Englewood Health President & CEO Named to NJBIZ Health Care Power 50 List

Posted on by Brenna Holland

March 30, 2023 — Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health, has been named on NJBIZ’s 2023 Health Care Power 50 List. 

The list recognizes health care leaders who have garnered acclaim for their professional accomplishments and public service. In doing so, these leaders have contributed meaningfully to the advancement of New Jersey’s public interest. 

“As president and CEO of Englewood Health, Geller oversees a growing network comprised of more than 3,900 employees and over 1,200 physicians and other medical staff practitioners with revenue of $890.1 million—a number that has more than doubled since he took the helm in 2013,” NJBIZ stated in their announcement this week. 

Englewood Health has expanded its footprint under Geller’s leadership, with a focus on extending services beyond the campus to be more accessible to local communities.  

Last fall, Englewood Health opened a 73,000-square-foot facility in Jersey City, offering urgent and primary care, imaging and specialty care services. Additionally, Englewood is expanding its presence further into Bergen County. 

“I want to push the convenient care off of our campus and for the campus – it’s really for those esoteric tests that you need – cancer treatment, wellness center, in-patient care, advanced surgery,” Geller told NJBIZ last April. “So more complex on campus. Less complex, more affordable, less expensive – off campus.” 

The first hospital leader in New Jersey to sign the CEO Action Pledge, which supports advancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace and reducing health care disparities, Geller was one of 650 leaders from U.S. hospitals to sign the Health Care Sector Climate Pledge in the fall. Such moves build on Englewood Health’s steps toward an equitable expansion of care and contribute to its ability to earn high marks.  

Rated a Best Hospital for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report at the end of 2022, last fall Englewood also received its 19th “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade rating since 2012. 

To learn more about the list, visit: njbiz.com/health-care-power-50 

Englewood Health Announces New Physician Leaders

Posted on by John Williams

March 28, 2023 — Englewood Health has announced new physician leaders to oversee invasive cardiology, neurology, nephrology, pulmonology, obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, hospital medicine, urology, gastroenterology, oral maxillofacial surgery, and hospice and palliative medicine.

“We celebrate the rise of an accomplished group of physician leaders,” said Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health. “Each of our new leaders is a current member of our medical staff. Their accomplishments and contributions to Englewood Health and the field of medicine have already been numerous and impactful.”

Department Chiefs

Arthur Gross, MD

Arthur Gross, MD

Chief of obstetrics and gynecology | Full profile

Dr. Gross is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. He received his MD from Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He performed his residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he served as administrative chief resident. Dr. Gross has been cited as a “Best Doctor” by many publications including Castle Connelly, 201 Magazine, and The Jewish Standard.

Maz Ganat, MD

Maz Ganat, MD

Chief of urology | Full profile

Dr. Ganat is board certified in urology and obtained his MD from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. He did his internship in surgery and residency in urology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Following his residency, Dr. Ganat completed an additional urologic oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. His clinical interests include cancers of the prostate, bladder, kidney, testes, and penis and he performs endoscopic, robotic, and open surgery.

Associate Chiefs

Gabriel Lisung, MD, FACP

Gabriel Lisung, MD, FACP

Chief of hospital medicine-operations | Full profile

Dr. Lisung is board certified in internal medicine. He received his MD from Universidad San Martin de Porres and completed his residency at Northwell/Hofstra – Lenox Hill Hospital. Dr. Lisung is an assistant professor at Hackensack Meridian SOM and serves on Englewood Health’s Diversity and Inclusion Education Council. In addition to English, he is fluent in Spanish.

Yelena Galumyan, MD

Yelena Galumyan, MD

Associate chief of hospital medicine-safety, quality, and wellness | Full profile

Dr. Galumyan is board certified in internal medicine. She received her MD from Russian National Research Medical University and did her residency at Montefiore Medical Center. Dr. Galumyan is a senior fellow in hospital medicine with the Society of Hospital Medicine and has an MBA from University of Massachusetts Amherst. In addition to English, she speaks both Armenian and Russian.

Section Chiefs

Lee Kojanis, DDS

Lee Kojanis, DDS

Section chief of oral maxillofacial surgery | Full profile

Dr. Kojanis is board certified in oral and maxillofacial surgery and received his DDS from New York University College of Dentistry. He subsequently completed an oral/maxillofacial surgery program at New York University/Bellevue Hospital Center. His clinical interests include complex facial trauma, TMJ surgery, jaw corrective surgery, implantology, facial reconstruction, and dental rehabilitation.

Aron Schwarcz, MD

Aron Schwarcz, MD

Section chief of invasive cardiology | Full profile

Dr. Schwarcz is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, and interventional cardiology. He is also certified in echocardiology and nuclear cardiology. He received his MD from Mount Sinai School of Medicine and did his residency in internal medicine, as well as fellowships in cardiology and in interventional cardiology, at Montefiore Medical Center. Dr. Schwarcz specializes in the use of catheter-based techniques to treat heart disease such as coronary artery disease and valvular disease. He has helped create the coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) program and Complex Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) program at Englewood Health.

Mitchell Spinnell, MD

Mitchell Spinnell, MD

Section chief of gastroenterology | Full profile

Dr. Spinnell is board certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine. He received his MD from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and did his internal medicine residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center, where he served as chief resident and received additional gastroenterology training. His clinical interests include advanced endoscopic procedures, including ERCP, EUS, and stenting. He has participated in clinical research involving Crohn’s disease, C. difficile colitis, hepatitis, and bloodless medicine.

Catherine Laiosa, MD, PhD

Catherine Laiosa, MD, PhD

Section chief of internal medicine | Full profile

Dr. Laiosa is board certified in internal medicine, as well as hospice and palliative medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in hospice and palliative medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. During her fellowship, she had additional training in geriatric care. In addition to providing preventative care, risk-factor modification, and advanced care planning, Dr. Laiosa treats patients with hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and common infections.

Marc Zelkowitz, MD

Marc Zelkowitz, MD

Section chief of nephrology | Full profile

Dr. Zelkowitz is board certified in internal medicine and nephrology. He received his MD from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and performed his internship and residency at Jacobi Hospital. Dr. Zelkowitz pursued additional fellowship training at Montefiore Medical Center. In addition to English, Dr. Zelkowitz speaks Hebrew.

Kirk J. Levy, MD

Kirk J. Levy, MD

Section chief of neurology | Full profile

Dr. Levy is board certified in neurology, clinical neurophysiology, and sleep medicine. He received his MD from SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine. He did his residency in neurology at Barnes-Jewish Hospital of Washington University and his fellowship in clinical neurophysiology at University of Michigan Hospital at Ann Arbor. Dr. Levy is co-medical director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at Englewood Hospital. His clinical interests include epilepsy, seizure, sleep disorders, and migraine.

David Shiu, DO

David Shiu, DO

Section chief of pulmonary medicine | Full profile

Dr. Shiu is board certified in internal medicine and specializes in pulmonary and critical care medicine. He received his DO from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and did his internal medicine residency, as well as his fellowship in pulmonary and critical care, at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. In addition to English, Dr. Shiu is fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin and has a working knowledge of Spanish.

Vinnidhy Dave, DO

Vinnidhy Dave, DO

Section chief of hospice and palliative medicine | Full profile

Dr. Dave is board certified in hospice and palliative medicine, as well as internal medicine. He received his DO from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and did his internal medicine residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, followed by hospice and palliative medicine clinical and research fellowships at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. His clinical interests include cancer pain management, pain management in patients with multiple medical conditions not eligible for interventional treatment, symptomatic management in oncology patients, and advanced care planning.

Englewood Health Named a Top Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker’s Hospital Review

Posted on by Brenna Holland

March 21, 2023 — Englewood Health has been named one of the top places to work in healthcare by Becker’s Hospital Review.  

Becker’s annual Top Places to Work in Healthcare list recognizes hospitals, health systems, and healthcare companies that invest in their employees’ wellbeing, satisfaction, and fulfillment. Englewood Health was among just 150 employers nationwide to be included on the list. 

In their announcement today, Becker’s stated that Englewood Health’s “focus on excellence and human values extends to its relationship with its almost 4,000 employees. Employees are provided with benefits packages that provide affordable access to healthcare, financial security, professional and personal development, and the ability to maintain a work-life balance.” 

For more information about the list, visit: beckershospitalreview.com/150-top-places-to-work-in-healthcare 

Three Unexpected Services Available at Urgent Care Right Now

Posted on by Brenna Holland

You know how your smoke alarm batteries only seem to start beeping at 2 a.m.? Well, the same is often true for injuries and illnesses—they always seem to happen at night or over the weekend, when your regular doctors are off the clock. That’s where Englewood Health Urgent Care comes in.  

Englewood Health Urgent Care provides adult and pediatric urgent and non-urgent medical care seven days a week, with extended weekday and weekend hours. Conveniently located in Englewood, Cresskill, Fair Lawn, and Jersey City, Englewood Health’s urgent care centers are a local resource for a wide range of health services.  

Here are three unexpected services you can rely on Englewood Health Urgent Care for: 

Routine Care 

While many still perceive urgent care as just a resource for urgent illnesses and injuries (cuts, sprained ankles, flu, etc.), urgent care also provides a range of routine care services. Visitors to urgent care can get their yearly vaccinations or undergo pre-employment, school, or camp physicals. Though urgent care does not replace your regular physician appointments for routine care, it’s nice to know it’s there when you need it fast. 

Women’s Health Services 

Though most urgent care centers do not have a gynecologist or obstetrician on site, they do employ highly skilled, board-certified physicians and other providers who can diagnose and treat the gamut of health issues, including women’s health conditions. Urgent care can offer treatment for urinary tract infections, morning sickness, vaginal infections, menopause flare-ups, pelvic and abdominal pain, and pregnancy and STI testing, just to name a few. 

Tests of Many Varieties  

The diagnostic capacity of urgent care extends far beyond your average strep test. When you visit urgent care with an illness or injury that requires additional testing, the providers at urgent care can offer blood tests, EKGs, lab tests, and X-rays to get to the bottom of what’s ailing you. The team can also offer you a knowledgeable referral to a local specialist for follow-up care if needed and can share your test results with your current doctor or doctors, so you can start feeling better as quickly as possible. 

Posted March 2023.

Sonovein® Clinical Trial at Englewood Health–Echotherapy for Varicose Veins Concludes: Results Demonstrate 95% Success Rate

Posted on by Keri Flaccomio

March 2, 2023 — Englewood Health recently completed a single-center, investigator-initiated, FDA-approved clinical trial for Sonovein® echotherapy, a new noninvasive technology for treating varicose veins with therapeutic ultrasound.

Sonovein is the next evolution of a completely in-office, non-invasive, through-the-skin method of treating vein disease. For patients whose veins are conducive to this form of treatment, there are many advantages, including no incisions, guidewires, chemicals, or scars, and patients can resume normal activities immediately after the procedure.

Englewood Health accrued 20 cases of individuals with diagnosed symptomatic primary great saphenous vein (GSV) insufficiency, for this clinical trial. Results demonstrated a 95 percent success rate in treating GSV insufficiency, which is caused by incompetent veins and valves. This trial will now advance to a large multi-center trial led by Steve Elias, MD, Director of the Center for Vein Disease at Englewood Health, who was the principal investigator for this initial trial.

“All participating patients had an improved quality of life and reduction of symptoms,” said Dr. Elias. “These results are as good as, and in some cases better than, treatment with other more traditional technologies, and allows us greater choices when addressing each patient’s vein health needs.”

The Center for Vein Disease at Englewood Health is part of Englewood Health’s Vascular Surgery department, which is internationally recognized as a leading center for vascular and endovascular treatment.

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