JEWISH RENAISSANCE MEDICAL CENTER

THE CENTER

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4

March 2016-June 2016

Welcome to the fourth issue of The Center! Spring has everyone moving again and the JRMC is no exception! Read on to learn more about new projects, events and recent successes at JRMC.

“The greatest wealth is health.” - Virgil

In this issue:

1.......... Department Spotlight: All Smiles at Dental 2.......... Women's Health Issues on the Horizon 2.......... Newark Sees a Clearer Future 3.......... Terry Takes Over 3.......... JRMC Highlights Hard Work 4.......... Celebrating 10 Years of Partnership with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families 5.......... JRMC Takes the Lead in Newark

Department Spotlight: All Smiles at Dental

Recently the JRMC has faced increasing demand for dental services. In the face of the challenges associated with growth, the Dental Department has flourished and constantly strives for improvement. One of the Dental Department’s noteworthy accomplishments were the glowing reviews from the April inspection with the New Jersey Department of Health. Through the dedicated work of Sterilization Clerk, Jessica Tamayo, the Dental Department has vastly expanded its sterilization and infection standards. Adhering to such Dr. Cook, Chief Dental Officer, in all smiles advanced protocol has allowed the department to effectively meet while treating a patient. (Photo taken from Amboy Guardian.) the increasing patient demand on its dental hygiene program. The transition to Certified Dental Assistants (CDA) has further aided the JRMC in meeting the increased demand. Speak to anyone on the staff about the advancement of the Dental Department, and they will mention Chief Dental Officer Tonya Cook and Shanta Lane, Director of Dental Services. Cook “has been with the Dental Department since day one, and has truly helped facilitate our department’s continual growth,” Lane remarks. With such noteworthy leadership, the Dental Department has routinely updated its structure and training policies in efforts to further focus on quality care. “We’re changing for the better,” notes Carolyn Gonzalez, Supervisor of Dental Patient Operations. Even with such success, the staff is aware that the Dental Department is just one piece of the puzzle. Coordinating with the Pediatric, OBGYN and Internal Medicine Departments of the JRMC is a priority. The Dental Department recognizes the importance of inter-department coordination throughout the JRMC so we “can provide the best care possible by treating the whole patient and truly serving as a one-stop health center.” (Lane)

Women's Health Issues on the Horizon On May 10th, JRMC partnered with Horizon NJ Health to host the Wellness for Women Workshop! Lead by Dr. D'Agostino, attendees learned and discussed common health issues concerning women’s health. Sorangie Castillo, Planning & Development Associate at JRMC, organized the event. She remarks that the workshop, open to all JRMC patients, “is a great opportunity to raise awareness for issues that are common to so many of our patients. Dr. D’Agostino provided a safe space to discuss topics that are often overlooked, and we are looking forward to our next event.” Attendees received prizes, take-home materials and participated in a free gift-card raffle. We thank Horizon NJ Health and Dr. D’Agostino for their work, and look forward to our next Horizon workshop! Stay updated with all upcoming events and programs open to all JRMC patients by checking out our website and following us on social media!

Newark Sees A Clearer Future

The JRMC is a recipient of the 2016 William G. and Helen C. Hoffman Foundation Grant. The allocated funds will support the JRMC in its goal to address the vision-oriented challenges prevalent amongst the families in the Newark area. The grant will significantly improve the JRMC’s eye care testing and expand outreach to those in need of prescription glasses, surgery or medication. Jorge Cruz, Chief Strategy Officer for JRMC, sees the very evident need for improved eye-care services amongst Newark’s youth. “From among our own caseload, we have found that Newark children in public schools have poor access to consistent eye care,” Cruz comments, from “the inability to afford prescription eyeglasses to the ability to receive appropriate treatment and therapy for diagnosed eye diseases”. The second year of Hoffman Foundation funding has enabled JRMC to establish a more structured system of eye care services, particularly for children who are diagnosed with poor vision and eye disease. The funding has also served as an invaluable resource to subsidize the costs of contact lenses and other corrective devices that are too expensive for low-income families and those not covered by insurance.

Terry Takes Over



NBI and CHoNJ," announced Barry Ostrowsky, CEO and president of the hospitals’ parent organization. Darrell K. Terry, Chairman "He has solid roots in the greater Newark community of the board at JRMC, was named and will continue to be an exceptional leader for our President and CEO of Newark Beth physicians, employees and the patients we serve." Israel Medical Center (NBI) and the Working with three major health care compaChildren’s Hospital of New Jersey nies in New Jersey, Terry holds 30 years of experience (CHoNJ). in health care administration. His extensive work and Terry has been effectively serving as the inter- advocacy has earned Terry numerous recognitions, im CEO and president since February of this year. It including the Community Leadership Award from the was an easy decision to make Terry’s role permanent Jewish Renaissance Family of Organizations. thanks to his admirable experience and ties to the re- We wish Chairman Terry the best of luck in his gion. "Mr. Terry has a wealth of valuable experience at new role with NBI!

JRMC Highlights Hard Work Giselle Nunez, Registerd Dietician What is your connection to the Building Healthy Communities (BHC) Initiative? With the BHC Grant through Johnson & Johnson, I work to reduce the risks of obesity. I just started a 6-week class in Carteret High School through the Boys & Girls Club of Perth Amboy and Carteret. I’m also doing an adult nutrition class through the Jewish Renaissance Foundation Family Success Center. What inspires you to work at JRMC? Having grown up here, I wanted to make a nutritional impact in this town because I know the population and culture. JRMC gave me an opportunity to help patients to live a healthier lifestyle.

Artie Meigh, Facilities What is the most rewarding aspect of working in Facilities? With Facilities, we work with people throughout the entire organization. We assist our Newark SchoolBased Health Sites as well as our Mobile Units. So Facilities has helped me witness what an impact we have not only in Perth Amboy, but also our Newark locations.

Scott James, AmeriCorps Marketing and Development Coordinator

The JRMC is strengthening its ties with AmeriCorps through the addition of a new VISTA member, Scott James. Recently graduating from UNC - Chapel Hill with a degree in English and Advertising, James hopes to build a career path in the nonprofit sector. He is eager to continue the work of his dedicated predecessors tasked with expanding the reach and magnifying the impact What is your role as a board member for the Jewish Renaissance of JRMC services for the underserved and uninsured community. Foundation (JRF)?

My role consists of helping make policy and budgets and providing a set of ears for new ideas. There is so much going on with the new JRF health center in Edison opening up, What advice would you give to help and to be a part of that is an added Established 50 years ago, VISTA (Volunteers In Service To Amerimprove one’s nutritional health? bonus to my job. ica) is predicated on resolving I consistently advise portion control, consuming more fresh foods while lim- What do you appreciate most about poverty through indirect service iting processed foods. Another compo- working with JRMC? and capacity building. The JRMC nent to reducing health risks regarding hopes to further expand its conIt’s definitely the great staff here at obesity has to be physical activity. Even nection with AmeriCorps, with JRMC. I enjoy having work that walking for 30 minutes a day will do you allows me to interact with so many plans to add an additional 10 VISwonders. TA members over the next year. people.

Celebrating 10 Years of Partnership with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families The issues facing today’s youth are often multi-faceted and require a range of services in order to be addressed. A substantial number of teenagers have multiple problems which are often overlooked or require various services which aren’t readily available. The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (NJDCF) is exclusively devoted to serving the most vulnerable children and families of our state. One of the NJDCF’s most ambitious components is the School Based Youth Services Program (SBYSP), which was started in 1987 to help young people navigate their adolescent years, finish their education and obtain professional skills. Currently operating in 91 schools across 21 counties, SBYSP delivers an assortment of employment, health and social services that are tailored to unique needs of each community. 2016 marks the 10th year of partnership between the JRMC and SBYSP. With an annual contribution of $624,000 from SBYSP, Newark’s School-Based Health Centers continue to

reach children and their parents who could not otherwise receive quality health care. Conveniently located in neighborhood schools, Newark’s School-Based Health Centers provide comprehensive health care services. “As we looked for funding to expand our school-based health centers, we saw a truly tremendous need in Newark for children to be seen regarding medical, dental and behavioral health” comments Dr. Alan Goldsmith, JRFO Founder and President. “The funding provided by the NJDCF has been essential to JRMC’s success in Newark, and has helped us significantly expand our outreach throughout the community.” SBYSP operates all year with a central goal that youth involved in the program will graduate healthy, drug-free and capable of securing employment. JRMC looks forward to its continued partnership with SBYSP as we continuously strive to make important differences in the lives of vulnerable students.

JRMC Takes the Lead in Newark This past March, elevated levels of lead were discovered in the drinking water of 30 Newark schools. While experts assert that the recorded levels are not high enough to pose any serious complications, state officials sought to ensure that any health impacts were minimal. “I want to make sure everyone understands this is a situation we’re concerned about, but it is not a crisis,” Governor Chris Christie told reporters of the New Jersey Daily Record. “But we don’t want to let it become a crisis. So we’re on top of it.” JRMC joined in the effort to test for lead poisoning for approximately 17,000 children in the Newark school system. The seven JRMC Newark School-Based Health Centers, that provide inner-city access to needed health services and health resources, were essential to Newark efforts in

spreading awareness. Additionally, JRMC utilized its mobile unit to provide lead screening opportunities for those in need. For over 10 years, the JRMC Newark School-Based Health Centers have been dedicated to aiding medically underserved communities of Newark. Health services are available to anyone in need, regardless of your ability to pay or your insurance status. To find out more about our Newark School-Based Health Centers, visit our website at http://jrmc.us/ where-we-work/nsbhc/.

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