a force ble task of trying to keep up with my much better half, Maureen, who seems for good in the community, and have to be able to do five things at once for always been able to unite folks toward a 24 hours a day. My father and Mau- common goal and overcome the tough reen serve as constant inspirations in obstacles to get there. I have concrete my life around making an impact for thoughts on how I may make an impact the communities we touch. My father but, more importantly, we are a town of focused his life on social justice and incredibly capable people—and being helping others. Maureen is driven by able to act on their goals and objectives how many people she can support and will make this town ever-better. The News: What do you hope inspire to do good in the world. I carry to bring to the West my father’s legacy and Windsor Township Maureen’s inspiration into Council? my own service. Hersh: Results that I mentioned my volunimprove the quality teer work with the state, of life and reduce the which is driven by my need ever-increasing tax to apply my professional burden on all members skills for the public good of the community. In and the good of the state. addition to the imporI volunteer with an orgatant routine work of nization called Business council, here are some Executives for National specifics: Security, which takes on I’ve led us into a collabsome interesting projects oration with Choose:NJ, on a pro-bono basis. Last a free resource to attract fall, a few folks and I met Hersh businesses into West with President Duque in Windsor and promote Colombia and engaged to support Colombia’s efforts to absorb West Windsor to global businesses. migration from Venezuela into its econ- Bringing in business ratables lowers the omy and add business solutions to tax burden on families. Working with WWPSA and the Colombia’s efforts to convert farmers from growing cocaine to growing choc- mayor, we are seeking a cost-neutral olate. This is an impactful example of method to bring an indoor sports comthe type of work I and the group engage plex to West Windsor. Such a complex will solve a need that many of our in, exclusively on a volunteer basis. My balance to the national and inter- sports teams have, and keep revenues national work at the local level has in West Windsor that are currently been on the Human Relations Coun- being realized in neighboring towns. Establishing a West Windsor Commucil. My father led the Unity Coalition of Central PA and volunteered on the nity Service Award for children and famiState of Pennsylvania’s HRC where lies, certified by the Mayor and Council, he was awarded posthumously. Mak- has been a goal of mine that I’m carrying an impact through the HRC took ing forward from the Human Relations on even greater importance to me, as Council. Our town is filled with children it was a way for me to honor my dad’s and families that do service work every work. The same goes for my support of day. Their work builds the fabric of our Project Freedom, as my dad’s employ- community and we should recognize ment was helping folks with disabilities them. I can leverage the groundwork live their most independent lives. Our done by Council Members Mandel and family vacations were usually a trip my Gawas with “Hometown Heroes.” The News: What do you think dad put together for this group to go to are some of the most pressing the beach or a game, etc. I previously volunteered on the issues in town? What do West board of the West Windsor Plainsboro Windsor residents want out of Soccer Association, and support as their municipal government? Hersh: In any normal year the many local volunteer groups as possible. Maureen leads a number of local answer is budget and zoning, which philanthropic initiatives which I and translate into taxes, number of kids the family engage in. Bringing school per class in school and quality of life. supplies into economically disadvan- COVID-19 has created the pressing taged communities, Ronald McDon- issue of supporting the community ald house, Arts Council, etc. We are a through this unique and difficult time, ensuring testing and future vaccinaservice-oriented family. The News: Do you have any hob- tion options are available, doing everybies? What do you like to do in thing possible to support local businesses, and passing a town budget in a your spare time? Hersh: Being active in all the things period of significant uncertainty. above, running a business, and now serving the community on town coun- Contact SAM SCIARROTTA: ssciarrotta@ cil, leaves little time for more proto- communitynews.org, (609) 396-1511, ext. typical hobbies. Being the loudest 121, facebook.com/samsciarrotta1

HEALTH

DECEMBER 2020

@capitalhealthnj

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

RIDER UNIVERSITY, CAPITAL HEALTH AND ROTHMAN ORTHOPAEDICS Partner to Support Health, Well-Being of Rider Students and Employees

An innovative partnership between Rider University, Capital Health and Rothman Orthopaedics will provide health care services for students and staff on the school’s campus in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. As the official health care partner of Rider University, Capital Health will oversee the University’s student health center and provide primary care health services. Rothman Orthopaedics, in its role as official sports medicine provider for Rider Athletics, will provide orthopaedic and sports medicine and support athletic training services. To help students and staff manage their care and ensure they have access to the appropriate services and health education resources, Capital Health and Rothman Orthopaedics will provide a health and wellness navigator who will act as a liaison between Rider University and its new clinical partners. “I am very pleased that through this new partnership, our students and employees will collectively benefit from the quality services, expert staff and advanced technology of Capital Health and Rothman Orthopaedics now and into the future,” said Rider’s president, Gregory G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D. “In today’s pandemic environment, protecting the health and safety of our campus community is more important than ever.” “We’re very happy to join Rothman Orthopaedics in providing important medical services to the students and staff at Rider University,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health. “In light of current events, finding health care that is safe and convenient is more important than ever, and our network of primary care providers are known throughout the region for delivering the highest quality care. In addition to making those services easily accessible on campus, our new partnership will also give our neighbors at Rider access to Capital Health emergency services and the growing number of specialty practices in our Capital Health Medical Group when they need us most.” “This partnership will be great for all parties involved, and we are thrilled to partner with Capital Health on providing high-quality

orthopaedic care to Rider University student-athletes,” said Alexander R. Vaccaro, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A, President of Rothman Orthopaedics, Richard H. Rothman Professor and Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics, and Professor of Neurosurgery at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospitals. “Additionally, we look forward to educating the athletes on the latest evidence-based recommendations, prevention and treatment options which are essential for keeping all athletes safe.” “Health care and education institutions are important pillars for any community, which makes this agreement particularly exciting,” said Samuel J. Plumeri, Jr., chairman of Capital Healthcare, Inc. Board of Trustees. “We’ve enjoyed a successful relationship with Rothman for several years now, and we couldn’t be happier to be joined with a partner like Rider University. These highly respected organizations align perfectly with Capital Health’s values of integrity, excellence, and compassion and reaffirm our mission of improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve.” Rothman Orthopaedics will work with Rider’s sports medicine staff to provide orthopaedic evaluations and surgical services (as needed), training room services, and game coverage to address sports medicine and orthopaedic issues at all home wrestling matches, all home men’s and women’s basketball games, and all home hosted championships. Rothman Orthopaedics will also provide a certified athletic trainer (ATC) to better serve Rider student athletes, and supplement the already strong training staff that Rider employs, in addition to providing education programs for Rider Sports Medicine staff. Capital Health will support the Rothman Orthopaedics Sports Medicine program at Rider by providing preseason medical evaluations, primary care and care at Capital Health’s Emergency Room when necessary. Capital Health and Rothman Orthopaedics will also coordinate wellness and preventative health sessions for club and intramural students to discuss concussion management and other topics of interest. To learn more, visit capitalhealth.org.

Health Headlines by Capital Health | THE NEWS17

Capital Health Surgeon Receives International Recognition for

EXCELLENCE IN ROBOTIC SURGERY

DR. CATALDO DORIA, medical director of the Capital Health Cancer Center and physician director of Capital Health’s Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery, was designated as a Surgeon of Excellence in Robotic Surgery (SOERS) by Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the safety, efficacy, and efficiency of surgical care worldwide. The SOERS program recognizes surgeons who demonstrate an unparalleled commitment and ability to consistently deliver safe, effective, evidence-based care. With this designation, Dr. Doria joins a distinguished network of surgeons and hospitals worldwide performing robotic-assisted surgeries. In addition to serving as medical director of the Capital Health Cancer Center, he is a hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeon specializing in the treatment of benign conditions and cancers related to the liver, pancreas, and bile duct. “Since joining us in 2018, Dr. Doria has worked tirelessly to advance Capital Health’s robotic-assisted surgery program,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Heath. “In 2019, he began offering robotic-assisted Whipple procedures to treat pancreatic cancer at Capital Health, giving us the distinction of being the only hospital in central New Jersey and the greater Philadelphia region to offer this innovative treatment. This was another major step forward in delivering innovative health care to the community, and Dr. Doria and our other surgeons who offer robotic-assisted surgery continue to build upon these advances.” Robotic-assisted surgery allows surgeons to use miniaturized instruments and a 3-D camera for high-resolution images of

the surgical site. The platform seamlessly translates the surgeon’s hand movements into precise micromovements. The system cannot be programmed, nor can it make decisions on its own — it requires that every surgical maneuver be performed with direct input from a surgeon. Throughout his career, Dr. Doria has pioneered new techniques for conditions that were once considered untreatable. He has helped develop and introduce a number of innovative procedures to treat patients that were not previously available, including bloodless liver surgery, liver auto-transplantation and robotic-assisted minimally invasive hepatobiliary surgery. The volume of robotic-assisted surgeries is expanding as new surgical techniques and procedures are introduced and refined. Considered minimally invasive surgery, it offers patients many benefits, including smaller incisions, lower risk of infection, less pain, and a faster recovery. Capital Health remains unwavering in its commitment to provide patients cutting-edge health care and advanced cancer treatment. It was among one of the first hospital systems to adopt robotic technology with the purchase of the da Vinci® Xi surgical system. Dr. Doria was also recently named a winner in the Innovation Hero – Individual category of the NJBIZ 2020 Healthcare Heroes Awards Program. To learn more Capital Health’s Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery or the da Vinci® surgical platform, visit capitalhealth.org/davinci or call 609.537.6000.

CAPITAL HEALTH EARNS INTERNATIONAL HONOR FOR LACTATION SERVICES Capital Health recently earned recognition from the International on how to successfully initiate breastfeeding. They continue that Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE®) and International assistance after the baby is born by helping families overcome Lactation Consultant Association® (ILCA®) for excellence in lactation breastfeeding challenges, providing accurate information, and care. Lactation Services at Capital Health Medical Center - Hopewell continuing to support them as their baby grows. Capital Health received the IBCLC Care Award in recognition of its work to protect, IBCLCs are available seven days a week for inpatient care, phone promote, and support breastfeeding through staff education and support after discharge, and outpatient visits. training, and for staffing professionals who hold the prestigious Capital Health’s Lactation Center is part of Maternity Services at International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®) Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell, the most comprehensive certification. As a twice-designated Baby-Friendly Hospital, Capital maternity program in the area. In addition, the Regional Perinatal Health continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing the Center at Capital Health Medical Center - Hopewell provides highest level of breastfeeding care. neonatal care, including Mercer County's only Level III Neonatal “Supporting our new families as they learn how to feed their babies is Intensive Care Unit for at-risk births. To learn more, visit a unique privilege,” said Melanie Miller, Lactation Services coordinator capitalhealth.org/maternity. at Capital Health and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. “Our goal at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ Designates Capital Health is to provide compassionate and Capital Health a 2020 Blue Distinction Center + Program comprehensive support and education to all The Maternity Services Department at Capital Health Medical Center of our families. This international recognition – Hopewell was recently designated as a 2020 Blue Distinction demonstrates that our staff meets the highest Center + program for Maternity Care by Horizon Blue Cross Blue standards in lactation and clinical breastfeeding Shield of New Jersey. This designation is awarded by the Blue care. From the prenatal period through their Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) to providers that meet hospital stay and beyond, our families can feel quality-focused criteria that emphasize patient safety and outcomes. confident we are prepared to support them in meeting their individual goals.” The BCBSA considers quality, cost, and access when awarding this designation in order The IBCLCs at Capital Health focus on to provide consumers with meaningful measures of expertise and value when selecting preventive care, so they are available during specialty care. By earning the Blue Distinction Center + designation, Capital Health pregnancy to assess and provide information demonstrates that it meets nationally established quality standards in maternity care.

18 Health Headlines by Capital Health | The News

STATE-OF-THE-ART LUNG CENTER OPENS AT CAPITAL HEALTH As part of its commitment to providing leading-edge care, Capital Health has announced the launch of its comprehensive, state-of-the-art Lung Center located at Capital Health Medical Center — Hopewell. The program is designed to address the need for integrated, comprehensive lung services in the region. “The launch of the Lung Center is an another example of Capital Health’s commitment to providing the highest level of specialized care,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health. “We are delivering

extraordinary, patient-centered care for a broader range of patients and lung conditions — from asthma to COPD, emphysema, pulmonary hypertension, tumors and lung cancers. The Lung Center also gives patients access to a range of specialists who have significant experience and extensive training with the most advanced medical diagnostic tools and technology.” As co-leads in the development of Lung Center, DR. DIANA KOLMAN, director of Interventional Pulmonology, and DR. AFRICA WALLACE, director of Thoracic Surgery, share a common goal — to identify and treat potentially life-threatening lung conditions early, when they are most treatable. “We know that getting a fast and accurate diagnosis of a particular condition and receiving timely treatment can be critical, especially when it comes to cancer,” said Dr. Wallace. Comprehensive care at the Lung Center includes a multidisciplinary team of experts focused on each patient and their specific condition. The team includes physicians from

surgery, pulmonology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology as well as nurse practitioners, clinical researchers, and support staff. “Our goal is to provide the most effective treatment pathway with a holistic, integrated approach in order to achieve the best possible outcome,” said Dr. Kolman. The Lung Center offers a full range of lung disease care, including lung cancer screenings, a lung nodule clinic, thoracic surgery, interventional pulmonology, pulmonary rehabilitation, and smoking cessation. To learn more about Capital Health’s Lung Center, visit capitalhealth.org/lung. To schedule an appointment or for more information on the Lung Cancer CT Screening, lung nodule clinic, pulmonary rehabilitation, or smoking cessation, call 1.844.303.5864. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kolman, call 609.815.7390. For an appointment with Dr. Wallace, call 609.537.6000.

From left, Dr. Africa Wallace, director of Thoracic Surgery; Gina Petrone Mumolie, senior vice president, Hospital Administration; Dr. Diane Kolman, director of Interventional Pulmonology; and Rona Remstein, director, Oncology Services, officially open the new Capital Health Lung Center.

Capital Health Awarded National Honors for Breast Care Center for Comprehensive Breast Care earns third consecutive accreditation for high-quality care Capital Health’s Center for Comprehensive Breast Care has been granted accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a quality program of the American College of Surgeons. This is the third consecutive NAPBC accreditation awarded to the Center. The NAPBC is a consortium of national, professional organizations focused on breast health and dedicated to the improvement of quality outcomes of patients with diseases of the breast through evidence-based standards and patient and professional education. NAPBC accreditation is granted only to those centers that are voluntarily committed to providing the best possible care to patients with diseases of the breast. To achieve NAPBC accreditation, a breast center must meet the highest levels of breast care, quality standards, and proficiency in center leadership, clinical services, research, community outreach, professional education, and quality improvement. “Because of this accreditation, patients can have confidence in our comprehensive, integrated program and ability to diagnose and treat a wide range of breast conditions,” said DR.LISA ALLEN, a fellowship trained breast surgeon and medical director of Capital Health’s Center for Comprehensive Breast Care. “Capital Health was the first hospital in New Jersey to offer molecular breast

imaging (MBI), an advanced imaging technology for the screening and diagnosis of breast cancer. We continue to make investments in advanced technologies and clinicians treating benign and cancerous conditions.” The Center for Comprehensive Breast Care offers the full scope of breast care, from cancer to cysts, abscesses, lesions, breast pain and other breast-related disorders, and although the discovery of a breast abnormality can be shocking, Capital Health is focused on treating the whole patient, not just the disease. Highly trained and experienced physicians provide specialized, care such as nipple sparing surgery, hidden scar surgery, reverse lymphatic mapping to spare unnecessary removal of lymph nodes, and targeted treatment for the diverse types of breast cancer. Breast cancer patients are cared for by a multidisciplinary team that collaborates closely to ensure they develop a personalized treatment plan that achieves the best possible outcome. A patient’s health care team may include a breast surgeon, radiologist, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, plastic surgeon, genetics counselor, nutritionist, social worker, rehabilitation services, and more. Each cancer patient has a personal, certified breast nurse navigator, from the initial diagnosis through every phase of treatment. For patients, the NAPBC accreditation provides an extra level of confidence as they navigate the process of choosing a treatment provider. For more information, visit capitalbreast.org.

Health Headlines by Capital Health | THE NEWS19

Capital Health Regional Medical Center Earns NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR EXCELLENCE IN STROKE CARE Capital Health Regional Medical Center (RMC) has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Award. This award recognizes the hospital’s commitment and success in ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines and the latest scientific evidence. According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of adult disability. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and more than 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. Capital Health Regional Medical Center earned the Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke

treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidencebased guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions Additionally, RMC received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll Elite award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke. If you or a loved one is experiencing signs and symptoms of a stroke, call 911 immediately. To learn more about Capital Health’s commitment to providing advanced care for stroke patients and those with other complex disorders of the brain and spine, visit capitalneuro.org.

RADIATION ONCOLOGIST WITH EXPERTISE IN ADVANCED TREATMENT JOINS CAPITAL HEALTH CANCER CENTER DR. KHANH NGUYEN, a board certified radiation oncologist with nearly 20 years of experience providing state-ofthe art treatments for patients with prostate, lung, breast, and central nervous system tumors and other adult malignancies, has joined Capital Health Cancer Center, located at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell. Dr. Nguyen joins a highly trained team of experienced radiation oncologists at Capital Health that includes Dr. Timothy H. Chen, medical director of Stereotactic Radiosurgery, and Dr. Shirnett K. Williamson, medical director of Radiation Oncology Services. “Our mission to bring expert physicians, advanced medical technology, and worldclass patient care close to home is driving tremendous growth at our Cancer Center,” said Dr. Cataldo Doria, medical director of Capital Health Cancer Center. “This expansion allows us to provide care for a broader range of patients, which is why we’re so excited to have Dr. Nguyen join our team. He brings significant experience and training in radiation oncology from some of the most respected institutions in the country right here to our community.

Now, our patients who require his services can receive the best possible care without having to travel across the country or to a large city like New York or Philadelphia.” “Capital Health is well known in the region for its commitment to advancing patient care, but as an organization it recognizes that having the latest technology is just one part of the equation,” said Dr. Nguyen. “I’m thrilled to be part of a team that doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach but instead blends technological expertise with compassion to provide care that is tailored to the specific needs of each person.” Dr. Nguyen is an expert in advanced radiation oncology treatment modalities, including accelerated partial breast irradiation, stereotactic radiosurgery/ stereotactic body radiation therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy/image guided radiation therapy, magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and positron emission tomography/ computed tomography. After completing undergraduate and graduate studies in physics at Harvard University, Dr. Nguyen received his medical degree at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine (UCSD), where he completed a thesis with one of the pioneers in tumor immunology. His internship in internal medicine at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia

20 Health Headlines by Capital Health | The News

was followed by a residency in radiation oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center, where he trained with world leaders whose clinical research set the standards of care in breast and prostate cancer management. Before joining Capital Health, Dr. Nguyen was a radiation oncologist at Bayhealth Medical Center in Dover, Delaware, where he implemented programs in high dose rate brachytherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery/ stereotactic body radiation therapy, as well as a multidisciplinary neuro-oncology clinic. In academic settings, Dr. Nguyen served as an assistant professor in the Division of Radiation Oncology at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California. He also worked with Dr. David Townsend, inventor of the PET-CT scan, in the Cancer Imaging & Tracer Development Program at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine in Knoxville, Tennessee. Dr. Nguyen has published research in peer-reviewed journals and presented lectures at national and international medical conferences. He is a member of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the American Radium Society, and the American Brachytherapy Society. Capital Health Cancer Center, located at Capital Health Medical Center - Hopewell, is the area’s most advanced provider of cancer treatment. To learn more, visit capitalhealth.org/cancer.

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Due to my family relocating out of state, it is with a heavy heart that I must resign from West Windsor Council. It’s been an honor to serve the residents of West Windsor. This move is bittersweet for me. While I look forward to new adventures with my family, it means I have to say goodbye to a community that I love. It seems like only yesterday that I walked into Aljon’s for the first time to order takeout on the very first day I set foot in West Windsor. I didn’t know at the time that I’d spend the next 21 years of my life here, that I’d watch my kids grow up in our home, that I’d have the best neighbors imaginable and that we would all make lifelong friends. Some of the best memories of my life were made here, watching my kids grow up: from preschool at Dutchneck Presbyterian—to Mrs. Mulhall’s 1st grade class and Mr. Brown’s 3rd grade class at Hawk—to the blur that was middle school and high school, when time seemed to go by in a flash. I have worked with so many amazing people in this township—from volunteering in school with my fellow parents to my time on Zoning Board working with Sam Surtees , to working with Chief Garofalo and Lt Lee and all of the members of our amazing police department, to working with all of the selfless volunteers in the Princeton Junction Fire Company and the West Windsor Fire Company. And to everyone in the administration, including Gay Huber and Marlena Schmid, to name just a few. It’s really hard for me to say goodbye. So … I will be back. Many of you may know that I’ve volunteered with West Windsor Gives Back over the last few years. Sadly, this year’s plans to support the Arts Council were foiled by Coronavirus. If you can, please support the Arts Council with a generous donation. Next year is the 100th Anniversary of the West Windsor Fire Company, and I will be back to help them with their celebration and their fundraising efforts. So I look forward to that. It has been an honor to work with Mayor Hemant Marathe. He has served

the families of WW for about as many years as I’ve lived here - and I’m so glad I got the chance to work with him. There is no doubt that he loves West Windsor and he will always put the residents first. I appreciate all he’s done for the township and all he will continue to do. I want to thank my fellow Council members—Andrea Mandel, Linda Geevers, Sonia Gawas and Mike Stevens—for their hard work, dedication, and service to West Windsor, and for being willing to do the right thing even when it might not be the easiest thing. A lot of this job entails making choices when there aren’t any good solutions. That’s not easy to do, and they’ve done it with grace. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to work with. And to the residents of West Windsor, thank you for putting your faith in me, and for entrusting me with this job. It has been my absolute pleasure and my honor to serve our community. Virginia Manzari Manzari is the former West Windsor Council President. *** Thank you to the entire West Windsor community! We are thrilled and honored to serve on the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School Board for the next three years. We promise to continue to work hard for every student in West Windsor-Plainsboro. Our shared goal is to bring our diverse community together while maintaining an excellent education for our children at an affordable price to taxpayers. And during the pandemic, we will make every effort to provide a robust school experience that enables our students to succeed, while following the health protocols mandated by the State of New Jersey. Please feel free to share any issues that you would like to see addressed. Dana Krug Martin Whitfield Krug and Whitfield are members of the West Windsor-Pkainsboro Regional School Board.

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LIST PRICE 669K SOLD 680K 10 Columbia Pl. West Windsor

LIST PRICE 709K SOLD 715K 3 Orly Ct. West Windsor

LIST PRICE 725K SOLD 730K 6 Blackhawk Ct. West Windsor

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LIST PRICE 592K SOLD 592K 42 Orleans St. West Windsor

LIST PRICE 595K SOLD 590K 757 Village Rd. West Windsor

LIST PRICE 569K LIST PRICE 675K SOLD 569K SOLD 675K 11 Springwood Dr. West Windsor 29 Highmont Dr. West Windsor SOLD

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LIST PRICE 810K SOLD 795K 25 Hawthorne Dr. West Windsor

LIST PRICE 687K SOLD 685K 556 Village Rd. West Windsor

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LIST PRICE 920K SOLD 905K 79 Danville Dr. West Windsor

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