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The Torch

Summer 2012

Published Quarterly for the dedicated employees, professionals, physicians
and volunteers of LibertyHealth/Jersey City Medical Center
Joseph F. Scott, FACHE, President and CEO, Mark Rabson, Director of Public Affairs
Editor: Nadeem Dawson Edited by: Amy Gilmor, Mary Cataudella and Regina Andriolo

U.S. News Names JCMC a Top Regional Hospital


the kidneys). This follows the hospital’s Five Diamond
Award from the Quality Insights Renal Network3 for
excellence.

For the first time in the 23 years the
listing has been published, U.S. News
& World Report has ranked Jersey
City Medical Center among the
top regional hospitals in its annual
ranking of America’s best hospitals.

“This is certainly an indication that all the hard work
is paying off,” said Joseph F. Scott. “Congratulations to
our employees, physicians and volunteers.



Jersey City Medical Center was the
only hospital in Hudson County to be
ranked in both New Jersey and the
New York City metropolitan area. The hospital was cited
for having a “high performance” specialty in the area
of nephrology (the subspecialty of internal medicine
that deals with the diagnosis, treatment and care of

This year’s U.S. News rankings
showcased 732 best regional
hospitals, whittled down from nearly
4,800 hospitals nationwide. For a full
ranking, visit www.usnews.com/
besthospitals.

JCMC Gets Top Rating from Leapfrog Group
preventable complications from surgery – the panel
also credited hospitals for having the procedures and
protocols in place to prevent infections, errors and
accidents. These include strong nursing leadership and
engagement, hand hygiene practices, computerized
physician order entry systems, adherence to medical
and medication protocols, safety first organizational
leadership and culture, and the proper ICU staffing.

Jersey City Medical Center has received an “A” Hospital
Safety Score from The Leapfrog Group, an independent
national nonprofit group. It was the only hospital in
Hudson County to receive an “A” rating.
The scores, ranging from “A” to “F,” were calculated
under the guidance of a nine-member blue ribbon
panel of experts using publicly available data on patient
injuries, medical and medication errors, and infections.

“The score attests to the success of our efforts
in enhancing life and maintaining our focus on the
hospital’s four pillars – Patient Safety, Clinical Quality,
Engagement/Satisfaction and Economic Health,” says
Joseph F. Scott. “It gives us a great deal of pride and
should give patients the added confidence in knowing
that when they come to Jersey City Medical Center they
can expect to receive the very best care.”

Of the 2,652 general acute care hospitals in the
United States issued a Hospital Safety Score, 729 earned
an “A,” 679 earned a “B” and 1243 earned a “C.”
In addition to identifying 26 measures from among
the safety measures publicly reported at the national
level – such as falls and trauma, central line-associated
bloodstream infections, severe pressure ulcers, and
1

Hospital Named by AHA as ‘Gold Fit-Friendly’ Company
The American Heart Association (AHA) selected
Jersey City Medical Center as a “Gold Fit-Friendly”
company. The award is given to employers who create a
corporate culture of health and wellness that improves
the health of its employees, thereby reducing the
financial burden brought on by a lifestyle of inactivity
and poor nutrition.

“We believe the health and wellness of our staff goes
hand-in-hand with delivering quality patient care,” says
Maureen Corrado, Director of Corporate Outreach and
Development. “To support this, we provide employees
with an array of benefits and programs.”
These include comprehensive and highly competitive
benefits package, free treatment for employees who
participate in the hospital’s “I Quit Smoking” cessation
program, discounted fitness center memberships,
preventive health care programs.

Fit-Friendly companies reach Gold level status
by implementing various activities and programs to
encourage physical activity, nutrition and culture
enhancements.

Medical Center Receives
AHA Stroke Gold Recognition
Jersey City Medical Center has received the
American
Heart
Association/American
Stroke
®
Association’s Get With the Guidelines - Stroke Gold
Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes
the hospital’s commitment and success in implementing
excellent care for stroke patients, according to evidencebased guidelines.
To receive the award, Jersey City Medical Center
achieved an 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get
With the Guidelines - Stroke Quality Achievement
indicators for two or more consecutive 12-month
intervals and achieved 75 percent or higher compliance
with six of 10 Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Quality
Measures, which are reporting initiatives to measure
quality of care.

Dr. Musaid Khan, Medical Director of the Primary Stroke
Center, posed with Michele M. Lopez, formerly Director
of Stroke Program Services and now the Emergency
Department Nurse Manager; and Kelly Sietsma, the new
Director of the Stroke Program.

These
measures
include
aggressive
use
of medications, such as tPA, antithrombotics,
anticoagulation therapy, DVT prophylaxis, cholesterol
reducing drugs and smoking cessation, all aimed at
reducing death and disability and improving the lives of
stroke patients.
“With a stroke, time lost is brain lost, and the
Get With the Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus Quality
Achievement Award demonstrates our commitment
to being one of the top hospitals in the country for
providing aggressive, proven stroke care,” says Michele
Lopez, former Director of the hospital’s Stroke Program
Service. “We will continue with our focus on providing
care that has been shown in the scientific literature
to quickly and efficiently treat stroke patients with
evidence-based protocols.”

Newport Half Marathon
is Sunday, September 23

To volunteer or for more information
call Maureen Corrado at 201.377.6057

2

Patient Satisfaction :

A Growing Priority
5. Explain the procedures carefully and ask if the patient
has any questions.
6. When talking with patients, use plain language.
7. Let the patient speak and allow ample time for
questions.
8. Don’t get defensive.
9. Respect patient privacy by knocking on the door
before entering a room.
10. Ask if patients want visitors in the room to leave
before discussion of medical issues or beginning of a
procedure.
11. Own responsibility for responding to problems.
12. Ask patients to “teach back” to you their care
instructions or discharge information.

Patients across the United States are surveyed
after receiving health care service and are asked two
important questions: Would you recommend this hospital?
and Would you use this facility again? Their answers
significantly affect the grade each hospital receives.
While our score on these questions has improved
slightly over the past three years, we must continue to
make this a priority. The response to these questions
now represent a financial opportunity for us, as
reimbursement to hospitals is becoming more and more
dependent on patient satisfaction.
Here are 12 ways each of us can support this
initiative -- which are relevant to all hospital positions:
1. Smile, introduce yourself, and explain why and what
you’re doing.
2. Demonstrate your concern at all times.
3. Address the patient by name while maintaining eye
contact.
4. Discuss possible treatment options.

Team JCMC Raises
Money for Mental Health
The National Alliance on Mental Illness - New Jersey
Chapter held its annual 5k walk in Seaside Heights. The
Behavioral Health Department and “Team JCMC” had
over 30 walkers comprised of staff and clients at the
event to support those who are in recovery from mental
illness. Team JCMC raised over $1,000 to support
NAMI in New Jersey and specifically Hudson County.
NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health
organization dedicated to building better lives for the
millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

Preventing Accidents

Administrative Journal
Club Initiated

Trauma surgeon Dr. Bruno Molino tried to navigate
an obstacle course while texting during Trauma
Awareness Day. The simulated course demonstrated
how distractions can affect drivers and pedestrians
and lead to traumatic injuries.
Kirat Kharode, VP of Operations, led the discussion
during the monthly Administrative Journal Club
where this month the leadership style of Steve Jobs
was discussed. The Administrative Journal Club was
organized to foster professional development.
3

Our Vision: Top 10% Nationally
Brenda Hall Receives Patient Safety Credential
Brenda Hall, Senior Vice
President, Patient Safety/Quality
Management & Regulatory Affairs
at Jersey City Medical Center,
has received the credential of
Certified Professional in Patient
Safety (CPPS).
The certification, offered on
behalf of the Certification Board
for Professionals in Patient
Safety, is designed to establish patient safety competency
standards and elevate the professional stature of health
care professionals who meet knowledge requirements

in safety science, human factors engineering, and the
practice of safe care.
Brenda is one of the few in the entire country to receive
this certification.
Certification requires a combination of education
and experience, as well as successful completion of
an evidence-based certification exam, which tests
candidates on six core patient safety domains: Culture,
Leadership, Risk Identification and Analysis, Data
Management System Design, Mitigating Risk through
Systems Thinking and Design and Human Factors
Analysis, and External Influences on Patient Safety.

Dr. Garay Named to America’s Top Physician Leaders
List by Becker’s Hospital Review
Dr. Kenneth Garay, the Chief Medical Officer of
LibertyHealth, which includes Jersey City Medical
Center, has been named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s list
of 100 Top Physician Leaders of Hospitals and Health
Systems in the United States.

The selection is based on the leaders’ healthcare
experience, awards they’ve
received and their commitment
to quality care. Many of the
leaders were nominated by their
peers, and the list was vetted by
industry experts.
Dr. Garay, a practicing
otolaryngologist, played a large
role in helping Jersey City Medical
Center recruit more than 250
private community physicians
to the medical staff over the past four years, as well in

improving the hospital’s quality measures and overall
reputation. For an unprecedented two consecutive
years, Jersey City Medical Center was named as the top
hospital for its size in New Jersey.
A graduate of the Temple University School of
Medicine and Columbia College, he trained at ColumbiaPresbyterian Hospital, and is the founder and senior
partner of Head and Neck Surgical Associates and
Center for Sinus and Nasal Disease. He is a Fellow of the
American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck
Surgery and the American College of Surgeons. He is a
well-respected speaker and lecturer.
“Dr. Garay is well deserving of this recognition,”
says Joseph F. Scott. “He has played a pivotal role
over the years in our success and our ongoing mission
of enhancing life for those who live and work in the
community.”

Dr. Michelle Reisner recognizes Dr. Nancy Reyes
as Clinician of The Year

Dr. Michelle Reisner,
the hospital’s
Director of Geriatrics
and Hospice and
Palliative Care, posed
with Nancy Reyes,
who received the
prestigious Clinician
of the Year Award
from the American
Academy of Homecare
Physicians given at the
recent American Geriatric Society; and with resident PGY2 Dr Khurram S. Malik, who presented a poster at the conference.
4

Cohen Earns Designation
as a Chief EMS Officer

Dr. DiGioia honored

Steven Cohen, Assistant Director
of Jersey City Medical Center’s
Emergency Medical Service, has
been awarded the professional
designation of Chief EMS Officer,
as conferred by the Commission
on Professional Credentialing.
Cohen, who has worked at Jersey
City Medical Center for 15 years,
is one of only 88 EMS leaders
nationwide to receive this
prestigious designation.
The program is designed to recognize individuals
who have demonstrated excellence and outstanding
achievement throughout their careers. Candidates
are evaluated in the areas of experience, education,
professional development, professional contributions,
association membership, community involvement, and
technical competencies. Candidates’ credentials are
evaluated by a team of peer reviewers appointed by the
Commission of Professional Credentialing.
“This recognizes Steve’s outstanding role as a leader
in this industry,” says Jim Dwyer, the hospital’s Director
of EMS. “He has played an invaluable role over the years
in making our organization one of the very best in the
country.”
The hospital’s EMS service was the first in the U.S.
to earn triple accreditation in dispatch, education and
emergency medical service. It’s one of the busiest in the
state, receiving more than 80,000 calls annually.

Dr. Julie DiGioia, Medical Director of the Cristie Kerr
Women’s Health Center, received congratulations from Dr.
Kenneth Garay, the JCMC’s Chief Medical Officer, after she
was honored at the annual Jersey City Chapter of UNICO
for her outstanding accomplishments and contributions to
the community. Proceeds from the dinner went to deserving
local high school students who have shown exemplary
accomplishments in academic, social and sports activities.

LibertyHealth Hosts
Internship Program
for Staff Families

Twelve high school and college students, children
of our employees and medical staff, were invited to
work at the hospital this summer as part of our new
Summer Internship Program. They were assigned to
various departments that match their interests as part
of the six-week program.
The program was designed to introduce these
students, who have an interest in careers in healthcare,
to the hospital environment. The students had
direct exposure to the day-to-day operations in the
departments to which they were assigned, learning the
workflow and operation while performing job functions.
“We view this as an excellent way to benefit our
employees and physicians by offering to educate and
share the important work done here with their children,
and to kindle that interest in these bright and motivated
students,” said Mary Cataudella, VP, Human Resources.

Summer Interns and their parents had lunch with Joe
Scott, and shared their experiences as the first group of
summer Interns.

5

LibertyHealth at Home
Nurses Week
Thank You

The following is an excerpt from an open letter sent by Blythe
Johnson, Staff Satisfaction & Retention Chairperson following
National Nurses Week.

Dear Jersey City Medical Center Family:
It is with heartfelt appreciation we have ended a
week of much fun and activities for our staff. The Staff
Satisfaction & Retention Council would like to thank
all the behind-the-scenes support and participation
during the celebration of Nurses Week. It takes only
a handful of dedicated people to make an event
memorable and appreciated. I would like to personally
thank some of the most hardworking and determined
individuals for all their patience and kindness in
putting together these events.
First, to my Co-Chairperson, Letitia Fernandes,
who worked tirelessly and sacrificed her days off
to work on coordinating the vendors’ participation
and securing discounts for our nurses. She was
instrumental in keeping everyone, including me, on
schedule! Thank you!
Dr. Susan Walsh, Dr. Mary Abed & Norma
Melendez, thank you, thank you, thank you! We truly
appreciate you taking time out of your very busy
schedules to present us with such valuable advice and
information. We will benefit and prosper because of
your efforts.
I can’t find enough words to thank Patra Clarke
and Rita Smith for their advice and support, but mostly
for their encouragement and positive reinforcement.
You helped to make this all possible, thank you!
Mark Rabson, Camille Tyler, George Adamson, your
patience is priceless! I just want to say thank you for
all you do.
Michele Lopez - your words of encouragement
were timely and rejuvenating. Thank you!
To all the Florence Nightingale Ceremony
participants, Mayor and Mrs. Healy, Joe Scott,
Maureen Corrado, Rita Smith, Raul Pamploma and
our JCMC Nurses - thank you for joining in this very
special commemoration.
To all of the vendors who not only donated time to
be here, but offered us rewards for our patronage, we
thank you.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) now accepts NICU
readmissions as well as full-term babies with non-contagious
conditions requiring close and ongoing 24-hour supervision
during the first 28 days of life. Shown here are Dr. Suhail
Alsheikh, medical director of the NICU, and staff.

As part of National Nurses Week, Jersey City Medical Center
held its annual Florence Nightingale Commemorative moment.
Jersey City Mayor Healy and his wife Maureen, who is a nurse,
conducted the blessing of hands ceremony in the Auxiliary
Rose Garden. The nurses are part of the Jersey City Medical
Center’s Magnet Award for Nursing Excellence Team.

Members of the EMS staff, including EMS Director Jim
Dwyer (left), celebrated EMS Week.
6

New Additions
to the JCMC Team
Dr. Valentin Marian has joined
the medical staff as a full time
rheumatologist. Dr. Marian
completed his residency at JCMC
and a rheumatology fellowship at
the University of Rochester. He
is dedicated to building a stateof-the-art rheumatology practice
in Jersey City and is devoted to
patients with muscular skeletal
disease and other autoimmune
diseases.

Members of Jersey City Medical Center’s “green team”
pose with employees of Stericycle, the company involved
in the hospital’s recycling efforts, including medical and
waste stream. (left to right) William Cook, Executive
Director of Plant Operations; Joe Scott, President/CEO;
Nick Mattachiera, Stericycle; Mary Ann Plaskon, Infection
Control Practitioner; Nick Fava, Stericycle; and Robert
Luckritz, Director of Government Relations.

Jodi Gittleman has been named
Director of Rehabilitation.

Jodi had been the Director
of Rehabilitation Services at
Hoboken University Medical
Center (formerly St. Mary’s
Hospital) since 2009, where
she was responsible for the
management
of
Physical
Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy
services. Prior to this, she spent a number of years at
St. Mary’s Hospital and St. Francis Hospital, first as a
Speech Pathologist, Department Coordinator, and then
as the Manager of Rehabilitation Services. She began
her career with LibertyHealth/ Meadowlands Hospital,
where she worked as a Speech Language Pathologist.

Marcell Sanchez, Director of Security, shown here with Joe
Scott, is the first recipient of the Manager of the Quarter Award.

Renee Giliberti has joined the
staff as Coordinator of Volunteer
Services. She was previously
the mentor manager of the Big
Brothers/Big Sisters of Essex,
Hudson and Union counties, an
organization the hospital closely
supports.

ER Doc in
A memorial mass was held for The Rev. James Reilly, former
chair of the Board of Trustees of Jersey City Medical Center,
who died from burns sustained in a fire in Bergen County.
Joe Scott, John Reilly (Father Reilly’s brother), Paul Berman,
JCPD Bugler, and Paul Mathieson, an EMS Supervisor,
participated in the service.

GQ

Congratulations to Dr. Alfredo Rabines,
Emergency Department Physician (EMA), who
appeared in the June edition of the national men’s
fashion magazine GQ


7

LibertyHealth in the Community
JC Museum Reopens
Masterpieces depicting Jersey City and environs
during the 19th century were featured in a new exhibit
at the Jersey City Museum (350 Montgomery Street,
Jersey City). This marked the museum’s re-opening
after its purchase, earlier this year, by the hospital
The landscapes of artists August Will and Charles
Linford are displayed in two of the museum’s galleries.
“Those of us who work in the hospital and also
live in the community are particularly thrilled about
our new role supporting the wonderful efforts of the
museum’s board of trustees,” says Joseph F. Scott.
The hospital has already held several events at the
museum, including a regional Magnet Conference and
resident class graduation.
The program is made possible in part by funds from
the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department
of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment
for the Arts.

As part of National EMS Week, Jersey City City Hall became
the city’s first “Heart Safe” building. Pictured here are (left
to right), Lorraine Cecchini, Councilman Michael Sottolano
and Donna Mauer, all who were all trained by the hospital’s
EMS squad; Rick Sposa, the JCMC’s EMS Communications
Coordinator; Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy; Steven
Cohen, the JCMC’s Assistant Director, EMS; Jim Dwyer,
Director, EMS; Joseph Scott; and Sarah DeGeorge, EMT. A
Heart Safe building is equipped and has trained personnel to
provide CPR to victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

Epilepsy Conference
Scheduled for the Medical
Community and the Public

EMS to Offer Family and
Friends CPR Course
Jersey City Medical Center’s EMS has designed a
two-hour course for the public on CPR.
Family & Friends CPA are for those who prefer to
learn CPR in a dynamic, hands-on group environment
and do not need a course completion card.
The course uses the research-proven PracticeWhile-Watching method. The American Heart
Association course will include instruction on both
adult and child CPR and choking and will be taught by
members of the hospital’s Emergency Medical Service
(EMS).
It will be held Wednesday, August 29 from 10 a.m. –
noon at the hospital’s EMS classroom at 415 Montgomery
Street in Jersey City. The cost is $5 per person.

On Saturday, September 22nd, the Northeast
Regional Epilepsy Group, Jersey City Medical Center
and the Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey will cosponsor the 2nd annual Epilepsy Conference. The halfday conference, offered free to the public, will be held at
Jersey City Medical Center.
A series of experts will present on the following
topics: Treatment for Epilepsy: What’s on the Horizon?;
Advances in Epilepsy Surgery; Memory Treatment Program
for Persons with Epilepsy; Accommodations for Children with
Disabilities in Public Schools; SUDEP (Sudden Unexplained
Death from Epilepsy): Facts and Fiction; and Epilepsy
Foundation of New Jersey: Services for Children and Adults
Living with Epilepsy in the Garden State.
“Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent neurological
conditions in the United States,” says Dr. Evan Fertig,
an epileptologist, and co-director of the Epilepsy Center
at Jersey City Medical Center. “This conference is
intended to give the public an overview of epilepsy,
while examining specific issues that confront children
and adults with the disorder.”

8

Alzheimer’s Walk Scheduled for Saturday, September 22
Interested in walking to raise money for Alzheimer’s
Disease?
Antonio Viera, an emergency department nurse,
who is also the president of the Jersey City Chapter of
Sigma Theta Tau (the national honor society of nursing),

is creating a joint team with walkers from JCMC for
the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s
on Saturday, September 22nd beginning at 9 a.m. in
Liberty State Park.
Antonio’s plan is to establish multiple fundraisers for
the walk and encourages hospital staff to contact him to
participate.
More than five million Americans suffer from
Alzheimer’s and that number is expected to grow to as
many as 16 million by 2050. The Walk is committed to
raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research,
care and support.
Antonio can be reached at jviera@libertyhcs.org or
at 201-988-5835.

Kudos to Our
Perioperative Champions
Perioperative Champions,
who are important members
of the OR, are continually
challenged with an onslaught
of new technology. The
Operating Room would like
to acknowledge two that
have made chaos become
calm and serene:

Jaclyn Zimmerman, is
an Operating Room Nurse at Jersey City Medical
Center who has continuously and admirably
performed
her
duties
beyond what is expected.

Jaclyn joined the team
of certified nurses in the
operating room for the Open
Heart Team and volunteered
to learn the role of an Open
Heart
Surgical
Nurse.
Jaclyn has exhibited true
leadership and collegiality
in her new role, providing
an example for all perioperative nurses to follow.
Venus Madison is an Operating Room Surgical
Technician who has provided the organization with
consistent quality support.
Venus maintains professionalism in the heat
of the surgical environment with a true kindness.
Venus is a perioperative champion who has
informally recruited personnel for full time and per
diem work in the Operating Room.

JCMC’s Auxiliary Tricky Tray
Fundraiser to Support NICU
on Friday, September 28
The Jersey City Medical Center Auxiliary will hold
a Tricky Tray Fundraiser to raise funds to buy a lifesaving, state-of-the-art isolette (incubator) for the
sickest premature babies cared for in our NICU.
The event is scheduled for Friday, September 28th (6
– 9 p.m.). Drawings will start at 6:45 p.m., with basket
prizes to include toys, electronics, jewelry, holiday
baskets, cookware, spa and dining certificates, and much
much more. The cost is $15 in advance and $20 at the
door (which is good for tickets and refreshments). For
more information, call 201-915-2332.

March of Dimes Walk

Joe Scott poses with staff during recent March of Dimes walk.
Joe was the Chair of the March for Babies Walk in Hudson
County earlier this spring.
9

JCMC Medical Teamwork Helps Save Pregnant Woman
This is an excerpt from an article that appeared recently in the Jersey Journal
In the intensive care unit at Jersey City Medical
Center, a group of doctors were in “unchartered
territory.”
In their care was a 30-year-old Hoboken woman
who was struggling to breathe, and at stake was her life
and the life of the baby she was carrying.
“We were concerned she wouldn’t make it through
the night,” said Dr. Andrew Novick, an interventional
radiologist at the hospital. “The pregnancy made her
a very high risk and we needed to agree on doing
something that would work fast and have the lowest risk
to her health and that of her baby.”
Catherine Rodriguez, 27 weeks pregnant with her
second child, fainted a block from her Hoboken home
as she was walking with her husband, William, to her
doctor’s office for a check-up.
“The next thing I remember is waking up in the
street,” said Rodriguez, who felt pain in her right leg
the day before but shrugged it off when she woke up the
next morning feeling fine.

Dr. Max Gomez of WCBS-TV and crew filmed the story of
Catherine Rodriguez, her baby Zamiyah and Dr. Andrew Novick,
who with a team of other Jersey City Medical Center physicians
helped save the life of Catherine and her unborn child.

A CT scan at the Hoboken Medical Center showed
she suffered from pulmonary embolism -- a deadly
condition caused by blood clots traveling from one
part of the body into the lungs, blocking one or more
arteries. The lack of blood flow in the lungs depletes the
blood of oxygen damaging major organs in the body and
potentially leading to death.

new minimally invasive treatment that breaks down the
clots with proteins transmitted by low powered, high
frequency sound waves.
“We were in unchartered territory,” said Novick,
noting that there is little data on the best method to
treat pulmonary embolism during pregnancies.

Rodriguez was quickly transferred to the JCMC
where a team of doctors raced against time to save her
and her baby.

The procedure included the insertion of two
catheters into veins in Rodriguez’s groin, the catheters
then passed through her heart and into her pulmonary
arteries. Treatment lasted through the night with
doctors in ICU keeping a watchful eye.

“She was not looking good,” said Novick, who
saw signs of serious problems as blood backed up in
Rodriguez’s lungs and her right ventricle was on the
verge of failing.

The next morning Rodriguez was breathing better
and gathered enough strength to sit up in bed. Doctors
gave her a blood thinner after a echocardiogram showed
most of the clot was gone.

The pain in Rodriguez’s leg the previous day was
caused by the same clot that was now threatening
her life. Novick said the “reason (her leg) got better is
because the clot broke from the leg and traveled to her
lungs.”

“She just gave me a thumbs-up and said she felt
good,” said Novick. “But thanks to our team approach, it
turned out well.”

In the hospital’s interventional radiology suite, Dr.
Pragnesh Gadhvi, an interventional cardiologist; Dr.
David Flores, a pulmonary specialist; Dr. David Principe,
a high risk pregnancy specialist, and Novick strategized.

Rodriguez recuperated and on May 8 gave birth to a
healthy 6-pound baby girl, Zamyiah, at the Jersey City
Medical Center. On June 28, doctors Novick and Principe
saw Zamyiah for the first time when Rodriguez brought
her in for a check-up at JCMC.

“We wanted to do something aggressive but safe,”
said Novick.


“If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here,” said
Rodriguez with a smile as she held her baby in her arms.

Doctors decided to perform an Ekos Thrombolysis, a
10

EMS Receives County Contract for 9-1-1 Calls
people are calling from and notify the proper resources.”

The Hudson County Board of Freeholders has
awarded Jersey City Medical Center’s Emergency
Medical Service (EMS) the contract for 9-1-1 medical
call screening for Hudson County.

Adds Rick Sposa, EMS Communications Coordinator,
“Our certified emergency call takers have the breadth
of experience needed to provide the instantaneous
instruction over the phone before help arrives 24/7 for
such common emergency situations as chest pain, cardiac
arrest, child birth and choking in several languages.”

The one-year contract, beginning August 1, was
issued to Jersey City Medical Center’s EMS after being
awarded a year ago to an agency outside of Hudson
County. It had previously been with JCMC for over 20
years since the inception of the 9-1-1 system. Callers
who dial 9-1-1 are first asked if it’s a police, fire or
medical emergency.

In recent years, the Jersey City Medical Center’s
EMS has reduced its average response time dramatically.
Since 2007, times have been cut from an average of
more than eight minutes to a little over five minutes.
Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC) rates, which
indicate circulation is regained during resuscitation of
a patient in cardiac arrest, has improved more than 70
percent during this time as well. The quicker response
time can also make the difference between life and
death for patients suffering strokes or trauma.

The contract involves the screening and processing
of all 9-1-1 medical emergency calls. This insures the
dispatch of proper local assets and respondents to the
scene. It does not cover calls made in Bayonne, Hoboken
and Secaucus, which have their own 9-1-1 screening
systems currently in place. Jersey City calls, which are
also separate, are already screened as part of Jersey
City’s existing contract with the Medical Center.

“We believe our EMS can provide the best, most
effective service to the residents of Hudson County in
the most economic manner,” says Joe Scott, President
of Jersey City Medical Center, who praised the Board of
Freeholders and Sheriff Frank Schillari for bringing the
call screening back to Hudson County.

“We’re very pleased to receive the contract again,”
says Jim Dwyer, Director of the Jersey City Medical
Center EMS. “We feel because we’re a local agency
we have the familiarity with the geographies and
municipalities in Hudson County needed to know where

First Phase EMR Successful

Cardiology Department
Implements New System
Congratulations to the Cardiology Department for
its successful implementation of the McKesson Horizon
Cardiology System.
The new system will allow a viewing of EKGs, Echos
and Cardiac Caths images and reports with a single logon to the application. It will also allow a direct import of
the reports into the new EMR and the medical records
system, along with the faxing of the reports to the
referring physicians.

Dhaneesha Bahadur an RN on 5 East using the hospital’s new
Workstation on Wheels during the first day of go-live for the
new EMR System.

11

LibertyHealth - Voice of the Customer
Nurse Rita Smith made us feel so welcomed that we almost
forgot why and what we were there for.
The knowledge, dedication and fantastic personalities of
day nurses Rachelle Roxas, Diana Kirschenbaum, and night
nurse Marcelina Lusara, Cath Lab Nurse Cheryl Quiambao,
Terrance Pilgrim, and Regina O’Donnell, respiratory therapist
Cris Cruz will forever be a hallmark of excellence in patient
care.
I’m sure we received extra special attention because our
daughter is a staff RN in CCU and our son is a respiratory
therapist there, but it is evident that the philosophy of
enhancing life, patient safety, satisfaction and clinical quality
permeates throughout the facility and that is a tribute to the
excellence that your institution stands for.
We also want to thank the outstanding medical team of
Dr. Preston Hupart, Dr. Ravi Rathi, and Dr. Wilfredo Cruz.
The teamwork and compassion we felt made this
experience one we will never forget. We hope we can assist
you in continuing to carry the torch of MAGNET in your
organization that you so truly deserve.
Thank you again for all you have done for my husband and
my family.
Sincerely yours,
Erlinda Ramos
(Retired Asst. Nurse Manager, ICU Christ Hospital)

July 18, 2012
Mr. Joe Scott
CEO Jersey City Medical Center
Dear Sir,
I am writing this letter on behalf of my family to express
our sincere appreciation and gratitude for the outstanding
care, compassion, dedication, and professionalism your staff
provided my husband during his illness in CCU on July 14 17, 2012.
He was cared for by doctors, nurses, residents, respiratory
therapist, and nursing assistants in CCU. During his
hospitalization every aspect of his care was planned and
explained not only to him but also to me.
The nurses that cared for my husband truly represent the best
in nursing and are an asset to your institution. I wish I could
name each and everyone but I would like to recognize those
whom my husband felt very close to at that time.
I am incredibly impressed by the heartwarming welcome
of the nurse-in-charge Danielle Diaz who effectively and
efficiently facilitated the hospital room for my husband,
together with the Nursing Supervisor on duty that night who
expedited the admission process, Vince Obode our deepest
gratitude. The Nurse Manager Cristina Simeone and Chief

Breaking News
Greenville Hospital to Open for Outpatient Services
children with special needs.”
The Medical Center will work closely with Community
Healthcare Associates (CHA) to purchase, renovate and
operate the former Greenville Hospital. The renovation
is expected to take about a year.

Jersey City Medical Center will re-open the former
Greenville Hospital in Jersey City as an outpatient
service center.
The LibertyHealth Board of Trustees and the hospital
administration approved a plan to undertake a major
renovation of Greenville Hospital and will locate several
outpatient services into the building. This is due to
the growth of outpatient service lines and added staff
needed to service to an increasing patient population.
Until its closing in 2008, Greenville Hospital operated
as an acute care facility. Most recently, it was used as
headquarters for the Jersey City Medical Center’s EMS,
until its recent move to the Siperstein Building.
According to Joe Scott, “This facility will provide
an excellent location for an urgent care center and
several specialty services including our HIV treatment
and prevention program; and for several programs for

School Supplies
2nd Annual Drive
As part of a Back to School supplies drive, employees
and visitors are encouraged to place school supplies in
containers in the Main Lobby and in the Educational
Department for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hudson
County in Jersey City. New pens, pencils, crayons, glue,
scissors, notebooks, book bags, lunch boxes, binders, etc.
will be given to local students.

Congratulations to Dr. Susan Kaiser, a breast surgeon in the JCMC Department of Surgery, who has been
named this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Member Award from the Association of Women Surgeons.
12






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