International IT Leader, ZT Systems, Donates to COVID-19 Relief Efforts at Englewood Hospital

Posted on by John Williams

$500,000 gift will help provide access to resources and supplies for the front lines

May 11, 2020 — The Englewood Health Foundation has received a $500,000 donation from ZT Systems for its Power to Prepare Fund. Established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fund will help Englewood Health provide continuity of high-quality care for patients, obtain necessary supplies and equipment to aid in screening and treatment, and deliver much-needed support for caregivers on the front lines.

“This unprecedented pandemic reminds us that together, we are stronger. Our community’s resilient spirit resulted in an immediate philanthropic commitment to the Power to Prepare Fund,” said Michael Gutter, chairman of the board of trustees of the Englewood Health Foundation. “Thanks to the generosity of Frank Zhang and ZT Systems, our clinical care team can continue to deliver immediate life-saving care to many in our region.”

An international leader in the IT sector and headquartered in Secaucus, NJ, ZT Systems designs, builds and services computer hardware that is central to hyperscale data centers. Hyperscale data centers make possible the cloud computing services that underpin many aspects of critical infrastructure and enable people to work, learn and keep in touch remotely during the recent pandemic.

“There are no words that can express our gratitude to Englewood Hospital and their doctors, nurses and other front line workers for their exceptional work and sacrifices battling the COVID-19 pandemic.  We value our relationship with Englewood Health enormously and want to show our continued support to the Englewood Health Foundation,” said Frank Zhang, CEO of ZT Systems.

ZT Systems is a long-time supporter of the Englewood Health Foundation, and with over 1,300 employees across New Jersey and New York, this most recent donation is about giving back to those taking care of their own in one of the communities hardest hit by the­­­­ COVID-19 pandemic.

“The arrival of COVID-19 changed much across our shared landscape. What remains unchanged is Englewood Health’s commitment to caring for its patients and families,” said Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health. “We are grateful to Frank Zhang. He leads by example and this most recent gift from ZT Systems showcases their commitment to neighbors helping neighbors.”

To date, more than $2.8 million in philanthropic gifts has been raised for Englewood Health Foundation’s Power to Prepare Fund thanks to the generosity of the local community.

To learn more about the Englewood Health Foundation and how philanthropy creates impact on patient care, visit englewoodhealthfoundation.org.

Englewood Hospital Nationally Recognized with ‘A’ in Spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade 

Posted on by Lauren Weaver

National Recognition Distinguishes Hospital for Achievements in Patient Safety

April 30, 2020 — Today, Englewood Hospital was awarded an ‘A’ in the Spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing the hospital’s achievements in providing safe health care. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety.

“As a team, we are committed to taking a safe and individualized approach to caring for all inpatients, and optimizing transitions of care after discharge,” said Jamie Ketas, vice president of quality at Englewood Health. “Earning an ‘A’ from the Leapfrog Group speaks to the dedication of our entire staff to ensuring our patients have the best possible outcomes.”

The Safety Grade is a letter grade assigned to all general hospitals across the country, updated every six months, assessing how well each hospital prevents medical errors and other harms to patients.

“Receiving an ‘A’ grade reflects the dedication of the Englewood Health team to put patient safety first,” says Kathleen Kaminsky, MS, RN, NE-BC, senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Englewood Health. “As we hold ourselves to the highest standards of both quality and safety, our goal now, more than ever, is to provide an exceptional experience. This is made possible through the commitment of our providers, nurses, and the entire healthcare team.”

Developed under the guidance of a national Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year.

“As the Nation copes with a challenging pandemic, our gratitude extends to hospital leadership and health care workers everywhere for their tremendous dedication,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We hope this ‘A’ helps to thank the people who work and volunteer for Englewood Hospital. They are role models in putting patients first, and their service has been extraordinary in our country’s time of need.”

The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are available to the public. To see Englewood Hospital’s full grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook.

Community Leader, Richard Lerner, Appointed Board Chairman at Englewood Health

Posted on by John Williams

April 29, 2020 — Englewood Health has appointed Richard Lerner of Alpine, New Jersey, its chairman of both its system and hospital boards. Lerner, a partner of Housing & Healthcare Finance, LLC (HHC Finance), has been a member of the system board since 2016 and the hospital board since 2014 and has served as chair of the professional affairs committee, overseeing and guiding quality and patient safety efforts.

“Rich is singularly equipped to lead us during this unprecedented and challenging time, and I am thrilled to welcome him as our new chairman,” said Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health, the system comprising Englewood Hospital, the Englewood Health Physician Network, and the Englewood Health Foundation. “Since 2014, we have greatly benefited from Rich’s deep understanding of data measurement and quality, as well as his personal commitment to the health and well-being of community members. Amid the current pandemic and with an eye toward our future growth and strategy, Rich will be a stellar board chairman, resource, and guide for us. Thanks to his leadership and support of all our trustees, we are well-positioned to emerge from the current challenge stronger than ever.”

“As board chairman, one of my primary goals will be to foster relations among our health care professionals, communities, business leaders, and state and federal leaders to work hand-in-hand with us to ensure we have the resources to continue offering access to safe, high-quality healthcare for residents of Bergen County and beyond,” said Lerner. “Health care takes place, now more than ever, outside the walls of the hospital, and I am especially proud of how Englewood Health has prioritized not just treating illnesses but keeping our community healthy.”

As a partner at HCC Finance, one of the country’s largest financers of healthcare and senior housing real estate, Lerner is regularly consulted by senior members at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and, through its Office of Healthcare Programs, advises on loans for hospitals and senior housing facilities. Previously, as managing director at Credit Suisse, Lerner was responsible for the company’s healthcare and affordable multifamily housing loans. He was appointed to the Englewood Hospital board in 2014. He serves on various other community boards, is the vice president of the Bollinger Foundation and is active with the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation. Lerner graduated from Dartmouth College with degrees in economics and English. He resides in Alpine with his wife, Amy, and two children.

In addition to Lerner, Englewood Health has recently appointed local community members and business leaders Michael Gutter and Ari Naim to its hospital board of trustees.

Michael Gutter, who is also chairman of the Englewood Health Foundation board of trustees, is the founder of Arista Funding, which specializes in both equipment leasing and merchant processing for small to mid-size businesses. Gutter is a member of the Hebrew Free Loan Society Micro Enterprise Committee, where he helps make interest-free loans to small businesses in New York, and is a board member and co-chair of the Finance Committee at Alpine Country Club. Inspired by the care his daughter received at Englewood Health, Michael is driven to ensure the health system remains a leader in the region.

Ari Naim, PhD, is president and CEO and co-founder of Cen-Trak. Based in Pennsylvania, Cen-Trak is dedicated to transforming patient care by bringing high-quality, reliable, and affordable real-time location technology to healthcare. Naim holds advanced degrees in electrical and computer engineering from Drexel University. An expert in all aspects of complex electronic product design, Naim has helped design, develop and launch over 30 successful consumer electronic products and has authored numerous patents. He lives in Tenafly, New Jersey, with his wife, Beth.

Three New Trustees Appointed in 2019

In October 2019, Richard Han, Clarice May Jacobson and Laurence Shadek were appointed to the Englewood Hospital board.

Richard Han is the founding partner of Crane Partners, a private investment fund—founded in 2006—specializing in principal investments and volatility trading. He was previously a portfolio manager at Vicis Capital, a $5 billion New-York-based investment fund, and head of corporate equity derivatives at Goldman Sachs, where he advised Fortune 500 companies evaluate investment portfolios and strategic assets. Richard holds a master’s degree in financial statistics from Columbia University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts, with honors, in Economics from the University of Chicago, where he is a member of the College Advisory Council. He became a CPA in 1994.

Clarice May Jacobson graduated from Lehigh University with a Bachelor of Science in finance and began her professional career at Shearson American Express as a trader on the S&P Futures desk. In 2002, she was appointed managing director at Salomon Smith Barney and became the firm’s top-ranked salesperson. Moving to Citigroup’s Institutional Equity Sales desk, Clarice covered many of the world’s largest multi-strategy hedge funds. After 30 years on Wall Street, she retired in 2011. Clarice has served on the board of managers for the Community Chest of Englewood. Continuing her parents’ legacy of support for Englewood Health, Clarice is proud to witness its transformation.

Laurence Shadek is a managing member at Wellington Shields, an independent investment firm he joined in 1985 as a managing director. He is former chairman of the Pax World Management Company, a co-adviser to the Pax World funds. Laurence earned his Bachelor of Arts at Franklin & Marshall College and his Master of Business Administration at NYU Stern School of Business. He serves as a council member of the City of Alpine, NJ and was a member of the Alpine NJ Board of Education for nine years. Through a leadership gift to the Englewood Health Foundation in 2018, Laurence and his wife founded the Gregory P. Shadek Behavioral Health Center in memory of their son.

COVID-19 and Emotional Wellness

Posted on by John Williams

During stressful times, it is especially important to take care of your emotional well-being. At Englewood Health, we are continually evolving how we meet the mental health needs of our community. In addition to providing outpatient mental health services and inpatient psychiatric care, our behavioral health team is committed to community outreach, with an emphasis on prevention, early intervention, and self-care to foster emotional wellness for both children and adults.

Here are some helpful resources:

Prevention

How to Support Your Child During this Pandemic – Tips for Parents

As you know, children comprehend information differently at different ages. Support your child in a manner that is appropriate for their individual developmental stage.

  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of your child’s stress.
  • Gather facts to answer your child’s questions accurately.
  • Listen to your child and talk with them in a calm, reassuring tone.
  • Encourage your child to ask questions, and answer their questions honestly, at an age-appropriate level.
  • Limit the amount of TV, radio, and online news – too much COVID-19 coverage can lead to anxiety.
  • Teach your child things they can do to reduce the spread of the virus.
    • Frequent and proper handwashing
    • Sneezing into a tissue or elbow and throwing the tissue into the garbage
    • Keeping sufficient distance from people who are sick or who are sneezing or coughing
  • Create structure and routines to maintain a sense of normalcy.

Early Intervention

Emotional Well-Being Programs Available for the Community

The Gregory P. Shadek Behavioral Care Center leads ongoing educational programs to support the emotional well-being of youth and adults throughout our community. The center is actively engaging at-risk populations, to mitigate the psychological impact of the pandemic.

Events and topics include:

  • “How to Manage Anxiety During this Crisis,” an online presentation in collaboration with the Englewood Public Library (available on the library’s Facebook page)
  • “Emotional Stress in Caring for Children During this Time,” presented online for the Women’s Rights Information Center in Englewood
  • “When Your World Feels Upside Down,” a webinar presented for Dwight Morrow High School students in partnership with Metro Community Center in Englewood
  • “Express Yourself,” a four-session, weekly art therapy series on Instagram, focused on key emotional wellness themes, for students ages 7–12 and 13–18, presented with Englewood Health’s Graf Center for Integrative Medicine

Self-Care

Your Own Emotional Wellness – Tips for Taking Action Now

It is important that we be aware of our own stressors and recognize our limits. If we are emotionally healthy, we are better able to support our children, our parents, and the elderly and other vulnerable people in our community. Self-care is essential; use this opportunity to take care of and protect yourself.

Here are some basic self-care tips:

  1. Eat healthy.
  2. Get a good night’s sleep.
  3. Move your body (walk, yoga, dance).
  4. Try a wellness app (meditation, mindfulness).
  5. Be in the NOW (when your mind wanders and fear sets in, return to the present).
  6. Practice positive self-talk. Remind yourself that this will not go on forever. Tell yourself, “You will adjust, you will heal.”
  7. Embrace positive distractions—binge-watch a show, listen to music, flip through a magazine.
  8. Avoid becoming a media junkie. Overconsuming COVID-19 coverage fuels anxiety. Turn it off!
  9. Connect with others through technology. Call, text, or use a video chat platform like FaceTime.
  10. Take breaks throughout the day.

When you are feeling anxious, focus on the present. Ask yourself, “What do I need to do today?” Enjoy the things we are still able to do—go for a walk, read a book, cook, spend time with your family.

Englewood Health’s psychiatrists and licensed clinical social workers now offer telehealth psychotherapy, as well as bereavement therapy, for those who have lost a loved one to COVID-19. If you are experiencing chronic anxiety, having difficulty controlling worry, or feeling depressed, talk with your doctor. You may benefit from short- or longer-term therapy.

We may all be living in this unfamiliar situation for an extended period of time. I encourage everyone to be aware of their emotional health and to prioritize self-care.

First Responders Sound Off for Englewood Health

Posted on by John Williams
First Responders Sound Off for Englewood Health
Video: First Responders Sound Off for Englewood Health

On the night of April 23, staff at Englewood Health received an outpouring of gratitude from emergency responders waving and cheering as their sirens blared. Over a dozen Bergen County communities led a parade around the hospital campus with fire, police, and emergency service vehicles. Hundreds of healthcare heroes, along with the mayor of the City of Englewood, Michael Wildes, Esq., watched the parade and held signs to thank the first responders.

Celebrating Our 500th Patient Discharge

Posted on by John Williams
Celebrating Our 500th Patient Discharge
Video: Celebrating Our 500th Patient Discharge

April 17, 2020 — Today, hundreds of Englewood Health staff gathered at the hospital, lining the hallways to clap out the 500th COVID-19 patient to be discharged from the hospital. The patient, a 38-year-old man from Bergen County, was admitted early in the week. Broadway musician and trumpeter Domenic Derasse joined nurses, doctors, and support staff outside the hospital entrance to mark the milestone moment with a rendition of “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong.

$10 Million Gift to Transform Nursing at Englewood Health

Posted on by John Williams

The Kaplen Foundation and its President, Maggie Kaplen, Make Health System’s Largest Gift in History

April 3, 2020 — The Englewood Health Foundation has received a transformational philanthropic donation from The Kaplen Foundation and its president, Maggie Kaplen. The $10 million gift is the largest in the health system’s history and will establish The Kaplen Institute for Nursing Excellence at Englewood Health.

“Conversations with Maggie about this incredible opportunity began last year,” said Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health. “And now more than ever, we are reminded of how valuable access to high-quality care can be for a community. Maggie and The Kaplen Foundation will not only help us to secure, but also reimagine, the future of nursing for our health system.”

A philanthropist, advocate and mentor, Mrs. Kaplen is renowned for her commitment to improving access and advancing healthcare and has had a singular impact on Englewood Health and the many patients that it serves. Her generosity will enable the health system to advance its pledge to invest, develop and nurture current and future nursing professionals. 

“The nursing profession is facing unprecedented challenges as we enter a new decade,” said Kathleen Kaminsky, senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Englewood Health. “This extraordinary gift is especially noteworthy because it will provide access to professional development resources for our existing nursing professionals and create a pipeline for new nurses to establish careers at Englewood Health.”

Mrs. Kaplen is herself a retired nurse, and this philanthropic investment underscores her formative nursing experience of many years. “I was a student at Dwight School for Girls when I first began my relationship with the hospital as a volunteer. Then, it was just an old building. Today, it is a comprehensive health system,” said Mrs. Kaplen. “I know the importance of access in healthcare and to have the reassurance that patients and families in our community do not have to go far from home for world-class care is paramount. It is incredibly rewarding to be part of what Englewood Health delivers to our greater community.”

The Kaplen Foundation’s longstanding relationship with Englewood Health includes multiple leadership-level gifts that helped to establish the Emergency Care Center, The Kaplen Pavilion and The Wilson Kaplen Infusion Center. “Gifts like this come from a place of vision and trust,” said Michael Gutter, chairman of the board of the Englewood Health Foundation. “It is a momentous day in our health system’s 130+ year history and Maggie’s spirit of generosity will no doubt galvanize support from others who believe in the future of Englewood Health and our strategic priorities.”

Englewood Health is proud to be among the seven percent of hospitals in the nation that have been recognized by the Magnet Recognition Program® from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. This distinction has been earned four consecutive times by the nursing team for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice.

To learn more about the Englewood Health Foundation and how philanthropy creates impact on patient care, visit englewoodhealthfoundation.org.

Urgent Care Now Available Through Englewood Health

Posted on by John Williams

Cresskill Center Offers Extended Weekday and Weekend Hours

April 1, 2020 — Englewood Health now offers urgent care. Located in Cresskill, Englewood Health Urgent Care provides adult and pediatric urgent and non-urgent medical care seven days a week, with extended weekday and weekend hours available. Patients with minor injuries and illnesses can conveniently access diagnostic services and treatment, as well as referrals to other specialists within the Englewood Health Physician Network, on a walk-in basis with no appointment needed.

At Englewood Health Urgent Care, health care providers are available to assist with illnesses and injuries; pre-employment, camp and school physicals; lab tests; X-rays; vaccinations; and other urgent and routine care. The center, located at 46 Union Avenue in Cresskill, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Englewood Health accepts most insurance plans. For more information on Englewood Health Urgent Care or to book an appointment, call 201-205-2172.

“The addition of Englewood Health Urgent Care is one more way we are meeting the needs of our community,” says Stephen Brunnquell, MD, president of the Englewood Health Physician Network. “We are providing convenience and improved care for Bergen County patients with non-emergency medical needs. Urgent care through Englewood Health also means better coordinated care with other providers in the Englewood Health Physician Network, who are all connected on a single electronic health record system.”

Englewood Health Urgent Care is led by two board-certified emergency medicine physicians, Ajay Jetley, MD, and Aaditya Desai, DO, who recently joined the Englewood Health Physician Network. Dr. Jetley has been treating patients in Englewood Hospital’s Emergency Department since 2013.

Dr. Brunnquell adds, “In establishing Englewood Health Urgent Care, we welcome these two outstanding emergency medicine specialists to the Englewood Health Physician Network. Together with their team, they will provide much-needed urgent care locally in our community.”

Englewood Health Urgent Care Physicians

Ajay Jetley, MD

Dr. Jetley is board certified in emergency medicine. His primary clinical interests are urgent care and emergency medicine. Dr. Jetley received his MD from the Northeast Ohio Universities College of Medicine and did an emergency medicine residency at the University of Toledo Medical Center, in Toledo, Ohio.

Aaditya Desai, DO

Dr. Desai is board certified in emergency medicine and board eligible in family medicine. His primary clinical interests are urgent care and emergency medicine. He received his DO from Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and did a combined emergency medicine and family medicine residency at St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields, Illinois, where he was chief resident. Dr. Desai is a member of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin.

Mental Health Tips and Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Posted on by John Williams

As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to spread throughout our community, we have all been impacted. On a practical level, the closures of schools, gyms, and restaurants have upended our lives and have forced most to practice social distancing or even quarantine in their homes.  

For many of us, the impact of the pandemic is akin to a prolonged traumatic experience and can take a toll on our emotional wellness. Our usual approach to life and the rules we follow are no longer in place. The normal lifestyle and function of a routine in a relatively safe and stable world now feel compromised. When our normal way of life is overturned, and our sense of safety and security is disrupted, what can you do? 

Maintaining Physical Wellbeing

There is a close relationship between our mental and physical health—when one area of our health suffers, so does the other. When experiencing a traumatic situation, here are some of the best tools to combat the experience:

  • Get enough sleep: Sleep is often one of the first self-care actions to go when one is under stress, but it is essential in order to keep the mind sharp and one’s emotions level. 
  • Exercise: Exercise has an immediate positive impact on one’s mood and can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Taking 15 minutes to go for a walk, to stretch and to move one’s body is a very quick way to achieve the benefits of self-care. 
  • Eat well: During times of stress and anxiety it is easy to fall into negative food habits but in order to protect ourselves and reap the benefits of the food-mood connection it is important to eat regularly and with balanced meals. This protects us both emotionally and physically. 

Other Self-Care Actions to Take

Self-care is essential. It requires thought and commitment. Make a plan to take care of and protect yourself by getting back to some of the fundamentals tied to wellness.   

In addition to getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating well, here are some other self-care tips to practice:

  1. Try a wellness app (meditation, mindfulness). 
  2. Be in the NOW. (when our minds wander and fear sets in, return to the present). 
  3. Practice positive self-talk. “This is temporary.” Acknowledge that while we are in limbo, it will not go on forever. “You will adjust, you will heal, and we will recover.”  
  4. Embrace positive distractions: binge a TV show, listen to music, flip through a magazine. 
  5. Don’t become a media junkie. It fuels the anxiety with no benefit. Turn it off! 
  6. Connect with others through technology. Call, text, use FaceTime! 
  7. Take breaks throughout the day. 

Additional Resources 

Updated June 9, 2020