Download the September/October 2013 Issue - Ocean Medical Center

healthviews 

September/October 2013 

a health publication from Ocean Medical Center 

Connecting 

the Dots 

in Cancer Care 

Total Joint Replacement 

Success 

How to Eat for 

Good Eye Health 

Medicare Coverage 

From A to Z 

visit us online at OceanMedicalCenter.com

A Message 

to the Community 

Cancer is a diagnosis you never want to hear for yourself or 

a loved one. At Meridian Health, you’ll never face a cancer 

diagnosis alone. Here, you gain a specialized team of experts 

who contribute to your personalized cancer treatment plan. 

Meridian Cancer Care connects you to oncology experts 

across Meridian Health, and each patient can be reassured 

that the multi-disciplinary team in charge is working 

together to offer compassionate and coordinated care and 

a treatment plan that best fits every patient’s individual 

health needs. 

As an extension of our commitment to providing the 

highest level of cancer care, our cancer services continue 

to expand, close to home. That’s why the Meridian Health 

Village at Jackson, opening in Fall 2013, will have a dedicated 

Cancer Center, which is scheduled to open in late 2014. 

Remember to also take advantage of our Mammogram 

Reminder program. Early detection is the best defense 

against breast cancer, so sign up for your free yearly 

mammogram e-mail reminder at MeridianHealth.com. 

In this issue of Meridian HealthViews, you can see 

Meridian Cancer Care at work. Flip to page 6 to see how 

a physician’s thorough, advanced, and proactive planning 

helped one patient receive vital cancer treatment more 

than a month before she may have normally. On page 

8, read how finding the right course of treatment is 

helping one woman live 

well with cancer. Visit 

MeridianCancerCareNJ.com to 

hear more community members 

share their success stories. 


4 

6 

8 

9 

10 

12 

13 

14 

Health Briefs 

Connecting the Dots in 

Cancer Care 

Cancer Patient Living Life 

to the Fullest 

Spine Surgery Makes Pain a 

Distant Memory 

Patient Gains a Chance at a 

New Life 

Making Every Second Count 

Staying On Track After 

Bariatric Surgery 

Vascular Surgery Prevents 

Silent Killer 

Sincerely, 

MeridianHealth.com • 1-800-DOCTORS® 

2 

John K. Lloyd, FACHE 

President, Meridian Health 

This free bimonthly magazine is prepared by the Marketing and 

Communications Team of Meridian Health. Please call 732-751-7530 

with any questions or comments. Inquiries or ideas can be addressed 

to healthviews@meridianhealth.com. 

GORDON N. LITWIN, ESQ., Chairman 

JOHN K. LLOYD, FACHE, President 

CHRISIE SCOTT, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications 

ELLIOT FRANK, M.D., Medical Advisor 

HealthViews production team: Michael McCauley, Gabriella Heizler, 

Jacki Kronstedt 

© 2013 Meridian Health 

The material provided in this magazine is intended to be used as 

general information only and should not replace the advice of your 

physician. Always consult your physician for individual care. 

INTERACT WITH US! 

Download the Meridian HealthViews app 

for free from the App Store on iTunes. 

Simply go to the store and search 

“HealthViews.” 

Learn which plant foods (hint: blueberries 

anyone?) can reduce your risk for cancer in 

our featured article available October 5 at 

www.facebook.com/MeridianHealthNJ. 

Meridian Health tweets hot health-related 

headlines and local news pieces regularly at 

www.twitter.com/MeridianNJ. 

When Carolyn Napolitani was diagnosed with 

breast cancer, she found the advanced care she 

needed at Jersey Shore. Watch her story at 

www.youtube.com/MeridianHealthNJ. 

Sign up for free e-newsletters on 

cardiovascular and pediatric health topics at 

www.MeridianHealth.com/enewsletters.

10 

13 

16 

17 

18 

19 

Flight Attendant Is Back 

in the Skies 

Cutting-Edge Surgery 

Restores Man’s Strength 

On the Go After Double 

Knee Replacement 

Touched by Organ 

Donation 

healthviews 


a health publication from Ocean Medical Center 


Success 

How to Eat for 

Good Eye Health 

visit us online at OceanMedicalCenter. 

com 

Connecting 

the Dots 

in Cancer Care 

Medicare Coverage 

From A to Z 

9 

20 

21 

Nurse Treasures 

Compassionate Care 

Community Health 

Programs 

COVER STORY 

27 

28 

30 

Keeping an Eye on 

Nutrition 

Your Medicare Coverage 

from A to Z 

My Health Views 

Thanks to the multi-disciplinary treatment she received at Ocean Medical 

Center for a recurrence of her uterine cancer, Toms River resident Mary 

Ferragamo is on the mend. Read Mary’s story on page 6. 

12 

Meridian HealthViews • September/October 2013 

3

The New Math of Exercise 

Health Briefs 

You don’t need daily gym 

visits to reap the rewards of exercise. 

In fact, a new study fi nds, four 

workouts may burn more calories 

than six. 

That might seem to defy the laws 

of arithmetic. But the difference was 

what happened outside the fi tness 

center. Older women who logged six 

sweat sessions a week actually moved 

less the rest of the day than those with 

a less intense regimen. 

So if you have your sights set on a 

trimmer waistline, consider following 

their lead. “Schedule two days of 

strength training and two 20- to 

40-minute aerobic workouts — moves 

that get your heart pumping — per 

week,” says Anupama Rao, M.D., 

board certifi ed in Internal Medicine 

at Southern Ocean Medical Center. 

CALLING ALL LADIES! 

Women of all ages are invited to join 

an evening devoted to their personal 

health and wellness at Southern 

Ocean Medical Center’s 22nd annual 

Women’s Health Night. Go to page 21 

to learn more. 

MeridianHealth.com • 1-800-DOCTORS 

4 

Office Tension Won’t Lead to Tumors 

Work stress can cause weight 

gain, high blood pressure, and heart risks. But 

your boss has been cleared on one count: On-thejob 

tension probably won’t give you cancer. 

Stress may trigger cancer-causing behaviors, 

such as smoking and drinking, so doctors 

wondered about the link. But when researchers 

combined the results of 12 previous studies on 

workplace worry and cancer, they didn’t find one. 

Still, constant strain harms your body and brain. 

“Stress is a daily part of our lives and 

incorporating coping skills to deal with 

it is very important for our well being. 

Examples of effective methods include 

deep-breathing exercises or taking a 

five- to 10-minute break,” says Elizabeth 

Salcedo, M.D., board certified in Internal 

Medicine at Ocean Medical Center. “If you 

still feel burdened, inquire if your employer offers 

stress management resources and/or contact 

your primary care physician so you can be directed 

to the appropriate mental health professional.” 

LEAVE WORK STRESS BEHIND 

Looking for a surefire cure for tension? Join us in celebrating women’s wellness at 

Ocean Medical Center’s Girls’ Night Out! Participate in health screenings, makeovers, 

massages, and more! Get all the details on page 21.

VEG 

OUT 

for Your Heart 

Want to stay out of the hospital? 

Consider swapping that beef burger for a veggie patty. 

Vegetarians have a 32 percent lower risk of being 

hospitalized or dying of heart disease than carnivores, 

a new study published in the American Journal of 

Clinical Nutrition found. 

“Cutting out meat reduces a number of heart 

disease factors,” says Steven Daniels, M.D., of Jersey 

Shore University Medical Center. According to the 

study, plant eaters weighed less, had lower cholesterol 

levels, and had better blood pressure. 

Take heart if you’re not yet ready to skip every steak 

or pass up the pork. Omnivores can also reduce their 

heart disease risk. “Just eat a wide variety of plant 

foods in addition to small amounts of fi sh, meat, and 

dairy,” Dr. Daniels says. 

FOR YOUR HEART & SOLE 

Stay heart-healthy by joining us for Jersey 

Shore University Medical Center’s fourth annual 

Community Day and 5K Run/Walk on September 

15! See page 21 for more details about the race 

and other Community Day activities. 

RESEARCHERS 

WARN OF 

DEMENTIA 

EPIDEMIC 

Doctors have peered into 

the future of America’s brain health — and 

reported troubling results. The number of 

people with Alzheimer’s disease may triple by 

the year 2050, a new analysis suggests. 

About 4.7 million older adults had the 

condition in 2010, but the baby boomer 

generation continues to age. As a result, the 

number could swell to more than 13.5 million 

in the next few decades. 

The findings aren’t fate. Researchers 

continue to seek new treatments. And 

you can take steps to prevent dementia 

on your own. “Exercise, eat a healthy diet, 

and stay engaged with social activities and 

mental exercises, like crosswords or logic 

puzzles,” says Netrali Patel, M.D., of Bayshore 

Community Hospital. 

CONNECTING TO THE COMMUNITY 

Through health fairs and lectures, 

Bayshore Community Hospital has 

provided more than 5,000 free health 

screenings in the past two years. Turn 

to page 21 to learn more about our 

community health programs. 


5

Ocean Medical Center 


6 

CONNECTING THE DOTS 

IN CANCER CARE 

Even before she knew their names, 

Mary Ferragamo had a team of experts 

at Meridian Cancer Care working 

together to keep her cancer treatment 

plan moving forward. 

The 68-year-old Toms River 

resident was first diagnosed in 2009, 

after mentioning during a routine 

gynecological appointment that she’d 

been experiencing some light spotting. 

“It was almost an afterthought,” she 

says, noting that she hadn’t had any 

other symptoms. “In hindsight, though, 

I’m very glad I told my doctor.” 

Tests revealed an aggressive 

form of uterine cancer. Mary had 

a hysterectomy at a hospital in her 

hometown, followed by chemotherapy 

and radiation. “By 2010, I thought I was 

in the clear,” she says. 

In 2012, however, she started having 

digestive issues, and a tumor was found 

in her colon. Colon cancer was suspected, 

but when the tumor was removed 

at Ocean Medical Center, doctors 

determined it was a recurrence of her 

uterine cancer, caused by malignant 

cells that hadn’t been eradicated during 

her initial treatment. A follow-up PET 

scan also revealed a suspicious spot on 

a lymph node deep in her abdomen. 

A Multi-Disciplinary Team 

In August 2012, a team of doctors 

and nurses assembled at a bimonthly 

meeting at Ocean to discuss 

challenging cancer cases, including 

Mary’s. The group included Donna 

Colabroy, R.N., a nurse navigator who 

had been following Mary’s case. 

“Nurse navigators guide patients 

through cancer treatment by serving 

as patient advocates, scheduling 

appointments, arranging for diagnostic 

testing and procedures, and providing 

education and answering questions 

throughout the course of treatment,” 

Donna says. Nurse navigators also 

serve as liaisons between patients and 

various specialists. 

During the meeting, the team 

recommended a biopsy of that 

suspicious lymph node to check for 

cancer cells. David Feng, M.D., chief of 

Vascular and Interventional Radiology at 

Ocean, would perform the operation. 

“The procedure would be complex, 

because the node was not only located 

close to major blood vessels, but also 

hidden deep behind the pancreas, 

liver, and stomach, and surrounded by 

constantly shifting bowel loops,” he says. 

Preparing for All Outcomes 

If cancer was found, what then? Knowing 

that the area would be challenging 

to remove with traditional surgical 

techniques, Donna brought Mary’s PET 

scan to the attention of Douglas 

Miller, M.D., a radiation oncologist 

specializing in CyberKnife® radiosurgery 

at Meridian CyberKnife Center. 

“CyberKnife uses targeted radiation 

beams to annihilate difficult-to-reach 

tumors while protecting healthy tissue,” 

Dr. Miller says. To perform the procedure, 

however, “fiducial markers,” which look 

like tiny gold seeds, would need to be 

implanted close to the lymph node to 

help pinpoint the exact location of the 

suspected cancer cells. The markers 

remain in a fixed position relative to the 

target site and to each other, serving 

as a bull’s-eye for the radiation beams, 

even when the site shifts slightly due to 

breathing or other natural anatomical 

movements, Dr. Miller says. 

Dr. Miller determined that if cancer 

was discovered, Mary would be a good 

candidate for CyberKnife. Saving her 

from undergoing a separate procedure, 

Dr. Feng placed fiducial markers during 

Mary’s biopsy. Even if no cancer was 

discovered, the markers would not 

pose any harm and would serve as 

landmarks to identify the suspicious 

area on future scans. 

In September 2012, Dr. Feng 

performed the delicate biopsy and 

implantation procedure using a 

state-of-the-art imaging system that 

combines real-time X-ray, ultrasound, 

and CT scanning to visualize the 

operative site. The combined 

David Feng, M.D. 

Brick • 732-836-4046 

Douglas A. Miller, M.D. 

Board certified in Radiation 

Oncology 

Brick • 732-836-4109 

procedure was performed within Ocean’s 

new state-of-the-art Vascular and 

Interventional Radiology Suite. 

Unfortunately, the biopsy results 

revealed that uterine cancer cells were 

indeed present in the lymph node. With 

the fiducial markers in place, and the 

CyberKnife treatment already discussed 

by her physicians, Mary was ready for the 

next step in her treatment even before the 

formal pathology report from the biopsy 

was issued. This advance planning saved 

Mary precious time in progressing through 

the next phase of her cancer care. 

A Smooth Path to CyberKnife 

Mary met with Dr. Miller, who 

explained the CyberKnife procedure 

in detail.“He was very thorough,” she 

recalls. “He assured me that this was a 

precise treatment that wouldn’t involve 

incisions, and that I was an excellent 

candidate.” 

“In most cases, it might take more 

than a month to prepare for CyberKnife 

treatment, especially if we need to 

implant markers,” Dr. Miller says.“But 

because we planned ahead, we 

proceeded to cancer treatment without 

any lost time or delay.” Mary underwent 

one-hour CyberKnife treatments over 

five consecutive days. “It was painless and 

fast, and I had no aftereffects,” she says. 

Her story continues. Three months 

after CyberKnife, Mary’s first follow-up 

scan showed a complete response to 

treatment with no cancer remaining, 

thanks to CyberKnife treatment. “I’m 

feeling good, and I’m grateful that 

this was such a team effort,” she says. 

“I always felt like I was in good hands 

throughout my experience.”

Mary Ferragamo enjoys spending time 

with her loyal companion, Rusty, a 

cockapoo who loves to play fetch. She 

and her husband, Vinnie, will celebrate 

their 50th wedding anniversary this year 

by taking a Mediterranean cruise. 


Get Top-Of-The-Line Cancer Care 

All fi ve Meridian hospitals have received 

full accreditation from the Commission on 

Cancer this year, an achievement earned 

by less than one-third of all cancer programs across 

the country. Go to OceanMedicalCenter.com to 

learn about Ocean’s Cancer Care Center. 

HV-OMC_CancerCare_8.375x3-13_Layout 1 7/1/13 12:12 PM Page 1 

Scott got leukemia. 

Scott got to a team of 

specialists at Meridian. 

Scott got back on the beat again. 

Taking Care of 

New Jersey 

To get an appointment with a Meridian specialist, 

call 1-800-DOCTORS. ® To get more information, 

visit MeridianCancerCareNJ.com. 

© 2013 Meridian Health

Southern Ocean Medical Center 

Living Life 

to the Fullest 

Julia Manhart doesn’t let much hold her 

back. When the 82-year-old Barnegat 

resident isn’t traveling to exotic 

places, like Thailand or the Galápagos 

Islands, she’s volunteering or serving 

as president of the area’s American 

Hungarian Cultural Club. But despite 

her active life, Julia also battles chronic 

lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL) — a type 

of chronic leukemia that begins in the 

bone marrow. 

Julia was diagnosed with the 

cancer seven years ago after a routine 

mammogram showed an enlarged 

lymph node. Further testing confirmed 

she had CLL. Since then, Julia has been 

treated by Southern Ocean Medical 

Center’s oncology experts and, for the 

past four years, has been under the care 

of Jatin Desani, M.D., at Southern Ocean. 

Julia Manhart and her husband, 

Joseph, have been married for 

63 years. In addition to travel, 

Julia enjoys reading and being 

involved with her church. 

Living Well with Cancer 

To prevent and treat symptoms like 

fatigue, infection, fever, and night 

sweats, Julia undergoes periodic 

chemotherapy. She just finished 

another six-month regimen of 

chemotherapy followed by seven 

days of injections to boost her 

immune system. Miraculously, Julia 

says she feels just fine. 

“I attribute feeling well to the love, 

prayers, and support of my beloved 

family and wonderful friends and to 

the excellent care by Dr. Desani,” Julia 

says. “Dr. Desani keeps a close watch 

on me through regular blood testing. 

Before my cancer can make me sick, 

he begins treatment.” 

CLL, the most common type of 

leukemia in adults, causes a buildup 

of abnormal white blood cells. 

This buildup leads to symptoms of 

the disease and can interfere with 

immune system and organ function. 

Although there are many treatment 

Jatin Desani, M.D. 

Board certified in Hematology, 

Oncology, Internal Medicine 

Manahawkin • 609-597-0547 

options for CLL, there’s no real cure. 

Effective chemotherapy, however, 

targets excess white blood cells to 

help keep the blood at normal levels 

and symptoms at bay. The use of 

therapy to carefully balance blood 

levels is why it’s so important to have 

competent cancer care. 

Personalized Treatment 

“Our approach to therapy is tailored 

to each patient’s unique situation 

and needs,” Dr. Desani, part of 

Meridian Cancer Care, explains. “The 

goal is quality of life.” 

Julia has undergone four rounds of 

chemotherapy since her diagnosis, with 

periods of remission in between. After 

each therapy, she and her husband Joe 

take a vacation together as a reward. 

Their next stop? Possibly Israel. 

“As long as I am well and can put 

one foot in front of the other, I’m 

going to live life to the fullest,” Julia 

says. “I couldn’t be more grateful.” 


8 

Get Involved With Paint the Town Pink in 2014! 

Visit PaintTheTownPink.com to find an 

informational meeting in your area this 

October.

Riverview Medical Center 

Spine Surgery 

MAKES PAIN 

A DISTANT MEMORY 

Kathy Giannuzzi’s surgery to repair 

her herniated discs has improved 

her life dramatically. She’s back 

to enjoying time at the beach 

collecting sea glass. 

Keith Rinkus, M.D. 

Board certified in Orthopedic 

Surgery 

Red Bank • 732-741-2313 

One morning last October, Kathy 

Giannuzzi woke up and couldn’t feel 

her right fingers. She had pain in her 

neck and tingling down her arm. “I 

had to use my left hand to lift my 

right arm,” she says. Luckily, Kathy was 

able to make an appointment that 

same day with Keith Rinkus, M.D., 

an orthopedic surgeon at Riverview 

Medical Center and part of Meridian 

Neuroscience. 

Dr. Rinkus sent Kathy for an MRI, 

which showed she had two large 

herniated discs in her neck that were 

crushing nearby nerves. During the 

next few weeks, Kathy was given all 

Have An “Outstanding Experience” 

Riverview Medical Center is 

“Distinguished” again by J.D. Power and 

Associates for an Outstanding Patient 

Experience. One of the most prestigious health 

care distinctions in the nation, recognition is 

based on interviews with Riverview patients. 

Learn more at RiverviewMedicalCenter.com. 

conservative therapies imaginable to 

solve the problem: Oral steroids, an 

epidural, physical therapy, prescription 

medication, but nothing seemed 

to help. “I was miserable and my 

condition was worsening,” she says. 

Timely Care, Immediate Results 

That’s when Dr. Rinkus suggested 

spine surgery to repair the herniated 

discs. “I knew I couldn’t keep living 

like this, so I just thought, let’s fix 

this so I can get back to my life,” 

Kathy says. 

In January, Dr. Rinkus performed 

an anterior cervical decompression 

and fusion at 

Riverview Medical 

Center. During the 

surgery, he made 

a small incision at 

the front of Kathy’s 

neck and removed 

the herniated discs, 

unpinching the 

nerves. He then 

repaired the spine 

by fusing the bones together to create 

stability in her upper spine. “I noticed 

an improvement as soon as I woke up 

from anesthesia,” Kathy says. “I was 

able to feel my hand, my fingers, and 

my arm.” 

Spinal Solutions 

“Disc herniations are very common, 

but it’s a rare disc herniation that 

causes the degree of pain and 

weakness Kathy experienced,” 

Dr. Rinkus says. “In those cases, the 

spine surgery Kathy received is the 

procedure we most often do. It’s one 

of the most successful procedures in 

all of surgery, with about 96 percent 

of patients experiencing complete 

relief like Kathy did. That makes it a 

very gratifying treatment to do, too.” 

Kathy returned to work four 

weeks after her operation. “I’m 

so grateful Dr. Rinkus was able to 

fix the problem,” she says. “The 

improvement is so drastic that there 

are days I have to remind myself I had 

spine surgery just a few months ago.” 


9

Jersey Shore University Medical Center 


10 

Patient Gains a Chance at a 

New Life 

Last year, Phyllis Mills had an MRI 

after suffering a fracture in her back. 

That test very likely saved her life. 

Images showed that Phyllis, 57, had 

an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a 

weak and enlarged area in the lower 

part of the aorta — the major blood 

vessel that supplies blood to the 

body. Abdominal aortic aneurysms 

often grow undetected because 

they typically produce no symptoms. 

But these aneurysms can be fatal if 

they rupture. 

“Pressure gradually builds inside 

an aneurysm, expanding part of the 

aorta like a balloon. If the aneurysm 

bursts, it can cause internal bleeding,” 

explains M. Usman Nasir Khan, M.D., 

vascular surgeon at Jersey Shore 

University Medical Center and part of 

Meridian CardioVascular Network. 

“About 80 percent of people with 

a ruptured aortic aneurysm die 

before they can call 911. Of those 

who are rushed to the Emergency 

Department, the majority don’t make 

it to surgery. The key is to repair the 

aneurysm before it can rupture.” 

A Fast-Growing Aneurysm 

At the time of diagnosis, Phyllis’ 

aneurysm was 4 cm. Typically, aneurysm 

repair is not recommended until about 

5 cm. Before that time, surgery is 

considered a greater risk than rupture. 

Although abdominal aneurysms 

are usually slow-growing, imaging 

tests taken just six months after her 

initial diagnosis showed that Phyllis’ 

aneurysm had grown to a dangerous 

6.5 cm. The test also showed that she 

had significant heart blockage and 

needed triple bypass surgery. 

“I was shocked and scared at how 

quickly the aneurysm grew. But I had 

to focus on my heart first,” Phyllis says. 

“As soon as I had bypass surgery, my 

heart surgeon referred me to Dr. Nasir 

Khan for aneurysm repair.” 

Phyllis met with Dr. Nasir Khan, 

who performed a special CT scan 

to examine her blood vessels. He 

determined she was a candidate for 

percutaneous aneurysm repair — a 

unique procedure that is performed 

entirely through two small needle 

holes. 

Rare Percutaneous Repair 

Dr. Nasir Khan is one of the only 

surgeons in the area to offer 

percutaneous abdominal aortic 

aneurysm repair. And Phyllis was 

among the first in the region to 

undergo the cutting-edge procedure. 

“Traditional abdominal aortic 

aneurysm surgery is performed 

with open surgery, accessing the 

aneurysm by making a large incision 

in the belly. And most minimally 

invasive procedures require at least 

one small incision near the groin,” 

explains Dr. Nasir Khan. “However, 

percutaneous aneurysm repair 

requires no incisions at all.” 

Just three weeks after Phyllis 

underwent triple bypass surgery, 

Dr. Nasir Khan repaired her aneurysm 

at Jersey Shore using the specialized 

approach. 

“Before the procedure, Dr. Nasir 

Khan sat down with me and 

explained everything about it. He 

didn’t rush. He didn’t talk above 

me,” recalls Phyllis. “He took his time 

and made me feel comfortable. I 

trusted him.” 

To repair the aneurysm, Dr. Nasir 

Experience Matters 

M. Usman Nasir Khan, M.D. 

Board certified in Vascular 

Surgery 

Neptune • 732-212-6598 

Khan worked through needles 

inserted in the groin, guiding 

special instruments through the 

blood vessels to the area of Phyllis’ 

aneurysm. Dr. Nasir Khan then built 

a stent graft from inside the aorta — a 

flattened tube made from metal 

and wire material. He then opened 

the stent graft, creating new vessel 

walls for the blood to flow through. 

This allowed the blood to bypass 

the weakened area of the aorta, 

relieving pressure in the aneurysm and 

reducing the risk for rupture. 

“Percutaneous is a fairly rare 

approach to abdominal aortic 

aneurysm repair because it takes 

extensive training and skill to 

perform,” Dr. Nasir Khan says. 

“However, it can benefit patients 

over other minimally invasive options 

because there is less risk for pain and 

infection.” 

A New Beginning 

Just 24 hours after Phyllis went for 

her aneurysm repair she was back at 

home and feeling fine. And after a 

period of time to recover from heart 

surgery, she is back to her physically 

demanding job setting up lighting 

displays. 

“I know that my aneurysm could 

have burst at any moment. If it weren’t 

for Dr. Nasir Khan, I might not be here 

today,” Phyllis says. “Thanks to excellent 

medical care, I have a new life.” 

Experience is one way to measure quality. In 2012, the team 

at Jersey Shore University Medical Center performed the most 

diagnostic caths in New Jersey. They also completed the 

second most interventional PCI procedures and the third most cardiac 

surgeries. Go to JerseyShoreUniversityMedicalCenter.com to learn 

more about our heart and cardiovascular surgery programs.


Fifty-seven-year-old Phyllis Mills 

was back at home and feeling 

good just 24 hours after her 

rare and lifesaving aneurysm 

repair at Jersey Shore. 

HV-MH-Angio-8.375x3-13_Layout 1 7/15/13 3:29 PM Page 1 

A screening that can save your life. 

Offered exclusively by Meridian CardioVascular Network, AngioScreen is a simple 

fifteen minute screening and consultation that provides you with immediate results, 

including ultrasound images and detailed information about your risk for stroke and 

cardiovascular disease. 

Your screening includes: 

• Carotid artery screening 

• Heart rhythm screening 

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening • Peripheral arterial disease screening 

• Blood Pressure, Pulse, Body Mass Index (BMI), and Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV) 

Prevention 

& Wellness 

Registration is required. Call 800.560.9990 

to schedule your appointment today. To learn 

more, visit www.MeridianHealth.com/Angioscreen 


New Jersey 

11 

© 2013 Meridian Health

K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital 

MAKING 

EVERY 

SECOND 

COUNT 

Aaron Miller is already looking 

forward to starting back 

at school as a 10th grader. 

The Toms River resident 

enjoys playing football and 

basketball and watching 

sports on television. 


12 

When Aaron Miller, 14, went to school 

on February 15, 2013, he felt fine. As 

the day progressed, he felt numbness 

and shooting pain in his right arm. 

The school nurse called his mom, 

Casi, to pick him up. “I was going to 

bring him home, but he didn’t look so 

good,” Casi says. She drove him to the 

Emergency Department (ED) at Jersey 

Shore University Medical Center. 

On the way, Aaron’s condition 

quickly worsened: He became lightheaded, 

was sweating, and felt sick to 

his stomach. The physician in the ED 

determined that Aaron’s condition 

might be neurological, so he called 

Richard Sultan, D.O., a pediatric 

neurologist and director of neurology 

at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at 

Jersey Shore University Medical Center, 

and part of Meridian Neuroscience. 

Immediate, Coordinated Care 

A CT scan of Aaron’s brain came back 

normal, but Dr. Sultan knew Aaron 

needed to undergo an MRI to be sure. 

There was just one problem: Aaron 

On Video: One Kid’s Cancer Success Story 

had dental braces, which can make an 

MRI difficult to see. Within a minute, 

the dental team was taking off his 

braces and within 10 minutes he was 

on the MRI table. The MRI revealed 

that Aaron had transverse myelitis, 

with secondary swelling of the 

bottom of his brain, causing it to push 

down on the cervical spine, which 

was life-threatening. 

Dr. Sultan called Samuel Thomas, M.D., 

and Bruce Grossman, M.D., pediatric 

intensivists (physicians who specialize 

in caring for critically ill patients) and 

part of Meridian Pediatric Network, 

to put Aaron on a respirator because 

he knew at any moment, Aaron would 

stop breathing. “We were fortunate to 

have the chance to properly diagnose 

the problem early and safely secure 

his airway before it was too late,” 

Dr. Thomas says. In less than 45 minutes, 

Aaron was prepped for surgery and 

Aasim Kazmi, M.D., a neurosurgeon at 

Jersey Shore, opened up the back of 

Aaron’s skull to give his brain room to 

swell without being compressed. 

Tanner’s suspected appendicitis turned out to be 

something much more serious. At age 4, he was diagnosed 

with cancer. Learn more about his story’s happy ending at 

MeridianPediatricNetwork.com. 

Richard I. Sultan, D.O. 

Neptune • 732-775-2400 

Samuel C. Thomas, M.D. 

Board certified in Pediatrics 

and Pediatric Critical Care 

Neptune • 732-776-4357 

“We always take a team approach 

to caring for patients, but this was 

one of the most coordinated team 

efforts I’ve ever been a part of,” 

Dr. Sultan says. “In a situation where 

every second counts, the intensivists, 

MRI techs, neurosurgeon, and others 

performed their jobs as cohesively 

and as efficiently as possible to save 

Aaron’s life.” 

On the Road to Recovery 

Thanks to the lifesaving measures 

taken that day and spending time in a 

pediatric rehabilitation facility, Aaron 

continued to heal and was finally able 

to go home in April. 

Today, Aaron is back to being a 

teenager. “His energy has returned to 

normal so he can hang out with his 

friends, play basketball, and get ready 

to start his sophomore year of high 

school,” Casi says. “Everyone in the 

hospital was incredible, not only for 

Aaron, but also supporting me through 

such a difficult time in our lives.”

Friendship Keeps Women On Track 

After Bariatric Surgery 

When it came time to take control of 

their health, both Brigid Conway and 

Arlesa McGee turned to the expertise 

at the Center for Bariatrics at Bayshore 

Community Hospital, where they lost 

weight and gained friendships. 

Brigid Conway of Union Beach was 

athletic growing up, so the 45-yearold 

isn’t sure when she started to gain 

weight. “But when my father had a 

heart attack and ended up in the ICU, 

I knew looking at my family history 

that I needed to do something or 

that would be me,” she says. 

After attending a seminar with 

Karl Strom, M.D., medical director for 

the Center for Bariatrics at Bayshore, 

and doing some research on her own, 

Brigid decided Lap-Band surgery was 

the best option for her. 

“I work in project management and 

am always on the run, so my nutrition 

is not very good,” Brigid says. “But I 

was looking forward to being healthy, 

and approached the surgery as one 

of my projects.” 

Having a friend to motivate them 

through their journey has made Arlesa 

(left) and Brigid’s experience with 

bariatric surgery at Bayshore even 

better. Brigid says the two motivate 

each other to stay on track. 

Paying It Forward 

At one of her support meetings postsurgery, 

Brigid met Arlesa McGee, 46, 

of Manchester. Arlesa was preparing 

to undergo a sleeve gastrectomy. 

“When I met Dr. Strom and his 

team, I felt comfortable and knew 

with all my comorbidities that I had 

to do this in order to take care of my 

husband and myself,” Arlesa says. She 

had her surgery in April 2012. 

“Everyone [at Bayshore] helped me 

to relax before my surgery,” Arlesa 

says. “Now I comfort people who are 

thinking about having the surgery. I am 

known as the support group ‘hugger,’ 

because I hug everyone who comes in 

because I know how they feel.” 

“The success our patients see 

stems from the team approach 

we use at the Center,” Dr. Strom 

says. “Candidates spend time 

with a nutritionist, psychologist, 

pulmonary specialist, 

cardiologist, and 

gastroenterologist 

Karl Strom, M.D. 

Board certified in General 

Surgery 

Holmdel • 732-739-5925 

before undergoing the procedure, 

and receive continuous follow-up 

education and support after surgery, 

which Brigid and Arlesa have really 

championed.” 

An Ongoing Journey to Health 

Brigid, who has lost nearly 100 pounds, 

and Arelsa, who has lost nearly 120 

pounds, are continuing their journeys 

back to health. Bariatric surgery is a 

tool, not a cure, Dr. Strom says. 

Both women continue to work 

hard by eating right and exercising 

frequently. They even organize events 

like a scavenger hunt and bowling 

night to keep the group motivated 

outside of their regular meetings. 

“You have to work for it,” says 

Arlesa. “I wanted it and I worked for 

it, but I couldn’t have done it without 

Dr. Strom. I tell everyone I meet about 

him; he is the best from all the rest.” 

– Caitlin Coyle 

Bayshore Community Hospital 

Join Us for a Free Seminar 

The Center for Bariatrics 

at Bayshore was recently 

designated as a Center of 

Excellence by the American Society 

of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery 

(ASMBS), reflecting our commitment 

to safe and effective care. Visit 

BayshoreHospital.org/Bariatrics for 

a list of our free informative seminars. 


13


Vascular Surgery 

PREVENTS 

SILENT KILLER 


14 

When a life-threatening health issue 

strikes, we often assume there will 

be some warning that can help us 

prevent it. But unfortunately, that 

isn’t always the case, especially with 

stroke — the third leading cause of 

death among Americans. Thankfully, 

the proactive approach taken by 

experts at Riverview Medical Center 

can significantly reduce the chance of 

this silent killer in at-risk individuals. 

Joan Hando, 72, of Middletown, 

knew she had a heart murmur. 

Her primary care physician had 

detected it and referred her to Julie 

Master, D.O., a Riverview Medical 

Center and Meridian CardioVascular 

Network cardiologist. Dr. Master 

conducted testing to further 

investigate the cause of the murmur. 

She learned that Joan had mild plaque 

buildup, or stenosis, in the left carotid 

artery, which branches off from the 

aorta and supplies blood to the brain. 

“My stenosis was so mild it didn’t 

require immediate treatment and I 

didn’t think much of it,” Joan explains. 

“I had no symptoms whatsoever, and 

it didn’t affect my life in any way. 

Although I knew I had a family history of 

heart disease, if Dr. Master hadn’t found 

it I would have had no idea it was there.” 

Problems Can Grow 

Without Symptoms 

Joan went to Dr. Master regularly to 

monitor her carotid stenosis. But in 

December 2012, the narrowing in her 

carotid artery suddenly got worse. 

Although Joan still felt no symptoms, 

Dr. Master recommended she meet 

with Owano Pennycooke, M.D., a 

cardiovascular surgeon with Riverview 

and Meridian CardioVascular 

Network, to discuss treatment. 

“When I met Joan she had 80 

percent narrowing of the artery — a 

far more serious case than we had 

anticipated,” Dr. Pennycooke explains. 

“Her risk for stroke from the condition 

was high. When plaque builds in the 

artery, pieces can break off and block 

blood flow to the brain. This can lead 

to significant disability or death.” 

Due to the seriousness of Joan’s 

condition, Dr. Pennycooke scheduled 

Joan for surgery right away.

Joan Hando, pictured here with her 

grandchildren Luke and Brooke, is the 

queen of the “hot golden girls,” a part 

of the Red Hat Society. Joan enjoys 

watching the Yankees and spending 

time with her family. 

Staying One Step Ahead 

of Stroke 

Dr. Pennycooke performed a carotid 

endarterectomy at Riverview to 

remove the plaque in Joan’s left carotid 

artery. The surgery involved making 

a 3 to 4 cm incision along the strap 

muscles of the neck. Dr. Pennycooke 

then isolated the carotid artery and 

placed a tube, called a shunt, above 

and below the blockage to maintain 

blood flow to the brain while 

removing the plaque. 

After removing the plaque, he 

removed the shunt and closed the 

artery. The entire surgery took less 

than two hours. 

Although Dr. Pennycooke also 

corrects narrowing of the carotid artery 

using minimally invasive procedures, 

such as carotid artery stents, he 

believes it is beneficial for some 

patients like Joan to have open surgery. 

“For patients who are healthy 

enough for open surgery, the carotid 

endarterectomy allows surgeons a 

better view of the plaque and the 

ability to remove it. This results 

in better blood flow through the 

artery and less risk for stroke,” 

Dr. Pennycooke says. 

Time to Try AngioScreen ® 

Owano Pennycooke, M.D. 

Board certified in General 

Surgery and Vascular Surgery 

Red Bank • 732-403-2075 

Exceptional Care and Comfort 

Joan, who chose to have the surgery 

at Riverview, spent just one night at 

the hospital and went home the next 

day. She had no major pain, and her 

recovery was speedy. 

“My care at Riverview could not 

have been better,” Joan says. “The 

morning after my surgery, my pain 

level was a zero on a scale of zero 

to 10. The nurses were constantly 

working to make me comfortable. 

I couldn’t have been happier.” 

Today, Joan is back at home 

with her husband enjoying life and 

spending time with her grandchildren. 

And she’s relieved the problem has 

been resolved. 

“By having a carotid 

endarterectomy, Joan’s risk of 

stroke is reduced by 50 percent for 

the next five years — a significant 

improvement,” Dr. Pennycooke 

explains. “It provides peace of mind.” 

Joan now warns others to be 

aware of their risk factors and 

ask their doctor to check their 

carotid artery. Risk factors for 

plaque buildup in the carotid artery 

are the same as those for heart 

disease, including a family history of 

heart disease, older age, smoking, 

inactivity, obesity, and more. 

“I was so fortunate to have doctors 

who found the problem and took 

care of it before it was too late,” Joan 

says. “Don’t wait for symptoms to act. 

Be aware of potential issues and get 

checked.” 

... because what you learn can save your life. AngioScreen 

identifies your risk for heart attack and stroke. Learn more 

about Riverview Medical Center’s October 9 AngioScreen 

event on page 22. 



15



16 

flight Attendant Is 

Back in the Skies 

Wall resident Adrienne Coppola 

faithfully walked on the boardwalk 

most days. But the 60-year-old 

flight attendant was surprised when 

she began experiencing a burning 

sensation in her groin during her 

exercise routine. At first, she ignored 

the problem. But as the pain grew, 

even coworkers started to notice. 

“When other flight attendants 

pointed out that I was limping 

through the terminal, I knew I needed 

help,” Adrienne says. 

After an MRI confirmed hip 

damage, Adrienne made an 

appointment with Stephen Kayiaros, 

M.D., orthopedic surgeon at Jersey 

Shore University Medical Center. 

“Dr. Kayiaros explained that my hip 

was rubbing bone on bone due to 

arthritis damage,” recalls Adrienne. 

“Although he could give me shots 

to temporarily mask the pain, the 

only long-term solution was hip 

replacement. Right away, I asked if he 

performed the anterior approach.” 

Recovery Takes Off with 

Anterior Approach 

The anterior approach is an advanced, 

minimally invasive form of hip 

replacement that is becoming more 

common in the United States. It 

entails the surgeon making the 

incision from the front of the hip 

(instead of the back or side), which 

allows the surgeon to replace the 

hip without cutting any muscles or 

tendons around the hip joint. 

Adrienne’s sister had recently 

had hip surgery with the anterior 

Join the Meridian Movement 

approach and experienced excellent 

results. When Adrienne learned 

Dr. Kayiaros performed this approach, 

she didn’t hesitate to move forward. 

“The anterior approach provides 

many benefits to patients over the 

traditional posterior approach. This 

includes less pain, a faster recovery, 

and no range-of-motion limitations,” 

explains Dr. Kayiaros. 

Patients Not Grounded 

During Recovery 

“Because the procedure is musclesparing, 

it is much more stable. Patients 

don’t have any physical restrictions 

during recovery,” Dr. Kayiaros says. “In 

contrast, patients who undergo 

traditional surgery cannot bend 

Your Meridian Health team has developed educational programs 

that focus on wellness and ways to protect your bone and joint 

health. Go to MeridianHealth.com/Movement to meet our 

motion experts, request more information, or to make an appointment. 

Let us help you achieve better joint and bone health today! 

Stephen Kayiaros, M.D. 

Wall • 732-938-6090 

the hip in specific ways for six to 

eight weeks. This can greatly limit 

independence.” With the anterior 

approach, most hip replacement 

patients are also able to walk without 

a cane or walker much sooner. 

“I was up and walking the same day 

as surgery and took a shower on my 

own the day after I got home. One 

week later, I was driving myself to 

physical therapy,” Adrienne says. 

Now, just a few months postsurgery, 

Adrienne is back to flying. She is even 

working the East Coast to Hawaii 

route with little pain. 

“Dr. Kayiaros is amazing. So many 

people are afraid of hip replacement 

surgery but this was absolutely the 

way to go. I couldn’t be more grateful,” 

she says. 

Sixty-year-old flight attendant 

Adrienne Coppola is back to 

the skies just a few months 

after her minimally invasive hip 

replacement at Jersey Shore.

New Surgical 

Technique 

Helps Man 

Regain 

His Strength 


Thanks to his surgery to repair his 

bicep rupture, Tom Wilson is back 

to doing what he enjoys, including 

working around the house, lifting 

weights, and exercising. 

Tom Wilson, a 49-year-old husband 

and father, has always been one to 

help out around the house, especially 

when it comes to heavy lifting and 

other demanding chores. As an avid 

exerciser, Tom prides himself on his 

health and stamina. Last fall, however, 

Tom’s strength was compromised 

when he overextended his arm 

putting a ladder into a dumpster, 

rupturing his bicep tendon. 

Tom knew the injury was 

significant by the instant swelling 

and discoloration. But, he explains, “I 

thought the injury would heal with 

ice and rest. After a few days, I could 

visibly see that the bicep was no 

longer attached to my elbow, and 

I knew it wouldn’t heal on its own.” 

After a week of icing and resting 

his arm, Tom made an appointment 

with Nicholas Jarmon, M.D., an 

orthopedic surgeon at Southern 

Ocean Medical Center. 

At the appointment, Dr. Jarmon 

performed several tests on Tom’s 

arm and confirmed Tom’s suspicion: 

His bicep tendon had completely 

separated from his elbow, otherwise 

known as a distal bicep rupture. 

Because of Dr. Jarmon’s experience 

and specialization in shoulders and 

elbows, he knew the best technique 

for surgery was a single-incision 

distal bicep repair. The technique 

reattaches the bicep tendon to the 

bone with less risk than a typical twoincision 

surgery. 

“Traditionally, this surgery is done 

with two incisions; using one incision 

is a fairly new method. One-incision 

distal bicep repairs lessen the risk of 

nerve injury and loss of motion,” 

Dr. Jarmon says. Under Dr. Jarmon’s 

care, Tom underwent a one-hour 

outpatient surgery to correct his 

bicep rupture. 

After surgery, Tom was prescribed 

a regimen of rest, physical therapy, 

and follow-up visits with Dr. Jarmon 

to ensure his injury healed correctly. 

“My wife was so supportive at the 

From the Hip: What You Need to Know 

Nicholas A. Jarmon, M.D. 

Manahawkin • 609-488-5378 

time, taking care of all the things 

I normally would. With injuries 

requiring rest and physical therapy, 

it’s easy to feel helpless. Because of 

the care I received from Dr. Jarmon, 

though, I felt optimistic that I would 

fully recover soon,” Tom says. 

Tom’s optimism was not in vain, as 

he is now back to his daily routine. 

After six weeks of physical therapy 

and rest, Tom is back to exercising 

just as vigorously as he did before the 

injury and helping around the house 

— paying his wife back for everything 

she did while Tom was injured. 

– Randi Russell 

Join us at the family Resource Center at the Ocean Club at 

Southern Ocean Medical Center to learn whether you might 

be a good candidate for hip replacement and to hear about 

the latest techniques for surgery. Turn to page 24 for more details. 


17


On the Go 

After Double Knee Replacement 

For 10 years, Eileen Fuorry saw life 

as she knew it gradually change. The 

58-year-old suffered from severe 

arthritis in her knees. The growing 

and constant pain interfered with 

her ability to walk and kept her from 

simple tasks, like grocery shopping. 

A previously active woman, Eileen 

stopped exercising. Her weight crept 

up along with her blood pressure, and 

she became prediabetic. 

“I would walk into a room and look for 

the nearest chair to sit down. The pain 

was unbelievable. It affected every aspect 

of my life,” Eileen remembers. “Finally, I 

decided it was time to take control of 

my life and do something about it.” 

Benefiting from Valuable 

Experience 

Eileen knew she needed knee 

replacement surgery. To prepare, she 

began to lose weight and researched 

orthopedic surgeons. Eileen chose 

David Rodricks, M.D., an orthopedic 

surgeon at Ocean Medical Center. 

Dr. Rodricks is an expert in joint 

replacement, performing more than 

2,000 knee replacements in the last 

10 years. 

In May 2012, Dr. Rodricks performed 

Eileen’s bilateral knee replacement 

surgery, a surgery to replace both of 

her knees, at Ocean. Eileen was up and 

walking the next day. 

“Ocean and Meridian Health are 

the best places in the state for joint 

replacement,” Dr. Rodricks says. “As 

a Center of Excellence for joint 

replacement, we maintain extremely 

high standards of care and are on the 

cutting edge of treatment, providing 

patients the best results with the 

quickest recovery. There is not a type 

of hip or knee replacement or revision 

that we can’t do.” 

Support Every Step of the Way 

After receiving inpatient physical 

therapy at Ocean, Eileen was 

David Rodricks, M.D. 

Board certified in 

Orthopedic Surgery 

Brick • 732-840-7500 

discharged to Meridian Subacute 

Rehabilitation at Wall. She 

then continued recovery with 

outpatient rehabilitation at Meridian 

Rehabilitation at Neptune. Within 11 

weeks, Eileen was back at work. 

“With Dr. Rodricks, I knew I 

would be in capable hands. He truly 

listened to what I had to say,” Eileen 

says. “Because of my efforts, the skill 

of a great surgeon, and dedicated 

Meridian Health physical therapists, 

my surgery and rehabilitation has 

been a success.” 

Today, Eileen is exercising five days 

a week and her blood work is normal. 

She just completed walking two of 

Meridian Health’s Heart & Sole Cup 

5K races and plans to do a third in 

September. 

“I feel renewed and rejuvenated,” 

Eileen says. “I’m constantly surprised 

at the unbelievable difference this 

surgery made in my life. I feel great.” 


18 

Ocean Keeps You in Motion 

With access to the 

latest technology and 

skilled in minimally 

invasive knee replacement, 

total hip replacement, and 

more, Ocean Medical Center’s 

Joint Replacement team 

can get you back to doing 

the things you love! Go to 

OceanMedicalCenter.com to 

learn more about our orthopedic 

and joint replacement services. 

After two total knee 

replacements, Howell 

resident Eileen Fuorry 

is back to enjoying 

kayaking, walking the 

beach, biking, and 

fishing as often 

as she can.

Mae and Russ Howard’s lives were 

touched by organ donation in very 

different ways. They met while 

volunteering with the NJ Sharing 

Network and have been married 

for four years. 

Meridian Health 

Touched by Organ Donation 

Although the sudden death of a loved 

one is tragic, there is a way to turn the 

loss into a blessing for others — organ 

donation. Mae and Russ Howard are 

two individuals who understand that 

gift in very unique ways. 

Fifty-one-year-old Mae learned 

in her late-20s that she was born 

with a heart defect. Despite years of 

treatment, including heart surgery, 

her condition deteriorated until 

debilitating symptoms prevented 

her from performing even simple 

activities like taking a shower. At age 

39, Mae learned that she needed a 

heart transplant to survive. 

A Living Legacy 

The NJ Sharing Network, a partner 

of Meridian Health, helps coordinate 

organ donation in the state. Within 

eight months, a heart was donated 

that was a match for Mae. The family 

had lost their 12-year-old son due to 

a stroke. 

“Not only did their selfless 

donation give me life, but it ensured 

my two young children would have 

a mother,” Mae says. “NJ Sharing 

Network helped connect me with 

the donor family. As soon as I saw 

the mother, she collapsed in my arms. 

We stay in touch to this day.” 

Jan Hines, manager of hospital 

services at NJ Sharing Network, adds: 

“Less than 1 percent of all deaths are 

eligible to be organ donors. To be a 

donor is truly a unique and rare gift, 

which makes awareness even more 

crucial. One donor can save up to 

eight lives and restore health for more 

than 50 others.” 

Giving Life 

Mae went on to volunteer for the NJ 

Sharing Network, offering vibrant, 

living proof of the benefits of organ 

donation. During this work, she met 

fellow volunteer Russ. 

Russ’ life was touched by organ 

donation when his wife of 34 years 

suffered heart failure. She was rushed 

to Riverview Medical Center, where 

she remained on life support. Two 

Become an Organ Donor 

days later, Russ learned his wife was 

determined brain dead. When NJ 

Sharing Network approached Russ in 

the hospital about donating his wife’s 

tissue and organs, Russ didn’t hesitate. 

“I was so grateful for everything 

NJ Sharing Network did for us. By 

offering us this opportunity, my wife’s 

death was not in vain. It gave us a 

feeling of peace, a way to celebrate 

her life,” Russ says. 

In the months that followed, Russ 

learned that his family’s decision saved 

the lives of three people, restored the 

eyesight of two others, and helped 

others regain the use of their arms. 

Connected through a special bond 

and shared passion for educating 

others about the gift of organ 

donation, Russ and Mae have been 

happily married for four years. “The 

impact of organ donation is amazing,” 

says Russ. “It’s a truly a gift of new life.” 

Close to 5,000 people are waiting for organ transplants in New 

Jersey today. Meridian Health is committed to partnering with 

NJ Sharing Network to increase organ and tissue donation 

education and awareness. Learn more about how organ donation saves 

lives under “Health Information” at MeridianHealth.com. 


19


Nurse Treasures 

Meridian’s Compassionate 

Hospice Care 

Carol Anne Giordano enjoys vegetable and 

flower gardening. The Manalapan resident is 

grateful for the thoughtful care and support 

her in-laws received from Meridian At Home. 


20 

Carol Anne Giordano spent more 

than 30 years as a registered nurse 

and health care professional providing 

comfort, care, and support to 

families. During the past year, roles 

were reversed and Carol Anne and 

her husband, Charlie Jr., trusted the 

hospice care of their family members 

to Meridian At Home, Meridian 

Health’s home care services company. 

Planning for the Unexpected 

In 2012, Carol Anne’s father-in-law, 

Charlie Giordano Sr., was stricken 

with brain cancer, and a few months 

later, his wife, June, was diagnosed 

with lung cancer. 

After undergoing surgeries and 

hospitalizations, both entered 

Meridian Health’s Rehabilitation 

and Nursing facility in Ocean 

Grove, Manor by the Sea, initially 

for rehabilitation therapy. As their 

conditions and need for care 

progressed, both Giordanos became 

residents and eventually received 

hospice care at the facility from 

Meridian At Home. In addition to 

providing hospice care in the home, 

Meridian At Home can provide these 

services at any care facility. 

As a health care professional, Carol 

Anne recognized the importance 

of early planning for the possibility 

of hospice care. “Hospice is often 

contemplated in the midst of a 

crisis, making it more challenging to 

establish an individualized plan of 

care for the patient and family,” she 

says. “Though difficult, our family 

discussed and incorporated hospice 

care into early planning. As a result, 

my in-laws received months of 

thoughtful and individualized care, 

and we had quality time with our 

loved ones.” 

Support During a Difficult Time 

Meridian At Home’s interdisciplinary 

team includes a social worker, nurses, 

home health aides, a chaplain, and a 

medical director, who work closely 

with the family and attending 

physician to coordinate care and 

services for up to six months. Hospice 

care is often fully covered by private 

insurance and Medicare, and includes 

medical equipment and supplies and 

other services. 

Licensed and hospice certified 

social worker Nancy Donahue 

worked closely with the Giordanos. 

At Your Side When You Need Us 

“The Meridian At Home hospice team 

truly works together to understand 

the needs of the family, and to 

provide resources, exceptional care, 

and educate the family,” Nancy says. 

“Every family is different, and our 

training not only allows us to make 

the patient comfortable and maintain 

the patient’s dignity, but also support 

surviving family members as they 

cope with and accept the death of 

their loved one.” 

Aside from medical care, the 

emotional support provided by the 

hospice team proved invaluable 

for Carol Anne. For instance, the 

caregivers knew how important it 

was for her mother-in-law to look 

her best each day and have her hair 

done. “Those are the little things that 

brought joy to my family and that we 

will never forget,” Carol Anne says. 

“The Meridian At Home hospice team 

not only provided an exceptional 

level of care and quality of life for my 

in-laws, but they became an invaluable 

and trusted 24/7 support system.” 

Every moment of life is precious. Meridian Hospice is 

committed to helping patients live their remaining days in the 

greatest possible comfort and dignity. Call 1-800-655-2555 or 

visit MeridianAtHome.com/Hospice to learn more about our in-home 

health care services.

Meridian 

Community Health Programs 


All programs are FREE unless otherwise noted. Reserve your spot by calling 1-800-DOCTORS (1-800-362-8677) or 

1-800-560-9990 or by visiting MeridianHealth.com. In cases of severe weather, a program may be canceled as late 

as an hour before the start time. Call 1-800-DOCTORS or 1-800-560-9990 to confirm. 

Community Day 

and 5K Run/Walk 

Join us at Jersey Shore 

University Medical Center’s 

fourth annual Community Day 

and 5K Run/Walk! To register, 

go to MeridianHealth.com/ 

HeartandSoleCup. 

September 15 

5K: 10:00 a.m.; Kids’ races: 11:00 a.m. 

Community Day activities: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 

Breathing New Life into the 

Center for Wound Healing 

Join our physician experts at the new Center for Wound 

Healing at Bayshore Community Hospital, to learn about 

comprehensive and personalized treatment approaches. 

Tour the new Center, check out the new hyperbaric 

chambers, and learn about how you can keep your feet 

healthy with a FREE foot screening. Registration is required. 

October 29, 6:30-8:00 p.m. 

Center for Wound Healing at Bayshore Community Hospital 

Bigger and better than ever! Join us and 

celebrate women’s wellness. Chat with 

physicians on the hottest health topics. 

Participate in health screenings, makeovers, 

massages, dance demonstrations, and 

on-site shopping. This event features door 

prizes and refreshments. Registration is 

required. Visit OceanMedicalCenter.com/ 

GirlsNightOut. 

October 10, 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. 


22nd Annual Women’s Health Night 

Gather your friends and spend an evening devoted to your personal wellness. 

Meet our physicians and take part in free health screenings, interactive 

displays, and giveaways. You must fast for 12 hours before getting screened. 

Lipid screenings will be done ahead of time on October 21, from 

7:00 to 9:00 a.m., and results will be provided at the fair. 



CALL 1-800-DOCTORS OR 1-800-560-9990 TO REGISTER FOR PROGRAMS. 

21

Meridian Community Health Programs 

Call 1-800-DOCTORS 

or 1-800-560-9990 to 

register for programs. 

22 

MERIDIAN CANCER CARE 

Stop Smoking with Hypnosis 

Hypnotherapy is effective in alleviating 

unwanted habits and developing 

positive behaviors and lifestyle changes. 

Fee is $30. 

September 9 and October 14 

7:00 – 8:00 p.m. 

Meridian Fitness and Wellness Center 

at Hazlet 

Skin Safety 

Leonard S. Thomas, R.N., will discuss sun 

safety, what skin changes to look for, 

and other important topics related to 

skin care. 

September 10, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. 

Family Resource Center at the Ocean 

Club, Stafford Township 

Look Good, Feel Better 

The American Cancer Society offers this 

program to individuals being treated for 

cancer. Learn makeup and hair tips to 

make you look and feel better. 

September 23, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. 


at Hazlet 






Cancer Conference Room 

Fresh Start Smoking Cessation 

This four-session smoking-cessation 

program is offered by Meridian 

Cancer Care and the American Cancer 

Society. Learn techniques to live a 

smoke-free life. 

September 24, 26, and October 1, 3 

9:00 – 11:00 a.m. 


Conference Room B 

Prostate Health Update 

Join Patrick O’Connor, D.O., and learn 

the best steps for a healthy prostate, 

when you should be screened, 

treatment options for prostate cancer, 

and other urinary health concerns. A 

light lunch will be provided. 



Community Room 

Advances in Cancer Treatment 

Douglas Miller, M.D., will discuss various 

cancer treatments including advances in 

new technologies. A light lunch will be 

provided. Registration is required. 

October 7, 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. 



Cervical Cancer: What You Need 

to Know! 

Join gynecologist Alma Bustamante, 

M.D., as she discusses cervical cancer, its 

risk factors, and treatment options. 




Colorectal Cancer Lecture and 

Screening 

Leonard S. Thomas, R.N., will review 

risk factors and treatment options. 

All participants will be given a simple 

take-home screening test. 

October 17, 11:00 a.m. – noon 


at Hazlet 

Cancer Survivorship Program 

Join us for an informative panel 

discussion designed to help you on your 

survivorship journey as well as life after 

your cancer diagnosis. A continental 

breakfast will be provided. Registration 

is required. 



at Hazlet 

Managing Cancer-Related Fatigue 

and Lymphedema 

Learn ways to improve cancer-related 

fatigue and how to manage lymphedema. 

October 22, noon – 1:00 p.m. 



Children’s Art Therapy 

Meridian Cancer Care offers art therapy 

for children ages 4½ to 13 who have 

experienced a loss or are dealing with 

a chronically or terminally ill loved 

one. Registration is required. Call 

732-530-2382. 

MERIDIAN 

CARDIOVASCULAR 

NETWORK 

AngioScreen®: 

What You Learn 

Can Save Your Life 

Learn your risk for heart attack 

and stroke. This vascular screening 

includes carotid artery ultrasound, 

heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation), 

blood pressure, abdominal aortic 

aneurysm, peripheral arterial 

disease (PAD), and body mass index. 

Participants receive an instant color 

report of the findings, educational 

material, and private consultation 

with a registered nurse. Fee is $74.95. 

Registration is required. 

September 9, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 


Conference Rooms A and B 


9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 


East Wing, Conference Room A 


Family Resource Center at the 

Ocean Club, Stafford Township 


and October 18, 11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Jersey Shore 

University Medical Center 

Brennan Rooms 104/105 



Two River Conference Suite 

October 25, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

Meridian Fitness and Wellness 

Center at Hazlet 

Nutrition and a Healthy Heart 

Join Diane Verga, M.D., and learn how to 

eat smart to maintain a healthy heart. 


Ocean County Library 

Manchester Branch 

21 Colonial Drive, Manchester



or 1-800-560-9990 to 


Living with Congestive Heart 

Failure (CHF) 

Debra Shar, R.N., will discuss how you 

can maximize your quality of life while 

living with congestive heart failure. 

September 17, 11:00 a.m. – noon 



LIVING WITH CHF? SEE TAKE CONTROL 

PROGRAM ON PAGE 25. 

Aortic Aneurysm: What You 

Need to Know 

Join Owano Pennycooke, M.D., and learn 

the causes, signs and symptoms, and 

treatment options for aortic aneurysms. 



at Hazlet 

Peripheral Arterial Disease and 

Varicose Veins 

Looking for relief from leg pain and 

swelling? Jeffrey Hager, D.O., will 

discuss the latest treatments available 

for peripheral arterial disease and 

varicose veins. 




MERIDIAN NEUROSCIENCE 

Spine Surgery 

Nader Hebela, M.D., will discuss the 

causes of lumbar stenosis, latest 

surgical treatment options, and who 

is a candidate for spinal surgery. 




Memory Loss 

Experiencing increased forgetfulness, 

trouble concentrating, or difficulty 

performing familiar tasks? You may 

benefit from this informative lecture 

and screening. 


Screenings to follow lecture. 

Ocean County Library – Toms River 

Branch 

101 Washington Street, Toms River 

SPEAKER: Ivan Sabio, M.D. 

Solutions to Balance Problems 

Learn the causes of balance issues 

and solutions. 

October 1, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. 


Conference Room A 



Club 

Concussion from Sports-Related 

Activities 

Kristine Keane, PsyD, will discuss the 

signs, symptoms, and treatment options 

as well as how baseline testing can aid in 

the return to activity. 




Express Yourself — Group 

Speech Therapy 

If you suffered from a head injury or 

stroke and have already completed 

speech therapy, this class may be 

for you. Continue to work on your 

communication skills in this program, 

which is held once a month for six 

months. For pricing and registration, call 

732-836-4007. 

Parkinson’s Life Enrichment 

Exercise Class 

Designed and administered by physical 

therapists and exercise specialists, this 

program helps people with Parkinson’s 

improve their flexibility, balance, and 

strength, enabling them to perform 

everyday activities with greater 

ease. For pricing and registration, call 

732-836-4007. 

MERIDIAN PEDIATRIC 

NETWORK 

Car Seat Safety Check 

Sponsored by the New Jersey State 

Police and the Trauma Center at Jersey 

Shore University Medical Center. No 

registration is necessary. 

First Tuesday of each month 

3:00 – 7:00 p.m. 


Safe Sitter 

Meridian offers babysitting training for 

boys and girls ages 11 to 14. This class will 

review safety for both the babysitters and 

children left in their care in a fun learning 

environment. The class includes handling 

emergencies, first aid, and CPR. Fee is $40. 


Red Bank First Aid Building 



at Hazlet 



Conference Room C 

CHILDBIRTH/MATERNITY 

Childbirth Education Series 

Meridian Health offers classes and 

seminars for first-time and experienced 

parents, as well as tours, classes 

for siblings, and more! Registration 

required. Please register before your 

third trimester. To learn more about 

our fun and informative classes, visit 

MeridianMomtourage.com. 

Strike a Pose: Yoga for Moms 

and Moms-To-Be 

Classes focus on gentle postures, 

breathing techniques, and overall 

relaxation to prepare for childbirth or 

recover after childbirth. Call Meridian 

Life Fitness in Point Pleasant at 

732-295-1778 for fees and to register. 

COUNSELING AND 

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 

Relapse Awareness and 

Management Strategies 

Join us for an education and support 

session for people living with 

schizophrenia, schizoaffective and 

bipolar disorder. 

October 15, 6:00-7:30 p.m. 

Jersey Shore University Medical Center, 

Lance Auditorium 

Addiction and Recovery Services 

For adult family members of addicted 

individuals. Call for information. 

23



or 1-800-560-9990 to 


24 

Children’s Counseling 

Meridian Behavioral Health offers 

a variety of counseling services at 

both our Neptune and Shrewsbury 

locations. We offer age-specific group 

therapy, a therapeutic after-school 

program for children ages 7 to 13, as 

well as traditional individual and family 

therapy. Call 732-869-2784, ext. 2, for 

registration, schedules, and fees. 

DIABETES 

HAVE DIABETES? SEE TAKE 

CONTROL PROGRAM ON PAGE 25. 

Prediabetes 

Prediabetes is a serious medical 

condition that can lead to diabetes 

later in life. Learn lifestyle changes and 

treatment options that can help prevent 

or delay the onset of diabetes. 




Exercise and Diabetes 

Learn the benefits of exercise and how 

living a healthy lifestyle can make a 

positive impact on diabetes. 


Ocean Medical Center, Community Room 

Comprehensive Diabetes 

Management 

Individual or group educational and 

support programs. To register, call Bayshore 

Community Hospital at 732-888-7362, 

Riverview Medical Center and Ocean 

Medical Center at 732-530-2555, Jersey 

Shore University Medical Center 

at 732-897-3980, and Southern Ocean 

Medical Center at 609-978-3400. 

FITNESS 

Self-Defense Exercises 

Learn how to use balance and leverage 

over strength to help defend yourself. 

Fee is $3 per class. 


October 3 and 17, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. 



Restorative Yoga 

Restorative yoga is designed to promote 

curative energies, stress reduction, and a 

positive mind-set while learning gentle 

poses, breathing techniques, and silent 

meditation. 




Improve Your Run 

Learn how the MotionXcellence Sports 

Performance Lab can analyze your gait 

to help improve your run. 


Meridian Life Fitness, Point Pleasant 

NUTRITION 

Achieving Long-Term 

Weight Loss 

Learn how to set goals, make a healthy 

meal plan, and tips to achieve lasting 

weight loss. 




Eating on the Run 

Melanie Rapolla, R.D., will discuss how 

you can eat right and stay healthy while 

juggling a busy schedule. 



at Hazlet 

Nutrition for a Healthy Brain 

Liz Amisson, R.D., will discuss how the 

foods you choose can affect your brain 

health and what nutrients can improve 

memory and brain function. 




Nutrition Counseling 

Consult a registered dietician to 

design a food plan that meets your 

weight-management and medical 

nutrition needs. For more information, 

registration, and fees, call Riverview 

Center at 732-530-2555, Meridian Life 

Fitness at 732-206-8263, or Southern 

Ocean Medical Center at 609-978-3400. 

Weight-Loss and Wellness 

Programs 

Meridian Life Fitness offers a variety of 

weight-loss and wellness programs to 

suit your lifestyle, including the ability 

to meet with a wellness adviser. Call 

732-206-8263 for information, fees, and 

registration. 

ORTHOPEDICS AND 

SPORTS MEDICINE 


Join Joel Fechisin, M.D., as he discusses 

total joint replacement and other 

conservative treatment options. 




Hip Replacement 

Samuel Epstein, D.O., will discuss who is 

a candidate for hip replacement and the 

latest techniques for surgery. 




What Causes Knee Pain? 

Michael Cunningham, M.D., will discuss 

common causes of knee pain, including 

symptoms and treatment options. 



at Hazlet 

Exercise for Managing Pain 

Learn how the right kind of supervised 

exercise can help ease pain in your 

back, knees, hips, or shoulders and bring 

movement back to your life. 



at Hazlet 

Putting Your Best Foot Forward 

Learn how faulty foot mechanics can 

lead to many dysfunctions, not just in 

the foot, but in the knee, hip, and back, 

and find out the best footwear for your 

foot. A foot screening will be provided. 


Meridian Life Fitness, Point Pleasant



or 1-800-560-9990 to 


Suffering from Back Pain? 

Nader Hebela, M.D., will discuss the causes 

of back pain and treatment options. 




SCREENINGS 

Free Blood Pressure Screening 

First and third Wednesday of each 

month, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. 



Balance Screening 

Minimize your risk for falls or episodes 

of dizziness. Call 732-206-8263 to 

register for a free balance screening. 




Meridian Life Fitness, Point Pleasant 

Colon Rectal Screening 

Take-home screening tests will be given 

out at the Colorectal Cancer lecture. 



at Hazlet 

Diabetes Foot Screening 

Call the Wound Center at Southern 

Ocean Medical Center at 609-978-3077. 

First Wednesday of each month 

Noon – 1:00 p.m. 

SENIOR PROGRAMS 

MEDICARE GPS INFORMATION 

SESSION – SEE PAGE 26 FOR DATES 

AND TIMES. 

AARP Driving Safety Program 

Driving program for adults 50 and 

older who want to develop safe 

defensive driving techniques. The fee 

is $12 for AARP members and $14 for 

nonmembers. Make checks payable to 

AARP. Call for dates and times. 

❤ Joyful Heart Tea 

Learn the latest heart-health 

information while enjoying tea and 

heart-healthy delights! Registration is 

required. Call 732-938-4500, ext. 2554. 


Howell Senior Center 

251 Preventorium Road, Howell 

Fall Prevention 

Learn how to improve your balance 

through exercise. 

October 4, noon – 12:30 p.m. 

Meridian Life Fitness 

Point Pleasant Beach 

Genealogy Beyond the Basics 

This class is designed for those who 

have already started a family tree and 

have basic computer skills. 




Take Control of Incontinence 

Urologist Deep Trivedi, M.D., will share 

the latest treatments for bladder 

control and urinary function. 




Forever Fit: Mature Adult Fitness 

Registration is not necessary for this 

60-minute adult fitness program. Fee is 

$3.50 per session. Bring payment to class. 

Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays 

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. 

Stafford Community Center, Manahawkin 

WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY 

Options for Weight-Loss Surgery 

Seth Kipnis, M.D., discusses the benefits 

of weight-loss surgery. 


6:00 – 7:00 p.m. 



Weight-Loss Surgery: The Facts 

Karl Strom, M.D., medical director of the 

Bariatric Center of Excellence at Southern 

Ocean Medical Center and Bayshore 

Community Hospital, and surgeons 

Jonathan Reich, M.D., and Silvia Fresco, M.D., 

will host educational programs on the 

benefits of weight-loss surgery. 

September 10 and 26 

October 17 and 29, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. 


at Hazlet 


7:00 – 8:30 p.m. 

Ramada Inn 

2373 Route 9, Toms River 


7:00 – 8:30 p.m. 





Conference Rooms A and B 


Double Tree Hilton, 700 Hope Road 

Tinton Falls 

September 23, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. 

Ocean County Library – Toms River 

101 Washington Street 

October 3, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. 


GENERAL WELLNESS 

Lyme Disease 

Join Jeanmarie Chudzik, M.D., for an 

overview of Lyme disease, its symptoms, 

treatment options, and complications. 



at Hazlet 

National Safety Defensive 

Driving Class 

Open to anyone who wants to develop 

safe, defensive driving techniques and 

save on your car insurance. Call for fees 

and to register. 




Take Control: Living Well with 

Chronic Conditions 

Six-week program for people living with 

chronic health conditions and their 

caregivers to help manage symptoms 

and daily challenges. 

Starting September 12, 12:30 – 3:00 p.m. 

Ocean County Library, Point Pleasant 

Borough 

Starting September 18, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. 


at Hazlet 

Starting October 23, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. 



25



or 1-800-560-9990 to 


26 

GENERAL WELLNESS 

Palliative Care: What Is It and 

Who Is It For? 

Learn the holistic approach to 

improving quality of life during serious 

illness and find out more about care 

that enhances comfort and improves 

the quality of an individual’s life during 

the last phase of life. 



at Hazlet 

Laser Treatments for Skin 

Conditions 

Robert Schavelson, M.D., will discuss 

laser therapy and how it is used to treat 

a variety of skin conditions. 




Varicose Veins: Causes and 

Treatment Options 

Lawrence Mueller, M.D., will discuss 

varicose veins, their causes, and 

the latest treatment options. Free 

screenings will be provided. 

September 26 

LECTURE: 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. 

SCREENINGS: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. 



October 22 

LECTURE: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. 

SCREENINGS: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. 



Understanding Lupus 

Rheumatologist Nagalakshmi Shetty, M.D., 

will discuss the latest treatment for 

this chronic autoimmune inflammatory 

disease. 




Acid Reflux 

Shaun Altneu, D.O., will discuss the causes 

of heartburn and treatment options. 



at Hazlet 

Caring for the Caregiver 

Are you caring for a loved one? Juggling 

many things can be overwhelming. 

Join William Power, M.D., and Meridian 

At Home in a discussion about 

handling stress, finding resources, and 

understanding aging and memory 

disorders. A light dinner will be served. 

Registration is required. 



Ullman Conference Center 

Are You Prepared for an 

Emergency? 

Learn how to be prepared for different 

kinds of emergencies. 



at Hazlet 

Understanding Your Lab Results 

Farag Mankarios, M.D., will discuss how 

to understand your blood test results. 

Participants are encouraged to bring in 

their latest results. 



at Hazlet 

MERIDIAN PROGRAMS 

AND SERVICES 

Booker Health Sciences Library 

Home Delivery 

Looking to learn more about a medical 

topic, disease, or condition? The library 

sends a packet of reliable information 

to you at no cost. 

Phone: 732-776-4265 

Fax: 732-776-4530 

E-mail: jsumclibrary@meridianhealth.com 

Clinical Trials 

To learn about current clinical trials 

available at Meridian Health, please 

visit us at MeridianHealth.com, 

call 732-776-2953, or e-mail us at 

clinicaltrials@meridianhealth.com. 

CPR Training 

All Meridian hospitals are American 

Heart Association CPR training centers. 

Call for dates, times, locations, and 

classes offered. 

Infectious Disease Clinic 

Located at Jersey Shore University 

Medical Center. Call 732-774-0151 

to schedule a free, confidential 

appointment. 

Support Groups 

Meridian offers support groups for 

bereavement; caregivers; diabetes; 

anorexia and bulimia; breast, lung, 

prostate, thyroid, and other cancers; 

Alzheimer’s disease; stroke; Parkinson’s 

disease; sleep disorders; celiac disease; 

heart disease; weight loss; and more. 

FEATURED SUPPORT GROUP: 

Breast Cancer 

Come together with other breast cancer 

patients and survivors to learn and share 

your breast cancer journey. 


Held the first Thursday of each month 

at 1:30 p.m. Call 732-776-3316. 


Held second Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. 

and fourth Thursday at 6:00 p.m. Call 

732.836.4573. 


Held on first Tuesday of the month at 

7:00 p.m. Call 732-859-8857. 

Family Resource Center 

Held the second Tuesday of each 

month at 7:00 p.m. Call 609-978-3533. 

Medicare GPS Information Sessions 

Whether you’re new to Medicare or just 

interested in your options, join us at an 

upcoming seminar. Call 1-800-846-1583 

to register. 

September 4, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. 

Meridian Geisinger Gold Office 550 

Route 530, Suite 20, Whiting 

September 6, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. 

Meridian Geisinger Gold Office 4900 

Route 33, Suite 200, 2nd Floor, Neptune 

September 12, 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. 


at Hazlet 

September 18 and 27, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. 

Family Resource Center at Ocean Club 

Stafford Township

Keeping an 

Eye on Nutrition 

About 21 million older adults 

worldwide have some of their sight 

stolen by adult macular degeneration 

(AMD). The disease occurs when 

the macula, the part of the retina 

responsible for sharp vision, is 

damaged or its light-sensitive cells 

break down over time. 

Now, a new study of more 

than 2,000 adults older than age 

55 published in the Archives of 

Ophthalmology identifies four key 

nutrients that reduce risk by as much 

as one-third — even for people 

prone to the disease. Start eating 

eye-friendly now to postpone or 

prevent vision problems later in life. 

Eye-Friendly Nutrient 1: Zinc 

The government advises women get 

8 mg and men get 11 mg of zinc each 

day. People in the study who got a 

little more than 11 mg of this mineral 

were at lower risk for AMD than 

those who took in 7.5 mg. To get that 

amount, eat one of the following: 

• About one medium oyster 

• ¾ cup of a breakfast cereal 

fortified with zinc 

• 11 ounces of almonds 

Peter Pumpkin Squares 

Eye-Friendly Nutrient 2: 

Beta-Carotene 

There’s no government 

recommendation for this A vitamin, 

which gives fruits and veggies their 

red, orange, and yellow colors. Study 

participants at the lowest risk for 

AMD got between 5.5 and 6 mg a day. 

That’s the amount in each one of the 

following: 

• A little more than ½ cup of raw 

carrots 

• About ¹⁄³ cup of canned pumpkin 

• ½ cup of cooked kale 


Lutein/Zeaxanthin 

Most Western diets are low in these 

nutrients, which are plentiful in green 

leafy vegetables. Get your 3.25 mg, 

the average daily amount that cut 

risk in the study, by eating just one of 

these options: 

• 1 cup of raw spinach 

• 1 ½ cups of canned peas 

• 2 cups of cooked broccoli 


Omega-3 Fatty Acids 

These polyunsaturated fatty acids may 

help your heart as well as your eyes. Find 

them in fatty fish and vegetable oils. 

Study participants at lowest risk for AMD 

consumed about 3 g of omega-3 fatty acids, 

the amount in each one of these options: 

• 6 to 9 ounces of salmon 

• 1 ¼ ounces of walnuts 

• Fish oil or flaxseed oil supplements 

Eyes on the Prize 

Healthy Highlights 

Millions of Americans are 

affected by age-related 

macular degeneration (AMD), 

a disease that damages the eye’s central 

vision. How much do you know about 

macular degeneration? Take our quiz at 

WellnessCenter.MeridianHealth.com 

to find out! 

1 can (16 oz.) pumpkin 

1½ cups brown sugar 

4 eggs 

¾ cup cooking oil 

1½ cups all-purpose flour 

1½ cups rolled oats 

1 tbsp. ground cinnamon 

2 tsp. baking powder 

1 tsp. baking soda 

Cooking spray 

ONE SERVING CONTAINS 

APPROXIMATELY: 

Calories . . . . . . . . 180 

Fat . . . . . . . . . . . 8 g 

Saturated fat . . . . . 1 g 

Calories from fat . . 40% 

Cholesterol . . . . 35 mg 

Sodium . . . . . 110 mg 

Carbohydrates . . 25 g 

Fiber . . . . . . . . . . 2 g 

Protein . . . . . . . . . 3 g 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, stir together 

the pumpkin, brown sugar, eggs, and oil. Mix well. In a large 

bowl, mix the flour, oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and 

baking soda. Add the pumpkin mix to the flour mix. Stir well. 

Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Pour 

the batter into the greased baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes. 

Let cool, then cut into 24 squares. Serves 24. 

Clip and 

share this 

recipe with 

a friend! 


27


Your Medicare 

Coverage 

from A-Z 


28 

While you may have learned your 

ABCs before kindergarten, when 

you or a family member approaches 

retirement age, there’s a whole new 

alphabet to learn. 

It starts with Medicare Parts 

A through D. Learning the letters 

is worth your time because 

understanding how Medicare can help 

you get the most out of your health 

care coverage can help keep you 

healthy for years to come. 

Medicare Basics 

Medicare is a federal health insurance 

program for people ages 65 and 

older, some younger people with 

disabilities, and people of all ages 

with kidney failure. 

Medicare is divided into four parts. 

Together, Parts A and B make up 

Original Medicare. Under A and B, the 

government pays your doctor and other 

health care providers directly. Original 

Medicare helps to pay for costs 

incurred to treat health conditions 

and preventive services. 

Part A is hospital insurance. In most 

cases, you’ll automatically receive 

Part A when you turn 65. Usually, you 

pay no premium. In general, Part A 

pays for inpatient services you use 

when you’re sick, such as hospital 

stays, hospice, and health care aides 

who come to your home. 

Part B helps pay for doctor’s 

appointments and other outpatient 

care. You become eligible for Part 

B the month of your 65th birthday. 

You can be automatically enrolled 

and your premium may vary based 

on your income. Part B covers two 

types of services: preventive care 

and outpatient care, including regular 

visits to your doctor, lab tests, 

and supplies such as wheelchairs 

and walkers. Part B doesn’t cover 

eyeglasses or hearing aids, however. 

“Taking advantage of preventive 

care can protect you from major 

illness or injury,” Steven Koerner, 

D.O., of Southern Ocean Medical 

Center. “Small things, like getting 

regular screenings and maintaining 

a healthy lifestyle, can go a long 

way toward ensuring good health.” 

Private Coverage 

Medigap plans are available from 

private Medicare insurers. These 

plans also are called supplement 

plans because you enroll in them 

alongside Original Medicare to help 

pay for your out-of-pocket costs. For 

instance, some Medicare supplement 

plans also cover the deductibles, 

copayments, and coinsurance that go 

with Medicare Part B. 

Medicare Part C plans or Medicare 

Advantage (MA) plans are also available 

through private insurance companies. 

They are separate plans that pay for 

everything Original Medicare does. 

They may also cover things like foot 

care, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and 

dental and eye care. You pay an 

additional premium for MA plans. But 

they are worth considering since total 

costs for premiums, copayments, and 

deductibles are often lower than total 

costs in Original Medicare. And they 

provide valuable coverage. 

Proper eye care, for example, can help 

you avoid diseases such as glaucoma, 

diabetic eye disease, and age-related 

macular degeneration that can rob you 

of your sight. Regular ophthalmologist 

visits are an important part of catching 

these conditions early when they 

are most treatable. “Most adults 

older than 50 should have an eye 

exam every year or as often as their 

ophthalmologist recommends,” says 

Lawrence Frieman, M.D., of Riverview 

Medical Center. 

Some MA plans also include a 

prescription drug benefit. If yours 

doesn’t, or if you’re enrolled in 

Original Medicare, you can also 

enroll in a separate prescription drug 

plan under Medicare Part D. For an 

additional monthly premium, these 

plans pay for a percentage of the cost 

of your prescriptions. This can help 

reduce your total medication costs. 

You can find a list of approved 

options for all these types of plans at 

Medicare.gov.


New Laws, Changing Benefits 

In March 2010, the Affordable Care 

Act was signed into law. For Medicare 

patients, the law means you’ll 

receive some preventive services at 

no cost. You won’t be charged for 

mammograms, colonoscopies, and 

some other tests and screenings, for 

example. And you can go to your 

doctor for a free, yearly wellness visit. 

“An annual wellness visit provides 

patients with a personalized health 

checklist to take with them,” says 

John Schmidt, M.D., staff internist 

of Jersey Shore University Medical 

Center. “As part of that, your doctor 

will perform a health risk assessment, 

which helps anticipate and prevent 

future health problems, based on 

your family and personal history.” 

If you have prescription drug 

coverage, there’s more good news. 

Under the current Medicare laws, 

after you’ve spent a certain amount 

of money on medications, there may 

be a temporary limit on how much 

your drug plan will cover. This is called 

the coverage gap, or “doughnut hole,” 

and by 2020, Centers for Medicare 

and Medicaid Services will phase out 

the doughnut hole. 

If you are dealing with the 

challenge of a coverage gap, “don’t 

skip doses or split pills to save money. 

If you can’t afford a medicine, talk 

with your doctor or pharmacist about 

less costly options or assistance 

programs,” Jennifer Reimer, D.O., at 

Ocean Medical Center. 

The law also makes some changes 

in how MA plans work. Each plan will 

be rated based on the quality of care 

it provides. Plans with higher ratings 

will receive financial bonuses from 

the government, part of which may 

be used to cover more services for you. 

During your plan’s open 

enrollment period, you’ll receive a 

notice about changes in your plan 

as a result of the ACA. As always, 

you have the choice to re-enroll in 

your plan, change plans, or return to 

Original Medicare. 

Go for the Gold 

Steven Koerner, D.O. 


Gastroenterology and Internal 

Medicine 

Manahawkin • 609-597-6513 

John A. Schmidt, M.D. 

Board certified in Internal 

Medicine 

Belmar • 732-282-8166 

Lawrence Frieman, M.D. 


Ophthalmology 

Red Bank • 732-741-4242 

Jennifer M. Reimer, D.O. 

Point Pleasant • 732-295-0072 

Meridian Health is proud to introduce Geisinger Gold, a 

nationally recognized Medicare Advantage product, to 

seniors in Monmouth and Ocean counties. With more than 

700 Meridian physicians in the Geisinger Health Plan Network, learn 

why Geisinger Gold is one of the top ranked plans in the nation* at 

MeridianGeisingerGold.com. 

*NCQA’s Medicare Health Insurance Plan Ratings 2012-2013 


29

My Health Views On … 

Lauren Peters is the fitness coordinator for Meridian Life Fitness in Point Pleasant. She’s also a 

nationally certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor. Every day, Lauren helps people 

take steps to reach their health and fitness goals. Here’s some of her advice. 

… the benefits of group fitness. 

Before I began teaching group fitness classes, they were part of my 

personal fitness routine. Not only can they provide strength training, 

cardio, stretching, and balance work for a complete workout, the 

group setting provides built-in motivation and support. 

… overcoming fear. 

Some people are intimidated to walk into a group fitness class for the 

first time. But once they overcome their fear, they usually fall in love 

with it. As an instructor, we expect participants to have different 

fi tness levels and abilities and can address individual needs. 

Although each person is different, everyone in the class shares 

a common goal — to get a good workout and feel better. 

Lauren Peters has 

experience working 

with people with varied 

health backgrounds. She 

encourages people to feel 

better and speed up their 

recovery through exercise. 

… exercising with health conditions. 

I work with people with varied health 

backgrounds. Some may be recovering from a 

heart attack or hip replacement surgery. Others 

are affected by aching joints. Regardless 

of your health conditions, don’t let them 

keep you from moving. Exercise is one of 

the best ways to feel good and speed 

recovery. To fi nd an exercise that is 

safe and comfortable for you, talk 

with your doctor and a fi tness 

professional. 


30 

Let Us Help You Achieve Your Fitness Goals 

Meridian fitness & Wellness is the region’s most 

comprehensive fi tness and wellness center. In 

addition to our Hazlet and Ocean Club locations, 

we are opening a new fi tness center in Jackson in late 2013! 

To learn about our centers’ features and amenities, go to 

MeridianFitnessAndWellness.com.

G I R L S’ N I G H T O U T 

Thursday 

October 10, 2013 

4:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. 


Enjoy a well-deserved night out 

with your best friend or mom! 

Head to Girls’ Night Out with your gal pals for our FREE annual women’s wellness 

celebration. Interactive panel discussions will address the hottest health topics. 

Chat with physicians and nurses to understand your health screening numbers. 

Plus, dance demonstrations, vendor shopping, massages, and pampering make 

Girls’ Night Out a great way to discover a healthy, happy you! 

Registration requested. Call 1-800-DOCTORS ® for more 

information, go to www.OceanMedicalCenter.com/GirlsNightOut 


New Jersey

Non-Profit Org. 

U.S. Postage 

PAID 

Meridian 

Health 

425 Jack Martin Blvd. 

Brick, NJ 08724 

DEAN Q. LIN, MHA, MBA, FACHE 

President 

Eileen Fuorry is back 

to health after her 

double knee replacement 

READ HER STORY ON PAGE 18. 

OceanMedicalCenter.com 

Message from Dean Lin 

PRESIDENT OF OCEAN MEDICAL CENTER 

1945 Route 33 

Neptune, NJ 07753 

STEVEN G. LITTLESON, FACHE 

President 

1945 Route 33 

Neptune, NJ 07753 

STEVEN G. LITTLESON, FACHE 

President 

1140 Route 72 West 

Manahawkin, NJ 08050 

JOE COYLE 

President 

One Riverview Plaza 

Red Bank, NJ 07701 

TIMOTHY J. HOGAN, FACHE 

Regional President 

727 North Beers Street 

Holmdel, NJ 07733 

TIMOTHY J. HOGAN, FACHE 

Regional President 

It’s hard to believe that we are approaching the one-year 

anniversary of Superstorm Sandy. The fortitude of our 

community has been palpable since day one, and progress 

toward restoration continues at a steady pace. At Ocean 

Medical Center, we, too, wouldn’t be held back by Mother 

Nature. In fact, the storm reinforced the importance of 

our mission to provide comprehensive emergency, health, 

and wellness services for our local community. 

When an emergency arises, you can be confident 

that exceptional clinicians will care for you in the Emergency Department at Ocean 

Medical Center in Brick and Ocean Care Center in Point Pleasant. Our short wait times 

get you treated and home in an efficient manner. We even publish the wait times on 

OceanCareCenter.com so you have an idea what to expect when you arrive. In addition, 

we’re taking emergency services to a new level with our $82 million expansion project. 

People are excited to see the new structure coming to life and can anticipate the grand 

opening in early 2014. You can check out a time-lapse video of the project on our Web 

site, OceanMedicalCenter.com. 

We’ve also continued to grow our Total Joint Replacement Program, which earned 

national accreditation from The Joint Commission. This is a distinction held by only 5 

percent of hospitals across the country and verifies that our program for hip and knee 

replacement rivals the best, including programs in New York City and Philadelphia. 

With more than 30 highly trained orthopedic surgeons, our community has convenient 

access to experts who specialize in hip, knee, foot, ankle, shoulder, hand, and spine 

procedures. You can hear directly from patients and doctors, make an appointment, 

or get information at our Web site that is dedicated to getting you moving again: 

MeridianHealth.com/Movement. 

Whether you are faced with an unexpected emergency or have been giving 

thoughtful consideration to something like joint replacement, you can be confident in 

the quality care and results you’ll receive at Ocean Medical Center. Our commitment 

is stronger than ever, and we will continue to be a trusted resource for you and your 

loved ones. 

Printed on Recyclable Paper 

6116B

Download the September/October 2013 Issue - Ocean Medical Center

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?