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THE GOOD LIVING MAG AZINE from SAINT PETER’S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
M I D D L E S E X H E A LT H & LIFE ■
J U LY 2 0 0 9
MIDDLESEX & health
life
July 2009 / $3.95
10 JERSEY ADVENTURES
Dining out: Metuchen’s Novitá BEDECK YOUR DECK! Outdoor seating we love
P lu s
TRY IT! A tasty zucchini recipe
Health watch ■ ■ ■
QUIZ: How fit is your brain? 5 tips for your mammogram Summer skin-safety tips
NOW LEASING! To learn more, to tour our model apartments or join our mailing list, call our sales office:
609.409.0018 SALES CENTER OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
• Full-time concierge • Housekeeping services MATURE APARTMENT LIVING
• Secure building • Fitness center • Utilities included
One Overlook Drive · Monroe Township, NJ 08831
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www.watersidevillasnj.com
5/13/09 10:25:23 AM
J ACO B S O N
C o nt r ac t ing , I nc .
Building relationships for generations
since 1992
Fine Home Builders & Renovators Allow Jacobson to develop your dreams into reality, guiding you through the various phases of construction from inception to completion.
NEW JERSEY
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732.984.6700
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718.967.8175
W W W. J A C O B S O N C O N T R A C T I N G . C O M
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Contents
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34 July 2009 Features 12
QUIZ: What’s your design era?
16
Well-dressed floors
20
Sit this one out
We’ll tell you which period suits you best and how to create that look in your own beloved abode.
pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine, and Barbie Zimmerman-Bier, M.D., chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Saint Peter’s University Hospital
38 Inside look Never mind neutrals—these eye-catching area rugs give your rooms instant panache and personality.
Unwind in alfresco elegance with these hip outdoor seating options.
24 Escapes /
Jersey joys
How many of these Garden State adventures will you experience this summer?
Departments 4 Welcome letter 6 Editor’s letter 10 Flash
Where better health is in store From bandages to beds, medical equipment plays a vital role in patients’ recovery.
41 Tech savvy An alternative to hysterectomy Specialists
now treat uterine fibroid tumors without surgery.
42 Seasonal health Save your skin You can reduce the danger of
skin cancer.
43 Up close In Amy’s name A widower is determined to help other women beat the disease that took his wife.
44 Glorious food Miracle growers A bountiful summer staple,
zucchini is a savory warm-weather treat. Captured moments around the county
28 Health watch · How fit is your brain? · 5 tips for your mammogram
32 The buzz
46 Middlesex gourmet Bistro bliss Chic but not stuffy, Metuchen’s
Novitá is full of quiet elegance and inspired cuisine.
47 Shopping guide
Notable events at Saint Peter’s University Hospital
34 Faces of Saint Peter’s Conversations with Amar Bukhari, M.D., chief of
48 Faces of Middlesex Scoop troupe COVER IMAGE : MASTERFILE
THE AREA’S TRUSTED MOVING SPECIALISTS SINCE 1960
PRESENT THIS AD FOR
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RESIDENTIAL | OFFICE | COMMERCIAL MOVING LOW AFFORDABLE COMPETITIVE RATES | FREE ON-SITE & PHONE ESTIMATES PROFESSIONAL PACKERS | PIANO SPECIALISTS | LICENSED AND INSURED
WOODBRIDGE MOVING CO. 908-822-1112 | 732-634-7300 | Fax: 908-756-5812
www.woodbridgemoving.com
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SPECIAL EVENT 23rd Annual Sharon Montero Golf Classic Monday, September 14 11:00 AM Shotgun Start The Ridge at Back Brook 211 Wertsville Road, Ringoes Cost: $750 per player. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact Saint Peter’s Foundation at 732-745-8542.
HEALTH & WELLNESS Weight-Loss Surgery Seminar Thursdays, July 9, August 13 and September 10 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM If you’re at least 100 pounds overweight, you simply can’t afford to miss this life-altering seminar. Our bariatric surgeons will explain everything you need to know to make an informed decision on weight-loss surgery. In addition, you’ll learn about The Program for LIFE™, a customized support plan for weight-loss patients. To register, call 1-866-97MYPFL (1-866976-9735).
Community Mobile Health Services Saint Peter’s Community Mobile Health Services provides health education and screenings, including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, stroke, and body mass index (BMI) throughout the area. Community groups interested in these or other types of screenings can contact Community Mobile Health Services at 732-745-8600, ext. 8903.
Parent Education Baby Care, Baby Signing, Grandparents Class, Infant Massage, New Daddy, Prenatal Nutrition, Prenatal Yoga and Exercise, Prepared Childbirth, New Family Support Group, Sibling Class, Tiny Tots and more. Call Parent Education at 732-745-8579 for fees and registration.
Diabetes Education Adults with Diabetes Support Group, Diabetes SelfManagement Education and Gestational Diabetes Self-Management Class. Call 732-745-6667.
Kids Pump Group and Teen Pump Group
Welcome LETTER
Our journey to excellence SAINT PETER’S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IS ON A journey—a journey to achieve the highest levels of patientcentered excellence and superior service. Our collective goal is to create an experience that exceeds the expectations of our patients and their families, as well as the physicians who care for them. We want to understand and manage what our customers see, feel and experience—optimizing every encounter, delivering world-class service every time. Each employee, volunteer and member of the medical staff plays a significant role, whether we’re caring for patients, conveying information or directing visitors through the hospital. Customer satisfaction is so important to us, the admitting office gives inpatients my cell phone number so they can reach me directly if they are not completely satisfied with our service. Saint Peter’s is fortunate to have more than 900 outstanding physicians who are affiliated with the hospital. Their satisfaction is of paramount importance, and my door is always open to discuss ways in which we can help them provide better service to their patients. We are proud to be part of the Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, and we partner with our system affiliates to extend the continuum of care for patients who need support after they leave the hospital. Our affiliates include HomeCare America (our Inside Look story), which supplies medical equipment to help patients continue their recoveries at home; the Margaret McLaughlin McCarrick Care Center, which provides short- and long-term residence for the elderly; and the Saint Peter’s Adult Day Center, which offers medical and social day programs for older adults who require assistance with activities of daily living. We are proud to have cared for generations of central New Jersey families. Our work, and our journey to excellence, continues with the goal of treating you better … for life.
Sincerely,
Call 732-745-8600, ext. 8751.
ALFRED GLOVER A MEMBER OF SAINT PETER’S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
President and Chief Executive Officer Saint Peter’s University Hospital
254 EASTON AVENUE | NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 08901
732.745.8600 | www.saintpetersuh.com
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Editor’s LETTER
Interior delights IT’S NO EASY THING, CHOOSING A STYLE FOR your home. Just as many of us shudder looking back on outdated hairstyles and outfits, so do we often cringe recalling a particular floral sofa or way-too-metallic wallpaper we now regret. Having recently survived a modest home makeover myself, I know that the fear of choosing poorly while pondering fabric swatches and paint samples can drive you crazy—if you don’t have a proper vision. And that’s where we come in. In this issue, we seek to provide guidance and inspiration in equal measure. For the former, turn to page 12, where you’ll find a visual quiz to help you pinpoint your design era of choice—plus tips on how to achieve that look for maximum impact throughout your house. As for inspiration, we offer a dose in “Well-dressed Floors,â€? page 16, where we spotlight eight eye-catching area rugs sure to give your room instant pop. When you’re ready to shift your focus away from your home, consider a meal at the chic NovitĂĄ in Metuchen, which serves sophisticated Italian fare with a few notable twists. Read the details in our review on page 46. Ready to venture a little farther? “Jersey Joys,â€? this issue’s Escapes piece on page 24, details 10 Garden State thrills you may not yet have made time for—after all, you live here. And if you prefer to simply while away the summer hours in your own backyard, we provide a little insight into a longtime garden favorite, zucchini, on page 44 and offer a host of chic outdoor seating options in “Sit This One Out,â€? page 20. No matter where the months ahead take you, may you and everyone in your home enjoy the season.
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In fact, it shouldn’t take more of your paycheck than you normally spend on groceries. Impossible? Call us at 877 •967 •7463 and we’ll show you how, with a menu that features: • USDA certiďŹ ed organic grain-fed beef and USDA certiďŹ ed grass-fed/grass-ďŹ nished beef • USDA certiďŹ ed organic free-range chicken • Natural ďŹ sh, seafood, turkey, lamb, pork and veal • Organic oils, pasta, rice, juice and more • Organic ash-frozen vegetables and fruits • Vacuum sealed in BPA-free packaging, delivered direct to your freezer at no additional cost!
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RITA GUARNA
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Editor in Chief
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5/29/09 10:37:48 AM
Dorothy and Gregory Kacprzynski
THE BREAST CANCER SPECIALISTS AT SAINT PETER’S COULDN’T HAVE BEEN MORE CARING. I’ve always been there for my son. So nothing was going to stop me from being there at his graduation—not even being diagnosed with breast cancer. The cancer specialists at Saint Peter’s University Hospital understood that I had to win the biggest battle of my life for the both of us. Using the latest cancer therapies blended with a level of caring that was nothing short of amazing, I didn’t miss one of the most important moments in his life…and mine.
To learn more about our Breast Cancer Care, call 732-745-6687 or visit saintpetersuh.com
A MEMBER OF SAINT PETER’S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
Treating you better...for life. 254 EASTON AVENUE, NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 08901 Accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer
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Catholic hospital sponsored by the Diocese of Metuchen
732.745.8600 State-designated children’s hospital and regional perinatal center
5/26/09 9:59:03 AM
Resort Style Luxury Showers At Manufacturer − Direct Pricing! By dealing directly with the manufacturer you can have your custom design measured, delivered, and installed in less than one week. • Many custom styles • We have been manufacturing and installing frameless shower enclosures and custom mirrors since 1984 • Guaranteed perfect fit in no time at all
J U LY 2 0 0 9 Middlesex Health & Life Staff
editor in chief RITA GUARNA
art director SARAH LECKIE
senior editor TIMOTHY KELLEY
managing editor JENNIFER CENICOLA
30,000 square foot state-ofthe-art manufacturing facility.
assistant editor KRISTIN COLELLA
Designer Showroom 89 Highway 35 North • Eatontown, NJ 1/2 mile north of Monmouth Mall - opposite Lowes
732-389-8175
art intern ALEXANDRIA PATE
group publisher EDWARD BURNS
SEE OUR GALLERY ON THE WEB CUSTOMSHOWERDOORS.COM
executive vice president, sales & marketing
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5 Sat 10-4 or call for appointment
JOEL EHRLICH
regional advertising director DOUGLAS C . BARKER JR .
regional advertising manager ROBERT SEIGEL
director, internet and new media NIGEL EDELSHAIN
marketing director CHRISTOPHER KAEFER
production manager CHRISTINE HAMEL
advertising services manager THOMAS RAGUSA
senior art director, agency services KIJOO KIM
circulation director LAUREN MENA
editorial contributions: The editors invite letters, article ideas and other contributions from readers. Please write to Editor,
Middlesex Health & Life, 110 Summit Avenue, Montvale, NJ 07645; telephone 201-571-7003; fax 201-782-5319; e-mail editor@wainscotmedia.com. Any manuscript or artwork should be accompanied by a self-addressed envelope bearing adequate return postage. The magazine is not responsible for the return or loss of submissions.
advertising inquiries: Please contact Edward Burns at 201-782-5306 or edward.burns@wainscotmedia.com.
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WORLD
CARPET
Saint Peter’s University Hospital Staff president and chief executive officer, saint peter’s healthcare system RONALD C . RAK , J . D .
president and chief executive officer, saint peter’s university hospital ALFRED GLOVER
president, medical and dental staff EDWARD FEIN , M . D .
executive vice president, chief marketing officer PETER CONNOLLY
director of marketing and media relations MICHELLE LAZZAROTTI
marketing and public relations representative VIRGINIA SCIORRA
Also featuring
The Latest in Wood Flooring One of the largest selections of exotic wood in New Jersey & the most up to date laminate flooring collection available
SAINT PETER’S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL 254 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. For more information about Saint Peter’s facilities and services, please visit www.saintpetersuh.com or call 732-745-8600.
119-131 RTE 22 EAST GREEN BROOK, NJ
1955 ROUTE 23S WAYNE, NJ
732-752-4444
973-406-7200
www.worldofcarpetonline.com • carpetworld140@optimum.net
Published by Wainscot Media
chairman CARROLL V. DOWDEN
president MARK DOWDEN
executive vice president JOEL EHRLICH
Is Your Home Coastal Ready? You’re Just FOUR Steps Away From Creating the Coastal Home You’ll Love in Time for Summer.
senior vice president EDWARD BURNS
vice presidents
To find out more, schedule a consultation to kick off your summer in style.
AMY DOWDEN NIGEL EDELSHAIN RITA GUARNA SHANNON STEITZ SUZANNE TRON
subscription services: To inquire about a subscription, to change an address or to purchase a back issue or a reprint of an article, please write to Middlesex Health
& Life, Circulation Department, PO Box 1788, Land
Greta Siwiec
Coastal Design & Décor 732- 495 -0611
www.coastaldesignanddecor.com
O Lakes, FL 34639; telephone 813-996-6579; e-mail lauren.mena@wainscotmedia.com.
Middlesex Health & Life is published four times a year by Wainscot Media, 110 Summit Avenue, Montvale, NJ 07645, in association with Saint Peter’s University Hospital. This is Volume 3, Issue 2. ©2009 by Wainscot Media LLC. All rights reserved. Subscriptions in U.S.: $14.00 for one year. Single copies: $3.95. Material contained herein is for informational purposes only. If you have medical concerns, seek the advice of a healthcare professional. Acceptance of advertising by Middlesex Health & Life does not constitute an endorsement of products or services.
Designer Sources— Designer Style
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FLASH AT THE HYATT REGENCY IN NEW BRUNSWICK, the George Street Playhouse celebrated its 35th anniversary season with a black-tie gala and silent auction. The nationally recognized theater produces new and established plays by both renowned and emerging artists. The Heldrich in New Brunswick, meanwhile, was the site of Saint Peter’s University Hospital’s black-tie Centennial Gala. The event raised more than $150,000 to fund a variety of hospital programs. Finally, Autism New Jersey held a Black and White Ball at the Hilton East Brunswick, featuring music, comedy, ballroom dance performances and more. The nonprofit provides a variety of programs and services for people with autism.
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GEORGE STREET PLAYHOUSE ANNUAL GALA 1. honoree Christopher Paladino, Kelly and Dan Loughlin 2. John and Stephanie Mortenson
SAINT PETER’S CENTENNIAL GALA
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3. Alfred Glover, president and CEO of Saint Peter’s University Hospital; honoree Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, archbishop emeritus of Washington, D.C.; the Most Reverend Paul G. Bootkoski, bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen 4. State Assemblyman Joseph Egan and Yolanda Egan
AUTISM NEW JERSEY BALL 5. Kiran Cherty 6. Mike Aquino, Loraine and Jim Paone, Linda Meyer Think you belong in Flash? Send photos from your gala or charity event to Middlesex Health & Life, att: Flash editor, 110 Summit Avenue, Montvale, NJ 07645; or e-mail editor@wainscot media.com. Include your contact information, a short event description and names of all who appear. (Submissions are not guaranteed to appear and must meet the following image specs: 4x6 color prints or 300 dpi jpg, tif or eps files. Prints must be accompanied by an SASE in order to be returned.)
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YO U R R E L A X AT I O N D E S T I N AT I O N
Oceanfront Resort Hotel & Convention Center ~ Spectacular Seaside Wedding Receptions
The Grand Hotel C A P E
M AY
1045 104 04 Beach Avenue ~ Cape May, New Jersey ersey ers ey 08204 0820 082 ~ tel +1 (800) 257 8550 fax +1 (609) 884 4344 grandhotelcapemay.com grandho grandh h
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QUIZ: What’s your design era? T H E PA S T I S A L I V E — I N Y O U R L I V I N G R O O M . C O N S C I O U S LY O R N O T, W E A L L D R AW O N T H E S T Y L E S O F D I F F E R E N T E R A S T O D E C I D E W H AT L O O K S W E L I K E I N I N T E R I O R DESIGN. BUT SOMETIMES WE NEED HELP IDENTIFYING, UNIFYING AND MAKING THE M O S T O F O U R P R E F E R E N C E S . T H AT ’ S W H AT T H I S Q U I Z I S F O R . S I M P LY P I C K Y O U R FAV O R I T E I M A G E I N E A C H O F T H E S E E I G H T S E C T I O N S — W E ’ L L T E L L Y O U W H I C H E R A S U I T S Y O U B E S T A N D H O W T O C R E AT E T H AT L O O K I N Y O U R O W N B E L O V E D A B O D E .
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A: PETER RYMWID PHOTOGRAPHY, B: ARCHITECT DALE LUMPKIN, C: LOOK PHOTOGRAPHY/BEATEWORKS/CORBIS, D: ERIC ROTH PHOTOGRAPHY
Kitchens
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RESULTS MOSTLY “A”s: 19th-CENTURY TRADITIONAL You like a comfortable-but-formal setting, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuffy. After all, a number of lively styles—Regency, Victorian, American Empire— commingled during this era. Today’s interpretation allows for a refreshing, eclectic look that maintains a classic aesthetic. WHAT TO LOOK FOR: • Grand furniture with soft, smooth lines, modest curves and classical symmetry • A profusion of patterns, often florals and plaids • Materials such as marble, polished mahogany and rosewood and luxurious fabrics • Embellishments such as carvings, decorative accents and gilding • Rich, dark colors • An abundance of furniture and other decorative objects—lamps, figurines, elaborate draperies, urns, large patterned rugs, ornamental globes
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MOSTLY “B”s: ART DECO Elegance and industry converged in the ’20s and ’30s, creating spaces both exotic and opulent, grand and graceful. Those in search of a dash of glam need look no further than the splendid, look-at-me showpieces from this chic era. WHAT TO LOOK FOR: • Beveled mirrored surfaces • Motifs such as rays, “stepped” forms and curves • Bold, saturated colors • Light and dark woods together, wood inlays • Exotic pieces with Asian and African influences • Strong geometric patterns, plus stylized florals and figures • Materials such as ebony, lacquer, mother-of-pearl, metal and glass
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MOSTLY “C”s: 1950s AND ’60s Plastic and color don’t scare you. You are a risk-taker and love all things that pop! Clothing fashions of the time greatly influenced this design style, and it evokes the era: uninhibited, playful and just plain cool. WHAT TO LOOK FOR: • Fun colors such as aqua, yellow, red, blue and mint green • Futuristic-looking forms • Rounded, asymmetrical, parabolic shapes • Simple, Scandinavian-influenced shapes • Oversized florals • Bold pop art touches, with dashes of kitsch and humor • Materials such as plastic, acrylic, teak, plywood and chrome
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Mostly “D”s: TODAY You enjoy minimalist-inspired pieces thoughtfully enhanced with a few “wow” accents. You follow the style trends heralded in the latest design blogs and appreciate simple forms made with exquisite craftsmanship, as well as rooms that deftly balance shape, color and texture. WHAT TO LOOK FOR: • Crisp, clean lines with little embellishment • Items in basic geometric forms, often offset by one or two whimsically shaped decorative accents • Industrial finishes • Materials such as stainless steel, glass, slate, durable woods and reclaimed or sustainable materials • Natural textures and colors, accented with spots of bright color ■
D. Mirrors For product and photo information for the items shown, see page 47.
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Well-dressed floors NEVER MIND NEUTRALS—THESE EYE-CATCHING AREA RUGS GIVE YOUR ROOMS INSTANT PANACHE AND PERSONALITY
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FROM LEFT Who says stained glass is for lamps and windows alone? Get the look underfoot with the 100-knot Glass rug by Tibetano, $100 per square foot, made of wool with silk accents. It comes in custom colors and sizes up to 25 feet wide. From Odegard’s Artist collection, this striking black-and-white rug—modeled after a work by Belgian artist Narcisse Tordoir—is made of hand-spun, -knotted and -carded Himalayan wool, $11,200 for an 8-foot by 10-foot version. Nature and abstract art collide in the colorful Pokeweed Encounter rug by Amy Helfand, $11,200 for 7 feet by 10 feet, crafted of hand-knotted Tibetan wool and Chinese silk. Get a dose of the outdoors with Grass by Graviti Zone Rugs, $3,400 for an 8-foot 5-inch by 5-foot 6-inch rug, featuring darkgreen blades on a light-green background, made of hand-tufted New Zealand wool. continued
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FROM LEFT Inspired by the famed quilts of Gee’s Bend, Ala., this limited edition 8-foot 5-inch by 11-foot 8-inch rug from ABC Carpet & Home, $6,999, is handmade in Turkey with 100-percent wool textile fragments. The whimsical spirals of the Calabasas rug from Rug Art’s Botanic collection, $6,800 for 9 feet in diameter, were inspired by the blooms of the Mexican Hat wildflower. Sold to the trade only. Add a burst of color with the bright-orange Parqué rug by Alicia D. Keshishian, $106 per square foot, made of hand-carded and hand-spun Tibetan wool with silk accents. Custom colors and sizes available. Everything’s coming up Mums and Asters in this playful Tibetan wool offering from Kim Parker for The Rug Company, $6,125 for a 10-foot by 7-foot rug. ■ For stores that carry the product lines shown, see our shopping guide on page 47.
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produced by
Rita Guarna
SIT THIS ONE OUT UNWIND IN ALFRESCO ELEGANCE WITH THESE HIP OUTDOOR SEATING OPTIONS
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THIS PAGE (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT): • Retro lovers will covet the sleek Klip armchair from Koverton Classics ($1,299), made of stainless steel and vinyl tubing. • Seat yourself in soothing style with the Riviera lounge chair from Century Furniture ($2,600 to $3,900), made of powder-coated aluminum and available in six colors. • Reposition yourself to your heart’s content with the teak-and-stainless-steel Fiftyfive Chaise Lounge from Giati ($8,060). • Meditate on life’s mysteries—or just peruse a magazine—on the cushy teak-framed Moon Sofa (to designers only), designed by John Hutton for Sutherland, available in four finishes. • Don’t rely on flowers to make your yard bright. Add pop with the flame-hued Bellechase chair from Veneman’s Roger Thomas Outdoor Elegance Collection ($1,260). OPPOSITE: • Say “ooh, la la” to Outdoor Lifestyle’s stunning French-inspired Provencal table ($3,028), crafted of cast and extruded aluminum and flanked by two Ashbury arm chairs ($388 each) and six Ashbury side chairs ($318 each). continued
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THIS PAGE (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT): • Choose this Coast Arc Chaise ($4,300) from Henry Hall Designs and your space will always be sunny. The lounge features underseat storage and is adjustable to six positions. • Rock out with Pier 1 Imports’ Pier Painted Wood Rocking Chair ($160). • Go modern with this Zephyr Collection resin-weave arm chair ($2,185 to $2,320, depending on fabric). • Don’t stay ahead of the curve, rest upon it with Whitecraft’s rounded All-Weather Wave Runner Lounge Rocker ($1,120). • Give your patio a comfy spot of whimsy with the colorful iron curls of the ReTrouvé 566 chair ($1,120), by Patricia Urquiola for Emu. OPPOSITE: • Relax regally in Windham Castings’ elegant Catalina chaise longue ($1,550), made of powder-coated aluminum. ■
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JERSEY JOYS HOW MANY OF THESE GARDEN STATE ADVENTURES WILL YOU EXPERIENCE THIS SUMMER? If New Jersey were a distant destination, you might have journeyed here to discover its many wonders long ago. But who expects travel thrills in their own backyard? Fact is though, we Jerseyans are blessed: Within a short drive there are sandy beaches, lush farmlands, rolling mountains, scenic rivers—and unforgettable experiences. Try these 10 types of nearby fun:
COURTESY OF HANG LOOSE PARASAIL
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PARASAIL OVER THE ATLANTIC Seagulls aren’t the only ones who can relish a bird’s-eye view of the Atlantic Coast—you can too, thanks to numerous Jersey Shore companies that offer parasailing, soaring in a parachute towed by a motorboat. For a view of the Garden State’s southern coast, try Hang Loose Parasail in Wildwood (609-522-9453, www.hangloose parasail.com), which provides single, double and triple rides lasting eight to 12 minutes in the air ($65 per person), operated by United States Coast Guard–trained captains. Hang on tight, because you could reach heights up to 500 feet—the highest permitted by New Jersey law. Want to relive your flight on land? Hang Loose can photograph your experience with 35mm SLR cameras with zoom lenses ($24 for 24 photos).
2
HIKE THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL Spanning approximately 2,178 miles from Maine to Georgia, the Appalachian Trail is the nation’s longest footpath, with 72 of its miles running through northwestern New Jersey along the Kittatinny Range. You can enjoy breathtaking scenery on a hike through all or part of the Jersey trail, which extends from the Delaware Water Gap opposite Pennsylvania to Abram S. Hewitt State Forest in Passaic County. On the southern end check out Sunfish Pond in Worthington State Forest, a 44-acre glacial lake surrounded by a chestnut oak forest. In the north, a walk through the rocky ridges of High Point State Park offers stunning valley and mountain views.
CORBIS; SHUTTERSTOCK
3
PADDLE THROUGH THE PINELANDS Encompassing about 1.1 million acres of tranquil pine oak forests, streams, rivers, farms, crossroad hamlets and small towns in southern New Jersey, the Pinelands National Reserve—also called the Pine Barrens—is the largest body of open space on the MidAtlantic seaboard between Richmond and
Boston. Though numerous hiking trails are available for visitors, paddling through the Pinelands’ pristine waterways is perhaps the best way to enjoy its largely untouched beauty in the summertime. The Wharton State Forest in Atlantic, Burlington and Camden counties permits canoeing on the Mullica, Batsto, Wading and Oswego rivers, where you can observe bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, river otters, Pine Barrens tree frogs and more. Don’t own a canoe of your own? You can rent one to take onto the Wading or Oswego rivers at Pine Barrens Canoe Rental in Chatsworth (1-800-732-0793, www.pinebarrenscanoe.com; $48 per canoe).
4
BIRD-WATCH IN THE MEADOWLANDS The Meadowlands in Bergen and Hudson counties is a haven for some of the state’s most magnificent birds, and you can view them up close thanks to 1,168 acres of publicly accessible parks, viewing platforms and walking and paddling trails. Hackensack Riverkeeper (201-968-0808, www.hackensackriverkeeper.org) offers educational guided bird walks through various spots in the Meadowlands, such as Mill Creek Wetlands Trail in Secaucus—where you’ll observe green-winged teals, herons, egrets, raptors, hawks and osprey—and the Richard W. DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, home to sandpipers, semipalmated plovers, great blue herons and an increasing number of yellow-crowned night herons, considered a threatened species by the state. continued MIDDLESEX
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SPOT WHALES IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT You can observe the world’s largest mammals with a family-friendly whale-watching cruise offered by the Cape May Whale and Research Center in Cape May (609-898-0055, www.capemay whalewatch.com). The two- to three-hour journeys take you on the Atlantic aboard the 80-foot-long M/V Whale Watcher, where you’ll learn about the feeding, migratory and breeding habits of whales, dolphins and local birds, as well as “spotting techniques” for viewing whales and dolphins in the water. ($28 to $38 for adults; $18 to $23 for children ages 7 to 12.)
6
VISIT THE LAKOTA WOLF PRESERVE Listen to the howls of tundra, timber and arctic wolves—and watch them run and play from a safe vantage point—at the Lakota Wolf Preserve in Columbia (1-877-733-9653, www.lakotawolf.com). Lakota offers Wolf Watch programs twice daily, allowing you to view four packs of wolves in a special observation area and learn interesting facts about them, such as their social structure and eating habits ($15 for adults, $7 for children under 12). Because photos taken
at the Wolf Watch program will reveal chain-link fencing installed for safety reasons, more serious photographers can enjoy a guided photography session around each individual wolf compound ($300 for two hours), which provides numerous opportunities to photograph the wolves up to 3 feet away through special portal openings in the fencing.
7
TAKE A HOT-AIR BALLOON RIDE Want to capture the full beauty of Hunterdon County’s serene rolling hills, tranquil farmlands and breathtaking old estates? Leave the car behind and hop on a hot-air balloon. Hunterdon Ballooning Inc. (908788-5415, www.hunterdonballooning.com) in Flemington launches 45-minute flights—in the evening daily, with additional morning launches on weekends—taking you on a dreamy voyage a few thousand feet in the air. Visitors float over picturesque corn and grain fields, lakes, meadows and forests—and on clear days can sometimes even see the New York City and Philadelphia skylines as well as the Delaware Water Gap. Wear comfy clothes and bring a camera and your thirst for adventure. ($215 to $295 per person, includes a complimentary champagne toast and snacks following your flight.)
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SHUTTERSTOCK; CORBIS
STROLL THROUGH STERLING HILL MINE You might not strike gold, but a walk through the world-famous Sterling Hill zinc mine in Ogdensburg, which closed in 1986 and is thought to have been operational as far back as the early 1700s, will provide invaluable insight into New Jersey’s rich mining history. The onehour, 1,300-foot underground stroll is part of a tour offered by the Sterling Hill Mining Museum, a nonprofit foundation committed to preserving the mine (973-209-7212, www.sterling hillminingmuseum.org). Tour highlights include walking through mine galleries dating back to the 1830s, viewing pieces of equipment used in the mine and visiting the Rainbow Room, where brightly fluorescent zinc ore is exposed in the mine walls. Visitors are even invited to take a piece of the fluorescent zinc ore home as a souvenir. ($10 for adults; $9 for seniors; $7.50 for kids 12 and under.)
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MOUNTAIN-BIKE AT DIABLO FREERIDE PARK You’ll discover America’s most popular bike park right here in New Jersey at Diablo Freeride Park in Vernon (973-864-8420, www.diablofreeridepark.com). An adventure seeker’s haven, the park boasts more than 40 custom-built mountain bike trails for beginners to advanced riders. We suggest checking out the Indy Cross, a giant slalom course featuring a series of perfectly sculpted banked turns, jumps and doubles; and the BMW, Utah, Stigmata and Ripper trails— expert terrains complete with rocky off-camber sections (those with corners that force cyclists to the outside of turns). Admission to the park costs $38 for all-day trail and gondola access; you can rent Jamis bicycles for $79 to $99.
MASTERFILE; CHRISTOPHER VANDERYAJT
10
TUBE ON THE DELAWARE Forget water parks—you can enjoy a real lazy river ride by renting single, double and triple tubes from Delaware River Tubing in Frenchtown (908-996-5386, www.delawarerivertubing.com). Tube launches begin along the banks of the Delaware River, accessible by a free shuttle from the company’s headquarters on Route 29. From there you’ll soak up the summer sun and take in the beauty of the region as you follow the river
current for three to four hours, spanning about 5 or 6 miles. Admission fees include a barbecue lunch at The Hotdog Man, a snack stand located about halfway through your voyage on Adventure Island (you can munch your meal on picnic tables placed in the water), life jackets and a shuttle to and from Delaware River Tubing’s headquarters ($18.95 on weekdays; $22.95 on weekends and holidays). ■
A TABLE TO TRY After your unforgettable hot-air balloon ride over Hunterdon County, enjoy a delectable dinner at one of the region’s finest eateries— THE CLINTON HOUSE RESTAURANT in the historic town of Clinton (908-730-9300, www.theclinton house.com). Established in 1743 and recently renovated in 18th-century style, the restaurant offers an eclectic menu of land, sea and vegetarian specialties in a peaceful setting. Highlights include pecanencrusted pork tenderloin, filet mignon with blue cheese and salmon fettuccini. A PLACE TO PERCH Since parasailing over the Atlantic coast in Wildwood requires a five-hour round-trip drive from Middlesex, we suggest spending a few relaxing days at the PORT ROYAL HOTEL (609-729-2000, www.portroyal hotel.com) in nearby Wildwood Crest ($199 to $325 per night). Located right on the sands of the Jersey Shore, the luxe hotel offers deluxe guest rooms, one-room efficiencies and ocean suites—all equipped with private balconies, plus free beach access, an oceanfront sun deck and a heated hourglass-shaped pool.
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HEALTH WATCH by Sean Ryan
How fit is your
BRAIN? TAKE OUR QUIZ TO FIND OUT HOW WELL YOU’RE KEEPING THAT GRAY MATTER IN SHAPE
“YOU KNOW THEY SAY TV WILL ROT YOUR BRAIN? That’s absurd. TV only softens the brain like a ripe banana.” So declared actor Alec Baldwin in a Super Bowl spot for web video hub Hulu. And it turns out he’s more or less right. “The brain is an organ of adaptation,” says Louis Cozolino, a professor of clinical psychology at Pepperdine University in Los Angeles and author of the recent book The Healthy Aging Brain: Sustaining Attachment, Attaining Wisdom. “You constantly have to give it something to adapt to.” “It’s better not to spend too much time in passive activities like watching TV,” agrees Saint Peter’s University Hospital neurologist Jeffrey Greenberg, M.D. “Do things that challenge your mind.” Neural plasticity—the idea that your brain is continuously changing—is a relatively new concept. It explains why people get wiser with age, why personalities change and why seniors who stay active maintain their mental acuity longer. Research has shown that, contrary to a longtime belief, our brains do not lose a large number of neurons as we age. Instead, the synapses that connect these neurons often slow from disuse. By stimulating the synapses, we can help ourselves stay sharp. The quiz at right tests your memory, your ability to think on a higher plane and your social stimulation. All are important for a fit, sharp mind. Take the quiz and tally your score to see how your brain fares.
Train your brain! Follow these 10 tips from neurologists to
3. Play with children whenever you get the
tion class for evenings when you’re not busy.
keep your mind sharp:
chance. Interacting with different age
7. Vary your route to work or the grocery
groups keeps you alert.
store. This snaps you out of the “autopilot”
exercise is healthy for the brain,” says Jef-
4.
of driving to familiar locations.
frey Greenberg, M.D., a neurologist affili-
that’s strong on fish, fruits and vegetables,
8.
ated with Saint Peter’s University Hospital.
olive oil and unsaturated fats—is a proven
taking up a demanding hobby or mastering
brain boost, says Dr. Greenberg.
a musical instrument.
5.
9.
1. Exercise regularly. “There’s evidence that
“It’s been shown to slow cognitive decline.”
2. Get lots of sleep. The brain doesn’t store
Eat right. A Mediterranean diet—one
Challenge your “executive function”—
Consider learning a foreign language,
“Find mentally challenging activities
you like—that way, you’ll keep doing them,”
and remember schedules—by planning a
says Dr. Greenberg. Examples could be
meal that involves a recipe with many steps.
crossword puzzles, “word searches” or
regular use of alcohol, cold medicines called
6. Fill the unused time in your day. Bring a
reading discussion groups.
“p.m.” or benzodiazapene drugs—those
book to read while you’re in the waiting
10.
with chemical names ending in “pam.”
room or in line. Sign up for an adult educa-
social contact helps keep the brain young.
and consolidate information properly without about seven hours of high-quality sleep each night. For restorative slumber, avoid
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Be social. The stimulation of friendly
ISTOCKPHOTO
the ability to coordinate different activities
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section1
section 2
Cognitive
Social/emotional
Before you begin, think of three words. Remember them for later.
10
a. almost never b. sometimes
1 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, ___
Name the next number in this pattern: Give yourself one point if you are correct (see the key below for answers when you’ve finished this section).
How often do you feel lonely while in crowds?
c. frequently often do you interact with new people? 11 How a. regularly
a. 18
b. sometimes
b. 20
c. rarely
c. 21 d. 25
2 3
What did you have for breakfast yesterday?
a. several
If you can remember in less than 15 seconds, give yourself one point.
b. one to two
Did you have trouble executing all the steps involved in the last recipe you followed? If you did not, give yourself one point.
4
many good friends have you made in 12 How the last three years?
c. none
13
How often do you get enough sleep at night? a. always b. sometimes c. never
Take 100 and subtract 7 from it in your head, then subtract 7 from the difference. Give yourself one point if you can continue this pattern five more times (see key below).
are happy with your day-to-day life: 14 You a. most of the time b. sometimes c. rarely
5
Are you able to balance your checkbook
6
Who is the current governor of New Jersey?
without difficulty? If yes, give yourself one point.
SCORING: Give yourself two points for every a, one point for every b and zero points for every c in section 2.
If you can remember in less than 15 seconds, give
Add your total with your score from section 1 for your final tally.
yourself one point (see key below).
17–21 POINTS: A beautiful mind. Good job! You’ve
7
Do you ever forget your intended destina-
kept your life chock-full of brain-stimulating activities,
tion while you’re driving? If you never do,
but a little extra exertion never hurts. Exercise both your
give yourself one point.
cognitive and social sides by chatting with someone new, and then perhaps inviting him or her over for a
8
What is 1 + 2 – 3 + 4 – 5 + 6? Give yourself
one point if you are correct (see key below).
9
game of chess or cards. 11–16 POINTS: Second thoughts. Luckily you’re not
a. 1
staring blankly at the television all the time, but you
b. 5
could certainly stand more stimuli. Cognitively, try tack-
c. 7
ling a crossword puzzle or a game of Scrabble. Socially,
d. 10
try volunteering with a group or joining a book club.
What were the three words you selected at
0–10 POINTS: Brain freeze. Your mind could use a
the beginning of the quiz? Give yourself one
variety of different challenges. One idea: Signing up
point for each word you can remember.
for an adult-education class in a subject that interests you will exercise both parts of your brain—cognitively
SELECTED ANSWERS: 1. c; 4. the sequence is as follows: 93, 86, 79, 72, 65, 58, 51; 6. Jon Corzine; 8. b
through the instruction itself, and socially through interaction with your fellow students. ■
MIDDLESEX
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HEALTH WATCH
5
tips for your MAMMOGRAM HOW TO BE SURE YOU GET THE BEST READ
MAMMOGRAMS ARE THE BEST tool we have for early breast cancer detection, doctors say. But even when they’re done right, these studies aren’t perfect. They may miss some tumors while highlighting other tissue irregularities that prove harmless, and reading the results can be a subtle skill. How can you make sure you’re getting the best possible image and read? Experts offer five suggestions:
1
Check the mammography center’s certificate. The federal Mammogram Quality Standards
Act (MQSA) of 1992 sets minimum criteria for both equipment and professionals’ training, and annual inspections are the basis for the certification that permits a center to operate legally. When you’re deciding where to have your mammogram, ask to see a facility’s FDA certificate and make sure it’s current, or log on to the Internet and check the FDA’s website, www.fda.gov/ cdrh/mammography.
2
Make sure the doctors are fellowshiptrained in breast imaging or spend a large amount of time doing breast imaging.
Clinicians who do only breast imaging are best, but anyone who spends at least 50 percent of his or her time reading breast film is probably well-versed. How can you be sure your doctor has sufficient expertise? Don’t be afraid to ask.
3
Make sure the facility has a record of your previous mammograms. If old files aren’t avail-
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5
JUPITERIMAGES/POLKA DOT/ALAMY
able, doctors won’t know what’s new or changed—and half the interpretation is missed. It’s small changes over time that raise suspicions. Without earlier films for comparison, a doctor may spot something that actually has been there for five or 10 years. That could lead to an unnecessary biopsy. If you need to change facilities for insurance or
other reasons, collect your old mammogram files—be they film or digital files—and personally take them to the new imaging center. Speak up about any symptoms. There are two branches of mammography: screening and diagnostic. Screening is your yearly test. You zip in and out. Diagnostic mammography is a completely different piece of the puzzle. If you are having specific symptoms—you feel a lump, for example, or have nipple discharge—be sure to tell your doctor. He or she needs to know what you’re experiencing in order to determine if extra tests are needed. It might not even be a mammogram that’s required—your doctor may want you to have an ultrasound exam instead. Don’t choose a “live read.” Some imaging centers boast that they will read your film “live”— that is, while you wait. Patients often think this means they’re getting better service—but that’s often not the case. For one thing, centers that have the time to do live reads are not very busy, experts often note—and there may be a reason for that. Also, live reads force staff to multitask and rush. A better system is when radiologists are able to take a day’s worth of films and read them in a private room. This way, they’re not interrupted, they can take their time and, if necessary, they can ask a colleague for an opinion. ■
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BUZZ
a t S a i n t P e t e r ’s MODEL PHYSICIANS Saint Peter’s Auxiliary hosted the “Pretty in Pink” Fashion Runway 2009 at the Doubletree Hotel in Somerset on May 2 to benefit the hospital’s Breast Cancer Program. Saint Peter’s staff and physicians modeled Stein Mart fashions. Susan McManus, M.D., breast surgeon and head of the Breast Care Team, and Gopal Rao Desai, M.D., chair of Radiation Oncology, were among the fashionable physicians on hand.
A CENTURY OF CARING
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‘Just for the health of it’ Saint Peter’s teamed up with New Brunswick Recreation for a third annual family day of fun, “Just for the Health of It.” The affair was held May 16 across the street from Saint Peter’s in beautiful Buccleuch Park, and featured live bands, games, bicycle safety advice— and New Jersey’s first mass yoga event. Pediatric charge nurse Stephanie Singer was one of many hospital staff who participated. Here, a student from Greater Brunswick Charter School attends her Teddy Bear Clinic.
COURTESY OF SAINT PETER’S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Saint Peter’s University Hospital was not always a high-tech, 478-bed teaching hospital. In 1907 it was a 25-bed facility in the Victorian home of a former postmaster. A Century of Caring is a delightful history of the hospital’s first 100 years, written by two Saint Peter’s physicians: Nayan Kothari, M.D., chair of the Department of Medicine, and Palma Formica, M.D., chair of the Department of Family Practice. Filled with old and current photos, the book is available in hardcover and softcover at HomeCare America, Somerset Village Plaza, 900 Easton Avenue, Somerset; in Saint Peter’s gift shop, 254 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick; or online at www.saint petersuh.com.
Anderson & Collins Clinical Research, Inc. is currently seeking volunteers for the following clinical trials: • ARTHRITIS • FIBROMYALGIA • HIGH CHOLESTEROL • HYPERTENSION (HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE) • INSOMNIA • MIGRAINE • OSTEOPOROSIS • OVERWEIGHT • WOMEN’S HEALTH • VACCINES
• Study-related medical care & medication are provided at no cost to participants. • Compensation for time and travel. For more information or to receive our clinical trial newsletter, please contact our office: (732) 287-5130 or email: admin@accrinc.com
Anderson & Collins Clinical Research, Inc.
1 ETHEL ROAD • SUITE 106 B • EDISON, NJ 08817 732-287-5130 • email: admin@accrinc.com • www.accrinc.com
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Faces of SAINT PETER’S
Amar Bukhari, M.D. A GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey–New Jersey Medical School who completed residencies at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in internal medicine and a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine, Amar Bukhari, M.D., 44, has been at Saint Peter’s University Hospital since 1997. He’s chief of pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine and lives in South Brunswick.
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BOHM-MARRAZZO PHOTOGRAPHY
Q: Why do you work full-time in a hospital rather than in a private practice? It lets me combine clinical care, administrative work and teaching. I enjoy all three. I serve on several committees and teach medical residents and students from Drexel University College of Medicine— taking them from patient to patient, quizzing them and helping them adapt their knowledge. Q: Where are you from originally? Pakistan. I came to this country at age 7. Q: What is an iftar? It’s the evening meal that breaks the daily fast in the month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to sundown. With the help of Jerry Herauf, director of Pastoral Care, we’ve established a special prayer room at Saint Peter’s for my fellow Muslims—and everyone else—and we dedicate a conference room to an annual iftar. Q: What do you do for fun? My wife, Atiya Aftab, and I like to take our children—daughters Zahra, 12; and Alya, 11; and son Imran, 8—on trips to learn about other cultures. Q: As a lung specialist, do you ever become frustrated with patients who smoke? No, I see it as part of the illness, and I try different approaches. A year ago, a 92-yearold woman smoker who’d driven herself to her appointment complained of shortness of breath. I paid her five dollars for her cigarette pack and made her promise to buy it back from me if she smoked again. She’s still around and I still have the pack. ■
A one-of-a-kind experience in caring.
SAINT PETER’S ADULT DAY CENTER AT MONROE. THE SOLUTION YOU’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR. Our safe, homelike environment and qualified, experienced staff provide a unique combination of wellness services, therapeutic recreation and care. Your loved ones will enjoy: • Structured group and individual activities • Nutritious hot meals planned by a registered dietitian • Special events, musical entertainment and planned excursions • Door-to-door transportation • Wellness nurses to provide monitoring and support • Affordable rates: insurance, private pay and Medicaid accepted • Access to therapy services
For more details or a complimentary lunch and tour, please contact us at
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Treating you better...for life. Conveniently located at 200 Overlook Drive, Pondview Plaza, Monroe Township, NJ 08831 www.saintpetersuh.com
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Faces of SAINT PETER’S
Barbie ZimmermanBier, M.D. FAMILY AND PROFESSIONAL CONcerns entwine for Barbie Zimmerman-Bier, M.D., 48, Saint Peter’s University Hospital’s chief of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. A graduate of a B.A./M.D. program at Brooklyn College and the State University of New York Health Science Center, she completed a pediatric residency at New York Hospital–Cornell Medical Center. Then, after her firstborn, Sam, was diagnosed with an autism-spectrum disorder, she completed a fellowship in developmental and behavioral pediatrics at New York Medical College.
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Q: What does your work involve? I see many parents with concerns who ask me, “Is my child normal?” Much of my job is helping them to understand how their child is developing. I also teach, and one day a week I run an early screening program at the Lakeview School of the New Jersey Institute for Developmental Disabilities. Q: What’s one key lesson parents need to learn? To trust their instincts. Often, they’re the best people to assess their child’s progress. Q: Are autism diagnoses now more common? Yes. In New Jersey, one child in 94 now has a disorder of this kind. Q: Do we know why? Increased public awareness brings more cases to light, and we’ve broadened the diagnostic criteria. Whether there’s also an absolute increase is something we’re still studying. Q: How is Sam today? At 19, he’s doing very well; he’s passed his driver’s test and is preparing for college. Q: Do you have other kids? Yes, my husband—Steven Bier, M.D., a radiologist—and I have twin 17-year-old sons, Solomon and Kenny, and a 10-year-old daughter, Dayna. We live in East Brunswick. Q: What do you do for recreation? I love theater (In the Heights is a favorite) and sometimes I steal the kids’ iPod when I work out. I like hip-hop, also Springsteen. ■
Ryan McKee
THE CANCER SPECIALISTS AT SAINT PETER’S REALLY WENT TO BAT FOR ME. Just like every other kid, I dreamed of becoming a ballplayer. Then, from out of left field, I got hit with leukemia. Lucky for me, the cancer specialists at Saint Peter’s University Hospital stayed right by my side through every procedure and every chemotherapy treatment. With their entire team rooting for me, I wasn’t about to quit. Today, I’m back on the field, and I’ve knocked cancer out of the park! To learn more about Cancer Care, call 732-745-6674 (pediatric), 732-745-8600 ext. 8325 (adult) or visit saintpetersuh.com
254 EASTON AVENUE, NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 08901 732.745.8600 Catholic hospital sponsored by the Diocese of Metuchen
037_MSHL_JULY09.indd 37
State-designated children’s hospital and regional perinatal center
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Inside LOOK
Where better health is in store FROM BANDAGES TO BEDS, MEDICAL E Q U I P M E N T P L AY S A V I TA L R O L E I N PAT I E N T S ’ R E C O V E RY GIVEN A CHOICE BETWEEN RECUPERATING in the hospital or recuperating at home after an illness or injury, most people would prefer to recover in the comfort of their own home. Hospitals, too, prefer to discharge patients as soon as they are able to safely manage on their own. While the cost of healthcare plays a large part in the trend toward speedy discharge, restoring a sense of normalcy and regaining independence by convalescing at home are important to the healing process. To provide that home-based care, families often need special equipment—from hospital beds and wheelchairs to bandages and compression stockings. Saint Peter’s Healthcare System helps families rent or buy those supplies, which are grouped under the umbrella term “durable medical equipment” (DME), through its affiliated home medical equipment and respiratory equipment company, HomeCare America (HCA), a member of the healthcare system. “The mission of Saint Peter’s is to provide a culture of caring, a continuum of care, and we take that very seriously,” says Patti Ferraro, general manager of HCA. The company was formed 11 years ago to serve patients who were discharged from the hospital but still required sophisticated medical products and services at home. With more than 4,000 items on hand at its 3,500square-foot Somerset location and countless more avail-
HomeCare America has one overarching mission: to provide unforgettably great service. Here, a customer receives personal attention from Sophie Wentworth, one of the product consultants, in the mobility “concept shop.”
able by special order, HCA has something for anyone in need of medical help, Ferraro says. She understands that such a large space filled with so many items can be daunting to many patients or families, who are already stressed from dealing with illness or When you need medical devices injury, not to mention insurance hassles. HomeCare America’s Somerset store is located in Somerset Village Plaza, That’s why customer service is of primary 900 Easton Avenue, Somerset. Regular hours are Monday through Saturday, importance, as Ferraro explains. And that’s 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 732-993-1010. why HCA staffers are called product consultants, not salespeople. 38
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“The idea is that you walk in and tell us your diagnosis or problem, and we help you deal with it,” she says. “As consultants, we educate you on what products and services we have to meet your particular needs. We often hear people walk away saying, ‘I didn’t even know that product existed!’” With more than 100 years of combined experience in the DME field, HCA’s product consultants know almost every medical product and service there is. Some also have medical credentials: Ferraro, who has been in
the DME field for more than 20 years, is one of the nurses on staff, and a certified respiratory therapist is also available at all times. There are five people on staff whose only job is to stay current with the complicated regulatory issues and insurance entanglements that surround DME. Says Ferraro: “The laws change all the time, and Medicare regulations change every three months. Something that might have cost X dollars in January will cost Y dollars in June. That’s also where our expertise makes us a useMIDDLESEX
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ilar medical supplies. The second part of HCA’s business is home medical equipment. It includes the same items that are available retail, but handles equipment that is prescribed by a doctor and billed to the patient’s insurance company. Larger items such as beds are delivered to the home, where technicians install the equipment and teach the customer how to use it properly and maintain it. “We have between 800 and 1,000 people using our home services at any one time,” Ferraro says. Beginning this year, DME home services providers need to be accredited by the Joint Professional home visits are a hallmark of service at HomeCare America. Commission, which monitors Medical professionals make home visits to ensure that their customers are hospitals and other healthcare institutions for safety and regulaproperly fitted for their prescribed medical equipment—from infant apnea tory compliance. Ferraro expects monitors to wheelchairs—and know how to use it safely and effectively. HCA to obtain its accreditation this July. ful resource for our customers.” HCA’s third major business component is respiFerraro breaks her business down into four comratory products and services. This is separated from ponents. The first is retail. The store averages about other equipment because state regulations require that 4,000 walk-in customers a year who pay for goods and a licensed respiratory therapist and respiratory nurse be services themselves, Ferraro says. When retail customers available to oversee the complicated devices, due to the come to HCA, a product consultant steers them toward fact that these products are used to treat life-threatening one of six “concept shops”: conditions such as lung disease, congestive heart failure, • BATH SAFETY. This area includes grab bars, special severe asthma and obstructive sleep apnea. faucets, seats, stools and other items to help ill or infirm Respiratory devices include oxygen concentrators, patients shower or bathe more safely. “We have a full liquid oxygen tanks, gas cylinders, nebulizers and sleep bath and shower set up, so people can try these products apnea breathing devices for children and adults. These out,” Ferraro says. items account for about 40 percent of HCA’s business, • PATIENT ROOM. Here you’ll find beds, recliners, Ferraro says. linens, specialty pillows, soaps, shampoos, gowns and “This is a difficult business,” she adds. “The peoother items for safety and comfort at home. ple we serve are either sick or stressed. That means we • MOBILITY. This is where to find wheelchairs, walkers, have to be flexible, think fast and do whatever we can rollators (four-wheel walkers with a seat and basket), to help them.” Ferraro says her company has an overcar lifts and other things to help the patient get around. arching mission: to provide unforgettably great service. • INCONTINENCE. This “shop” contains adult diapers, “We push ourselves to be sure to follow the highest ethplastic pants, bed coverings and other products. ical standards and the best business practices 100 percent • ORTHOPEDICS. Customers who need crutches, braces, splints, bandages and other orthopedic items come here. of the time. The Saint Peter’s motto is ‘Treating you bet• PROFESSIONAL. This is where to find thermoter for life,’ and that fits into the continuum of care that meters, stethoscopes, blood pressure monitors and simwe help provide.” ■ 40
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Tech SAVVY
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An alternative to hysterectomy S P E C I A L I S T S N O W T R E AT UTERINE FIBROID TUMORS
BOHM-MARRAZZO PHOTOGRAPHY
W I T H O U T S U R G E RY UTERINE FIBROIDS—NONCANCEROUS GROWTHS on the wall of the uterus—affect 20 to 40 percent of all women age 35 and older and up to 50 percent of AfricanAmerican women in that age group. What causes them is not completely known, and for many women they produce no symptoms and require no treatment. But for others they can cause heavy bleeding, cramping, back pain, frequent urination and discomfort during intercourse. Until recently, the only real treatment option was removing the uterus through hysterectomy. Now, however, many women can have nonsurgical treatment of their fibroids, and relief from symptoms, through a minimally invasive procedure called uterine fibroid embolization. The procedure is performed by an interventional radiologist, who uses state-of-the art imaging and minimally invasive techniques to offer options for treatment of a wide range of medical conditions, says Christopher Gribbin, M.D., co-chief of vascular and interventional radiology at Saint Peter’s University Hospital. To treat fibroids, Dr. Gribbin embolizes, or blocks, the flow of blood to the fibroids, effectively killing them. Prior to the procedure, he obtains an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging scan) to find the exact location of the fibroids. On the day of the procedure, the woman is placed under mild sedation and is given a local anesthetic to her groin area, where Dr. Gribbin makes a small pinpoint-size nick in the skin to access an artery. Then, using sophisticated X-ray equipment, he inserts a guiding catheter—a very small tube—into the artery and advances it carefully into each of the main blood vessels that feed the uterus, located on either side. He then threads a special tiny catheter through the guiding catheter. This second catheter holds tiny plastic beads “made of the same material as contact lenses,” as he explains. “We inject them into the blood vessel at the edge of the uterus and the blood carries them to the fibroid. They lodge there and block the flow of blood. The fibroids literally starve to death.”
Embolization is a better choice than hysterectomy for many women who are bothered by uterine fibroids, says interventional radiologist Christopher Gribbin, M.D.
The procedure takes about an hour and requires a one-night stay in the hospital. “There may be significant cramping afterward,” says Dr. Gribbin. But total recovery usually takes only five to seven days, compared with about six weeks for a hysterectomy, he says. Women generally see their symptoms relieved within a month or two, and sometimes sooner, Dr. Gribbin says. The success rate is about 90 percent, and there are few risks associated with the procedure, which usually does not prevent women from becoming pregnant. Many, but not all, women are eligible for fibroid embolization, which is an underutilized treatment, Dr. Gribbin says. The technique was introduced in 1995, but has only become well known over the past five years or so, he says. “The overarching message is patient choice. Interventional radiologists offer patients the least invasive and most advanced treatment options, but patients may not always be aware of their options. Women and their gynecologists need to know about this procedure and what interventional radiologists can do,” he adds. “It isn’t right for everyone, but it is right for an awful lot of women.” ■
DID YOU KNOW? Hysterectomies are performed more than once a minute in the U.S., most of them to treat uterine fibroids—and many aren’t necessary. Source: National Uterine Fibroids Foundation
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Seasonal HEALTH
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Save your SKIN YOU CAN REDUCE THE DANGER OF SKIN CANCER
are sometimes touted as a safe alternative to sunning, Dr. Rothfleisch says to beware. Several studies have shown that people who go regularly to tanning booths had a 75 percent greater-than-average likelihood of developing melanoma before age 35. And though it’s true that sunlight, real or artificial, provides vitamin D, most of us get enough D just from casual exposure to sunshine. “I’m not saying you have to be indoors all the time,” says the dermatologist. “You can’t live your life in a bubble. But when I take my young children to the beach, we wear shirts and use an SPF 70 to 85 sunblock.”
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USE PROTECTION. The lotions and sprays sold for use against sunburn filter out ultraviolet B rays, sunlight’s principal cancer-causing agent. It’s best to apply them 20 to 25 minutes before you go into the sun, says Dr. Rothfleisch. And reapply thoroughly every two hours—more often if you go swimming—because the moisture from perspiration or immersion reduces sunscreen’s effectiveness. If you select a sunscreen that combats ultraviolet A rays as well as B, you’ll be protected not only from skin cancer but from the wrinkling and drying that cause skin to age prematurely.
NOT TOO MANY YEARS AGO, IT WAS CONSIDered the summertime norm to lie in the sun for hours, getting as brown as possible. Today we know that’s flirting with skin cancer. But while most of us have changed our sunning habits at least a bit, the disease remains a threat. Skin cancer is “I see 30 or 40 cases of skin cancer responsible for each month,” says Jeremy Rothfleisch, nearly 11,000 deaths M.D., a dermatologist affiliated with Saint in the U.S. each year. Peter’s University Hospital. It’s the most Source: American Cancer Society common cancer, but three sensible steps can help you avoid it:
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Melanoma, the most dangerous kind of skin cancer, accounts for just 4 percent of cases, but 79 percent of skin-cancer deaths—it claims some 7,800 lives in the U.S. each year. But because melanoma is on the skin, you can see it develop almost from the beginning—if you can recognize it—so there’s a better chance for early intervention and a cure than with many cancers. That’s why your skin is an important part of your regular physical exam with your doctor. And between exams, be vigilant, watching for any change in a mole or growth. “For an easy-to-remember guide, think ‘ABCDE,’” says Dr. Rothfleisch. “If a mole changes in asymmetry, border, color or diameter, or if it evolves, show it to your doctor or a dermatologist promptly.” ■ CHECK YOUR SKIN.
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It’s not just a bad burn that poses a hazard—it’s tanning too. “The bottom line is, the more sun you get, the worse it is for you,” says Dr. Rothfleisch. That said, a burn is more dangerous than a tan, and a burn in childhood or adolescence increases your skincancer risk more than a burn later on. Skin cancer plays favorites too. Generally, the fairer-skinned you are, the higher the danger you face, and having naturally blond SUNSCREEN: WHAT THE NUMBERS MEAN hair means you’re at two to four times the average risk of Sun protection factor—the “SPF” rating you find on sunscreen—technically refers to duration, melanoma, the most serious not intensity. But studies have shown it’s a good indicator of strength too. Multiply the time kind of skin cancer. You’re it takes your skin to burn in bright sunlight (30 minutes is typical) by the SPF number to find also at greater risk if a family out how long you can safely remain in the sun—theoretically. But remember that SPF meamember has been diagnosed sures only the sunscreen’s effect in blocking ultraviolet B rays, not the A rays that can make with skin cancer. you wrinkled before your time. While tanning booths KNOW THE DANGERS.
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Middlesex UP CLOSE by David Levine
In Amy’s name A WIDOWER IS DETERMINED TO HELP OTHER WOMEN BEAT THE DISEASE THAT TOOK HIS WIFE
WHAT ARIE BEHAR OF South Brunswick remembers most about his wife, Amy, he says, is her “sensational smile.” She was wonderful to come home to, he recalls, no matter how hard the day had been. “I feel cheated,” he goes on. “My daughters feel cheated. It was not fair.” It certainly wasn’t fair that Amy Feiman Behar died of breast cancer in 2007 at age 49. A bright, spirited and endlessly generous Brown University grad who worked as an office manager for an IT consulting firm in Princeton, she left behind Arie, her Israeli-born husband, and daughters Maya, now 24, and Leah, 22. And her three survivors searched for a way to bring meaning to their terribly unjust loss. “We wanted to do something, but we didn’t know what,” says Behar, 52, who owns a commercial real estate management company. “Finally we settled on an initiative that would keep her memory alive—and help prevent someone else from suffering the same fate.” The result is the Amy Foundation, established in October 2008. Its mission is to raise enough money to pay for one breast-cancer screening mammogram every day at Saint Peter’s University Hospital for women who—for financial reasons—might otherwise be unable to be screened. Prospective participants must be 40 or older, meet income eligibility requirements and not be covered under any insurance plan, including Medicaid. At press time, the newly minted foundation had raised more than $150,000, enough to allow 166 women to be screened. That, says Behar, is the best way to ensure that no other family has to lose a loved one as he did. “Early detection is the key to healing from breast cancer,” says Behar. “And I say ‘healing’ instead of ‘cure’
for a reason. People are already spending a lot of money to find a cure, but my feeling is that that will be too late for many women— the ones who are already behind the eight ball. So we decided to concentrate on early detection. Finding the cancer early, before it spreads, is the best way, medically and economically, to help these women heal.” The Amy Foundation sponsors several regular fundraising events, notably an annual bike ride through Somerset and Middlesex counties, which was held for the second time this year on May 31. Ironically, though, its cause doesn’t precisely fit its namesake: Amy Behar did not perish for lack of mammography screenings. Because she had a family history of breast cancer—both her mother and grandmother had the disease— Amy was screened every year, Behar says. But she was diagnosed in 2000, before today’s high-powered MRI (magnetic resonance image) screenings. “By the time they found the cancer, it was too late,” he says. With today’s equipment it’s possible that she could have been saved, but no one knows for sure. As it was, Amy Behar underwent several operations, radiation and chemotherapy, but doctors couldn’t prevent the cancer from spreading to her bones. She died seven weeks before her 25th wedding anniversary, nine weeks before Maya graduated from Vassar College and 20 weeks before her 50th birthday. Still, the foundation (www.theamyfoundation.org) is a fitting tribute to his wife, says Behar. Amy was an indefatigable volunteer who always had time for a good cause—or a good friend—and she would undoubtedly approve. “I believe that healthcare is a basic need of everyone,” Behar declares. “No woman should die because she can’t afford insurance.” You fight unfairness, after all, where you can. ■ MIDDLESEX
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Glorious Food Provençal-style stuffed zucchini SERVES 4–8
8 small zucchini (about 7 inches long and 11⁄4 to 11⁄2 inches wide)
peeled and seeded tomatoes
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon minced garlic
21⁄2 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon freshly chopped basil leaves
6 ounces fresh sausage, such as lamb or mild pork sausage
1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme leaves
1 cup minced onion Freshly ground black pepper 1 cup finely chopped,
1
⁄4 cup fine dry bread crumbs, divided
1
⁄4 cup grated Gruyere
1
⁄4 cup finely grated Parmesan
• Lay the zucchini down on a flat work surface and, using a sharp knife, cut the top 1⁄4 of each squash off lengthwise. • Using a small melon baller or paring knife, remove the inner flesh from the zucchini to form a small boat shape, leaving a shell on the sides and bottom approximately 1⁄4-inch thick. Cut the trim-
Miracle GROWERS
mings into 1⁄4-inch dice and reserve separately. • Lightly salt the inside of each zucchini and set aside, cut sides down, on paper towels to drain. • In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. When hot, add the sausage and sauté until golden, using a spoon to break it into small pieces, about 6 minutes.
A BOUNTIFUL SUMMER STAPLE, ZUCCHINI
• Add the onion and cook until soft, 3 to 4 minutes.
IS A SAVORY WARM-WEATHER TREAT
• Add the chopped zucchini, season lightly with
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salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until squash is soft and lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. • Add the tomatoes and garlic and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. • Add the basil, thyme and 21⁄2 tablespoons of the breadcrumbs. Season to taste, with additional salt and pepper if necessary, and set aside to cool. • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a baking dish with 1⁄2 tablespoon of olive oil. • Pat the insides of the zucchini with paper towels and rub the outsides of the zucchini with the remaining olive oil. • Spoon the mostly cooled filling into the zucchini. Sprinkle with the cheeses, then top with the remaining bread crumbs. • Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on top.
RECIPE SOURCE: FOOD NETWORK (WWW.FOODNETWORK.COM)
CHALK IT UP TO AN EAGERNESS TO PLEASE. A member of the summer squash family, zucchini is one of the most prolific plants around. Indeed, zucchini left on the vine can grow to several feet in length, but the fruit is most tender when plucked young (about 6 to 8 inches long) Fast fact While considered a with firm, shiny skin. With a vegetable in the culinary plentiful supply in summer world, zucchini is technically months, it’s a good thing recipes a fruit—the swollen ovary for zucchini abound, from of the zucchini blossom. casseroles to quiches to pasta Source: University of Illinois Extension dishes to that beloved bread. And no need to feel guilty about overindulging—at just 20 calories per cup, the squash are an excellent source of vitamin C. Still, if your garden yields too big a bounty, don’t fret: You can refrigerate zucchini for up to five days ... or simply share with friends. ■
Spring/Summer 2009
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Middlesex GOURMET
by Amanda Prost
A side salad of upland cress—not to be confused with the more bitter watercress— topped with pistachios provided a nice clean and crunchy palate cleanser between bites. Unfortunately, the dish made our second starter—gulf shrimp served over arugula, artichokes and roasted red peppers—seem a little lackluster in comparison. The grilled shrimp were charred perfectly, but their flavor did not mesh well with the roasted peppers, which were a bit too potent for this dish. Now, when a server declares an entrée her favorite on the menu, we tend to be a bit skeptical—especially when it’s one of the more expensive meals offered, and when it’s a dish we often find prepared not to our liking. But our waitress was spot-on with the diver scallops gratin. The huge mollusks, served over whipped potatoes with sweet peas and pearl onions, were moist and tender, perfectly seared with a caramelized crust. A black truffle cream sauce tied all the ingredients together, and a side of sautéed broccoli rabe added a crunchy green complement. Sweet peas appeared again in the duck risotto, a hearty entrée to be sure, but one without the overbearing richness that often mars the dish. Tender duck confit and DUBBING ITSELF A BISTRO AND LOUNGE, woodsy forest mushrooms—both in generous portions— Novitá lives in that sweet spot between sophisticated and were folded into the creamy Arborio rice, which was fincasual. Chic but not stuffy, the sleek Metuchen restaurant ished with a veal demi glace. is full of quiet elegance, with large windows, plenty of open Desserts here don’t disapspace and warm, wooden tones that glow point either. A moist bread pudding under low lighting. That style extends to Novitá was studded with chunks of chocothe menu, which—true to the eatery’s 25 New Street, Metuchen; late, then drizzled with even more name (it means “innovation” in Italian)— 732-549-5306; www.novitanj.com chocolate—talk about comfort on a features modern twists on mostly Italian Hours plate! The dark chocolate cake was fare with a few surprises along the way. Monday through Thursday, even more of a delight. The dense, One revelation we thoroughly noon–10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, fudgy decadence was offset by a enjoyed was the salmon rollatini appenoon–11 p.m. large scoop of hazelnut gelato and tizer. A special that evening, it featured What you should know finished with a raspberry coulis. house-cured smoked salmon wrapped • Entrées range from $18 to $34 It’s just such fresh takes on around a generous portion of goat • Tasting menu available the familiar that make Novitá a cheese. The creaminess was a nice bal• All major credit cards accepted success. Add in that attention to ance for the thankfully not-too-salty • Open Sundays for private parties detail, and you’ve got a local gem. ■ salmon, with its perfect, buttery texture.
Bistro bliss
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• Jazz Thursday and Friday nights
Shopping GUIDE Well-dressed floors, pages 16–19 Tibetano, line available at Schwartz Design Showroom, Metuchen, 732-2050291; Marc Phillips, New York, 212-7524275; www.tibetano.com The Rug Company, line available at The Rug Company, New York, 212-274-0444; www.therugcompany.info ABC Carpet & Home, line available at ABC Carpet & Home, South Hackensack, 201-641-3400, New York, 212-473-3000; www.abchome.com Amy Helfand, 718-643-9577; www.amyhelfand.com Alicia D. Keshishian, 707-775-3494; www.adkcarpets.com Graviti Zone Rugs, +34 652 797 765; www.gravitizonerugs.com Odegard, line available at Odegard, New York, 212-545-0069; www.odegardinc.com Rug Art, line available at Holland and Sherry, New York, 212-355-6241; www.rug-art.net ■
Photo credits, QUIZ: What’s your design era? pages 12–15 Lamps: A, Akemi table lamp from Uttermost; B, Walnut and Nickel Deco Dome table lamp from Lamps Plus; C, Countess Retro Medley Giclee table lamp from Lamps Plus; D, Eclipse table lamp from Stonegate Designs Couches: A, Cromwell sofa from Edward Ferrell; B, Robert Scott CA, from Inside Art Deco: A Pictorial Tour of Deco Interiors From Their Origins to Today by Lucy D. Rosenfield, Schiffer Publishing (October 30, 2005); C, Retro Marshmellow sofa from Vintage Looks; D, CH103 sofa by Hans J. Wegner from Suite New York
Craftsmanship • Functionality • Design
Side tables: A, Impero table from Lewis Mittman; B, Cosmo table from Lewis Mittman; C, Carrello Trolley by Azucena from Suite New York; D, Formstelle waitress table from Suite New York Chairs: A, Arosa dining arm chair from Lewis Mittman; B, Art Deco dining chair from Inside Art Deco: A Pictorial Tour of Deco Interiors From Their Origins to Today by Lucy D. Rosenfield, Schiffer Publishing (October 30, 2005); C, Arne Jacobsen Egg chair from Suite New York; D, Edit side chair by Philippe Cramer for Bernhardt Design Pendant lights: A, Sterling crystal chandelier from Schonbek; B, Deco inverted pendant from Meyda Tiffany; C, Classique pendant from Stonegate Designs; D, Caboche Collection suspension lamp by Patricia Urquiola and Eliana Gerotto from Suite New York Mirrors: A, antique gold-crackle traditional mirror from Bellacor; B, black and white mirror from Midnight Mirrors; C, Sunburst mirror from Baker Furniture; D, Cut-Twig wall mirror from West Elm ■
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To schedule your FREE consultation, contact us at (866) 215-4265 (732) 229-3630 www.MBShutters.com
5/21/09 11:28:56 AM
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Scoop troupe S usan Bautista, 8, enjoys a sweet treat with family friend Dennis Echavarria at Fajji’s Ice Cream in Perth Amboy. CHRISTOPHER BARTH
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Art is an investment that rewards the heart and the mind.
F E AT U R I N G WO R K B Y D O Z E N S O F F I N E A RT I S T S TOLL-FREE: 1-888-800-3933 • LOCAL: 732-328-2255
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