Second Opinion Podcast: Managing Feelings

Posted on by John Williams
Second Opinion Podcast

A discussion with Dr. Stephen Brunnquell and Dr. Tracy Scheller.

Stress is one of life’s toughest challenges. Let’s face it. It’s downright unhealthy. But medical experts at Englewood Health offer some simple techniques that have been scientifically proven to reduce stress. And anyone can do them. You don’t have a download an app or take a course. 

Just listen to this podcast to learn simple techniques and breathing exercises that will make a huge difference.

Listen Now

Published on June 15, 2020

Second Opinion Podcast: Coping Strategies

Posted on by John Williams
Second Opinion Podcast

A discussion with Dr. Stephen Brunnquell and Dr. Tracy Scheller.

The stress brought on by COVID-19 can be overwhelming. But there are things we can do to better cope and help those we love. Englewood Health’s leading experts offer some simple strategies that can deliver powerful stress-relieving results.

Listen Now

Published on June 15, 2020

Mental Health Awareness: Older People

Posted on by Lauren Weaver

The past few months have been especially hard on older people. They are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, and at high risk for serious complications, and loneliness, anxiety, and depression (all concerns before the pandemic) can be exacerbated by constraints on their normal routine, such as sheltering in place and social distancing. “We must all find ways to do more to counterbalance the effects of this pandemic on the mental health of older people throughout our community,” says Toni Shy, LCSW, an Englewood Health social worker who practices at Englewood Health Physician Network—Cliffside Park and Harvey R. Gross, MD, PC. “As family members and friends, it is important that we advocate for our loved ones, whether they are in the hospital, home alone, living communally, or in an unsafe or otherwise challenging living situation. And the elderly must also advocate for themselves.”

She adds, “Especially now, as we move forward to the next phase, it is incumbent on each of us to be our brother’s and sister’s keeper. We can all contribute to safeguarding the welfare of those who cannot look after their own welfare.”

Practical Ways to Support the Mental Health of the Older Person:

  • Caretaker seniors: Check in and find out what’s happening with them. Many elderly adults are taking care of a spouse. Their whole life may be wrapped around that person, as well as their caretaking role. What happens if the spouse dies? Recognize how difficult that situation may be for them. The person may be masking their true feelings.
  • Retired people: Be supportive and understanding. Many older people who were still working suddenly find themselves retired. With such a major change in their life’s structure, be watchful. Ask: How are you spending your time? Are you sad? Do you miss work?
  • Grandparents: Be on the lookout for signs of depression. Grandparents may be living with their families and being together constantly can be stressful. If they are living apart, they may be unable to see their grandchildren. While phone calls and video chats are good, they’re not the same as being hugged, kissed, or smiled at in person. If a grandparent who was the daycare provider or go-to babysitter suddenly isn’t, their meaning in life may be reduced or changed.
  • Senior centers: Find ways to combat loneliness and lack of activity. Senior centers provide socialization, a hot meal, exercise programs, and recreation. For many, those seen daily at these centers are like family. With the centers closed, older people at home are missing many enjoyed activities, which are not replaced by watching TV.
  • Healthcare decisions: Take this opportunity to talk about healthcare choices.  Many of us hesitate to talk about things we are afraid will make another person uncomfortable (or make us uncomfortable). Yet often the other person is thinking about the same things. Talking about difficult issues and developing a plan can help to lower your anxiety around them. In most cases, it is better to have thought through major healthcare decisions in advance, to be prepared, and to have a plan. It’s important for both the older person and their adult children. 

Posted June 18, 2020

Mental Health Awareness: Coping with Loneliness

Posted on by Lauren Weaver

As human beings, we need social connection and a feeling of belonging. The absence of such connections can make us feel lonely, a normal response that can negatively impact our mental health. New realities and lifestyle changes can be challenging for all of us. When our connections with other people are on hold, it is important to find ways to overcome the loneliness.

Here are some suggestions:

  1. Set up a meeting time. Schedule a time every day to chat with friends and family. Check in with each other. Talk about your experiences and observations.
  2. Share activities. FaceTime or Zoom.Cook or bake with others. Exercise together. Participating in a group activity, even with just one other person, gives us a sense of community.
  3. Visit a new place online. Take a virtual tour of a national park, botanical garden, or World Heritage site. It can enhance hopefulness and connect you to something you would like to do.
  4. Write letters. Write to yourself or others. Writing down how we are feeling can help us to process our emotions. Let yourself go; you may even surprise yourself.
  5. Engage in an activity you enjoy. Listen to music. Try dancing to raise your mood. Connect in a new way to something that interests you; for example, you might research a favorite subject.
  6. Practice spirituality. Participate in religion or perhaps read a book with a spiritual theme.
  7. Help someone else. Call an elderly neighbor to say hello or to offer to buy groceries. Helping others can raise your spirits and make you feel less isolated.
  8. Connect with nature. Go for a walk and observe the life around you. Listen to the birds, watch the squirrels, smell the plants. Connecting with nature calms us and reminds us that we belong to a larger system and needn’t feel so alone in the world. It can help decrease any anxiety or depression you may be feeling.

“By focusing on the world around us, we become less centered on ourselves and more aware of others,” says Aulendrys Rodriguez, LCSW, an Englewood Health social worker who focuses on population health. “Right now, many people are going through the experience of social isolation at the same time. By using creative tactics to cope with loneliness, we can decrease our anger and frustration and find more empathy and peace.”

She adds, “During this period, as well as at other times in our lives, it is important to come out of ourselves and know we are not alone. We can discover the internal strength to overcome the loneliness.”

Posted June 17, 2020

Mental Health Awareness: Grief and Bereavement During the Pandemic 

Posted on by Lauren Weaver

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the loss of a loved one can be particularly devastating. Traditions and rituals that ordinarily would comfort and heal are no longer available. We may not be able to be present at death, to say goodbye, or to hold a funeral and other family and community gatherings afterwards. These constraints can affect people’s ability both to request and to offer support after a loss.  

“The bereaved feel more alone without these important traditions and rituals, and they may be at greater risk of extended and complicated grief,” says Toby C. Tider, LCSW, an Englewood Health social worker who practices at The Park Medical Group. “As a result, it is essential that we build a community team response to help those who have lost someone to COVID-19, through a comprehensive approach to managing grief.” 

“Sometimes when we are emotionally shattered by a death, we have no idea how to get relief,” Tider adds, explaining that it is important to understand that asking for help can be an essential part of healing. 

Englewood Health offers access to mental health services for those trying to cope with bereavement after a COVID-19 loss. The Englewood Health Physician Network provides in-office and telehealth mental health counseling, and community-based and individual support systems are available. 

Assistance is available whether you are a widow, widower, adult child, grandchild, or friend struggling to cope with grief. Begin by speaking to your Englewood Health primary care doctor, who can identify a professional to help you connect with individual and group support resources, as well as spiritual and peer support within the community.  

Tider adds, “The support from community, friends, and family is an essential part of healing from the loss of someone you loved. It is not meant to be done alone, so please ask for help.”    

Tips for Supporting Those in Bereavement

  • Reach out to those who have had the loss, to offer kind words and a sympathetic ear.
  • Replace in-person visits with frequent phone calls or video chats.
  • Identify a key person to set up and manage the grief support system for the family.
  • Establish a community approach to support the bereaved: draw upon friends and community members to assist with practical needs such as cooking or delivering meals and picking up groceries, as well as to provide emotional support through daily check-in calls, cards, and offers to listen.
  • Offer to access and connect with professionals, including physicians, mental health professionals, grief specialists, and clergy, on behalf of the family.

Posted June 3, 2020

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.