Englewood Hospital and Medical Center's Family Wellness Handbook: Summer 2016

FAMILY WELLNESS HANDBOOK

S

Supp.0616.ENGLEWOOD.6.indd 1

U

1 MM ER 20

6

5/20/16 9:15 AM

2

Supp.0616.ENGLEWOOD.6.indd 2

5/20/16 9:16 AM

FAMILY WELLNESS HANDBOOK

S

U

1 MM ER 20

H

6

On the cover: Are some of the families of EHMC’s medical and hospital staff, a group of professionals dedicated to promoting wellness in the community.

We hope you Were able to join uS

at our Bergen Family Wellness Day last month. But in case you missed it, this special supplement to Bergen Health & Life magazine includes information and news about what’s happening at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, one of New Jersey’s and the nation’s leading community teaching hospitals. As healthcare professionals, our entire staff is committed to providing the best experience to everyone who comes through our doors by doing the right thing, every time, without exception.

Recently, our physician and nursing leaders and the entire hospital team have been busy developing initiatives focused on maintaining wellness and preventing disease. In this issue, you will read about our newest services and programs in integrative medicine, early screening and executive health, and how we are improving services for our community members in areas such as cancer care, cardiovascular disease, and spine and joint health.

We have invested in a newly designed medical center of the future and created and expanded areas of care devoted to specialty medical services, including infusion and radiation therapy, breast care, maternal/fetal health, and advanced laboratory and diagnostic imaging.

Our beautiful and technologically enhanced spaces offer an ideal setting for leading-edge screening, assessment and treatment.

Our nationally recognized medical, surgical and nursing teams are working together seamlessly, under one roof, with a specifc focus on treating the “whole” patient, including your family. At the same time, our hope is to create a climate of health and well-being in our community and to be your lifelong partner in wellness.

Thank you for allowing us to be your hospital for life.

Michael T. Harris, MD Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Offcer Englewood Hospital and Medical Center

Mary Ann Donohue-Ryan, PhD, RN, APN, NEA-BC Vice President for Patient Care Services Chief Nursing Offcer Englewood Hospital and Medical Center

HOSPITAL

A SAFETY SCORE SM

Fall 2015

fewer thaN 100 iN the NatioN, 2 years iN a row

Supp.0616.ENGLEWOOD.6.indd 3

9 coNsecutive times

top 5% iN the NatioN patieNt safety excelleNce awarD 2 years iN a row, 10 service liNe awarDs

#1 iN NJ, overall surgical care aND hospital care.

14 service liNe awarDs

wiNNer 2014 aND 2015

NursiNg excelleNce DesigNatioN earNeD 4 times siNce 2002

5/20/16 9:17 AM

parent prep ■ Childbirth Class This fve-week program includes childbirth education, a tour of the Family Birth Place and one week of baby care basics; includes group consults by an Englewood Hospital and Medical Center pediatrician. Classes are offered Monday through Thursday. $150 per couple

You’ve Arrived! welcome To the Family Birth Place

nglewood Hospital and Medical Center’s Family Birth Place has set the bar high for maternity care. Newly renovated, the Family Birth Place opened in December 2014 and features award-winning clinical services with the accommodations of a luxury hotel.

Hardwood foors, soft accent lighting, beautiful artwork and more spacious, private rooms create a fve-star childbirth experience.

Board-certifed obstetricians and nurses work with expectant mothers to create an individualized care plan so families meet their labor and delivery expectations, including a neonatal intensive care unit for our littlest patients.

Englewood Hospital and Medical Center has ranked in the top 5 percent in the nation for maternity care by Healthgrades and has been a 5-star recipient for maternity care 12 years in a row.

E

■

Lamaze Refresher Review of breathing and relaxation techniques and a tour of the Family Birth Place. $50

■

Breastfeeding Class This class covers the basics of breastfeeding, including latch and positioning, tips for pumping, and what to do when encountering problems like low milk production. Participants will also learn strategies for transitioning back to the work place. $45

■

Sibling Prep Class It can be a tough adjustment for big brothers and sisters. This class is designed for siblings ages 2-8 years and their parents. The single-session workshop includes a tour of the Mother/Baby Unit and Nursery. $20 ($12 each additional child) Prenatal Yoga

Keep stress levels in check with our six-week prenatal yoga classes, focusing on exercises that strengthen and increase the fexibility of muscles used during childbirth. $100

Private rooms with bathrooms and sleeper sofas for family

■ Mommy and Me Postnatal Yoga Meet other moms, bond with your baby and enjoy light physical activity in a supportive and safe environment. $17 per class / $100 full program ■ Infant CPR Learn valuable lifesaving techniques with a certifed instructor. $35 per person / $65 per couple

Whirlpool tubs for hydrotherapy and pain management

Free wireless Internet

Accelerated Childbirth Class

Three-week program, like the basic childbirth class but in a more intensive format. $150 per couple

■

Amenities

■

■

■ Infant Massage Class Promote secure attachment, non-verbal communication, and more. Learn massage techniques that can help stimulate bodily systems. For babies ages 1 month to 1 year. $25

Room service including Korean and kosher menus

Free wireless internet Complimentary valet parking

■

Tour of the Family Birth Place

Offered Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. Children ages 6 and up are welcome.

Registration is required. Free ■

Discharge instruction class Held daily.

Ask your nurse for details.

4

Supp.0616.ENGLEWOOD.6.indd 4

5/18/16 8:15 PM

Take iT To

heart:

WhaT Women need To knoW abouT hearT disease eart disease is the no. 1 killer of American women.

If that surprises you, you’re not alone. Most women think of heart disease as an older person’s illness or something that affects men. However, statistics show heart disease causes 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year—more than cancer.

Heart disease is related to a process called atherosclerosis, which develops when plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries. The narrowed arteries make it harder for blood to fow through, and if a blood clot forms, it can stop the fow and lead to a heart attack or stroke.

A scenario often seen in the movies involves clutching at the chest from the onset of sudden chest pain. But for women in particular, the symptoms of a heart attack are different, more varied and can be misleading.

H

♥ Fact: Heart disease is the no. 1 killer of U.S. women

♥ Fact: Women are less likely than men to survive their frst heart attack

♥ Fact: Symptoms for women are different than men

Be heart-smart: get the facts But women are more likely to experience other symptoms, which can be mistaken for other, less serious illnesses.

■ ■ ■ ■

Most common symptoms in men and women include: ■ ■ ■

Chest pain Chest discomfort Chest pressure

Shortness of breath Nausea or vomiting Back or jaw pain Fainting, dizziness or lightheadedness

daunting fgure, take heart! According to the American Heart Association, 80 percent of heart disease and stroke may be prevented through education and lifestyle changes. Here’s a breakdown of things you can do to reduce your risk: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Women are less likely than men to survive their frst heart attack, and it’s estimated that 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for heart disease or stroke. While that’s a

■ ■ ■

Quit smoking or don’t start Manage blood sugar levels Stay active Maintain a healthy weight Check blood pressure levels Know your family history Maintain healthy cholesterol levels Eat a healthy diet

5

Supp.0616.ENGLEWOOD.6.indd 5

5/20/16 9:18 AM

CanCer Care

Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center A TeAm W ApproAch To individuAlized cAre

hen you or someone you know receives a diagnosis of cancer, the news can be overwhelming for the entire family. How, when, where and from whom to get care is often the biggest decision a patient and his or her family will make.

“We’re very fortunate to have excellent healthcare right where we live in Bergen County,” says Dr. Steven

Brower, medical director of the Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center.

“Community teaching hospitals like Englewood have made the investment to acquire the very same technology and physician expertise found in larger academic medical centers.

Our level of expertise in lung, colorectal, gynecologic, prostate and breast

Higher Level Care The Leslie Simon Breast Care and Cytodiagnosis Center recently doubled in size to provide a higher level of convenience and personalized attention for women in need of breast diagnostic evaluations, imaging and procedures.

With private waiting rooms, a spa-like environment and minimal waiting times, the Leslie Simon Breast Care and Cytodiagnosis Center provides rapid diagnosis and an opportunity to discuss results with a physician.

6

Supp.0616.ENGLEWOOD.6.indd 6

5/18/16 8:16 PM

cancers, among others, is essential to elevating cancer care to that next level. But what distinguishes us, in my opinion, are the soft touches so very much needed during those moments of care when listening, understanding and time are needed to get the best results.”

The Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center was born through the vision of community and hospital leaders to offer humanistic care backed by a comprehensive team of cancer experts, including all the supportive services cancer patients need when undergoing surgery, chemotherapy or radiation treatments.

“Having services such as genetic counseling, clinical research trials, nutritional counseling and psychosocial support can mean the difference to someone with complex cancer,” says Dr. Brower.

Another way to improve care, less commonly found in older facilities, is creating a convenient and comfortable environment. Architects specializing in healthcare environments worked closely with the hospital and designed spaces that would meet the needs of patients undergoing care for complex cancers and those with multiple medical conditions. New foors were built to house cancer care teams in one location, allowing patients to feel less anxious about going from one location to the next, getting lost or being late for their appointments. The convenience begins at the front door of the medical center, where free valet parking is available, and a front door to the cancer center allows immediate access to a designated cancer treatment team.

the breast advice Chief of breast Imaging Mindy Goldfscher, MD

he debate continues about when to start getting mammograms and how often. Last year, the American Cancer Society (ACS) issued new screening guidelines and prior to the ACS’s announcement, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)—a panel of independent, government-appointed physicians—drew up its own guidelines. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has recommendations as well.

According to the new guidelines by the ACS, women with an average risk of breast cancer should start getting mammograms at age 45 and continue once a year until age 54. Previously, the ACS recommended women of that same risk group get yearly mammograms starting at age 40.

USPSTF recommends that women ages 50–74 who have Dr. Mindy Goldfischer, chief of breast imaging an average risk of breast cancer receive mammograms every other year (biennially).

Meanwhile, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists maintained its recommendations that women with an average risk of breast cancer start getting mammograms at age 40.

With so much conficting information out there causing confusion, Dr. Mindy Goldfscher, chief of breast imaging at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, weighs in on what these guidelines mean.

T

Q: How do you explain these different recommendations from various groups?

Dr. Goldfscher: The guidelines differ because the organizations evaluated the data differently.

There are two big differences. The USPSTF made its recommendations based on benefts to the population and on modeling studies, whereas the ACS made its recommendations based on benefts to individuals and on actual data.

USPSTF put a great emphasis on the potential “harms” of screening, such as false positives, biopsies, anxiety, and overdiagnosis, while the ACS did not stress those factors. Instead, the ACS stressed that the real issue of risk is related to a woman’s menopausal status, not her age.

Q: What do you recommend for a woman with average risk of breast cancer?

Dr. G.: Women with an average risk should begin having mammograms at age 40 and continue to have one every year. While the incidence of breast cancer in premenopausal women is low, such cancers are known to be more aggressive, so it’s even more important to scan these women every year. The Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium, funded by the National Cancer Institute, found that among premenopausal women, biennial screenings had a higher proportion of tumors with advanced stage.

Q: Some studies suggest mammography in younger women is not as helpful because it leads to false positives and heightened anxiety. What is your response to that?

Dr. G.: Mammography is not as helpful in women who have dense breasts at any age.

Those most likely to have dense breast tissue are premenopausal women, typically up to age 55.

False positives refer to calling a woman back for an additional mammogram view or sonogram, not necessarily a biopsy that turns out to be benign. At Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, we have found that patients are grateful for the careful scrutiny of their results and are relieved when the results are benign.

There is the rare individual who is anxious about having a mammogram, regardless of whether there’s been a previous “false positive” result. In these cases, the screening can be scheduled so that the mammogram is reviewed while the patient waits.

Even in dense breast tissue, many cancers can be identifed. A 3D mammography/ digital breast tomosynthesis, for example, has improved the detection of masses in dense breast tissue. Breast ultrasound is also an excellent method for evaluating dense breast tissue and is commonly recommended for women of average risk as a supplement to annual mammography.

7

Supp.0616.ENGLEWOOD.6.indd 7

5/18/16 8:16 PM

CanCer Care Click “Like” if You Care

Navigating

through the pain “Y

ou have cancer.” It’s a scenario that plays out in your worst nightmares, but for some, it’s a cold reality.

For Cathy Verhulst, a patient navigator for breast cancer patients at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, it’s a scenario she faces every day. A licensed clinical social worker and certifed oncology social worker, she is too often asked to bear witness to that moment when a patient is told their life will be forever changed.

“It doesn’t get any easier, and I have been doing this for nearly 30 years,” says Verhulst. “What helps me keep going is knowing that I am having a positive impact on people who have been given a life-altering diagnosis. Ultimately, I am not dealing with cancer, I am dealing with people and their families.”

For patients who get a cancer diagnosis, the reactions run the gamut. Denial, depression, anger, hope, resolve. Verhulst says she “meets the patient where they are,” meaning that she personalizes her approach according to the patient’s emotional state. For example, if someone is extremely distraught, Verhulst will fnd out what that person’s support system is and make sure they are all connected.

Some need closer contact than others.

Patient navigators like Verhulst serve as a liaison to patients with lung, liver, stomach, colon, pancreas, brain and

other cancers and ensure that they have all the information they need to get through their diagnosis. This includes educating the patient and outlining a plan of action including additional tests, if necessary. Patient navigators ensure the prescribing physician is notified of results and, with the patient’s permission, loop in family members and friends. One of the key things Verhulst looks out for is depression.

“Grief is a normal reaction to loss, and a cancer diagnosis is loss. It’s loss of life as you knew it,” says Verhulst. “Grief is inconvenient—grief is painful and it comes at unwelcome times. Grief is a normal reaction to loss. Depression is different.

It goes on for a long period of time and involves not sleeping, altered eating, altered thoughts.”

Despite the grimness of the initial news, Verhulst says she sees men and women go through cancer and come out stronger.

Verhulst leads the Breast Cancer Support Group at the medical center and refers to her survivors as “warrior women.”

“I always say, ‘You will get through this.’ Some people ask me, ‘Will I ever have a day where I don’t think about the cancer?’ And the answer is yes. It takes time, but ultimately, they will be able to move forward and not have cancer in the driver’s seat,” says Verhulst.

When we see a friend or a loved one go through a tough illness, it can bring up many feelings of discomfort. We may ask ourselves, “What should I do? What should I say?” Oftentimes, the person who is dealing with the diagnosis is combating the trauma of bad news. It can be a lonely, isolating time.

Speaking to the women at Englewood Hospital’s Breast Cancer Support Group, we heard from women who received all kinds of reactions to their diagnosis. Some friends and family members drew away, some became even closer.

Here are some of their thoughts on what helped them get through it:

“When someone is ill, the frst thing that person thinks of when they wake up in the morning is, ‘How am I going to get through this day?’

So when someone asks you how you are, it can be a little overwhelming.

Sometimes it’s easier if the question is, ‘How are you doing today?’

Adding that ‘today’ makes it easier to answer.”

—Wendy “My dear friend calls me up and says ‘Hi, I don’t know what you’re doing today but I’m taking you out to lunch. How about it?’”

—Helen “I was most upset because my family member avoided seeing me. I guess he didn’t know what to say. But once he did show up, we just hugged each other and talked about it.”

—Sandy “One night I was so depressed before surgery. I wanted to talk to somebody so I went on Facebook and I wrote, ‘I’m sick, please send me your prayers. I need to be well.’ Nieces, cousins, people I didn’t know started writing and telling me they were praying for me.”

—Rosa

8

Supp.0616.ENGLEWOOD.6.indd 8

5/18/16 8:16 PM

“I felt there were some concernIng characterIstIcs to the cyst and there was some nodularIty...”

—nImesh nagarsheth, md

Sounding the alarm on

gynecological cancers

ince she was a little girl, Siggy Flicker has always been loud and proud, a personality that’s larger than life and practically made for television. She’s a relationship expert and the author of Write Your Own Fairy Tale, and her own life story took a dark turn when, at age 47, she was diagnosed with low grade ovarian malignancy.

In late 2014, Flicker, who had suffered from fbroids most of her life, went to a specialist who noticed a cyst on her ovary. The specialist told her it could be monitored, but Flicker wasn’t convinced. She sought a second

S

opinion from Dr. Nimesh Nagarsheth, chief of gynecologic oncology at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center.

“I felt there were some concerning characteristics to the cyst and there was some nodularity,” says Dr. Nagarsheth. “I also noticed the cyst had increased in size.”

Dr. Nagarsheth performed a laparoscopic hysterectomy, a minimally invasive surgery to remove the uterus and both ovaries and fallopian tubes to make a recurrence of the cyst less likely. Samples sent to the lab confrmed a borderline ovarian tumor that thankfully had been caught in the earliest

stage, 1a.

“I owe him my life,” says Flicker. “I’m grateful. Who knows what my situation would have been today if it hadn’t been caught and taken care of?”

Ovarian cancer has also been called the “silent killer” because there are usually no overt symptoms until the cancer has reached an advanced stage. It’s the deadliest cancer of a woman’s reproductive organs.

It’s been about a year and a half since the surgery, and Flicker is different in some ways. She says she still feels sadness at times about her physical loss but she is still just as vocal and open.

“I want everyone to be aware of ovarian cancer,” says Flicker. “No one wants to talk about that particular region of a woman’s body and it doesn’t get as much attention as other cancers.”

Genetics—are you at a greater risk for cancer? ove your dimples?

Hate those allergies?

You can thank your family for some of those. Genes, which get inherited, are responsible for our physical traits as well as how we respond to different stimuli, including environmental and lifestyle infuences. Sometimes the genes that get passed down get damaged, creating mutations that can put people at greater risk of developing conditions such as cancer. Englewood Hospital and Medical Center offers cancer risk assessments for those who have a family history of cancer, based on guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Multigene panel testing, in which multiple genes are tested at the same time, assess risk factors for developing breast, colorectal,

L

endometrial/uterine, stomach, ovarian, lung, melanoma, and pancreatic cancers, as well as colon polyposis syndromes. Inherited mutations to certain genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 can increase a person’s lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancer, among others. Gene testing of these mutations not only assesses the risk of developing cancer but can detect it in its earliest, most curable stage, giving people the information they need to make choices about their health.

Recommendations for this type of testing are for people who meet certain criteria: ■ A personal diagnosis of cancer before age 50, or multiple close family members diagnosed with cancer before age 50.

■ More than one cancer diagnosed in the same person.

■ Three or more close family members with different types of cancer.

For more information on our genetic counseling program, please call 201-608-2608.

9

Supp.0616.ENGLEWOOD.6.indd 9

5/20/16 9:18 AM

“THERE’S A GROWING DEMAND FOR INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE. THIS IS A NEW WAy OF pROMOTING HEAlTHy bEHAVIORS AND MANAGING CHRONIC CONDITIONS...”

—DESpINA pSIllIDES, MD

Going holistic inding your inner peace in the midst of a busy hospital seems almost contradictory, but Englewood Hospital and Medical Center has carved a niche of Zen-like tranquility for people seeking whole-body wellness.

“A dedicated area of quiet contemplation with state-of-theart treatment rooms and specially trained therapists provides the perfect healing environment,” says Dr. Despina Psillides, medical director of the Graf Center for Integrative Medicine. Dr. Psillides is board certifed in internal and geriatric medicine and completed studies in integrative medicine at several institutions, including a Harvard University course in structural acupuncture for physicians.

The new Graf Center for Integrative Medicine marries traditional medicine with complementary approaches, offering evidence-based treatments such as acupuncture, therapeutic massage, nutritional counseling, yoga, stress management and wellness coaching—all shown to help alleviate symptoms such as pain, stress and anxiety.

F

acupuncture n massage therapy n wellness coaching n yoga

n n

“There’s a growing demand for integrative medicine,” said Dr. Psillides. “Healthcare is no longer about treating one symptom or one disease but about promoting overall health and vitality. People want to feel better and take control of their lives. The center’s focus on providing a combination of traditional medicine with proven complementary treatments allows us to approach complex medical issues and chronic disease from an entirely new direction. This new way of looking at health is the future of medicine.”

When the Graf Center frst opened, Dr. Psillides expected to see patients who are already being treated at the hospital.

However, it’s been a revelation to see people of varying ages, from teens to young parents to active seniors use the Graf Center as their home base for holistic treatments to manage health problems like arthritis, headache, stress, menopausal symptoms, chemotherapy-related side effects, fbromyalgia, gastrointestinal conditions, nausea, sports injuries and pain.

stress management n reiki n nutritional counseling integrative and functional medical consultations

For more information or to book an appointment, call 201-608-2377 or email GrafCenter@ehmchealth.org.

10

Supp.0616.ENGLEWOOD.6.indd 10

5/18/16 8:17 PM

Tips for sTaying

SAFE in SpORtS From Dr. Jeff pavell, chief of physical medicine and rehabilitation, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center ow that it’s summer, many of us are eager to get outside and get active. Here are some helpful tips on how to prepare children, young adults and even parents on the best ways to prevent sport-related injuries and trauma and make the most of the summer months.

season. injuries such as ligament tears, sprains and strains are often the result of intense workouts preceded by a period of inactivity. proper training can prevent this—slowly adjust from indoor running to a hard surface, if a runner.

For team sports, start playing on turf or grass before the season begins.

Make time for stretching: proper stretching is the no. 1 preventive measure to avoid sports injuries. Build time into the beginning and end of every practice to ensure your body is properly prepared for the exercise.

Take time away from the sport: Working out 10-15 percent of the time away from sport-specifc training will yield the best results. For example, soccer players beneft greatly from hand-eye training while runners might try balance and core activities to train the body to adapt quickly and anticipate the unexpected. this secondary training is a key element to reducing injury during games.

n

1 2

Get prepped for the season before it starts: Lack of training during the colder, winter months can lead to injury early on in the spring

3

Good bones—

Building a solid foundation through diet and exercise

O

ne in 3 women and 1 in 5 men older than age 50 will experience an osteoporotic fracture during his or her lifetime, yet bone health is often Dr. Jessica Fleischer overlooked until a serious injury occurs. Osteoporosis is a disease that affects 10 million Americans who have porous and fragile bones.

Maintaining healthy bones early on can prevent or minimize the effects of osteoporosis. We recently spoke with Dr. Jessica Fleischer, an endocrinologist with Englewood Hospital and Medical Center who specializes in osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease, to discuss some simple steps to help reduce the impact of injury as we age.

Q: When should we start to think about our bone health?

Dr. Fleischer: We achieve our peak bone mass between 25 and 35, so it’s important to lay the foundation for bone health from an early age. Risk factors such as smoking and lack of physical activity in young adults can reduce peak bone mass levels. Encouraging a healthy lifestyle that incorporates a healthful diet and exercise during childhood can have lasting impact over time.

Q: What role does diet play in maintaining bone mass?

Dr. F.: A diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, minerals, and moderate amounts of protein is one of the best ways to keep our bones and muscles healthy. Calcium, for example, is an important nutrient to prevent osteoporosis. Women younger

than 50 should consume 1,000 mg of calcium daily with foods like milk, yogurt and leafy greens like spinach and kale.

Women older than 50 should consume 1,200 mg daily through diet and vitamin supplement.

Q: What types of exercises are best for bone health?

Dr. F.: Weight-bearing exercises— where our bodies work against the force of gravity—have the most impact in reducing osteoporosis.

Sports such as running, volleyball and gymnastics, which are all high impact, are great to maintain existing bone density. Weight-supported exercises like swimming and cycling are low impact but can help strengthen the muscle around the bone and increase cardiovascular health.

11

Supp.0616.ENGLEWOOD.6.indd 11

5/20/16 9:18 AM

“If you’re goIng To dedICaTe TIme aWay from WorK To address your HealTHCare needs, you WanT To be able To geT IT done all aT onCe.”

—aleXa goTTdIener, md, CHIef of medICIne

The Braverman Family

Executive Wellness Program or many people, there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. With so many activities to balance, it can seem impossible to prioritize health.

Sure, eating that apple instead of apple pie helps, but how many people really have a full picture of their health and understand their risk for developing a disease? Making a commitment to health and wellness checkups can make the difference when it comes to managing potential chronic conditions.

The Braverman Family Executive Wellness Program at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center emphasizes convenience for people who want to get all their health and wellness assessments done in one day, taking into account their needs, concerns and schedule.

This program is designed to encourage prevention, early intervention and peace of mind so that people can make proactive, planned decisions that support their health and wellness goals and ft their lifestyle.

F

A concierge will guide patients through each stage of the evaluation. The wellness consultation will include an assessment of lifestyle factors, including nutrition, exercise, stress management and sleep habits, so that an individualized health riskmanagement plan can be developed to identify any potential issues or risks.

Evaluations include blood work, cardiovascular tests, a ftness assessment, a bone density test, as well as a consultation with a dietitian and an exercise physiologist to manage any risks through a customized diet and exercise plan.

“If you’re going to dedicate time away from work to address your healthcare needs, you want to be able to get it done all at once,” says Dr. Alexa Gottdiener, codirector of the Braverman Family Executive Wellness Program.

Patients will leave with a detailed review and explanation of results, an understanding of their current state of health and recommendations for next

steps. If anything is detected during the evaluation, Englewood Hospital’s experts will coordinate the necessary follow-up care and appointments with the appropriate specialists to ensure that all needs are addressed immediately.

“Every medical issue is addressed,” says Dr. Gerald Lee, co-director of the program. “A lot of times, it’s diffcult to open up about certain issues and concerns. This program will help promote that dialogue.”

For more information, please call 201-608-2355 or email bravermanwellness@ehmchealth.org.

THe CenTer offers mulTIgeneralTIonal Korean famIlIes a resourCe To Help paTIenTs WITH language barrIers.

— gerald lee, md

The Center for Korean Health and Wellness 잉글우드병원 한인건강센터 he Center for Korean Health and Wellness at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center offers multi-generational Korean families a much needed resource to help patients with language barriers.

With a focus on promoting prevention and wellness, the center offers educational seminars, health screenings and peer support groups focused on learning about early intervention, risk factors and access to high-quality care. The center

T

also promotes health and wellness at Korean community events, including cultural festivals and concerts. Led by medical director, Dr. Gerald Lee, the center has created a welcoming environment for Korean patients and their families, including Korean language and cultural classes for hospital staff and a Korean food menu for patients and visitors. For more information, please email KoreanCenter@ehmchealth.org.

12

Supp.0616.ENGLEWOOD.6.indd 12

5/18/16 8:18 PM

Community Events volunteer recruitment

BORN TO RUN!

Small gestures, big impact

Sunday, June 5, 2016, 5K 7:45 a.m.; 10K 8:15 a.m.

George Washington Bridge

Looking for ways to fll free hours in a meaningful way?

Donate some of your time to Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. Volunteering offers rewarding learning opportunities, as well as a chance to give back to your community. Whether through direct interaction with patients or behind-the-scenes work, there are more than 50 areas of the medical center that rely on volunteers to help the hospital provide the highest level of healthcare.

Englewood Hospital and Medical Center is the proud sponsor of the American Cancer Society’s George Washington Bridge Challenge, bringing more than 2,500 participants to run or walk two beautiful 5K and 10K courses to help those fghting cancer while taking in the views from the George Washington Bridge.

For more information and to register to walk or run, please visit www.gwbchallenge.org.

SURvivORS ROck

Wednesday, June 15, 2016, 7 p.m. Englewood Hospital and Medical Center For more info about volunteering, visit englewoodhealth. org/volunteer.

Beating cancer is no small feat. In honor of Cancer Survivor Month in June, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center invites all cancer survivors, family, friends and caregivers out for a night of rock music with the free 9th annual Survivors Rock Concert. Each year, cover bands channel famous rock musicians for guests, with 2016’s featured tribute group, The B-Street Band, bringing Bruce Springsteen’s famous songs to the Englewood Hospital stage. To RSVP, please call 866-980-3462.

Walk fOR aWaRENESS

Sunday, October 30, 2016, 11 a.m.

Englewood Hospital and Medical Center Join the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center Foundation for its largest community fundraising event, the annual Walk for Awareness, on Oct. 30, 2016 at the Englewood Field Club. Each year, nearly 1,000 supporters take part in the Walk, helping the Foundation to spread awareness and foster education throughout our region. Funds beneft The Leslie Simon Breast Care and Cytodiagnosis Center and provide uninsured or underinsured women with access to life-saving care including free mammograms. For info and to register, call 201-8943725 or email foundation@ehmchealth.org.

13

Supp.0616.ENGLEWOOD.6.indd 13

5/18/16 8:19 PM

Meet the team Patricia mazzola rn, mSn, FnP-bc, agn-bc

mEmbERs of thE EhmC CommuNity talk about why thEy lovE thEiR jobs

Dr. Dwarkanath ShembDe Radiologist

Nurse practitioner

“I love what I am doing because I get great satisfaction in being in a role that can make a difference in someone’s life.

Englewood Hospital and Medical Center is a special place because people here genuinely care about each other and their patients, and we work together as a team. I feel personally challenged and both respected and valued for my experience and knowledge and the contributions that I make to the institution and the patients.”

Dr. JuDy wong

Emergency medicine specialist “I love being able to help people when they are in the middle of a diffcult time. The Emergency Department is where I feel the most comfortable; here at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, I have all the services and consultants that I need to take great care of my patients. I do understand, though, that for most people, the Emergency Department can be a stressful place to be. I really try to make it as pleasant of an experience as possible.”

“As a radiologist, I play an important role in diagnosing medical conditions using imaging modalities such as X-rays, ultrasound, CT, MRI or nuclear medicine scanning. A radiologist also follows the patient through the initial treatment process and helps to evaluate the response to the chosen treatment. My role in patient care gives me immense satisfaction on a daily basis. Englewood Hospital and Medical Center provides comprehensive patient care through a broad range of treatment programs using state-of-the art equipment. This allows me as a radiologist to confdently diagnose and treat some complex medical conditions using various imaging techniques.”

SoPhia zigouraS mS, rD, cnSc Clinical dietitian

“Serving patients as a dietitian is an exciting and rewarding career. I enjoy getting to know patients and their families. I have the opportunity to work with patients to develop an individualized nutrition care plan and achieve a variety of goals, including health maintenance and disease prevention and treatment. I love sharing nutrition information with patients, their families and my colleagues to empower my community to become healthier. I feel lucky to work at a hospital where my commitment to humanistic, patient-centered care is shared by my colleagues and the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center community. We have a culture here that is warm, friendly, collaborative and compassionate to one another and to those we serve.

We provide not only excellent care, but also a care environment where patients can feel safe, valued and respected.”

Charlie and Cru make their rounds each week with Rana Leibowitz and her children Camryn and Maxwell.

charlie anD cru Certifed therapy pets

“We love volunteering our time at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. We make our rounds in the infusion center and behavioral health department once or twice a week. Patients see that we’re excited to see them and it’s great being able to make a difference in someone’s day. Tough day? Have some ruff love.”

14

Supp.0616.ENGLEWOOD.6.indd 14

5/20/16 9:19 AM

From the DEPTHS oF

pain

arm, resulting in weakness. Herniated cervical discs are most often caused by a traumatic event like an accident or a fall, but sometimes it’s simply the result of wear and tear or even genetics. Whatever the cause, Steve’s life as he knew it was at a painful standstill. Like most, he wanted to avoid surgery.

Dr. Arginteanu, heeding Steve’s wishes, administered steroid medications but they did little to improve Steve’s quality of life.

“Any surgery involving the spinal cord is scary because the risks involved are signifcant. There could be death, coma, stroke, paralysis,” says Dr. Arginteanu. “I could clearly see that this situation wasn’t going to get better and that without surgery, he’d continue to lose use of his arm.”

In October of 2015, Dr. Arginteanu performed spinal surgery, making an incision through the front of Steve’s neck to replace the cervical disc with a special plastic cage that would prevent compression. Steve never thought he’d return to the depths of the ocean, but take a look at the back cover of this issue to see what he is up to now.

ike most patients, Steve showed up in Dr. Marc Arginteanu’s neurosurgery practice because of unrelenting pain. The pain in his neck was becoming unbearable and progressing in alarming ways. His left arm was getting weaker and weaker, becoming so diffcult to move that it was atrophying. He was barely able to continue working as a plumber but perhaps more devastating, he was no longer able to go on his exotic diving excursions.

“He was in too much pain to do much of anything,” says Dr. Arginteanu, who is also chief of neurosurgery at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. “He was really suffering a lot.”

Tests showed that Steve had a herniated cervical disc that was Dr. Marc pressing on his spinal cord and Arginteanu, chief of compressing a nerve that affected the neurosurgery

L

symptoms of trouble According to the National Institutes of Health, 8 out of 10 people will develop back pain and some 66 percent of people experience neck pain in their lifetime. Most will not have to see a neurosurgeon to relieve their pain. So how do you know if you have something serious?

1 Pain is so severe, it’s unbearable 2 Weakness in a body part or progressive numbness 3 Pain that doesn’t lessen after several weeks 15

Supp.0616.ENGLEWOOD.6.indd 15

5/20/16 9:19 AM

Underwater cinematographer Steve Cruz, as shot by Joseph and Bonnie Wong

Three months after spine surgery, Steve couldn’t wait to get his suit wet.

Steve suffered for years with unrelenting neck and back pain – the result of two severely herniated discs. Our neurosurgery team went to work so that Steve could get back to the underwater adventures he loved. Only three months after his life-changing surgery, he was 100% pain free, and celebrated by sinking to a whole new low (50 feet to be exact) in full gear.

Renowned excellence in neurosurgery – one more reason to make Englewood Hospital and Medical Center your hospital for life.

englewoodhealth.org

Supp.0616.ENGLEWOOD.6.indd 16

5/20/16 10:36 AM