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

Beverly’s Story – Lung Cancer

Posted on by Brenna Holland

Beverly James reflects on the unexpected symptom of lung cancer that led to her early diagnosis and saved her life.

It began with stomach pain. Looking back now, 69-year-old Beverly James also recalls losing weight in the weeks leading up to her collapse. 

“I’d noticed my clothes were fitting bigger on me, but, at the time, attributed it to my workout regimen,” said Beverly.  

Recently retired after decades of service to the New York Department of Education, Beverly spent five days a week at a senior’s exercise club doing aerobics, Pilates, and yoga. 

When she wasn’t in exercise classes, Beverly walked for an hour each day. She was, by all reasonable estimation, in excellent shape as she neared her 70th birthday. 

Which made it all the more shocking when crushing stomach pain brought her to her knees one Sunday morning in church. 

After her fall, parishioners called an ambulance that swept Beverly to the emergency department at Englewood Health. Soon thereafter, a PET scan detected something abnormal in her lungs.  

“I was in shock,” said Beverly. “I’d never smoked. I wasn’t a drinker. I exercised seven days a week. Lung cancer was the furthest thing from my mind.” 

When Beverly thought about the possibility of having cancer in the past, she most often imagined breast cancer—a disease her mother, grandmother, and sister all had in their lifetimes. 

“That’s why I always got my annual mammogram,” said Beverly. “But I had never imagined I could have lung cancer, which is why I never thought to get screened for it.” 

Beverly was given a stage 1 lung cancer diagnosis and referred to Christos Stavropoulos, MD, director of thoracic oncology at The Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center and chief of thoracic surgery at Englewood Health. 

“While many of us associate symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain with lung cancer, there are lesser-known symptoms as well, such as stomach pain,” said Dr. Stavropoulos. “Some patients with lung cancer will experience elevated calcium levels that cause digestive issues like stomach pain, constipation, or nausea.” 

According to Dr. Stavropoulos, these lesser-known symptoms illustrate why it’s important to pay attention to your body and see your doctor any time something feels off. 

“I liked and felt comfortable with Dr. Stavropoulos right away. He’s a nice man and a great doctor,” said Beverly. “Thankfully I didn’t need chemotherapy, but I did need surgery to remove the cancer from my lungs.” 

Though Beverly was scared to undergo surgery, the mother-of-three knew it was necessary to save her life.  

Of the experience of recovery, Beverly said, “I’m building back my strength and getting better every day.” 

Today—four weeks after her surgery—Beverly has returned to her daily walks and feels confident she’ll be doing Pilates and yoga at the senior’s club in no time. 

“When I look back now, I’m thankful I got sick that day in church, because it led me to Englewood Health and is the reason I was diagnosed so early on, when the cancer was most treatable.” 

Beverly said if there’s any advice she can offer to others based on her own experience, it’s to listen to your body, get medical attention when you need it, and get screened for a wide array of cancers—not just the ones that run in your family. 

To learn more about lung cancer screenings, visit: englewoodhealth.org/lung-cancer. 

Posted November 22, 2022

John’s Story – Spine Care

Posted on by John Williams

For more than a decade, John had suffered with debilitating back pain. In August 2022 he underwent his third operation, a minimally invasive robotic-assisted spine surgery at Englewood Health. Waking up from surgery, he was able to sit up in bed and even walk to the bathroom—the first of many life-changing moments. The improved recuperation period, he says, has allowed him to get back to his daily life, feeling physically and mentally stronger every day.

Posted November 21, 2022

Englewood Health Named a Top Three Health Care System in New Jersey by NJBIZ Readers

Posted on by John Williams

November 21, 2022 — Englewood Health has been named a top three health system in New Jersey by the NJBIZ 2022 Reader Rankings.

In more than 50 categories, the annual survey identifies the best of New Jersey across a range of businesses and industries as chosen by the state’s residents, business owners, clients, customers, colleagues, and patients.

During an open voting process, Englewood Health was ranked by voters as a top health system in all four applicable categories: top health care system; top physician network; top hospital; and top cardiac care center.

“We are honored to be voted a top health system by our state-wide community,” said Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health. “This distinction reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire health system in bringing patients comprehensive, high-quality care on our hospital campus, as well as in our hospital outpatient departments, urgent care centers, and physician offices across northern New Jersey and beyond.”

To learn more about the rankings and methodology of the NJBIZ Reader Rankings visit: njbiz.com/reader-rankings-2022

Englewood Health Awarded ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from Leapfrog Group

Posted on by John Williams

November 17, 2022 — Englewood Health received an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for fall 2022. The ‘A’ rating is a national distinction that Englewood Health has achieved consecutively for three years from The Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit organization committed to driving quality, safety, and transparency in the U.S. health system.

“We are honored to receive an ‘A’ rating from the Leapfrog Group,” says Kathleen Kaminsky, MS, RN, NE-BC, senior vice president, patient care services and chief nursing officer at Englewood Health. “This grade reflects the commitment of our entire health care team to prioritizing patient safety.”

“We’re proud to see our team’s dedication to ensuring patient safety recognized once again by The Leapfrog Group,” says Tina Bloemer, RN, MSN, CPHQ, CPHRM, FASHRM, vice president for quality at Englewood Health.

“I applaud the hospital leadership and workforce for their strong commitment to safety and transparency,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is a sign that hospitals are continuously evaluating their performance, so that they can best protect patients.”

To see Englewood Health’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.

Englewood Health Appoints Three New Executive Leaders

Posted on by John Williams

November 10, 2022 — Englewood Health has appointed Tina Bloemer, MSN, RN, CPHQ, CPHRM, FASHRM, vice president of quality; Jamie Ketas, vice president of population health; and Marcello Guarneri, CPA, vice president of finance.

Tina Bloemer
Tina Bloemer, MSN, RN, CPHQ, CPHRM, FASHRM

Tina Bloemer Joins Englewood as VP, Quality

Bloemer brings over 14 years of experience in risk and quality management to her role at Englewood Health.

Bloemer earned her BS in nursing from the University of Connecticut, followed by her MSN from the University of Phoenix. She served as a neonatal intensive care unit nurse at Yale New Haven Hospital and as a case manager for mothers and infants at Moorestown Visiting Nurse & Hospice.

Bloemer held various progressive positions at Virtua Health, including corporate director of risk management. Before taking on her role at Englewood Health, she spent five years as the director of patient safety, quality, and risk management at Penn Medicine Princeton Health.

As vice president of quality, Bloemer will provide executive oversight of quality, risk management, infection prevention, patient relations, and patient and family engagement.

A key part of her role will be to partner with clinical leaders and administrators to improve and enhance performance, ensure high-quality patient care, and provide superior customer service.

Bloemer succeeds Jamie Ketas, who has served as vice president of quality since 2019.

Jamie Ketas
Jamie Ketas

Jamie Ketas Named VP, Population Health

Ketas has been a member of the Englewood Health team for over a decade, most recently as vice president of quality, and has provided executive oversight of quality management, patient and family engagement, care transition teams, data analytics, and clinical research.

Before serving as vice president of quality, Ketas was the senior director of research and care transitions. Prior to that, she was director of the hospital’s Clinical Research Center and Institutional Review Board.

Ketas previously held a variety of progressive positions focused on research at Weill Cornell Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center.

After receiving her BS in biology from the University of Notre Dame, she earned an MS in management with a graduate certificate in clinical trials management from Thomas Edison State University.

As vice president of population health, Ketas will oversee the development and implementation of the health system’s population health strategy. She will provide strategic and operational leadership to the team built to support Englewood Health’s value-based care model, advance health equity efforts, and promote community health. Ketas will also maintain oversight of data analytics and research operations for the organization.

Marcello Guarneri
Marcello Guarneri, CPA

Marcello Guarneri Joins as VP, Finance

Guarneri joins Englewood Health with more than 30 years of experience in healthcare finance.

Most recently, he was chief financial officer at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center of RWJBarnabas Health. An accomplished and results-oriented financial executive, Guarneri has an extensive background in healthcare financial management and administration, with previous appointments at Saint Michael’s Medical Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, and Holy Name Medical Center, among others. He is a member of the New Jersey Institute of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA), Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), and American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). He also serves as a member of the NJHA Audit and Compliance Committee and the NJHA Finance Committee. Guarneri received his BS in business administration at Montclair State.

In this newly created role reporting to Anthony Orlando, CFO, Guarneri will oversee finance, budget and reimbursement, payroll, accounts payable, and materials management and support services at Englewood Health.