July 12, 2017 – Englewood Hospital and Medical Center has been named a Screening Center of Excellence by the Lung Cancer Alliance for its ongoing commitment to responsible lung cancer screening.
Low-dose CT screening for lung cancer saves tens of thousands of lives a year, according to the Lung Cancer Alliance. To ensure that screening is carried out safely, efficiently, and equitably, patients need to be assessed by their physician for eligibility and must engage in counseling and a shared decision-making visit. Designation as a Screening Center of Excellence demonstrates that Englewood Hospital and Medical Center is committed to providing clear information, based on current evidence, on which patients are a candidate for lung cancer screening and compliance with comprehensive standards developed by premier professional organizations for controlling screening quality, radiation dose and diagnostic procedures within an experienced, multidisciplinary clinical setting.
“Since we began performing low-dose CT scans for lung cancer in 2014, we have screened more than 600 at-risk smokers and former smokers. Six cancers were diagnosed,” said Mark Shapiro, MD, chief of radiology at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. “Prior to the introduction of this important tool, physicians had little to offer for the early detection of lung cancer. The demonstrated value in this screening, however, entails adhering to evidence-based criteria and guidelines. Earning this designation is a reflection of the commitment to patient safety and quality of every member of our team.”
“We are proud and honored to be working with Englewood Hospital and Medical Center as a Lung Cancer Alliance Screening Center of Excellence,” said Laurie Fenton Ambrose, president and CEO of the Lung Cancer Alliance. “Their commitment to practice responsible lung cancer screening will lead to advancements in research and many lives saved. They are an example to follow.”
More than 100 runners from Team Englewood, including Englewood Hospital and Medical Center patients, doctors, and staff, joined thousands more for the American Cancer Society’s annual George Washington Bridge Challenge, held on June 4, 2017. The hospital was one of the co-sponsors and provided information about cancer risks and services, as well as offered ear acupuncture and therapeutic massages after the run.
Herbert Dardik, MD, chief emeritus of vascular surgery and general surgery at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, receives the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Society for Vascular Surgery. (Photo courtesy of the Society for Vascular Surgery)
June 22, 2017 – Dr. Herbert Dardik, chief emeritus of vascular surgery and general surgery at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in Englewood, N.J., was awarded the distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award by the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) at the organization’s annual meeting in early June.
The award is the highest honor SVS bestows on one of its members. Selection for this honor recognizes an individual’s outstanding and sustained contributions to the profession and the Society, along with exemplary professional practice and leadership.
Dr. Dardik, 82, still maintains office hours, runs student and resident programs and works in his vascular lab. He was recognized for his tireless contributions over many decades to the specialty as a physician, surgeon, teacher, researcher, clinician, community practitioner and academician. For the Society, he is the first community practitioner to receive the award.
“In every way Dr. Dardik is a shining example, thanks to his contributions to research, science, practice and leadership, and his never-say-quit work ethic,” said Society President Dr. Ron Fairman while presenting the award.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Dardik has earned a prestigious reputation for many of his contributions and innovations in field of medicine including innovations in resident training for vascular surgery, contributions in clinical research in lower extremity bypass patency studies, evaluation of thrombolytics, and work with small vessel bypass, exposure, technique, indications and outcomes.
He is director and founding member of the bloodless medicine and surgery program for the avoidance of blood transfusions and in developing blood conservation techniques.
“Dr. Dardik is a great surgeon, a great leader, a great mentor and a true pioneer in the field of medicine. His innovation and drive have helped Englewood Hospital and Medical Center become the great medical center that it is today,” said Dr. Michael Harris, senior vice president and chief medical officer. “On behalf of the entire Englewood Hospital and Medical Center family, we congratulate Dr. Dardik on this well-deserved honor.”
Dr. Dardik has given more than 450 invited lectures, chaired the annual Vascular Symposium for 15 years and started one of the first approved noninvasive vascular laboratories. Further contributions include his work on the nationalization of the Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery and as a founding member of the Eastern Vascular Society and the Vascular Society of New Jersey, all three of which he served as president.
May 31, 2017 – Englewood Hospital and Medical Center now offers an advance in the detection of prostate cancer recurrence for men who have undergone treatment such as prostate cancer surgery or radiation therapy.
A C-11 choline PET scan is a highly sensitive imaging test that can indicate prostate cancer cells and their specific location earlier than previous, more conventional tests. During the exam, the patient is given choline C-11 (a radioactive isotope) intravenously in the arm and then undergoes a PET/CT scan. Choline is absorbed by prostate cancer cells and indicates the precise location of the cancer recurrence, for example if the cancer has recurred in the pelvis or spread to the bones.
With more information, physicians can decide what the optimal treatment protocol might be for an individual patient. For example, if the study indicates a local recurrence in the prostatic bed, the patient might be able to be treated locally with salvage radiation therapy. If the study indicates a distant spread of the disease (such as bone metastases), the patient might need a different therapeutic approach requiring a more systemic treatment.
For men who have had primary treatment for prostate cancer, but are continuing to show rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in blood tests (after prostatectomy or radiation therapy PSA levels should be zero or near zero), a choline PET scan can detect potential sites of cancer recurrence or spread, while levels of PSA are still low. Traditionally, urologists would have to use indirect measures to determine whether a patient had local or systemic disease. Furthermore, C-11 choline PET can pick up cancer recurrence at earlier stages than more traditional imaging studies such as CT, MRI, or bone scans, which only visualize cancer when PSA level volumes are higher in later stages of the disease.
“This is an advance in the detection of recurrent prostate cancer that allows for more effective treatment,” says Dr. Kavitha Vadde, director of nuclear medicine at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. “We now offer technology whereby we can give the urologist more specific information earlier and can give the patient a chance for a better outcome.”
Choline C-11 is an FDA-approved marker used with PET/CT. The test is covered by Medicare and requires a low level of radiation exposure for the patient.
According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 180,000 new prostate cancer cases and more than 26,000 deaths were estimated in 2016. Between 13 and 25 percent of patients will experience a recurrence, despite having had surgery or radiation therapy.
May 26, 2017 – Englewood Hospital and Medical Center has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS), for the second consecutive period, based on compliance with national standards of excellence. Earning this distinction makes the hospital’s ambulance service the only one in Bergen County, and one of only 182 in the country, to do so. This certification comes after a voluntary comprehensive application process which included an on-site review by national experts in emergency medical services.
“We are very proud to have achieved this accreditation for the second consecutive time – it is truly a team effort,” said Denise Arzoomanian, Assistant Director of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. “This recognition reflects our support and commitment to both our patients and the community. I applaud our team for their unwavering efforts to saving lives and keeping patients at ease during an emergency situation.”
The primary focus of the commission’s standards is high-quality patient care. This is accomplished by establishing national standards which not only address the delivery of patient care, but also the ambulance service’s total operation and its relationships with other agencies, the general public, and the medical community.
May 24, 2017 – Englewood Hospital and Medical Center has expanded the services of its MDPartners physician office in Fair Lawn to include specialists in oncology, neurosurgery, vascular surgery, orthopedics and other services. With this expansion, residents of Fair Lawn and the surrounding area now have greater access to the nationally ranked services and providers from Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in their own community.
“Bringing this level of care into a community setting is just one way we are improving access to specialty services for patients,” said Michael Pietrowicz, senior vice president and chief strategy officer, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. “When faced with difficult medical decisions, it is comforting to know that you have world-class care that you can trust, right in your own backyard.”
Most major insurance plans will be accepted. To learn more, confirm insurance or schedule an appointment, call 973-321-2755.
Location: 22-18 Broadway, Suite 301 Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
New Physicians at this location:
Marc Arginteanu, MD, Chief of Neurosurgery, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center
Thomas Bernik, MD, Chief of Vascular Surgery, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center
Steven Brower, MD, FACS, Medical Director of The Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center; Chief of Surgical Oncology and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center
Minaxi Jhawer, MD, Chief of Hematology and Oncology, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center
Michael Magrino, DO, General Surgery, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center
Venkata Marella, MD, Urology, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center
Jill Morrison, MD, Hematologist/Oncologist, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center
Anna Serur, MD, Chief of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center
Asit Shah, MD, Chief of Orthopedics, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center
Kevin Yao, MD, Neurosurgery, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center
Stephen is no stranger to aches and pain. As a volunteer fireman, surfer, and kiteboarder he can take a lot, but when he woke one morning with excruciating back pain, he knew something was wrong. Unable to sleep and enjoy his favorite activities, Stephen turned to Dr. Kevin Yao, a neurosurgeon at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, who determined that two nerves in Stephen’s spinal cord were severely damaged and there was a small window of opportunity to repair them. Crediting the personal connection he felt and Dr. Yao’s expertise, Stephen decided to take the plunge and undergo minimally invasive spine surgery.
The five basic principles of yoga are exercise, breathing, relaxation, diet, and meditation. Being a yoga instructor herself, Mary Ann Fernandez was probably as mentally and physically resilient to face cancer as can be hoped. That didn’t make it any easier, however, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in August of 2015.
“I remember when they said the words, ‘breast cancer,’ it all became fuzzy. I just collapsed because I didn’t anticipate this being a big deal — I even had my youngest son in the waiting room. I had to walk out and look at him,” Fernandez says.
A mother of three and the owner of a brand-new yoga studio, Fernandez was in great health at the time of her diagnosis, so the news came as that much more of a surprise to her and her family.
“Everything moved really quickly after that. I met my surgeon, Dr. [V. Merle] McIntosh, had more MRIs and testing done and began chemotherapy with my oncologist Dr. [Jill] Morrison,” Fernandez says.
She was initially hesitant to undergo treatment, wondering if there was a holistic alternative she could explore rather than surgery and chemotherapy. “Ultimately, I was like, ‘I have three kids. I have to do treatment. I have to stick around,’” she says.
Fernandez’ relentless optimism is what carried her through cancer treatment. At no point did she consider the possibility that she would not be OK in the end. She never lost her positive spirit or her sense of fun.
“I had a little project going on. I decided each day at chemotherapy was a theme, dressed up and took pictures. One day was The Matrix — I dressed up and had the blue cupcake and the red cupcake. Another was IV pole dancing — I came in a bikini and fur boots. If I had to be there for three hours, I was going to have fun,” Fernandez says.
“Mary Ann was always so upbeat and positive about getting through her treatments and beating this,” says Dr. McIntosh. “She was an inspiration and continues to be, as she works hard to motivate others to take care of themselves and to have an optimistic outlook.”
Today, Fernandez is cancer free and back to doing what she loves. She teaches yoga, not only in her studio, but also at the Graf Center for Integrative Medicine at Englewood Health. She donates her time to Graf Center; she felt it was important to give back to the place that helped her through this incredibly tough time.
“I was in the best hands I can imagine at Englewood Health. I’m so happy I choose to go there.”
The behavioral health team at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center recently received the Horizon National Chiasson-Schmitt Partnership Award from Horizon Health, a national leader in behavioral health services. Dating back to 2003, the partnership between Englewood Hospital and Horizon Health has helped to ensure that patients receive high-quality and save behavioral health services in a compassionate environment. Pictured, the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center and Horizon Health administrative teams, along with the behavioral health team from Englewood Hospital.
Dr. Anna Serur, chief of colon and rectal cancer and Dr. Minaxi Jhawer, chief of hematology/medical oncology
For decades, colorectal cancer has predominately affected older adults, but according to a new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, colorectal cancer is on the rise in adults younger than 55, with a particularly sharp increase in those in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Researchers at the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute noted that those born in 1990 have twice the risk of colon cancer and four times the risk of rectal cancer compared with someone born around 1950.
Often called a silent disease because of its lack of initial symptoms, colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in more than 95,000 people this year, according to the American Cancer Society. It is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. In recognition of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Anna Serur, chief of colon and rectal surgery at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center and Dr. Minaxi Jhawer, chief of hematology/medical oncology at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, who specializes in gastrointestinal cancers, shed light on the complexities of this cancer.
Q: What are the suspected causes of colorectal cancer?
Dr. Jhawer: Research has linked colorectal cancer to family history and particular inherited conditions as well as a variety of environmental and lifestyle factors, including physical inactivity, certain types of diets such as western diets, which are high in processed foods and meats, obesity, heavy alcohol use, and smoking. There’s also evidence that conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease – Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – may contribute to a higher risk of colon or rectal cancer.
Q: What are some reasons why we’re seeing higher colorectal cancer rates in young people?
Dr. Serur: The only leads we have are that an increase in these rates in young people parallel the increase in rates of obesity and diabetes, which are often correlated with dietary patterns and sedentary lifestyles. As a society, we’re not as active as we used to be and today’s diets often include high saturated fat, high-glycemic carbohydrates, carbonated drinks and processed foods.
Q: What are a few ways people can reduce their risk?
Dr. Jhawer: Adopting a healthy lifestyle is always a great recommendation. Some general guidelines include:
Get plenty of physical activity
Maintain a normal weight
Actively manage stress
Avoid tobacco products
Limit consumption of processed foods and red meat
Eat a diet of varied and whole grains, lean proteins, and colorful fresh fruits and vegetables daily
I also encourage people to not just take steps to prevent illness but to engage in activities that promote relaxation, stress reduction, and overall wellness. Our Graf Center for Integrative Medicine, for example, offers medically supervised therapies including yoga, massage, nutritional counseling, guided meditation, and stress management. Screening colonoscopies, starting at age 45 for those with average risk, may help detect precancerous polyps – growths on the lining of the colon and rectum – that can then be removed. Those with a family history and/or predisposition for colorectal cancer may be eligible for genetic counseling to assess risk and be considered for earlier screening tests.
Q: What are some symptoms that may be missed as signs of colorectal cancer?
Dr. Serur: In its early stages, colorectal cancer may not have any symptoms. But as colorectal cancer progresses, people may experience rectal bleeding, a change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, blood in the stool, and unintended weight loss. Those are patients that shouldn’t ignore their symptoms. I always tell my patients, “Listen to your body, if something feels wrong, get checked out.”
Q: What should people know about the rates of colorectal cancer?
Dr. Serur: The rates of colorectal cancer are declining in older people. Young people still represent a small number of those diagnosed with colorectal cancer, but a majority of this population is diagnosed at a later stage, which impacts prognosis and survival. We may be missing these younger people because they are not routinely screened and there may be a belief that the symptoms are something minor like hemorrhoids instead of a more serious illness. Our recommendation as GI and colorectal surgeons is to have practitioners appropriately send patients to us or to a gastroenterologist to make sure they don’t have colorectal cancer. In order for us to identify young people at risk, though, we need to raise awareness and educate about this disease.
Q: Is colorectal cancer treatable?
Dr. Serur: In general, patients with early colorectal cancer have excellent prognosis if treated appropriately by an experienced team. Whether early or advanced stage, treatment has advanced significantly; it’s no longer a one-size-fits-all approach. At Englewood Hospital, we use a team approach, with input from other surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, nutritionists, pathologists, nurses and nurse practitioners, integrative medicine experts, and social workers to provide a tailored and personalized plan of care. Using state-of-the-art technology, we can offer treatments that are oncologically sound, tailored to a particular individual and lead to great outcomes. In my specialty, I use minimally invasive techniques using robotic and laparoscopic surgery, which allow patients to return to pre-surgery functions quicker, results in a more acceptable cosmetic appearance, and leads to better patient satisfaction without compromising cancer-free prognosis.
Q: What emerging treatment areas are available for people diagnosed with colorectal cancer?
Dr. Jhawer: Over the past few decades, there has been tremendous evolution in treating patients with colorectal cancer. In the earlier stages the cancer is treated with surgery followed by chemotherapy. As cancer progresses, not all patients benefit from chemotherapy. We are able to use precise molecular testing on the tumor sample to assess which patients would benefit from chemotherapy and for whom we can limit the use of the drugs and limit toxicity as they have a better prognosis.
In advanced stages, surgery might still be an option if the disease is localized to a single area. But for the most part in advance stages, chemotherapy, biologic therapy and immunotherapies are used. We are able to send off a full molecular panel of their tumor sample to target and use agents which might work best for their tumor type i.e., personalizing the medicine.
Updated February 2023
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