What’s Mono and Why Should You Know About It?

Posted on by Michael Chananie

News spread last week that Samuel Darnold, quarterback for the New York Jets, has been diagnosed with mononucleosis (more commonly referred to as mono) and will be off the field for the time being. What followed was a flurry of tweets preemptively mourning the Jets season and a whole lot of misinformation spreading about mono.

Many fans were shocked that an adult could even get mono, and that mono could take someone out of a professional sport for several weeks. What may surprise these fans even more is the fact that symptoms from mono can actually persist for months.

“Mono is a virus that your body has to fight on its own; it’s not like strep throat, where you can get a prescription for antibiotics and feel better in a day or two. With mono, just being able to eat can take two weeks—which is why people lose so much weight. Swollen lymph nodes and fatigue can take many weeks to subside,” Ashwin Jathavedam, MD, chief of infectious disease at Englewood Health said.

According to Dr. Jathavedam, it’s not abnormal for a college student who catches mono to miss an entire semester of school while recovering. College-aged, young adults are those most likely to have mono—with the peak incidence between ages 16 to 24.

Causes of Mononucleosis

“Mono is caused by an extremely common virus called Epstein-Barr. Most of us are exposed to this virus at some point—so much so, that when they do blood tests on older adults, around 95% of them have antibodies for Epstein-Barr in their systems. Most of us are able to fight off the virus without getting full-blown mono; others are not as lucky,” Dr. Jathavedam said.

The reason young adults are more likely to have mono is fairly obvious. (See mono’s commonly used moniker: “the kissing disease.”) The most common way to spread Epstein-Barr is through saliva, including by sharing drinks.

Diagnosing and Treating Mononucleosis

Diagnosing mono can be difficult, as it is often mistaken for the flu or, more commonly, strep throat. Many people discover they have mono after being prescribed antibiotics for strep and notice their symptoms persist beyond the 24-48-hour window when strep usually goes away.

Once diagnosed, a person with mono is tasked with riding it out at home, as there is no antiviral regimen that effectively treats mono. A doctor may prescribe medicine to ease the symptoms, like anti-inflammatories or short courses of steroids if there is trouble swallowing. Dr. Jathavedam said the focus of getting through a case of mono should be staying hydrated despite your throat pain—continuing to push fluids and having broth regularly.

The question of when you are no longer contagious with mono is a complex one. You can spread Epstein-Barr while you have an active case of mono, but can also continue to shed the virus after your symptoms have subsided. Those who get the Epstein-Barr virus and never have mono can also spread it.

This is why so many of us are exposed to the virus at some point and, unfortunately, why there is no fool-proof way to prevent getting it, short of living in a plastic bubble. As a rule, not kissing or sharing drinks with people who have active mono is all we can do.

“A major concern for an athlete with mono is that your spleen can get very large and if you are hit while playing it can cause severe, even life-threatening bleeding,” Dr. Jathavedam said.

While it is possible for mono to recur, it is unlikely; and once you fully recover, you can return to your regular activities, confident that mono does not leave any long-term effects.

Following FDA Approval, Englewood Health Expands Use of Transcatheter Valve Replacement for Treating Aortic Stenosis

Posted on by Michael Chananie
Englewood Health TAVR team
Members of the Englewood Health TAVR team. Pictured from left to right: Dr. Richard Goldweit, Dr. Joseph DeGregorio, Dr. Aron Schwarcz, Dr. Michael Benz, Dr. Ramin Hastings, Dr. Michael Wilderman, Dr. Lance Kovar, and Dr. Adam Arnofsky.

September 10, 2019 — Patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis in northern New Jersey now have more treatment options at Englewood Hospital. Last month, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for the treatment of severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis in patients who are determined to be at low risk of complications from open-heart surgery. Previously, the procedure was reserved for high-risk and intermediate-risk patients.

The newly approved indication offers an alternative approach for treatment to a large group of patients for whom open heart surgery was the only option when medical therapy was not effective.

With FDA approval expanded to low-risk patients, the heart team at Englewood Hospital can take into account patient preference in addition to risk factors and other considerations when reviewing treatment options. Compared to open heart surgery for valve repair, the TAVR procedure is significantly less invasive with a much quicker recovery, generally allowing the patient to return home the next day.

TAVR uses balloon-expandable and self-expanding valves, delivered via a catheter into the heart, to provide the best possible outcomes for patients with heart disease. The TAVR team at Englewood Hospital, consisting of both interventional cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons who work together to perform the procedure, has observed a high success rate in TAVR patients, with outcomes better than the national average.

Englewood Hospital was one of the first hospitals in New Jersey to offer the procedure following its approval by the FDA in 2011. Since then, the heart valve team at Englewood has performed more than 600 TAVR procedures, becoming one of the leading centers in New Jersey.

Englewood Orthopedic Associates Joins Englewood Health Physician Network

Posted on by Michael Chananie

September 4, 2019 — Englewood Orthopedic Associates, a multispecialty orthopedics practice founded more than 40 years ago, has joined Englewood Health Physician Network. As the largest orthopedics practice in Bergen County, its nine orthopedic surgeons and physicians specialize in a range of clinical areas, including conditions of the hip, knee, shoulder, hand, elbow, wrist, foot, ankle, and spine; osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease; pain management; sports medicine; and trauma. New patients are welcome at its practice locations in Englewood and Paramus.

Many of Englewood Orthopedic Associates’ doctors are long-time members of Englewood Hospital’s medical staff and have held leadership positions at the hospital over the years. The specialists now joining the Englewood Health Physician Network are Adam Becker, MD; Damien Davis, MD; Jessica Fleischer, MD; Manesha Lankachandra, MD; David Nguyen, MD; Michael Pizzillo, MD; Peter Salob, MD; Richard Salzer, MD; and Asit Shah, MD, PhD.

“The Englewood Orthopedic Associates team brings expertise in all areas of surgical and non-surgical treatments of orthopedic conditions for adults, adolescents, and children to the Englewood Health Physician Network,” says Asit Shah, MD, PhD, chief of orthopedic surgery, director of the Joint Replacement Center at Englewood Hospital, and an orthopedic surgeon with Englewood Orthopedic Associates. “Whether specializing in joint replacement, pediatric or geriatric orthopedics, sports medicine, or physical medicine, each of these surgeons and physicians is dedicated to providing innovative treatment options to improve function, enhance quality of life, and allow for the quickest recovery possible for each patient.”

He adds, “By joining the Englewood Health Physician Network, our specialists will collaborate closely with primary care doctors and other specialists, through the enhanced communication and improved coordination of care enabled by the network. We now have a shared electronic medical record system and, with these advantages, we will continue to be a trusted resource for patients with bone and joint disease across northern New Jersey.”

Englewood Orthopedic Associates helps restore function in patients with musculoskeletal conditions through a full range of orthopedic services, including minimally invasive joint replacement surgery, physiatry, pain management, trauma care, and work-related injury evaluation and treatment. In addition to orthopedic surgeons, an endocrinologist, a physiatrist, and a group of orthopedic physician assistants, an on-site team of licensed physical therapists at Englewood Orthopedics provides rehabilitation services with advanced techniques and the most up-to-date equipment. Walk-in urgent care for bone, joint, and muscle injuries is available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“As our network continues to grow, we remain focused on ensuring that our patients have access to leading care right here, in their own backyard,” says Dr. Stephen Brunnquell, president of the Englewood Health Physician Network. “The specialists at Englewood Orthopedic Associates are leaders in their field and are skilled in the latest techniques and technologies in their subspecialties. This helps to ensure the best outcomes for our patients.”

Englewood Orthopedic Associates Physicians Joining Englewood Health Physician Network

Adam Becker, MD

Dr. Becker is board certified in orthopedic surgery. He specializes in foot and ankle care and surgery for adults and children. His primary clinical interests include leg, ankle, and foot fractures; sports injuries; ankle and foot arthritis; tendon and ligament disorders; bunions; lesser toe deformities; and complex foot and ankle reconstruction, including total ankle replacement surgery. Dr. Becker received his MD from SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Medicine. He did an orthopedic residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and a foot and ankle fellowship at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society.  |  Full profile

Damien I. Davis, MD

Dr. Davis is board certified in orthopedic surgery and holds a subspecialty certificate in Surgery of the Hand (Certificate of Added Qualification-CAQ). His primary clinical interests are disorders of the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder. He specializes in traumatic and degenerative conditions of the upper extremity, including nerve compression disorders, and treats both pediatric and adult patients. Dr. Davis received his MD from Georgetown University School of Medicine. He did an orthopedic surgery residency at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, in Manhattan, followed by a hand and upper extremity surgery fellowship at Allegheny General Hospital, in Pittsburgh. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.  |  Full profile

Jessica Fleischer, MD

Dr. Fleischer is board certified in endocrinology. She specializes in osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases and has particular expertise in the reading and interpretation of bone density tests. She has additional clinical interests in hyperparathyroidism and calcium disorders. Dr. Fleischer received her MD from SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine. She did an internal medicine residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where she was chief resident, followed by an endocrinology fellowship at Columbia University Medical Center.  |  Full profile

Manesha Lankachandra, MD

Dr. Lankachandra is board eligible in orthopedic surgery. She specializes in hand, wrist, and elbow surgery. Her clinical interests include reconstruction, trauma of the upper extremity, and nerve compression disorders. Dr. Lankachandra received her MD from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. She did an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine, followed by a shoulder and elbow fellowship at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, in Baltimore, Maryland, and a hand fellowship at the University of California–San Francisco School of Medicine. She is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

David Nguyen, MD

Dr. Nguyen is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and in pain medicine. His primary clinical interests are musculoskeletal disorders of the spine; upper and lower extremities disorders; and complications of diabetes, joint disease, traumatic brain injury, and pain management. Dr. Nguyen received his MD from the University of California–Davis School of Medicine. He did a physical medicine and rehabilitation residency, during which he was chief resident, as well as a pain medicine fellowship, at the University of California, Los Angeles–Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. He is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the Association of Academic Physiatrists, the North American Neuromodulation Society, the North American Spine Society, and the Spine Intervention Society.  |  Full profile

Michael F. Pizzillo, MD

Dr. Pizzillo is board certified in orthopedic surgery and holds a subspecialty certificate (Certificate of Added Qualifications-CAQ) in both Surgery of the Hand and in Orthopedic Sports Medicine. He specializes in hand, upper extremity, and shoulder surgery. His clinical interests include arthroscopic surgery, post-traumatic reconstruction, and joint replacement of the hand and upper extremity. Dr. Pizzillo received his MD from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Medical College. He completed an orthopedic surgery residency at NYU Langone Medical Center, Bellevue Hospital Center, and the Manhattan VA Medical Center, followed by a hand and upper extremity fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and the New York Society for Surgery of the Hand.  |  Full profile

Peter A. Salob, MD

Dr. Salob is board certified in orthopedic surgery. His primary clinical interests are adult, adolescent, and pediatric sports medicine; knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, and foot injuries and conditions. Dr. Salob received his MD from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He did an orthopedic surgery residency at Montefiore Medical Center (Albert Einstein College of Medicine), in New York. He did a sports medicine fellowship, with a subspecialty in pediatric trauma and sports-related injuries, at Boston Children’s Hospital (Harvard Medical School). He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and a member of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine.  |  Full profile

Richard Louis Salzer, Jr., MD

Dr. Salzer is board certified in orthopedic surgery. He specializes in consultative orthopedic diagnosis and treatment of the adult patient. His primary clinical interests are adult hip and knee conditions and sports medicine injuries of the hip and knee. Dr. Salzer received his MD from Tufts University School of Medicine. He did a general surgery residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital and St. Paul Hospital (University of Texas), in Dallas, Texas, followed by an orthopedic surgery residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery, in Manhattan. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a member of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.  |  Full profile

Asit K. Shah, MD, PhD

Dr. Shah is chief of orthopedic surgery, director of orthopedic implants, and a founding member of the Joint Replacement Center at Englewood Hospital. He is board certified in orthopedic surgery. His clinical interests include minimally invasive knee and hip replacement and complex revision knee and hip reconstruction. Dr. Shah received his MD, as well as a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology, from Jefferson Medical College (now the Sidney Kimmel Medical College) of Thomas Jefferson University, in Philadelphia, where he also completed a National Institutes of Health molecular biology fellowship. He did his orthopedic surgery residency at the Mount Sinai Hospital, in Manhattan, and a hip and knee implant fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, an oral examiner for the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, and a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, and Eastern Orthopedic Association.  |  Full profile

Englewood Health Physician Network: You’ll feel it the moment you meet us.

Posted on by John Williams

 

The Englewood Health Physician Network offers primary care and specialty services to residents of northern New Jersey and beyond. The network’s 400 providers practice at more than 75 locations in six counties, including the nationally recognized Englewood Hospital.

The backbone of the network is the more than 130 primary care practitioners, who are central to managing a patient’s care and streamlining access to specialists. With care coordinators, social workers, quality coordinators, and patient navigators, the practices are putting patients at the forefront, bridging relationships among patients and families and their care teams. In addition to primary care, the network offers specialty services including bariatric surgery, behavioral health, cancer care, cardiology and cardiac surgery, colon and rectal surgery, endocrinology, hematology/oncology, gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery, infectious disease, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, pain medicine and palliative care, podiatry, rheumatology, sleep medicine, urology, and vascular surgery. A single electronic health record system offers full and seamless integration of patient information from the practices in the network and the hospital to support continuity of care.

As a central component of Englewood Health, one of New Jersey’s leading hospitals and healthcare networks, the Englewood Health Physician Network recognizes that relationships are at the heart of providing excellent care, and its providers and staff take the time to understand their patients and deliver what is important to them in their healthcare experience. The practices accept almost all insurances, and many offer extended hours and urgent care and have multilingual providers and staff.

Learn more at englewoodhealthphysicians.org.

Posted August 2019

Sleep Apnea Common but Underdiagnosed

Posted on by Michael Chananie

Sleep medicine testing

Suspect sleep—or the lack of it.

Kirk Levy, MD
Kirk Levy, MD

That is the recommendation that Kirk Levy, MD, gives physicians when a patient complains of a variety of symptoms that can seem unrelated to obvious daytime drowsiness. Patients may report heartburn, difficulty losing weight or morning headaches. They might mention depression and anxiety, or type 2 diabetes.

Couple these seemingly unrelated symptoms with fatigue, and the patient likely has sleep apnea. Although this is the most common sleep disorder, with more than 20 million sufferers in the United States, research has shown it is vastly underdiagnosed.

Mitchell Engler, MD
Mitchell Engler, MD

Dr. Levy and Mitchell Engler, MD, the comedical directors of the Center for Sleep Medicine at Englewood Health, are working to raise the profile of sleep apnea and other sleep disorders that can result in disruptive sleep cycles recurring hundreds of times each night. “The most common problem we encounter is that sleep apnea is not diagnosed because patients are not being asked the right questions,” Dr. Levy said.

To identify sleep apnea, physicians first need to ask their patients about their quality of sleep, along with accompanying breathing patterns (sidebar). If the diagnosis is suspected, polysomnography or another at-home sleep apnea test is performed. But without proper questioning, testing may not even be conducted.

Risk factors for sleep apnea include being overweight (body mass index of 25-29.9 kg/m2 ) and obese (body mass index of ≥30 kg/m2), although 50% of people with the condition are not obese. Also included is having a large neck circumference (men, ≥17 inches; women, ≥16 inches); having large tonsils or adenoids; other distinctive physical attributes including deviated septum, specific shape of head and neck, receding chin, enlarged tongue; nasal congestion or blockage caused by a cold, sinusitis, allergies, smoking, etc.; throat muscles and tongue that relax more than normal during sleep (possibly due to alcohol use, sedatives or advanced age); and a family history of sleep apnea, which may be the result of hereditary anatomic features or medical conditions that are genetically based.

Generally, sleep apnea is treatable, according to Dr. Levy, by using a continuous positive airway pressure (or CPAP) mask over the nose. But left untreated, sleep apnea can result in serious health consequences over time—the symptoms mentioned above, and also mood change, memory loss, weight gain, risk for a cardiovascular event and impotence. Sleep apnea is even a major contributor to car accidents, as sleep-deprived drivers have up to a 15-fold greater risk for accidents. Drivers who have gone without sleep for 24 hours are equivalent to those who have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10%, according to the CDC, which is higher than the nationwide limit of 0.08%.

“Doctors need to think about sleep apnea,” Dr. Levy said. “Most patients are not going to present with the complaints, so if you do not have it in your mind to screen for it, you’re not going to find it. Just understand it is frequent. It’s out there, and you need to keep it in the back of your mind with patients with these risk factors.”

To assist with the diagnosis and management of obstructive sleep apnea in adults, the American College of Physicians developed a clinical guideline (J Clin Sleep Med 2017;13[3]:479-504).

If patients answer yes to any of these items, they might have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder, and they should be referred to a sleep medicine specialist for evaluation:

  • I snore every night.
  • I experience daytime sleepiness.
  • I wake up gasping for air.
  • I wake up with heartburn/reflux.
  • I have trouble losing weight.
  • I have morning headaches.
  • It is hard for me to stay awake while driving.
  • I’ve been told that I fall asleep incredibly fast.
  • I’ve been told that I stop breathing while I sleep.

Insomnia as a Comorbidity
Sleep apnea has been found to coexist with insomnia, with some statistics showing that one-third to half of people with sleep apnea suffer from sleeplessness (Sleep Med Rev 2017;33:28-38). To combat insomnia, physicians at Englewood Health’s Center for Sleep Medicine recommend strategies to promote better sleep, such as abstaining from alcohol around bedtime, as metabolizing alcohol overnight can cause wakefulness, thus fracturing sleep. They also recommend limiting screen time to reduce exposure to blue light; practicing relaxation exercises; and dedicating a bed to sleeping only, keeping reading a book or watching television to another room. “Another item to ban from the bedroom is the clock radio,” Dr. Engler said. Glancing back and forth to see how much time there still is to sleep, or to count how much time was wasted in sleeplessness, can “turn your brain into overdrive,” he said. Even with dedicated efforts, a switch to more regular sleep won’t happen overnight. “This is not easy to do. I tell my patients with insomnia: ‘You didn’t get this way overnight, and it doesn’t go away overnight. It takes work, but ultimately you’re retraining your brain to associate bed with sleep

Posted August 2019

Ask the Doctor: Dr. Steven Elias

Posted on by Michael Chananie

When it comes to menstrual misconceptions, believing that chronic pelvic pain is ‘just a normal part of being a woman’ lies somewhere between thinking you’re more likely to get attacked by a shark when you have your period and believing that if your friend’s cycle doesn’t sync with your own, you’re not true friends. In fact, believing that persistent pelvic pain is normal is an even more damaging fallacy, as it often prevents women who experience pelvic pain from seeking the appropriate medical attention. For this reason, highly treatable conditions, like pelvic congestion syndrome, go woefully underdiagnosed.

What is pelvic congestion syndrome?

Dr. Elias: Pelvic congestion syndrome occurs when a damaged or diseased vein in the pelvis begins to accumulate blood, rather than transporting it back to the heart. Also referred to as pelvic venous insufficiency, it can cause pain, pressure or achiness in the pelvis, painful periods, a feeling of pelvic fullness as the day progresses, pain 15-20 minutes after intercourse or after standing for long stretches of time and a feeling of bladder pressure leading to frequent urination towards the end of the day.

Who is at high risk for developing vein disease in the pelvic area?

Dr. Elias: Premenopausal women are more likely to have pelvic venous insufficiency than post-menopausal women. The other two main risk factors for pelvic vein disease are having had multiple pregnancies or a family history of varicose veins.

How is pelvic venous insufficiency diagnosed?

Dr. Elias: First, we usually perform a vascular ultrasound (a non-invasive procedure) to look at the pelvic veins. If suspicious after the ultrasound an MRI or CT scan of the pelvis may be done. The most definitive test is a venogram, during which a dye is injected into the veins of the pelvis and the blood flow is visualized on a screen. With this test, we can evaluate how the vein is performing and which veins are leaking, causing symptoms. The test takes about 30-40 minutes and patients only have one needle stick in the upper thigh. Patients can resume normal activities immediately afterwards.

Most symptoms of pelvic vein disease go away after menopause. However, premenopausal women with symptoms that affect their quality of life such as normal activities, caring for children, or pain while working, do benefit from having their vein disease treated.

How is pelvic vein disease treated?

Dr. Elias: Treatments for pelvic vein disease are similar to those for varicose veins. These are outpatient procedures with no cuts or stitches—just a few small needle sticks. We seal any abnormal veins shut, diverting the blood flow to normal, healthy veins. When pelvic veins are narrowed because of pressure from the arteries, we can improve blood flow by using a small catheter to insert and inflate a balloon, then placing a permanent stent to widen the vein. These procedures can improve symptoms by about 75% – 80%, leading to a big improvement in a patient’s quality of life.

Posted July 2019

Ask the Doctor: Dr. Peter Kaye

Posted on by Michael Chananie

When it comes to colon and rectal health, a feeling of awkwardness can sometimes get in the way of dis-cussing problems with your doctor. It’s for this reason that a physician who specializes in these fields must have a special knack for putting patients at ease. Peter M. Kaye, MD, is a colon and rectal surgery specialist, and recently joined the Englewood Health Physician Network. At Englewood, Dr. Kaye treats a wide range of conditions—everything from hemorrhoids and fissures, to diverticulitis (inflammation or infection in the digestive tract), inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, to colon and rectal cancer.

What can people do to prevent diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, or fissures from developing?

Dr. Kaye: Many of the colon and rectal conditions I treat are highly preventable through healthy, clean living. Simple adjustments like drinking more water; eating fruits, vegetables, and fiber; avoiding empty carbohydrates; and exercising regularly are a huge help. There is evidence that a healthier lifestyle might also play a role in the prevention of colorectal cancer.

Do patients hesitate to see you because they don’t want to talk about their bowel movements?

Dr. Kaye: Absolutely! One common condition I treat is fecal incontinence (an inability to control one’s bowel) and I would say that people with this condition don’t seek medical attention for that reason alone. However, it is important for people to know that there are ways to help with this condition.

Is family history a major risk factor for colorectal cancer?

Dr. Kaye: A majority of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer have no family history of the disease. The biggest risk factor for colorectal cancer is age. Several months ago, the recommended age to begin colon screening dropped from 50 to 45 because we’re starting to see more cases of colon cancer in younger people.

After age 45, how often should I get a colonoscopy?

Dr. Kaye: That depends on what we find in your first colonoscopy. If we find polyps (small growths that can lead to cancer), we recommend an earlier date for your next colonoscopy. But if the results are normal, you may be able to wait as long as 10 years before your next one.

Posted July 2019

Englewood Health’s Emergency Medical Services receives American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Recognition Award

Posted on by Michael Chananie

Englewood Health’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Plus Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience life threatening heart attacks.

Every year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) the deadliest type of heart attack caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it’s critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication.

“Receiving the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Plus Award speaks to the ongoing dedication of the entire Emergency Medical Services team at Englewood Health to providing optimal care for our patients and community members,” said Rick Sposa, director of emergency medical services at Englewood Health.

“EMTs and paramedics play a vital part in the system of care for those who have heart attacks,” said Tim Henry, M.D., Chair of the Mission: Lifeline Acute Coronary Syndrome Subcommittee. “Since they often are the first medical point of contact, they can save precious minutes of treatment time by activating the emergency response system that alerts hospitals to an incoming heart attack patient. We applaud Englewood Health EMS for achieving this award in following evidence-based guidelines in the treatment of people who have severe heart attacks.”

The Mission: Lifeline initiative provides tools, training and other resources to support heart attack care following protocols from the most recent evidence-based treatment guidelines. Mission: Lifeline’s EMS recognition program recognizes emergency medical services for their efforts in improving systems of care to rapidly identify suspected heart attack patients, promptly notify the medical center and trigger an early response from the awaiting hospital personnel.

Englewood Community Leader, Michael Gutter, Named Chairman of the Board of Englewood Health Foundation

Posted on by Michael Chananie

July 1, 2019 — Thomas C. Senter, Esq., chairman of the Board of Trustees of Englewood Health and Englewood Hospital, today announced that Michael Gutter was elected chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Englewood Health Foundation effective July 1, 2019. Gutter, a resident of Englewood, first joined the board in 2011 and most recently served as treasurer. He succeeds Jay C. Nadel, who served as chairman since 2013.

The Englewood Health Foundation is the not-for-profit organization that raises funds to support the capital, endowment and annual operating needs of Englewood Health, the health system comprising Englewood Hospital and the Englewood Health Physician Network. In his role as chairman, Gutter will spearhead philanthropic initiatives in support of Englewood Health’s strategic plan and lead a voluntary board of 40 community leaders and benefactors. He will work in close partnership with the executive leadership of the Englewood Health Foundation and the larger Englewood Health system, its physicians and community of donors.

“Englewood Health recently unveiled a 10-year strategic plan that addresses key clinical areas where need is projected to dramatically increase,” said Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health. “Philanthropy will undoubtedly provide forward momentum for planned initiatives helping our clinical care team to dream, do and deliver the highest quality, compassionate care for patients and families.”

“Friends and supporters helped the Foundation raise in excess of $100 million over the past decade,” said Debra Albanese, executive vice president of the Englewood Health Foundation. “Trustees play a vital role, engaging donors and potential donors in meaningful conversations about philanthropy and the impact it generates for our shared communities.”

About Michael Gutter

Michael Gutter graduated from SUNY Albany with a Bachelor of Science in business administration and a concentration in finance. In 2002, he founded Arista Funding, which specializes in both equipment leasing and merchant processing for small to mid-size businesses.

In addition to serving on the Englewood Health Foundation Board, 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.

“Shortly after moving to Englewood from New York City, my family faced a situation that put our daughter in the emergency room at Englewood Hospital,” said Gutter. “The care she received turned what could have been a horrible situation into a positive experience. Serving on the Foundation board provides a unique opportunity to broker opportunities that will help to ensure   Englewood Health remains among the leading health systems in our region so that other families have access to the same expert, compassionate care that my family received.”

Newly Appointed Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary

Also effective July 1 are new appointments for the roles of vice chairman, secretary and treasurer of the Englewood Health Foundation.

Steven M. Kaplan, Esq. joined the Foundation board in 2011 and will serve as vice chairman. Kaplan, a resident of Demarest, is a founding partner of Kaplan Levenson P.C.

Serving as treasurer is Neil S. Piekny, who joined the Foundation board in 2017. He lives in Demarest and is a tax partner at Ernst and Young LLP.

Nancy G. Brown joined the Foundation board in 2012 and will serve as secretary. A resident of Cresskill, Brown has held leadership roles on numerous not-for-profit boards, including the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, the UJA-Federation Women’s Board and New York-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital.