Medical Center’s Rehabilitation Program Helping Patients Breathe Easier
-Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program Available at Old Bridge and Perth Amboy-

OLD BRIDGE, October 8, 2010…. After Florence Kroner’s serious bout with pneumonia and extended hospitalization at Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC) in Old Bridge six years ago, her breathing was not the same. By 2008, the Manalapan resident had developed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and was hospitalized again. “When I left the hospital I was using an oxygen tank and concentrator to help me breathe, I was told I would need to use the tank at all times and I thought I would never be active again,” said the 77-year old.

Shortness of breath, or the feeling that you cannot get enough air, can be frightening. It can result from a number of different medical conditions, including COPD, and transform even the simplest activities, like walking up a flight of stairs to doing laundry, into monumental challenges. On the bright side, however, it’s also a problem that can be effectively managed in many cases through pulmonary rehabilitation, giving those afflicted renewed independence and a fuller, more active lifestyle.

When Florence was well enough to leave the medical center after her second hospitalization she was referred to Raritan Bay’s pulmonary rehabilitation program. RBMC has been instrumental in helping many patients with a variety of breathing difficulties achieve a better lifestyle after completing their plan of care. “I’m playfully referred to as the ‘miracle patient’ by the staff at Raritan Bay,” said Florence. Through her hard work and perseverance she is now breathing more easily and is much more active than before her hospitalizations. “I only need to use an oxygen tank when I’m sleeping now so I’m able to live my life without fear; in fact, I was able to visit my son and his family in Florida the past two summers,” said Florence.

RBMC’s program is designed to help patients breathe easier by combining exercise to strengthen the lungs and heart, along with education, breathing re-training and psychosocial support. “We provide one-on-one rehabilitation with a respiratory therapist following a plan of care tailored to the patients’ particular needs and goals,” says Dr. Madho Sharma, RBMC’s medical director, division of pulmonology. “The goal for each patient is to improve breathing capacity, endurance, minimize progression of the debilitating symptoms of lung disease and positively impact overall quality of life.”

“My friends and I went on an exciting September Canadian cruise trip, which was my first! I can’t say enough about how wonderfully the staff treated me and how much better I feel. I recommend the program to everyone I meet who has difficulty breathing.”

For more information about services call the Old Bridge office at (732) 360-4290, Perth Amboy office at (732) 324-5108 or click here.

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Raritan Bay Medical Center Partners to Expand Massage Therapy Services

PERTH AMBOY and OLD BRIDGE, October 18, 2010… Many medical studies have demonstrated that massage therapy has an overall positive impact on patients with a wide-range of medical problems. With this in mind, Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC) has provided the therapy since 2007 through the hospital’s Division of Integrative Medicine and has now developed a unique partnership with the Cortiva Institute’s School of Massage Therapy to expand the availability of massage therapy services for hospitalized and walk-in patients.

“Research has shown that massage therapy can help decrease patients’ pain, fatigue, stress, anxiety and nausea,” said Paula O’Neill, MS, RN-BC, co-director of RBMC’s division of integrative medicine. “Massage therapy has also been proven effective in decreasing labor pain and anxiety.”

Through this partnership the medical center is now offering massage therapy sessions to patients provided by clinically-supervised Cortiva student volunteers who can fulfill their clinical educational requirements in a hospital environment. Additionally, staff from both institutions is collecting data on the effects of massage on patients. “This is a wonderful collaboration that benefits RBMC and Cortiva, but most importantly, it benefits patients by decreasing pain and anxiety associated with their treatment,” said Elaine S. Poinsett, faculty member at Cortiva, Wall, NJ.

In addition to the therapy sessions provided by the students extended massage therapy sessions may be scheduled, for a fee, at RBMC for hospitalized patients and on an outpatient basis.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the division of integrative medicine at 732.324.4700, ext. 5861.

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About Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC)
A New Jersey state-designated primary stroke center, Raritan Bay Medical Center, located in Perth Amboy and Old Bridge, is ranked among the nation’s top ten percent of hospitals in the care of stroke patients*, a position the hospital has held for five consecutive years. RBMC is also one of less than two percent of hospitals nationally to achieve re-designation as a Magnet Hospital, recognizing nursing excellence, and has received the New Jersey Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield patient care quality award for the past three years.

Licensed for 501 beds with a medical staff of more than 500, RBMC provides medical-surgical, maternity, pediatric, diagnostic imaging, laboratory and general and critical care, as well as adult behavioral health, emergency and interventional cardiac and same day surgery services.  A leader in cardiovascular care, RBMC is one of only twelve New Jersey hospitals currently participating in a national Johns Hopkins University Medical Center demonstration project studying the benefits of providing elective angioplasty in hospitals without onsite cardiac surgery. The hospital’s newly launched Human Motion Institute is devoted to providing superior outcomes and patient satisfaction in all areas of musculoskeletal treatment.

The medical center has several specialty services including the Center for Wound Healing, Center for Sleep Medicine, Center for Women, Center for Continence and Pelvic Rehabilitation, Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Programs. RBMC’s Medical Pavilion at Woodbridge provides urgent care services without an appointment 365 days a year, obstetrics and gynecology and physical therapy services.

RBMC is a major clinical affiliate of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, a member of the Robert Wood Johnson Health Network and affiliate of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. For more information about services, visit www.rbmc.org. For a free physician referral and practice information call 1-800-DOCTORS.

*HealthGrades, Inc. 2009 ratings

About Cortiva Institute
Cortiva Institute is a community of Massage Therapy Schools with 11 locations nationwide, offering full and part-time massage therapy instruction, continuing education courses, student clinics that are open to the public, and career services for graduates.  Cortiva schools take a holistic and integrated approach to ensure that our graduates are prepared to work in clinics, hospitals, health clubs, spas, resorts, sports therapy clinics or start their own private practices. Go to www.cortiva.com for more information.

Annual Harbor Lights Ball Yields $250,000 to Benefit
Multi-Million Dollar Center for Women
-Four Outstanding Individuals Honored For Their Charitable Achievements-

PERTH AMBOY, NJ, October 19, 2010… More than 320 guests traveled the globe at Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation’s largest fundraiser the 26th Annual Harbor Lights Ball: Around the World in September, benefiting the establishment of the new Center for Women at Raritan Bay Medical Center, (RBMC) Perth Amboy. The event grossed just over $250,000 to support a rapid diagnosis breast service along with the latest advancements spanning magnetic resonance breast imaging (MRI) and MRI breast biopsy, digital mammography, stereotactic biopsy, ultrasound and bone densitometry, patient education and counseling.

The new Center for Women is an integral part of the medical center’s comprehensive growth and renewal plan, Vision 2011, to enhance infrastructure, amenities and service lines. Earlier this year, the Foundation raised $180,000 from its Sports Classic Golf Outing to further underpin this initiative.

The Harbor Lights Ball honored four civic-minded individuals for their commitment to Raritan Bay Medical Center including Humanitarian Award recipients Jeff and Rona Shein of Long Branch, NJ, Jeff is president of the Marion and Norman Tanzman Charitable Foundation; Executive of the Year Award recipient Domenick Cama of Chatham, NJ, chief operating officer of Investors Savings Bank; Excellence in Healthcare Award recipient, the late Mankarios Samuel Behman, MD; and Norman Tanzman Award recipient, Marcella Massopoust, Perth Amboy High School art teacher and long-time community advocate.

The ball celebrated the worldly delights of China, India, Italy, and Spain, transporting guests to far reaching corners featuring Bollywood-inspired dancing, a diverse palate of cuisines accompanied by an assortment of French-inspired desserts and a grand silent auction. The event was held at the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel. Among the attendees were physicians, corporate executives and political dignitaries representing the 19th Legislative district.  Bob Durso, Woodbridge, NJ, resident and real estate agent for JJ Elek Realty, served as emcee and has led the Foundation’s event planning committee as chairman for the past four years.

While addressing the crowd, Durso remarked, “We, as supporters, know the importance of providing a framework for growth and innovation in today’s healthcare industry. Our support will provide resources toward the next wave of quality services, establishing Raritan Bay Medical Center as the ‘go-to resource’ for women’s health and well-being.”

In addition to the new Center for Women, the Foundation has supported medical equipment needs as part of RBMC’s respiratory services and physical therapy departments in 2010. To date, the Foundation has also garnered $70,000 through its employee giving program providing RBMC with mini-grants for small capital requests. Plans are underway for the 27th Annual Harbor Lights Ball, which is slated for September 24, 2011.  Call 732-324-5374 or log on www.rbmcfoundation.org to inquire about sponsorship, vendor or volunteer opportunities.

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About Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation
Since 1985, Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation has worked closely with community groups, businesses, and individuals to encourage and accept contributions in support of Raritan Bay Medical Center initiatives. A solid core of supporters, including a highly dedicated Board of Directors, physician partners and loyal volunteers, provide the energy and enthusiasm behind all of the Foundation’s accomplishments.

Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation Names New Executive Vice President

PERTH AMBOY, N.J., October 20, 2010… Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation, a private, non-profit organization that has raised millions of dollars to support various healthcare services at Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC), has appointed Nancy Barone, CFRE, as its new executive vice president.

“I am delighted Nancy will be leading our team at the Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation,” said Russell Azzarello, chairman of the foundation board.  “In partnership with our board members, to realize our vision, Nancy will play a key role in moving our philanthropic plan forward.”

Barone, of Brielle, NJ, joins the Foundation after serving as senior development officer of the Jersey Shore University Medical Center Foundation and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital for the Meridian Health Affiliated Foundations. While in this position she led the systems’ largest capital campaign which far exceeded its goal. She previously held the development role at Beaufort Memorial Hospital in Beaufort, SC.  She has a successful career in philanthropy as well as in the private sector with companies such as Lucent Technologies, AT&T and Avaya Communications. “I’m eager to strengthen philanthropic support for Raritan Bay Medical Center and excited about the opportunity to build strong relationships in the community, as well as, the board of directors, physicians, hospital’s administration, and employees,” said Barone.

“Nancy was selected after an extensive search, and I’m confident she will continue to raise the level of philanthropic giving for Raritan Bay Medical Center,” said Michael R. D’Agnes, Raritan Bay Medical Center president and CEO. “Philanthropy is critical in supporting the healthcare services we provide our community and to fund future programs and capital projects.”

Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation was established in 1985. Its mission is to raise funds in support of Raritan Bay Medical Center by working closely with community groups, the business sector and individuals. Over the past 18 months, donors have contributed $1.5 million to the Foundation. In today’s challenging economic climate, fundraising is critical to the medical center’s continued investments in state-of-the-art technology, clinical innovations, facility modernizations, community outreach and other vital programs that enrich the health of area residents. Thanks to continued philanthropic support, the RBMC Foundation has funded many important projects including the medical center’s ongoing growth and renewal plan Vision 2011.

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