4 minute read
WELCOME LETTER
Investing in the Future
As New Jersey’s most comprehensive academic health system, RWJBarnabas Health serves more than 3 million patients each year. You depend on us for the highest quality of care, and you count on us to keep pace with your evolving needs. That’s why, as indicated by our many national awards, we never stop moving forward, as you’ll see in this issue.
For example, in New Brunswick, we recently broke ground on the state’s first freestanding cancer hospital, which will feature a comprehensive range of patient services as well as advanced research laboratories. Earlier this year, we debuted Braven Advantage, a new Medicare Advantage plan that offers unprecedented choice for New Jersey residents.
And, in keeping with our robust commitment to improve the health of our communities, we’re supporting the creation of soccer fields in urban settings. These fields are transforming neighborhoods and lives as they provide new opportunities for children and adults alike to be healthy and active.
Community Medical Center continues our commitment to bring the medical care and services you need closer to home by building healthcare hubs throughout Ocean County. Our latest hub, opening this fall in Barnegat, will provide high-quality laboratory and expert women’s imaging services in a new, state-of-the-art and convenient location. Located just steps away from Ocean Women’s Health Care Group, an RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, this hub will provide easier access to important healthcare services. We look forward to welcoming you to the Community Medical Center Laboratory and Women’s Imaging Center in Barnegat.
Whatever the future brings for New Jersey, you can count on RWJBarnabas Health to be there for your healthcare needs, both inside and outside the hospital walls.
Yours in good health,
BARRY H. OSTROWSKY PATRICK AHEARN
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER RWJBARNABAS HEALTH CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTER
FIRST LONG COAT CEREMONY CELEBRATES MEDICAL RESIDENTS
Community Medical Center (CMC) held an inaugural long coat ceremony for its first group of Graduate Medical Education residents. The transition from a medical student’s short white coat to the long coat of a physician is an important moment for new doctors. For many residents, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their medical school white coat ceremony and graduation, so CMC’s event was particularly significant. As part of a teaching hospital, CMC’s new physicians will learn from the physicians, nurses and staff of the Toms River-based hospital.
CMC EARNS RADIATION ONCOLOGY REACCREDITATION
The Radiation Oncology department at Community Medical Center (CMC) successfully completed its reaccreditation survey with the American College of Radiology (ACR). The Radiation Oncology Practice Accreditation (ROPA) program provides a thorough peer review and evaluation of all aspects of patient care, including facility staff, equipment and treatment records, and also appraises patient safety policies and quality assessment activities. The accreditation demonstrates CMC’s commitment to safe and quality care.
Ashley Riker, MS, is a wife, mother, advocate, facilitator and trainer. She has worked in the nonprofit and public service fields for the past 13 years, including the Department of Child Protection and Permanency, Garden State Equality and the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights. As the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Community Medical Center, Ashley is committed to ensuring equitable access for patients and employees, delivering culturally competent care and services, and eliminating health disparities.
99 Highway 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755 732.557.8000
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Community Medical Center complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. For more information, see link on our home page at www.rwjbh.org/community. Community Medical Center cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. ATENCIÓN: Si usted habla español, servicios de asistencia lingüística, de forma gratuita, están disponibles para usted. Llame al 732.557.8000. Community Medical Center konfòm ak lwa sou dwa sivil Federal ki aplikab yo e li pa fè diskriminasyon sou baz ras, koulè, peyi orijin, laj, enfimite oswa sèks. ATANSYON: Si w pale Kreyòl Ayisyen, gen sèvis èd pou lang ki disponib gratis pou ou. Rele 732.557.8000.
healthy contents
FALL 2021
18
4
6
2. WELCOME LETTER.
A community update from our CEOs.
4. 60 YEARS OF
COMMUNITY CARE.
CMC celebrates a history of service, growth and connection.
6. THE POWER OF
SCREENING. Early detection was key for one breast cancer survivor.
8. HAPPY HAUNTING.
Doctors’ tips on keeping Halloween fun and safe for kids and adults alike.
14
9. WHAT YOU MAY
NOT KNOW ABOUT
CHOLESTEROL. Manage it now for a big payoff later in life.
20 22
10. HELPING SENIORS STAY
HEALTHY. How the annual wellness visit can lead to improved health all year long.
12. GAME ON! RWJBarnabas
Health helps bring soccer fields to urban neighborhoods.
14. BUILDING THE FUTURE
OF CANCER CARE. A new cancer hub in New
Brunswick will be a model for multidisciplinary care.
16. CHRONIC DISEASE: A TEEN
TAKES CONTROL. A team of experts provides the tools needed to manage Type 2 diabetes.
17. BUILDING COMMUNITY.
CMC works with Habitat for Humanity to improve local health one family at a time.
18. MEDICAL MILESTONE.
The arrival of residents launches CMC’s academic medicine program.
20. LONG-LASTING LEGACY.
How one family has helped build and support CMC from the hospital’s earliest days.
22. ON THE ROAD AGAIN.
Treatment for irregular heartbeat gets a grateful man back on his bike.
