Health

ideas for wellness

Dancing for health

Mayor Baraka, NBIMC President Darrell K. Terry (center) and NBIMC leadership team Newark’s Mt Calvary B.C. health ministry, TPC photographer Deacon Vincent Bryant

Information table NBIMC President Darrell K. Terry (center) with members of hospital security team

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center’s Alma Beatty Health Fair

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center is committed to stopping the spread of COVID-19 and to keeping our communities healthy. This summer we are excited to bring one of our most anticipated health fairs into the community...” Chief Equity Officer and VP, Community Relations for Newark Beth Atiya Jaha Rashidi, RN, MHA, said prior to the event. “We are also honored to work in collaboration with the city of Newark to bring our neighbors ‘Back Together Again’ safely.”

This year’s annual Alma Beatty Health and Wellness Fair, one of Newark’s largest, took place on September 15 at the Marquis “Bo” Porter Sports Complex at 378 Lyons Ave., Newark. Newark Beth Israel Medical Center hosted, in partnership with the City of Newark’s Back Together Again initiative.

The health fair included a COVID-19 vaccination clinic, free health screenings, health information, and special in-person education sessions with expert clinicians. The “Ask a Pharmacist” and the “Meet the Doctor” information tables were extremely busy. Attendees enjoyed dance performances from the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and the Newark Major Heat Majorette and Dance Program. In addition, special programming for children included Bricks4Kidz, table tennis instruction, photo booths, carnival games, and more. There were special giveaways, raffles, and a food truck corridor. If you missed it this year, be sure to catch this exciting event in 2022.

“We continue to be inspired by the legacy of the late Ms. Alma Beatty, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center’s first African-American vice president, and a tireless advocate for our patients and our community,” said Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey President and Chief Executive Officer Darrell K. Terry. “It is an honor to host this inperson event and connect with our neighbors on the issues that matter most to their health and well-being.” —TPC Staff

HELP FOR LINGERING COVID SYMPTOMS

A new program treats adults who have long-term health effects of the coronavirus.

COVID-19 took the world by surprise. Now, its aftereffects are providing a new challenge: A significant fraction of patients continue to experience health problems long after initial infection. “First, we were hit with a tidal wave that was COVID-19. Now, we’re experiencing the next wave, postCOVID syndrome, and we still don’t know what its final damage will be,” says Christina Migliore, MD, Director of Pulmonary Hypertension at the Advanced Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Program at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (NBI) and a member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. Dr. Migliore oversees the Post-COVID-19 Recovery Clinic at NBI, working with a multidisciplinary team of specialists.

WHAT IS POST-COVID SYNDROME?

Post-COVID syndrome is marked by chronic and sometimes crippling exhaustion, shortness of breath, racing heartbeat and brain fog. A dry cough, chest pain, anxiety and depression also may be part of the condition. “Most of our patients say symptoms come intermittently and in waves,” Dr. Migliore says. “Even when seated, they may feel fine one minute, and the next they can’t breathe.”

WHO GETS POST-COVID SYNDROME?

Even those who had a mild initial course of COVID-19 are vulnerable, and those with lasting symptoms tend to be in their 40s. Twenty percent of patients have debilitating symptoms—and among that hardest-hit group, the majority are women, according to many observational studies, Dr. Migliore says. Over 80 percent of long-haulers seen at the clinic and in post-COVID syndrome studies have fatigue and shortness of breath, 50 to 80 percent have forgetfulness and more than half experience a racing heartbeat. Low lung function, inflamed heart muscle and kidney dysfunction are less common. Though tests often show no lung damage and minimal heart damage, “The symptoms alone make this a significant disease,” Dr. Migliore says. “Close to 60 percent of those with severe post-COVID symptoms are unable to return to work. “If you’ve had COVID-19 and four to six weeks later still experience fatigue, shortness of breath, dry cough and other symptoms, see your primary care physician,” she advises.

COVID RECOVERY SERVICES

A comprehensive workup, including heart, lungs and the nervous system, is often needed to rule out serious side effects or non-COVID-19 culprits. The NBI Post-COVID-19 Recovery Clinic has the depth and breadth to assess and treat patients with severe heart and lung damage or post-COVID syndrome in collaboration with NBI’s Advanced Heart Failure Treatment and Transplant Program cardiologists. Personally tailored care for adults may include therapy to restore lung function, strengthen the body, improve memory, alter diet or give emotional support. To learn more or contact the Post-COVID-19 Recovery Clinic at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, call 973.926.4189 or visit

www.rwjbh.org/covidrecovery.

Christina Migliore, MD

KAHLIL CARMICHAEL THE FITNESS DOCTOR

Kahlil Carmichael MAPCC, MDIV, CPT is the pastor of Live Well Church, in Somerset, New Jersey. He is a fitness specialist at The Fitness Doctor, a fitness and wellness consulting company; and the author of 50 Tips for a Better You. He is a contributor to Guideposts magazine. His first publication, Living Longer Living Better, is available now. Go to www.livewellchurch.org for more information.

A Will to Be Healthy

Ibelieve it is time for the faith community to come to a full understanding that it is the will of God for each of us to live well. 1 Cor 6:19 asks us, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” We must treat our wonderful bodies with the honor they deserve, thereby honoring God. Our community does a great job glorifying God with our spirit. There is nothing like a worship service at a traditional Black church! The music, the prayer, the praise, and the preaching—each edifies our soul.

But what about glorifying God with our bodies? How do we glorify God with our bodies? I would like to humbly submit, as the owner of the Fitness Doctor AKA FitCare 360º, that we do this by incorporating healthy eating and healthy exercise.

I want to speak to you today about prioritizing your physical fitness. Your first step should be scheduling a physical examination with your doctor. Routine annual testing can reveal hypertension, high blood sugar, elevated cholesterol, cancer, and other chronic diseases. Follow your doctor’s testing recommendations for increased wellness! Daily physical activity is a huge part of honoring our physical bodies and bringing honor to God. Exercise, or mindful movement, affects your health beneficially in multiple ways. Exercise is not just for weight loss – it strengthens your heart, improves lung capacity, and speeds up the metabolism. Physical activity improves your balance and flexibility and can eliminate back pain. Mindful movement encourages a balanced sleep schedule and improved mental balance.

Increased physical activity can benefit you immensely. Try walking or jogging three to four days per week, steadily increasing the distance. Properly lifting weights will increase your bone density, muscle strength, and your posture. Exercise at home with only your body weight or use equipment. Invest in your health by purchasing some dumbbells, resistance bands, etc.

Healthy eating is also an essential part of honoring your body. Include vegetables, lean proteins, and lots of water in your daily intake. Save sweets for special occasions and try to eliminate salty foods from your diet. Adding a lot of color to your plate with fresh vegetables is appealing to the eye, to the tongue, and is so good for your body, your temple.

Peace and blessings be with you. God wants you to live well, and guess what? I do, too.

Be blessed, live well and Prosper!

Fitness training is available through the Live Well Church FITCARE program, offered at the Fitness Doctor Studio in Somerset, New Jersey. Please call Karen Beasley at 732-912-4435 to schedule a free assessment.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this column is of a general nature. You should consult your physician or health care professional before beginning any exercise program or changing your dietary regimen.

HONORS

For more than 18 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives more than any of us could imagine, none more than healthcare professionals who consistently risk their lives to protect the lives of others. Facing unexpected challenges, limited staffs, inadequate supplies, and dealing with double, often triple the number of patients needing immediate and intensive care, abiding by their sworn Hippocratic Oath to “…do no harm,” with courage and grace, they tackled any obstacle to serving or saving a patient.

Sponsored by Aetna, The Positive Community’s Healthcare Heroes campaign salutes the doctors, nurses, aides, EMT’s, cooks, janitors, hospital and healthcare executives and many more who toil in anonymity— selflessly serving…

WE THANK YOU!

To read more about health care heroes visit: thepositivecommunity.com/heathcareheros

Dr. Kemi Alli Joan Dublin

Dr. Kemi Alli has been CEO of the Henry J. Austin Health Center since 2015. The health center serves the diverse community of the Trenton/Mercer County area, consisting of African Americans and Latin Americans, including Spanish-speaking patients. In addition, there’s a significant number of homeless patients. According to Dr. Alli, 1 in 10 patients are homeless and approximately half qualify as low income. “There were a lot of unknowns. It was a scary time for staff and patients."

Metropolitan Family Health Network President and CEO Joan Dublin in Jersey City facility manages 56,000 patient visits each year. During the pandemic, Metropolitan lost close to 10% of their staff. Despite the broad challenges, the center never closed. Their patients, who are primarily Hispanic and African American, expressed their relief and thanks that the center stayed open.

Amerigroup: The Newest Resident of Brick City

Amerigroup, a NJ leader in healthcare for over 25 years, has opened a Community Care Resource Center (CCRC) in Newark located at 778 Broad Street.

The Newark CCRC offers the opportunity for both members and non-members to converse face to face with Amerigroup representatives about both Medicaid and Medicare benefits.

Visitors can speak with a representative to find out if they qualify for health benefits through NJ Family Care and/or Medicare and learn about benefits offered through the NJ Family Care program. Assistance in completing the NJ Family Care Application can also be provided and visitors can learn about extra benefits offered specifically to Amerigroup members.

You can learn more about: • Healthcare,dental and vision benefits offered through

NJ Family Care, • How to find an Amerigroup provider • Extra Benefits available to Amerigroup members, such as car seats, booster seats, strollers, filtered water pitchers, and diabetic socks • Health education materials • Receive assistance with housing and obtaining food • Assistance with annual renewal of benefits, and more.

Food Distributions - Every first Friday of the month from 1-4pm the Newark CCRC Amerigroup gives away healthy food on a first come, first-served basis to the first 200 families to come to the event.

Amerigroup also operates a CCRC in Paterson located at 236 Main street. All CCRCs are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Stop by Amerigroup's Community Care Resource Center to get the health benefits you need and the extras you want! —TPC Staff