Englewood Health Receives National Mark of Distinction in Bariatric Surgery

Posted on by Keri Flaccomio

When choosing a weight loss surgeon, an accredited bariatric team makes all the difference. Englewood Health’s reaccreditation for bariatric surgery reflects the health system’s continued commitment to patient care and safety.

March 1, 2023 — Englewood Health’s bariatric surgery program has achieved reaccreditation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).

This national mark of distinction reflects Englewood Health’s commitment to providing multidisciplinary, patient-centered care to those undergoing weight loss surgery.

The MBSAQIP accreditation—a joint quality program of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery—also recognizes the health system’s continuous quality improvement and patient safety efforts.

“Achieving reaccreditation is a testament to the dedication of our entire bariatric surgery team,” said James McGinty, MD, chief of surgery and surgical services at Englewood Health. “Their commitment to excellence and high-quality, compassionate patient care ensures we remain a top facility for bariatric surgery.”

Englewood Health received reaccreditation following an extensive site review, in which the hospital’s structure, processes, and clinical outcome data were analyzed. Englewood Health met essential criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure and patient care pathways and demonstrated its ability to support weight loss patients with improved outcomes and long-term success.

“Patient safety and quality improvement are our top priorities at every stage of care—from the consultation phase and years after recovery,” said Tina Bloemer, MSN, RN, CPHQ, CPHRM, FASHRM, vice president of quality at Englewood Health. “This is a commitment that patients can rely on when choosing a facility for bariatric surgery.”

Englewood Health President & CEO Named to NJBIZ Power 100 List

Posted on by Brenna Holland

February 27, 2023 — Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health, has been named on NJBIZ’s Power 100 List.  

The annual list recognizes leaders who have garnered acclaim for their professional accomplishments and public service. In doing so, these leaders have helped make New Jersey “a better place to live, work and do business.” 

In their announcement yesterday, NJBIZ stated that Geller “has made strides to modernize [Englewood Health’s] campus, facilities and technology infrastructure, while strengthening key clinical programs and expanding outpatient services and developing an integrated physician network.” 

To learn more about the list, visit: njbiz.com/power-100 

Englewood Health President & CEO Named to ROI’s 2023 Influencers: Power List

Posted on by Brenna Holland

February 16, 2023 — Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health, has been named on ROI’s 2023 Influencers: Power List. 

The list recognizes the most influential leaders in New Jersey across 14 categories, including politics, technology, higher education, and economic development. Geller was named one of the most influential leaders in health care. 

In their announcement yesterday, ROI stated that Geller, “heads a hospital that competes with—and often exceeds—the care and treatment options of others in one of the most competitive health care regions in the country.” 

To learn more about the list, visit: roi-nj.com/power-list.

Englewood Health Awarded Re-Certification from Joint Commission for Hip and Knee Replacement, Spinal Fusion Surgery, and Stroke Care

Posted on by John Williams

February 14, 2023 — Englewood Health has received The Joint Commission’s re-certification for hip and knee replacement, spinal fusion surgery, and stroke care.

This is the fifth time that Englewood Health has received the spinal fusion certification. The hospital has also earned certifications for hip and knee replacements continuously since 2008, as well as the Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers since 2005.

“The Joint Commission’s re-certification of these important programs is a testament to our ongoing efforts to bring the safest, highest-quality, and most technologically advanced care to our community,” said Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health. “We thank our doctors, nurses, and other staff for their tireless efforts and congratulate them on this recognition.”

“We are honored to receive re-certification for our expertise in spinal fusion surgery,” says Kevin Yao, MD, chief of neurosurgery at Englewood Health. “This national quality rating recognizes our commitment to high standards of care, which patients can rely on when choosing a hospital for spine surgery.”

To achieve re-certification, Englewood Health underwent a rigorous onsite review of all three programs. Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with national disease-specific care standards and assessed clinical practice guidelines and performance measures. The review process included surveys that studied patient outcomes, patient and team member interviews, practice and policy reviews, and patient safety processes.

“Earning re-certification for knee and hip replacement year after year is an important recognition of the safe, high-quality orthopedic care provided at Englewood Health,” says Asit K. Shah, MD, PhD, chief of orthopedic surgery Englewood Health. “It reflects the dedication of everyone involved in hip and knee replacement, from orthopedic surgery through rehabilitation.”

“At Englewood Health, we strive every day to provide safe and expedient stroke intervention, as well as comprehensive stroke recovery support,” says Rikki R. Racela, MD, medical director of the stroke program at Englewood Health. “Being Joint Commission certified as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center is a testament to that work. Congratulations to everyone whose commitment to patient care and safety earned this certification.”

Five Healthy New Years Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

Posted on by Brenna Holland

Change doesn’t happen all at once. All too often, New Year’s resolutions fail to account for this fact.  

Each year, lofty goals like “lose weight and keep it off” or “eat a totally clean diet” go unfulfilled. In fact, according to a study out of the University of Scranton, less than a quarter of people actually stick to their New Year’s resolutions. 

If you find you begin each year by setting unrealistic goals that you never follow through on, consider swapping them for one of these incremental changes, that will nonetheless offer a huge benefit to your health: 

Sit less, move more 

Instead of making grand promises to hit the gym every day of the week, commit to just moving more. This could be as simple as stretching in the mornings, going for an afternoon walk, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or picking up an activity like dancing or biking. 

Incorporate healthy foods, drink more water 

This year, trade restrictive, crash diets for a commitment to incorporate healthy foods into your meals. Work fruits, vegetables, legumes, and leafy greens into your diet and increase your water intake (adults are recommended to drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily but your mileage may vary). 

Begin a sleep schedule 

Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule can improve the quality of your sleep, help you feel more rested throughout the day, and benefit your overall health.  

Most adults should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep. Limit daytime naps, screen time before bed, and drinking alcohol, as these activities can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. 

Try to quit smoking 

Quitting smoking isn’t easy. What you can commit to this year is that you’ll try. For additional support, enroll in a smoking cessation program, where you’ll learn new strategies to curb cravings and be assisted through the process by professionals who’ve helped other smokers quit for good.  

Get care when you need it 

One of the best things you can do for your health is make an appointment with your primary care physician and any specialists you need to see.  

Schedule those health screenings you might be overdue for and familiarize yourself with your local urgent care center, as sudden illnesses and injuries rarely respect the 9-to-5 hours of a typical doctor’s office.  

Englewood Health has urgent care centers in Englewood, Cresskill, Fair Lawn, and Jersey City that are open seven days a week, with extended weekday and weekend hours, and accept walk-in appointments. 

This year, be prepared to get care when and where you need it. To learn more about Englewood Health Urgent Care, visit: englewoodhealth.org/urgent.

Posted January 10, 2023

Englewood Health Named a Best Hospital for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report

Posted on by John Williams

December 6, 2022 — Englewood Health has been named one of the best hospitals in the country for maternity care by U.S. News & World Report.

In its annual Best Hospitals for Maternity list, U.S. News rated Englewood Health “High Performing,” their highest quality rating for maternity care. Fewer than half of all hospitals considered for the list earned this distinction.

“We are proud to be recognized as one of the best hospitals for maternity care,” says Valerie M. French, MBA, BSN, RNC, senior director of nursing for maternal/child health at Englewood Health. “Every day, we strive to meet or exceed families’ expectations and to provide the best possible birthing experience.”

To be recognized among the Best Hospitals for Maternity list, hospitals demonstrated excellence on multiple quality metrics that matter to expectant families, including complication rates, C-sections, vaginal births after C-sections, and episiotomies.

“This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire team to ensuring our patients and their families receive personalized, high-quality maternity care,” says Michael Vardy, MD, chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Englewood Health. “We are honored to be a part of this important time in our patients’ lives and to provide exceptional care at every stage of the birthing experience.”

Englewood Health’s maternal/child health services deliver nearly 3,000 babies annually. At the Karen and Gary Singer Family Family Birth Place at Englewood Health, moms and babies receive expert care and attention from Englewood Health’s dedicated nursing team, as well as a full spectrum of services including prenatal care, high-risk testing and monitoring, childbirth education, and post-pregnancy resources and support.

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists and neonatologists are available on-site to care for high-risk mothers and newborns and provide timely, high-quality care in a modern neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

To learn more about the rankings and methodology of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals for Maternity list, visit: health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/hospital-ratings/maternity

Englewood Health Earns Top Teaching Hospital Award from the Leapfrog Group

Posted on by John Williams

December 6, 2022 — Englewood Health has been named a Top Teaching Hospital by the Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization dedicated to healthcare quality and safety.

This marks the fifth year Englewood Health has received the Top Teaching Hospital award. Of the over 2,200 hospitals considered by the Leapfrog Group, Englewood Health was one of just 58 to earn this distinction.

“We are excited to announce our designation as a Top Teaching Hospital,” said Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health. “This award reflects the commitment to safety and high-quality care from all members of our team, including trustees, physicians, leaders, and staff at all levels.”

To qualify for the Top Hospital award, hospitals must excel among their peers on the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, which assesses performance based on quality and patient safety metrics such as infection rates, practices for safer surgery, maternity care, and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication errors.

“We are honored to recognize Englewood Health as a Top Hospital this year,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Englewood Health has demonstrated that they truly put patients first. We congratulate the board, staff, and clinicians whose efforts made this honor possible.”

To see the full list and methodology of the Leapfrog Group’s 2022 Top Hospital awards, visit www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals.

Englewood Health Paramedic Named “Paramedic of the Year” by New Jersey Office of Emergency Medical Services

Posted on by John Williams

December 1, 2022 — Englewood Health paramedic Kevin Trainor was named Paramedic of the Year at the National Conference on Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Trainor—who is an EMS supervisor at Englewood Health and has been a member of the team since 2011—was honored by the New Jersey Office of EMS at a ceremony held earlier this month.

“Kevin is a highly skilled paramedic and dedicated supervisor, whose commitment to our community is top tier,” said Richard Sposa, MA, NRP, MICP, director of EMS at Englewood Health. “On behalf of the entire Englewood Health EMS team, we congratulate Kevin on this state-wide honor.”

“Whether it is a car accident, a patient experiencing symptoms of a stroke, or an elderly patient who has fallen at home, Kevin brings his deep compassion, efficient decision making, and swift, responsive medical care to every call,” said Barbara Schreibman, MD, EMS medical director at Englewood Health.

The annual EMS Award Program recognizes exemplary EMS professionals for their hard work and dedication to providing expedient and high-quality care to communities across New Jersey.

Trainor said, “I’m humbled to receive the 2022 Paramedic of the Year Award. It is particularly gratifying to be recognized among so many talented and committed paramedics and it means a lot to be representing Englewood Health, where I have ridden with the EMS team providing pre-hospital medicine for over a decade and am able to serve the people where I live and work.”

Englewood Health’s EMS Services are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services and is one of the largest hospital-based ambulance systems in Bergen County, providing dedicated ambulance services to neighboring municipalities.

Organization of Nursing Leaders Elects Kathleen Kaminsky to New Jersey Board of Directors

Posted on by John Williams

November 30, 2022 — Kathleen Kaminsky, MS, RN, NE-BC, senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Englewood Health, has been elected to serve on the Organization of Nurse Leaders (ONL) of NJ 2023–2024 board of directors.

The mission of ONL NJ is to engage and develop nurse leaders in advocacy, research, education, mentorship, and collaborative relationships.

Serving on the board of directors, Kaminsky will work to influence healthcare policy and delivery in New Jersey; promote diversity, equity, and inclusion; educate nurse leaders; foster networking; and integrate research and innovation in strategic initiatives.

“Nursing is an ever-growing profession and, as leaders, it is our duty to change and advance along with the profession,” she said. “I am honored to be chosen by ONL membership to impact the voice of nursing leadership in New Jersey.”

Kaminsky has dedicated over three decades to the profession of nursing. During her tenure as chief nursing officer, Englewood Health received a transformational philanthropic donation from The Kaplen Foundation and its president, Maggie Kaplen. The $10 million gift – the largest in health system history – established The Kaplen Institute for Nursing Excellence, which fosters education, professional development, scholarship, and mentorship opportunities for nurses.

With a vision toward the future of nursing, Kaminsky will help lead current and future nursing professionals at Englewood Health in their mission to deliver high-quality patient care and improve clinical outcomes.

The 2023–2024 board of directors will be installed at the Annual Awards Meeting at Forsgate Country Club on December 2.

Kimberle’s Story – Colorectal Cancer Care

Posted on by John Williams

At age 51, Kimberle was diagnosed with colorectal cancer for the third time. After seeking several opinions, she opted for genetic testing and found the best course of treatment for her at Englewood Health. Feeling confident in her future, Kimberle says of the Englewood Health team, “You don’t just feel like you’re being cared for just your illness, you feel like you’re being treated as a person.”

Posted November 23, 2022