CNBNews

Valerie has been employed at Jefferson Health - New Jersey in various leadership roles since February 2011. Previously, she served as Nurse Manager of the Intensive Care and Intermediate Care units at Jefferson Stratford Hospital for more than six years. “During that time, she was a key lead on several successful initiatives,” said Helene Burns, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer. “Valerie has been a proven leader and is committed to creating an outstanding patient experience for patients and families.” With more than 20 years of nursing experience, Valerie earned her Associate of Science in Nursing... Read more →

STRATFORD, NJ--The first robotic surgery using the da Vinci® XI Robotic Surgical System at Jefferson Stratford Hospital took place on Wednesday, January 12. The procedure was done by Jefferson NJ Chief of Surgery Roy Sandau, DO, (standing, third from right). Sandau, who posed with members of the Stratford hospital surgical team, has completed more than 1,000 robotic procedures at Jefferson NJ. Robotic surgery is known for less pain, smaller incisions, and a quicker recovery time for patients. For more information about robotic surgery at Jefferson Health – New Jersey, visit: https://NewJersey.JeffersonHealth.org/GeneralSurgery. Read more →

Jefferson Health – New Jersey’s Robert Murphy, a perioperative audio-video and robotics specialist, was recently honored with a BEE Award for Extraordinary Caregivers. A 17-year Jefferson employee, the Atco resident was presented the award by Irene Houck, Director of Surgical Services (shown far left), and Elaine Joyce, Assistant VP of Surgical Services. Murphy was nominated for the honor by Certified Surgical Technician Michelle Fischer, who praised him for going “above and beyond” in helping an elderly woman recently. This woman — who was mistakenly dropped off at the Jefferson Washington Township Surgery Center — had wanted to visit her brother,... Read more →

Congratulations to Frank Rocco, MSN, RN, NE-BC, our newly named Vice President of Operations for the Jefferson Stratford Hospital campus at Jefferson Health - New Jersey. Frank had previously as Corporate Director of Nursing for Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital since May 2014. Frank’s career at Jefferson began in 2002 as an Emergency Department Nurse, and he has held a series of progressively more advanced leadership roles in the organization over the years. A seasoned clinician and leader, he is passionate about the patient experience, quality, and employee engagement. Most recently, he was instrumental in leading Jefferson Health - New Jersey's... Read more →

Helene Burns, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Jefferson Health - New Jersey has been named President of Nurse Leaders New Jersey (ONL-NJ) for a two-year term beginning in January 2022. With more than 600 members, ONL-NJ engages and develops nurse leaders in advocacy, research, education, mentorship, and collaborative relationships. Burns, who became a member of the organization in 2008, is also a member of its Nursing Workplace Environment and Staffing Councils Task Force, and served as Co-Chair of the Education Committee. In addition, Jefferson Health – New Jersey Assistant Vice President of Clinical Services,... Read more →

The first baby of 2022 in the South Jersey region outside of Philadelphia was born at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital at 12:58 a.m. Saturday morning. Caden Nguyen Tran – weighing in at 8 pounds, 5 ounces and 20.5 inches long – was born to Linda Nguyen and husband, Vankiet Tran, of Pennsauken, NJ. The couple also has a three-year-old daughter, Sofia, at home. Linda Nguyen is a medical-surgical nurse at the Jefferson New Jersey hospital where she gave birth to little Caden. She thanked her delivering OB/GYN, Kelly Park, DO; nurse midwife, Jennifer Barraclough, CNM; and Labor & Delivery nurses... Read more →

Jefferson Washington Township Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse Michaela Bailey, RN, was recently honored with a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. A seven-year employee of Jefferson Health, the Pennsauken resident (shown middle) was presented the award by ICU Nurse Manager Lorraine “Kim” Kulikowski, BSN, RN, CCRN (left), and Jefferson NJ Senior VP & Chief Nursing Officer Helene Burns, DNP, RN, NEA-BC (right). They praised Bailey for her hard work, kindness and compassion — and for taking care of patients as if they were a member of her own family. Part of an international program, DAISY honorees are nominated by... Read more →

Mt. Laurel students Christina Soule and her brother Nicholas (pictured center) delivered handmade holiday cards from classmates at Mt. Laurel’s Harrington Middle School and Hartford Elementary School to Jefferson’s Sidney Kimmel Cancer Centers in Center City, Abington and New Jersey. The project – dubbed “Cards Conquering Cancer” – generated 640 cards that each bear an email and Twitter handle for patients to send comments if they choose. Pictured, from left, at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – Washington Township on December 22: Jefferson Radiation Oncologist Dr. Nicole Simone; Harrington Middle School teacher and project sponsor Christina Paterno; Nicholas Soule and... Read more →

DJ Alexis, a 19-year-old college student and native of Sicklerville, NJ, came to Jefferson Washington Township Hospital on Monday, December 20, to deliver toys, books, and games for young Emergency Department and Pediatric Unit patients, as well as kids and teens who receive care through Jefferson’s New Jersey-based Behavioral Health program. DJ also presented a $1,000 check to the hospital, collected through his own efforts via a GoFundMe drive. Donations were made by friends, family, schoolmates, his alma mater and businesses that have contributed over the years. “Emanuel’s Annual Toy Drive” — held in honor of DJ’s late newborn brother,... Read more →

Jefferson Health – New Jersey Home Health nurse Gillian Reeve, MSN, BSN, RN — who specializes in wound care — was recently honored with a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. A 40-year employee of Jefferson Health, Medford resident Reeve was presented the award by Jefferson NJ Senior VP & Chief Nursing Officer Helene Burns, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, and praised for her positive attitude, commitment to patient safety, and ability to connect with patients and families through trust and emotional support. Part of an international program, DAISY honorees are nominated by patients, family members, and colleagues. DAISY Award winners are chosen... Read more →

First Harvest Credit Union, formerly South Jersey Federal Credit Union, recently deepened its commitment to the health and wellness of the community, with a gift of $25,000 to support patients of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center - Washington Township. Presented to the Jefferson Health Foundation - New Jersey, this generous donation will be used to offset transportation expenses for cancer patients. “Any interruption in care can have a severe, negative impact on our patients' ability to battle their disease,” said Larry Slagle, MBA, Associate Vice President, Jefferson Health Foundation – New Jersey. “We are so grateful for benefactors like First... Read more →

Katie Korbel, a young mom from West Deptford, recently visited the Jefferson Washington Township Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to drop off care packages for current NICU families. “I am so grateful to Jefferson,” said Katie, whose now-3-year-old son, Bernie, spent 39 days at the hospital when he was born 8 weeks early in July 2018. Katie has since become an “Ambassador” of a nonprofit, Cleveland-based national organization called Project NICU, which offers support and education for families whose child is in -- or who has been in -- a NICU due to prematurity or other medical issues. In this... Read more →

As a way to spread holiday cheer, patients at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center - Washington Township recently received care packages from the Yo Cuz!/Kidz4Cuz Foundation. Included among the 150 donated packages were blankets, water bottles, tissues, hand sanitizer, snacks, crossword puzzles, and more. Children from the foundation, known as Kidz4Cuz, also sang cheerful holiday songs in the Cancer Center lobby. “We are happy to give back and make the holidays brighter,” said Yo Cuz!/Kidz4Cuz Foundation founder, Debra Michaels — a cancer survivor who was treated by Robin Wilson-Smith, DO, medical director of Jefferson Health - New Jersey gynecologic oncology... Read more →

Jefferson Health’s three New Jersey hospitals have been awarded the 2021 NJ Gold Antimicrobial Steward Award for their ongoing antimicrobial stewardship program. The award is presented by the Communicable Disease Service of the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH). Jefferson Health – New Jersey is among an elite group of facilities statewide that have remained steadfast — from 2020 to 2021 — in promoting antimicrobial stewardship practices, which encourage and maintain the health of patients, residents, personnel, and the general population. Jefferson Health – New Jersey’s three hospitals also received the Gold Award in 2019 and again in 2020. The... Read more →

Highlighting its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital and Jefferson Stratford Hospital were each named a Top Teaching Hospital nationally by The Leapfrog Group. Announced today, the Leapfrog Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards American hospitals can receive. The Top Hospital designation is bestowed by The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization of employers and other purchasers recognized as the toughest standard-setters for health care safety and quality. “This recognition points to our singular focus on patient safety and quality,” said Jefferson Health – New Jersey President... Read more →

David P. May, MD, MBA, FACS, has been appointed Vice President and Chief Quality & Safety Officer at Jefferson Health – New Jersey. In this role, Dr. May will lead the New Jersey division of Jefferson Health — made up of three acute care hospitals and numerous outpatient facilities — in its goal of delivering consistent, high value, coordinated care and standard-setting patient outcomes across the continuum of care. Dr. May will also be responsible for overseeing quality, patient safety, infection control, clinical risk management, patient experience and outcomes and managing Jefferson’s leading enterprise safety management sytem, OnPoint. He joins... Read more →

Six Certified Nurse Midwives have joined the staff of Jefferson Health – New Jersey as members of Jefferson NJ Primary & Specialty Care. They will practice at Jefferson offices in Mullica Hill, Sewell, West Deptford, Haddonfield, and its newest location, 205 E. Laurel Road in Stratford, which recently opened. The new Jefferson NJ Nurse Midwives are: · Ellen Appleton, CNM · Jennifer Barraclough, CNM · Victoria Asturrizaga, CNM · Jessica Hayes, CNM · Meredith Stein, CNM · Katherine Wormster, CNM Nurse Midwives (CNMs) are master’s level clinicians who provide primary healthcare to women of all ages. Using a team approach,... Read more →

A first look at grandmaternal brain function by Emory Health Sciences Newswise — Many people lucky enough to have grown up with doting grandmothers know that they can burnish a child’s development in unique and valuable ways. Now, for the first time, scientists have scanned grandmothers’ brains while they’re viewing photos of their young grandchildren — providing a neural snapshot of this special, inter-generational bond. Proceedings of the Royal Society B is publishing the first study to examine grandmaternal brain function, conducted by researchers at Emory University. “What really jumps out in the data is the activation in areas of... Read more →

Dr. Jeff Seiden issues COVID cautions as the winter holidays approach (VOORHEES, NJ---Nov. 23, 2021)… With Thanksgiving only days away and the December holidays close behind, Jeff Seiden, MD, is encouraging the families he cares for – and the people in his personal life – to pursue COVID-19 vaccination for their children ages 5 to 11. Children in this age group have been eligible to receive the two-part Pfizer vaccine (at a reduced dosage) since early November. “Families are eager to celebrate the holidays together, especially since many people remained apart last year,” he said. “That’s why we should take... Read more →

to Remember and Honor Loved Ones This Holiday Season Mount Laurel, N.J. – Samaritan invites community members to take part in its annual Tree of Life: Season of Lightillumination program, a time to remember, recognize, and honor loved ones who are no longer with them in this physical world. The program will be held virtually and is available for viewing starting Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 7 p.m. on Samaritan’s website: SamaritanNJ.org/Tree. The program will remain up through December 2022 for multiple viewing and sharing. As part of the program, individuals are invited to dedicate a symbolic light in memory... Read more →

Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio November 19, 2021 Jason and DeeAnn Dean recently relocated to her hometown of Dellrose, Tennessee, where she grew up on a farm. Both in their late 40s, they’re trying to start a green dream business that combines organic farming with a health and wellness consulting company. They want to inspire people to grow their own food in this fertile rolling farmland, just north of the border with Alabama. Until the business fully launches, Jason is working construction. In May, he was injured on the job site when a piece of sheet metal slipped and caught... Read more →

St. Jude Hoards Billions While Many of Its Families Drain Their Savings Gloucestercitynews.net files by David Armstrong and Ryan Gabrielson ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox. Series: St. Jude’s Unspent Billions Behind the Hospital’s Claims to Donors A series of sharp knocks on his driver’s side window startled Jason Burt awake. It was the middle of the night on a Saturday in 2016. Burt was sleeping in his pickup truck in the parking lot of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in downtown Memphis,... Read more →

Jefferson Health’s three New Jersey hospitals -- located in Cherry Hill, Stratford and Washington Township -- were each awarded an ‘A’ in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for fall 2021. This national distinction recognizes Jefferson New Jersey’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and error in the hospital. The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on more than 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, injuries, accidents and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm. “At a time when... Read more →

Congratulations to the 11 Jefferson Health NJ ICU nurses who strutted the runway Sunday at the 2nd annual Strut For Fearless Futures Fall Fashion Show, held at the Collingwood Ballroom. The event, attended by more the 120 supporters, was organized by and benefitted Fearless Movement, South Jersey-based Epilepsy and Mental Health non-profit organization founded by Glassboro resident Ashley Kulikowski – niece of Washington Township ICU Nurse Manager Kim Kulikowski. Jefferson Washington Township Hospital ICU RNs who served as models are, shown with event organizer/founder Ashley Kulikowski, from left: Andrea Trubin, Rebecca Drames, Shawn Lake, Cari Winiarski, Michaela Bailey, Kelly Vazquez,... Read more →

Michelle Donio, of Buena, NJ, donated $9,000 from a fundraiser held last month in her honor to the Patient Assistance Fund at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center - Washington Township, where she has received care since December 2020. The Patient Assistance Fund provides financial assistance with rent and utilities for those in need during cancer treatment. The presentation took place at a special event for women, titled “Innovations in Women’s Health,” recently held at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital. Donio, a lifelong competitive equestrian and riding instructor for 30 years, thanks friend Jackie Smith of Summer Jade Stables in Waterford, NJ -... Read more →

The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Team from Jefferson Health - New Jersey was out in force Sunday at Cooper River Park for the annual American Cancer Society “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” event. For more than two decades, “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” has united communities throughout the U.S. in the fight against this deadly disease. Today, Making Strides is the largest network of breast cancer events in the nation. Sunday's event at Cooper River Park was sponsored by Making Strides of Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. For more information about cancer care and services at Jefferson Health - New Jersey,... Read more →

Jefferson Health was honored at Friday night’s “Wave of Light” event at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken, NJ. The event was sponsored by Three Little Birds, a nonprofit organization that provides pregnancy and infant loss support. Jefferson Washington Township Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia were presented with two CuddleCots, for use in their hospitals to support parents who have experienced infant loss. The CuddleCots were provided through the fundraising efforts of Elmer, NJ, couple Quinn Labriola and Steve Wdzieczkowski, who lost their full-term baby, Cash, in September 2020. The two wanted to make the donation in memory... Read more →

The Edward and Patricia Sullivan & Family Solarium Lounge was dedicated with a plaque unveiling at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital in early October. More than 30 friends, family, board members and past colleagues came out to honor Sullivan, who served as Kennedy Health’s, and later Jefferson Health – New Jersey’s Senior VP and Chief Legal Officer from 1975 to 2019. For more than 40 years, Sullivan provided expert legal guidance and played a key role in many important milestones in Kennedy’s history, including the 1977 affiliation with the UMDNJ-SOM (now Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine), and Kennedy’s acquisition of... Read more →

Jefferson Health – New Jersey has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the national CDC Foundation to establish an outreach program with community-based minority organizations to dispel myths about and increase access to vaccinations. Jefferson NJ is the only health system south of Trenton to receive a CDC grant under this program. Jefferson Health is one of more than 100 community-based organizations (CBOs) throughout the U.S. awarded support — through this more than $30-million overall grant program — to promote COVID vaccination and reduce the disease’s burden. The work of CBOs has been critical throughout the pandemic response, especially in... Read more →

It was a big day at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital on Tuesday, when a ribbon cutting celebration was held for the new seven-story, $184 million Silvestri Tower. The Tower’s opening marks the conclusion of the final phase of an overall $222-million construction project at the hospital. The first phase, completed in 2019, included a new 8-level, enclosed parking facility. The new hospital tower features 90 private rooms, a new main entrance and two-story lobby, a new cafeteria with outdoor dining space, a new Same-Day Surgery Unit, new Admissions and Pre-Admission Testing areas, and much more. Shown at the ribbon cutting,... Read more →

Congrats to Jefferson Health – New Jersey’s Gwyn Parris-Atwell, DNP, FNP-BC, CEN, FAEN, who, on Monday night September 20, will be honored as the Salem County recipient of the “Distinguished Citizen of the Year” by the Garden State Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Parris-Atwell is a Nurse Practitioner with the Jefferson Occupational Health Network. As the Commander of the 166th Medical Group, she is responsible for overseeing medical operations for 1,500 Air Force service members. A resident of Alloway, NJ, and a five-year Jefferson employee, Parris-Atwell was activated to a large medical center in southern Delaware, where she... Read more →

A signing ceremony for 14 young adults from Cherry Hill’s Y.A.L.E. School was recently held at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital, marking the start of their year-long Project SEARCH work-transition program. Five years ago, Jefferson Health – New Jersey became the first site in South Jersey to collaborate with the international program for young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Starting with this year’s class, Jefferson has expanded the program to include its Stratford hospital — allowing even more students to intern in several departments, including Food Service, Patient Accounts, Storeroom and Environmental Services. Since the program’s launch, 52 students... Read more →

Jefferson Health’s three New Jersey Hospitals — located in Cherry Hill, Stratford and Washington Township — have received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s (AHA/ASA) Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines. Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital, Jefferson Stratford Hospital and Jefferson Washington Township Hospital each earned the Gold Plus award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients. Before hospital discharge, patients should also receive education and have a follow-up visit scheduled, as well... Read more →

Three Jefferson Health - New Jersey Department of Nursing employees have been named recipients of Annual Nursing Scholarships at the Magnet®-designated healthcare organization. They were chosen by the Nursing Selection Committee based on their academic achievements and support of Jefferson Health’s mission, vision, and values. Each year, Jefferson Health - New Jersey offers various nursing scholarships: an Entry-Level Non-RN Scholarship, open to all clinical and non-clinical employees aspiring to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree; the Gartzman Fund RN to BSN Scholarship; and the Leadership Scholarship, open to current BSN- and MSN-level nurses aspiring to earn a Master’s... Read more →

Jefferson Washington Township Hospital nurse Samantha Funk, RN, was recently honored with a Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses. A two-year employee of Jefferson Health, Gloucester City resident Funk, shown here, left, with Jefferson Health New Jersey VP & Chief Nursing Officer Helene Burns, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, was praised for her clinical expertise, compassionate care and high level of professionalism. Part of an international program, DAISY honorees are nominated by patients, family members, and colleagues. DAISY Award winners are chosen following a review of nominations by Jefferson’s Clinical Recognition Committee in New Jersey. The nonprofit DAISY Foundation was established in memory... Read more →

Jefferson Health - New Jersey Director of Public Safety Kevin Seta was recently named a recipient of the organization’s Living Our Values Award, which recognizes those who demonstrate Jefferson’s values and behaviors. A former member of the Cherry Hill Police Department, Kevin has brought his extensive security, emergency management, and safety program experience to Jefferson with a service-minded, people-first approach. Since the start of the pandemic, Kevin has taken on added responsibilities as a member of the Jefferson Health – New Jersey Incident Command team. He was instrumental in collecting important data to submit to the state — including the... Read more →

Twelve new-to-practice nurses became the first graduates of Jefferson Health – New Jersey’s Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™ on August 4, 2021. Jefferson partnered with Vizient™ - the nation’s leading healthcare performance improvement company – and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) to create the 12-month Nurse Residency program that focuses on leadership, professional development, and quality and safety of patient care through nursing excellence. “Program participants benefit from multiple mentors to guide them in their transition from novice to proficient nurse,” said Jefferson Health – New Jersey Program Coordinator Leslie Beck, MSN, RN, NPD-BC. “Being part of a... Read more →

July 29, 2021 (Voorhees, NJ) -- Jefferson Health - New Jersey has been ranked as “High Performing” in seven clinical categories in the just-released “Best Hospitals” ranking by U.S. News & World Report. Its “High Performing” areas are: Congestive Heart Failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Colon Cancer Surgery, Diabetes, Knee Replacement, Kidney Failure, and Stroke. Comprised of three acute care hospitals located in Cherry Hill, Stratford and Washington Township, Jefferson Health - New Jersey is also “Recognized in Southern New Jersey” in the rankings for its high-quality care. Jefferson NJ President & Chief Operating Officer Brian Sweeney says the... Read more →

The welcome lobby at the Medical Oncology & Infusion Center at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – Washington Township was recently dedicated in memory of the late Ronald “Ronnie” Dandrea of Vineland, NJ. Dandrea passed away in April 2020 from pancreatic cancer at age 58. Lifelong friends Daniel and Lisa Falasca of Haddonfield, NJ, wanted to honor his life and legacy, and carry on his charitable spirit with a generous gift to Jefferson Health – New Jersey. “We chose to honor Ronnie’s legacy as a reminder to those who are battling cancer. Each time a patient walks through the front... Read more →

Autum Shingler-Nace, DNP, RN, NE-BC, has been promoted to Vice President of Operations at the Jefferson Health Washington Township campus. In this position, Dr. Shingler-Nace will oversee daily operations at the 230-bed acute care hospital during a time of immense growth, as the hospital opens its new Silvestri Tower. In addition, she will have oversight of other key services on the campus, including the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – Washington Township and the Vickie & Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience. Dr. Shingler-Nace will replace retiring hospital Chief Administrative Officer John Graham. Graham has held senior leadership roles since 1991 at... Read more →

Overall incidence rates continue to increase in women, children and adolescents and young adults. Thursday, July 8, 2021 Overall cancer death rates continue to decline in men and women for all racial and ethnic groups in the United States, according to the latest Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer. During 2001 to 2018, declines in lung cancer death rates accelerated, and death rates for melanoma declined considerably in more recent years, reflecting a substantial increase in survival for metastatic melanoma. However, the report finds that for several other major cancers, including prostate, colorectal and female breast... Read more →

Newswise — Medical guidelines help doctors understand the best way to treat health conditions. Surprisingly, many doctors do not adhere to them, and this is a problem, according to a new study by scientists at University of Utah Health and MDGuidelines. People with lower back pain injury miss 11 more days of work in a year when they only receive treatments for lower back pain that are not recommended by medical guidelines compared to people treated according to guidelines. The findings publish in PLOS ONE on June 17. “The closer people’s care follows evidence-based guidelines, the faster their back pain... Read more →

A special Flag Day celebration was held outside Jefferson Washington Township Hospital’s Silvestri Tower on Monday — marking the first time the U.S. flag is raised outside of the newly constructed patient pavilion, slated to open this summer. The June 14th event featured the Color Guard from the local Police Department and a performance of the National Anthem by Washington Township High School senior Sabrina Sims, followed by members of Boy Scout Troop #123 leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Local officials in attendance included Washington Township Mayor Joann Gattinelli; Jefferson Health - New Jersey President Brian Sweeney; and the hospital’s... Read more →

(Photo credit: Jefferson Health – New Jersey) Cherry Hill, NJ, June 9, 2021 - A graduation ceremony for nine South Jersey young adults completing a year-long Project SEARCH work-transition program was held at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital on June 7. Each student from Cherry Hill’s Y.A.L.E. School interned in several hospital departments, including Food Service, Patient Accounts, Storeroom and Environmental Services. Shown, from left, are the students who received their Project SEARCH graduation certificates: Jordan Wright (Easthampton); Marcus Timar (Haddonfield); Eddie Perez (Camden); Naitri Patel (Hainesport); Owen Muller (Pennsauken); Amelia McKitrick (Cherry Hill); William McAnurn (Haddonfield); Jessica Kelokates (Cherry Hill);... Read more →

Emergency Department (ED) staff at Jefferson Stratford Hospital were recently honored with the 2020 DAISY Team Award for providing extraordinary, compassionate and skillful care amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Patient Care Services Coordinators Tracy Coleman, MSN, RN, and Steven Grille, RN, BS, CEN, nominated their colleagues for going “above and beyond” to collaborate and determine an immediate care plan during a recent high-acuity, high-census evening around change-of-shift. At the same time, a patient underwent cardiac arrest, another was unresponsive and required intubation, and a third needed respiratory support and Narcan, among other ED patients who required care. “This situation does not... Read more →

Shown here, left to right, with the new Sleepea swaddles, are: Jefferson Washington Township Hospital NICU nurses Julie Viggiano, Maria Cosico, Rachael Cortes and Denise Lamplugh. Just in time for Mother’s Day, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital has received a donated supply of Sleepea® swaddles from California-based Happiest Baby, Inc., which, in 2020 and 2019, donated several SNOO bassinets to the hospital. The SNOO bassinet – a combination rocker-white noise machine – is programmed to respond when a baby cries, also swaddles babies so they can’t roll on their sides, preventing factors associated with... Read more →

Jefferson Health’s Outpatient Medical Imaging Center, located on the Jefferson Washington Township campus, has been awarded a three-year term of re-accreditation in breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), after a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). MRI of the breast offers valuable information about many conditions that might not be obtained by other imaging modalities, such as mammography or ultrasound. The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists on an array of quality measures. To schedule an... Read more →

Jefferson Health’s three New Jersey hospitals – located in Cherry Hill, Stratford and Washington Township – were each awarded an ‘A’ in the Spring 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing achievements in protecting patients from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade assigns an ‘A,’ ‘B,’ ‘C,’ ‘D,’ or ‘F’ grade to all general hospitals across the country and is updated every six months. It is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospitals’ prevention of medical... Read more →

The Bill Bottino Cancer Foundation (BBCF) — one of Jefferson Health - New Jersey’s key donors — recently donated $50,000 to the Patient Assistance Fund of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – Washington Township. The Patient Assistance Fund provides patients financial support for household living expenses during their treatment. Since 2013, the Bridgeton, NJ-based nonprofit BBCF has donated more than $400,000 to Jefferson Health - New Jersey through funds raised at its annual golf tournament and other philanthropic events. “Last year’s BBCF donation helped more than 30 patients with cancer focus on their well-being and care,” said Ana María López,... Read more →

Major League Baseball’s Opening Day is always a special day, especially this year on April 1st for avid Philadelphia Phillies fan David J. Kovalsky, DO, a hospitalist at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital. Following a long, dark and cold baseball offseason, Opening Day marks the first of a 162-game season filled with excitement and warm weather. This year, the season opener is extra meaningful, as it will be the first time in 550 days that fans are allowed to watch “America's pastime” inside Citizens Bank Park. Due to the pandemic, last season was shortened to 60 games and seats were only... Read more →