Raritan Bay Medical Center Receives $12,500 Grant from Northfield Bank Foundation
-The grant benefits the Center for Women, a Pink Ribbon Facility^TM-

PERTH AMBOY, NJ, June 30, 2011… Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC), recently received a $12,500 grant from Northfield Bank Foundation in support of the medical center’s Center for Women, a Hologic designated Pink Ribbon Facility^TM.

“Our strong partnership with Northfield Bank Foundation speaks volumes about their commitment to giving back to the communities which they serve,” said Executive Vice President, Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation Nancy Barone.

The medical center recently opened a new Center for Women as part of the new Outpatient and Imaging Suites at RBMC’s Perth Amboy hospital. The new center complements the medical center’s longstanding Old Bridge location. Both provide diagnosis and treatment for women’s specific needs, but the Perth Amboy location is one of only a few New Jersey sites providing both breast MRI imaging and MRI-guided biopsy.  Additionally, women’s healthcare company Hologic recently recognized RBMC as a Pink Ribbon Facility^TM certifying that the medical center provides its patients the best possible imaging technology for the earliest possible detection of breast cancer. To schedule an appointment, call 732-324-5270. For more information, visit www.rbmc.org.

The Northfield Bank Foundation was founded in November 2001 with the purpose of supporting not-for-profit organizations that help improve the quality of life in the communities in which Northfield Bank does business; specifically Middlesex and Union Counties in New Jersey, Staten Island and Brooklyn in New York.  To date, the Foundation has provided $1,850,000 in funding to local not-for-profits.  “We are proud to partner with Raritan Bay Medical Center once again,” said Diane Senerchia, Northfield Bank Foundation.

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About the Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation
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.

Raritan Bay Medical Center Offers Friends & Family and Hand-Only ^TM CPR to Public

PERTH AMBOY, NJ, June 30, 2011… When an adult has a sudden cardiac arrest, his or her survival can depend greatly on immediately receiving CPR. Unfortunately, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), less than a third of those people who experience a cardiac arrest at home, work or in a public location get that help, which can double their chance of survival. Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC), with locations in Old Bridge and Perth Amboy, is now offering two CPR education programs to the community, in cooperation with the AHA, in an effort to increase the chance that someone can help if an adult suddenly collapses.
            RBMC’s Stroke Center is providing a 90-minute Friends & Family CPR class available at the medical center or place of business. Participants receive a Friends & Family CPR take-home learning kit from the AHA, with a practice manikin, educational booklet and DVD. This kit makes learning the core skills of CPR easy, convenient and fun to share with the whole family. Classes may be scheduled by making a $25 donation per kit or family household to the AHA. For more information or to schedule a class call 732-324-5300. Groups of 20 or less are recommended. The class does not provide CPR certification.
            Professionals from RBMC’s Emergency Medicine department are providing free 15-minute Hands-Only^TM CPR Awareness and Practice Sessions, also available at the medical center or place of business. The sessions are designed to make participants confident in practicing Hand-Only^TM CPR, a life-saving measure almost anyone can do. For more information or to schedule sessions call 732-324-5393 or email Michelle Golba-Norek at mnorek@rbmc.org. Sessions do not provide CPR certification.

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About Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC)               
                A New Jersey state-designated primary stroke center, RBMC is a recipient of the American Stroke Association’s Get with the GuidelinesSM – Stroke Silver Performance Achievement Award, recognizing the medical center’s success in implementing a high standard of stroke care and the American Heart Association Get with the GuidelinesSM – Heart Failure Gold Performance Achievement Award recipient, recognizing the optimal care of patients in 24 consecutive months.
RBMC, with locations in Old Bridge and Perth Amboy, is also one of less than two percent of hospitals nationally to achieve re-designation as a Magnet Hospital, recognizing nursing excellence, and is a three time recipient of the New Jersey Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield patient care quality award.
                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 ten New Jersey hospitals chosen to participate 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 Human Motion Institute is devoted to providing superior outcomes and patient satisfaction in all areas of musculoskeletal treatment and its newly launched Institute for Weight Loss at Old Bridge provides medical and surgical weight loss options.
                The medical center has several other 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, an obstetrics and gynecology physician practice and outpatient physical therapy services.
RBMC is a major clinical affiliate of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and a member of the Robert Wood Johnson Health Network. For more information about services, visit www.rbmc.org. For a free physician referral call 1-800-DOCTORS.

Raritan Bay Medical Center and Raritan Bay Area YMCA Partner for Health & Wellness
-Partnership Coincides with UEZ, City of Perth Amboy’s Goal of Improving the City, Will Lead to Medical Campus Area Encompassing the Hospital and Y-

PERTH AMBOY, NJ, July, 19, 2011… Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC) and the Raritan Bay Area YMCA have entered a partnership agreement allowing the medical center to be the exclusive provider of health and wellness programs for the longtime community resource. The medical center will have designated leased space at the Y, located close to the hospital at 357 New Brunswick Ave., that will allow for nutrition, diabetes, integrative medicine and a host of other health preventive and treatment programs under the direction of physicians and clinical nurse specialists.

City of Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz said of the agreement, “The UEZ and the city have made significant improvements in the area that lies between the hospital and Y, most recently installing new and improved sidewalks along New Brunswick Avenue. This partnership works in concert with our efforts and is sure to be the start of a great relationship, with the goal of creating a medical, health and wellness campus in that part of the city.”  Under the arrangement RBMC will also have use of the Y’s entire facility including its theatre for training and staff education programs as well as employee wellness programs.

“This is a natural partnership between our two organizations, both committed to maintaining the health and well-being of not only Perth Amboy residents but also of our surrounding communities,” said RBMC President and CEO Michael R. D’Agnes. “This will allow our medical center to bring needed services out of our hospital’s walls and directly to the community. In fact we are currently working to develop similar partnerships with the other YMCAs in our service areas.”  The partnership with the Y is another avenue RBMC has pursued to bring healthcare services out to the community at large, joining RBMC’s Medical Pavilions at Woodbridge and Perth Amboy and satellite outpatient physical therapy offices in Matawan and Edison.

The Y is dedicated to providing families with services, programming and activities designed to build healthy individuals, instill healthy values and create a strong sense of community. The Raritan Bay Area facility includes a variety of resources, including: a fitness room with state-of-the-art equipment, recreational and competition swimming pools, basketball courts and gymnasium, space for educational programs and more. “Obesity and related diseases have negatively impacted the health and well-being of many, but through this partnership we are able to make an impact and help create a healthier community” said Steve Jobin, president and CEO of the Raritan Bay Area YMCA located in Perth Amboy and Sayreville.

To learn more about membership or available Y programs visit www.rbaymca.org or call 732-442-3632. For more information about Raritan Bay Medical Center’s services visit www.rbmc.org, to make an appointment with a physician call 1-800-DOCTORS.

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About Raritan Bay Medical Center (RBMC)        
A New Jersey state-designated primary stroke center, RBMC is a recipient of the American Stroke Association’s Get with the GuidelinesSM – Stroke Silver Performance Achievement Award, recognizing the medical center’s success in implementing a high standard of stroke care and the American Heart Association Get with the GuidelinesSM – Heart Failure Gold Performance Achievement Award recipient, recognizing the optimal care of patients in 24 consecutive months.

RBMC, with locations in Old Bridge and Perth Amboy, is also one of less than two percent of hospitals nationally to achieve re-designation as a Magnet Hospital, recognizing nursing excellence, and is a three time recipient of the New Jersey Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield patient care quality award.

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 ten New Jersey hospitals chosen to participate 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 new Human Motion Institute is devoted to providing superior outcomes and patient satisfaction in all areas of musculoskeletal treatment and its newly launched Institute for Weight Loss at Old Bridge provides medical and surgical weight loss options.

The medical center has several other 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, an obstetrics and gynecology physician practice and outpatient physical therapy services.

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

About the Y
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Y’s engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.

By: Ujjwal Datta, DPM, AACFAS

Diabetics can develop many different foot problems and even ordinary problems can get worse and lead to serious complications. But most can avoid serious issues by having their feet checked by a podiatrist annually and following some simple tips. Most importantly diabetics should work with their physician to manage their blood glucose levels, check their feet every day for red spots, cuts, swelling and blisters and seek medical attention if injuries are found.

Foot problems most often happen when there is nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy. Although it can cause pain, neuropathy can also lessen the ability to feel pain, heat and cold. This can lead to injuries going unnoticed. Diabetics also may have skin and skin structure problems in their feet such as dry, cracked skin, corns and calluses, eczema and fungal infections because their nerves no longer control oil and moisture. They also may suffer from poor blood circulation leading to abnormal healing and in the most severe cases, gangrene.

Guarding against infection is essential for diabetics. High blood glucose levels make it harder for the body to fight infection. Calluses, if not trimmed by a podiatrist, can become ulcers (open wounds) which in turn can get infected and cause osteomyelitis (bone infection) which may lead to amputation. Luckily, there are many things that can be done to keep feet healthy, including;
Wash feet every day. Dry them carefully, especially between the toes.

• Keep your skin soft and smooth. Rub a thin coat of skin lotion over the tops and bottoms of feet, but not between toes.
• If toenails can be seen and reached, trim them when needed. Trim toenails straight across and file the edges with an emery board.
• Wear shoes and socks at all times. Never walk barefoot. Wear comfortable shoes that fit well and protect the feet. Check inside shoes before wearing them.
• Protect feet from hot and cold. Wear shoes at the beach and during any outdoor activities. Test water temperature before bathing.
• Keep blood flowing to feet. Wiggle toes and move ankles up and down for five minutes, two or three times a day.
• Eat right and exercise

Following these simple tips can help diabetics avoid prolonged foot problems. Remember, healthy feet make happy feet and happy feet mean happy people!

Dr. Datta is board qualified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and a member of the Human Motion Institute at Raritan Bay Medical Center. His practice Garden State Podiatry has two locations: 491 New Brunswick Avenue, Perth Amboy, NJ and 4 East High Street, Bound Brook, NJ. To make an appointment, call 732.442.3668.

Raritan Bay Medical Center and Raritan Bay Area YMCA Partner for Health & Wellness. Click on the podcast player below to learn about this exciting new partnership and how it benefits the community. Just one of the many ways we’re advancing everyday care.

To learn more, please view the article featured in MyCentralJersey.com, click here.