Hackensack Meridian Health

Congratulations to Patrice V., recognized by NJBIZ as a 2024 Leading Woman in Business! This award recognizes New Jerseyan women who have made a significant impact in our state. As our vice president of talent development, Patrice goes above and beyond to build and support the amazing team that makes us who we are. This honor is truly well deserved. Patrice was joined in celebrating this week by fellow leaders Avonia Richardson-Miller, EdD, MA, CDE®, Marie Anderson, MHA, ECDHE, CDE®, SHRM-SCP, Sandra Isaksen, Danielle Antoniazzi, MPA, CPTD, Tria Deibert, Mary Baszkowski and Staci T. White, MPA. #newjersey #womeninbusiness #healthcare

The National Domestic Violence Hotline estimates that every 60 seconds, 24 Americans are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner. Nearly 12 million individuals face domestic violence every year. Hackensack Meridian Health is committed to combating this crisis, and the devastating effects it can have on mental and physical well-being. Throughout the year, our clinicans partner with our community to provide the care, support, and resources needed to rebuild our patients’ lives following domestic violence. The theme of this Domestic Violence Awareness Month is "Heal, Hold, and Center," spotlighting those under systems of oppression. As we proudly wear and light up our hospitals purple to show our support, we remember to center marginalized populations in our efforts to address domestic violence, champion cultural means of healing, and hold space for survivors. #domesticviolence #DVAwarenessMonth #enddomesticviolence #SDOH

Amanda and Tamara have supported many families through loss. As a nurse manager and a patient care technician and unit clerk in a hospice unit at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, they were each determined to do all they could to ease the pain. A few years ago, a patient was signed into hospice on one of Amanda's units. "He had a granddaughter and came to visit her Pop Pop, and I don't think she understood what was happening," she says. She fled the room in a state of emotion. Amanda and Tamara realized this was the granddaughter's first loss, and wanted to help her through it. They were inspired by Jersey Shore's Child Life team, which will create handprints to help those who are losing their child. The Child Life team helped the granddaughter to create a lasting memory, and the process stuck. Now, the team will go to patients who are admitted to hospice and their families, and offer a handprint for them to be made so they can have a piece of their loved one to bring home. Of the chance to be a support in these moments, Tamara says, "It's amazing. There's really no words. We're making a difference in their lives, and it makes a difference in ours as well." Amanda shares the same sentiment. "I went into nursing to help people," she says. "It brings back purpose to what we do. Even on the hardest day, if someone asks me to do handprints, I will stay late and I will do it because I get to go home knowing I made an impact." Hundreds of handprints later, the stories stick with them — and the impact goes far beyond. When a young mom with ALS was put on hospice, Tamara and Amanda were determined to help her two sons make a beautiful memory. Later, a nursing supervisor on the team who had attended the memorial let them know that the family had shared how meaningful the handprint they made had become. "It represents a connection for the patient and their family. Even in the darkest of times, when you're going through that loss, you still have that memory."

Join our experts for a free continuing medical education event where the latest topics in urogynecology will be discussed. Attendees will learn about the latest advancements and best practices for treating conditions such as urinary and fecal incontinence, overactive bladder, and more. In-person attendance is highly recommended, but virtual options will be available for those who cannot attend in person. #cme #urogynecology #symposium

Black women are more likely than white women to die of every type of breast cancer — even the most treatable. The best way to protect against breast cancer is to catch it early. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, get your mammogram. Make your appointment online at https://lnkd.in/eRvr5A-7. #breastcancerawarenessmonth #mammogram #breastcancer

This Hispanic Heritage Month, Becker's Healthcare recognized some of the many Hispanic and Latino leaders to know in health care. Congratulations to Victor Carrillo, PhD, MPA, MBA, our senior vice president and associate chief quality officer; Jose Lozano, our executive vice president and chief growth officer; Ramonita Jimenez, our vice president and chief nursing officer for the department of patient care at Hackensack University Medical Center and Elizabeth Paskas DNP, MBA, RN, NE-BC, CPXP, our senior vice president and chief patient experience and performance improvement officer. This month and throughout the year, we are proud to have these four exceptional leaders guiding our team. #hispanicheritage #hispanicheritagemonth #healthcare

Some of us know our callings all our lives. Liz is one of them. Today, she's the network director of language services and operator services at Hackensack University Medical Center, but her journey as an interpreter began as the firstborn child of non-English speaking parents. Liz's parents came from Argentina to the United States 55 years ago to start a family. “I’m the only daughter and the oldest child with two younger brothers. The oldest has a lot on their shoulders, especially if you’re an immigrant,” says Liz. “I’ve been interpreting since I learned how to speak English.” “At one point, we moved back to Argentina for five years. We returned to the United States when I was 18 years old. I had to finish my high school years,” says Liz. “I completed four years in 2.5 years attending night school, while working two jobs to support my family.” Her decades of family interpreting experience prepared her well for her career. When she first joined Hackensack University Medical Center, it was as the assistant manager for switchboard operators, and her cheerful voice and helpful nature helped her excel. Two years later, Liz was asked to create a language services division. “The department has grown exponentially in the past 21 years,” says Liz. She expanded the program across our network, which now provides interpretation services in more than 240 languages, remotely or in-person. Her work helped lead to Hackensack University Medical Center becoming first in the nation to achieve the Joint Commission’s Health Care Equity Certification. “There isn’t any other hospital in the state of New Jersey or New York that has a program as robust as ours. I’m proud to work for an organization that supports our patients and their needs when it comes to language,” Liz says. And she remains in touch with her roots, interpreting for her father whenever needed. “From the time I was a young girl, my father always told me that ‘you need to love what you do.’ I have a sign in my office that says that! It’s exactly who I am! If you love what you do, it’s never work,” says Liz. “I love my job, and I love what I do. I live and breathe it every day.” #HispanicHeritageMonth

Dr. Florian Patrick Thomas, a renowned neurologist specializing in ALS, CMT and hereditary neuropathies and other conditions, recently participated in the 50th BMW Berlin-Marathon in Germany for ALS. He joined more than 50,000 runners from over 150 nations in the annual marathon, which is held on the last weekend of September. Sporting his red Team ALS T-shirt, he had a fantastic time running in the cool, sunny weather, chatting with fellow runners from around the world raising awareness for ALS. Dr. Thomas is a dedicated advocate for people with ALS and serves as chair of neurology at the Neuroscience Institute at Hackensack University Medical Center. Congratulations to Dr. Thomas for completing the marathon and supporting those with ALS! #BerlinMarathon #ALS #Neurology

Like many families, the Chiribogas emphasize the importance of gathering together at the end of the workday to share a meal and quality time. At these moments, parents Edwin and Blanca not only pass down family recipes to their kids, Natalie, Natasha and Edwin Jr. They've given them inspiration. Edwin has been a member of the Jersey Shore University Medical Center family for 26 years. Thanks to the stories he shares, all three of his children are in health care too. “I remember when I was in nursing school and just beginning my career. I was and still am excited about being a nurse,” says Edwin. “I would come home from work and sit down to talk about the good and bad about my day. My girls and son got inspired by those conversations and decided to go into health care as well.” When Bring Your Children to Work Day gave them the chance to "see what Papi did in the orthopedic department," it sealed the deal. “Our dad paved the way. He encouraged us to be nurses. I pursued shadowing opportunities in physical therapy and never looked back,” says Natalie, an inpatient rehabilitation physical therapist at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute at Ocean University Medical Center. Natasha also had the opportunity to work with her father as she completed one of her clinical rotations at Jersey Shore. “I always knew I would work in health care,” she says. “We always enjoyed coming together at dinnertime with stories about the day. It’s a bonding experience." She began her career as an acute care therapist at Ocean University Medical Center earlier this year. They aren't the only members of the Chiriboga family at Hackensack Meridian Health. Their cousin Rolando works in IT at Ocean University Medical Center. “I’m very passionate about my job and seeing my family members throughout the day is an added perk,” he says. Two and a half decades in, Edwin remains just as passionate about orthopedics. “Every day there’s something different," he says. "I never get tired of helping people and seeing them get better.” Now, his children will say the same.

Our children's hospitals are #1 in the state, according to US News and World Report! This is the fourth year in a row that Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital have earned the top spot in New Jersey. We’re grateful to have the best patients, too — and they’re ready to celebrate 💙