Long-term care residents at the Jefferson Health Care Center (JHCC) in Washington Township recently enjoyed a special visit from certified therapy dogs Cole and Cece — along with their owners, Chris Hannah and fiancée, Nicole Sapello. The visit, held in collaboration with Angelic Health, was part of the Team Cole Project’s annual summer "Kindness Tour" to area schools, hospice patients, and veterans' homes. South Jersey dogs Cole, five, and Cece, 15 months, are anything but your typical canines, as the pit bulls were both born deaf. Cole has learned some American Sign Language commands from Chris. The Team Cole Project... Continue reading

Project SEARCH at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital was recognized with an "Excellent Outcome Award" at the 15th annual Project SEARCH Conference in Baltimore, MD, on July 26. This is the fifth time the hospital has received this recognition for high employment outcomes. Project SEARCH at Jefferson Health partners include Jefferson, the Y.A.L.E. School, the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities, the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and Samost Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Southern New Jersey. Interns at Jefferson train in a variety of hospital departments, including Health Information Management, Patient Transport, Pharmacy, Storeroom, Food Service, Maintenance,... Continue reading

I Support the Girls (ISTG) –- an international nonprofit organization that donates feminine hygiene products, toiletries, and new and gently used bras to girls and women in need –- has established a partnership with the Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Unit (CAPU) at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital, making its first delivery of items on July 19th. Founded in 2015 by Maryland resident Dana Marlowe, ISTG has grown around the country and the world through Affiliate Directors, who create donation programs in their local communities. Women and girls should never have to compromise on dignity -- whether they are homeless, refugees, in... Continue reading

Jefferson Health – New Jersey recently hosted a “Business After Hours” networking event at its Cherry Hill hospital, in partnership with the Camden County Regional Chamber of Commerce (CCRCC). Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital VP of Operations Lisa Dutterer; Associate Chief Medical Officer Jayci Knights, MD; and other leadership and healthcare providers shared valuable information on breast surgery, gastroenterology, the importance of not delaying medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and more. Shown, from left: Robert Weil, CCRCC Chairperson; Lisa Dutterer; Kristin Brill, MD, Enterprise Director of Breast Oncology; Jayci Knights, MD; Kristin Ferraro, CCRCC Brand Ambassador; Gastroenterologists Anthony Infantolino, MD,... Continue reading

The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – New Jersey — with locations in Cherry Hill and Washington Township — has launched a new patient and community-centered outreach program, COPE. COPE — which stands for Community Outreach Partnership and Engagement — is a wide-reaching initiative aimed at supporting all people with a diagnosis of cancer and their families by partnering with the community to increase access to cancer-related education, cancer risk reduction services, as well as early detection and screening care. “As part of the nationally acclaimed Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, we have a very strong commitment to the communities we serve,”... Continue reading

Jefferson Health – New Jersey recently hosted 11 teachers of students in grades 5-12 from schools throughout the region, as part of the three-week South Jersey Summer Institute for Educators, established by the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey (CCSNJ) 30 years ago. The annual summer program helps regional educators visit area businesses and keep pace with changes in the business community — while also providing them with tools to better prepare the future workforce, their students. Since its inception, 638 teachers from dozens of South Jersey schools have “graduated” from the Institute, reaching more than 60,000 students with... Continue reading

Jefferson Health - New Jersey’s Heleema Jackson, MSN, RN, Director of Patient Flow Management Center, was recognized as an “Emerging Leader” at the New Jersey Hospital Association’s (NJHA) recent “Best at the Beach” event at Ocean Place Resort & Spa in Long Branch, NJ. Jackson was among the healthcare leaders, policymakers, and community members celebrated at the beachfront celebration for their commitment to good health in the Garden State. Based at Jefferson Stratford Hospital, the Patient Flow Management Center increases patient throughput and efficiency at all three Jefferson Health – New Jersey hospitals — also including Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital... Continue reading

Jefferson Health’s Maria Giangiulio, a Patient Care Technician on the 4-East/West units at Jefferson Stratford Hospital, was recently honored with a BEE Award for Extraordinary Caregivers. A Sewell, NJ, resident who joined Jefferson nearly seven years ago, Giangiulio was nominated for going “above and beyond” to assist her nursing colleagues during a patient’s end-of-life care. "Maria is an incredible asset to Jefferson,” said the nominator, one of the patient’s family members. “She is empathic, sympathetic, and has an incredible heart." BEE honorees — nominated by patients, visitors, nurses, physicians, and employees — are non-nursing employees who work side-by-side with clinical... Continue reading

Thirteen young adults received Project SEARCH graduation certificates at an outdoor ceremony, marking their participation in a longstanding work-transition program at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital and, for the first time, Jefferson Stratford Hospital. These Project SEARCH interns attended classes at both hospitals every day throughout the school year, working and learning alongside Jefferson Health's employees. Jefferson Health – New Jersey has been involved with Project SEARCH -– an international work-transition program for young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities -- since 2016. Since its launch, 51 students from Cherry Hill’s Y.A.L.E. School have “graduated” from the Project SEARCH program... Continue reading

Jefferson Health’s three New Jersey hospitals have each received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s (AHA/ASA) Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines. Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital, Jefferson Stratford Hospital and Jefferson Washington Township Hospital each earned the Gold Plus award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients. Before hospital discharge, patients should also receive education and have a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions. “The Get With The... Continue reading

Jefferson Health – New Jersey has been awarded a $574,503 grant from the New Jersey Department of Health to establish an outreach program to provide education, as well as COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, to a wide array of community members in southern New Jersey. The grant awarded to Jefferson Health – New Jersey will be used to fund and train a team of social workers and community health workers to connect with various segments of the population throughout Camden and Gloucester counties, and provide education and needed vaccinations. Although New Jersey has one of the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in... Continue reading

Two children of Jefferson Health – New Jersey employees have been named recipients of the Annual Sanderson Memorial Scholarship. Two $2,500 scholarships are given to two eligible dependent children of regular full- or part-time associates with at least one year of service. The scholarship is awarded in memory of Sarah Sanderson, an original Board Member of then-Kennedy Health. Sanderson generously bestowed funds to promote the continuation of health education among promising young students. The scholarship winners are: Kassidy Farnum, of Medford, NJ, daughter of Colleen Farnum, Nurse Director of Surgical Services at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital. Kassidy will graduate from... Continue reading

Several Jefferson Health clinicians recently completed a six-week online perinatal bereavement training program, offered at no cost by South Jersey/Philadelphia based nonprofit, Three Little Birds Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support. Jefferson Health – New Jersey was lead sponsor of the organizations 2021 “Wave of Light” ceremony held at Cooper River Park. There, Jefferson was presented with two Cuddle Cots –- aimed at providing solace for parents who experience infant loss in a hospital setting –- as well as access to Three Little Birds bereavement training. The online training program included a wealth of research, along with topical videos to address... Continue reading

More than 400 supporters of Jefferson Health – New Jersey attended its annual Gala, held May 7th at the Borgata Hotel & Casino. The event -– the first in-person gala since 2019 –- raised about $635,000 to support the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center in New Jersey. The iconic Beach Boys provided entertainment for the Gala. Shown here are several key Jefferson NJ leadership members, along with two members of the band. From left: Larry Slagle, Associate VP of Development; Mike Love of The Beach Boys; Lisa Dutterer, VP of Operations, Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital; Autum Shingler-Nace, VP of Operations, Jefferson... Continue reading

Six winners of the Jefferson Health – New Jersey recently named six winners of its first-ever “Giving Tank” competition at the Jefferson Health Foundation – New Jersey Gala held this past weekend at Borgata Hotel & Resort. Much like the popular ABC television show “Shark Tank,” more than 30 Jefferson Health NJ employees submitted proposals that would either help improve their work, benefit patients, or enhance well-being. Six awards — ranging from $25,000 to $100,000, and totaling up to $275,000 — were granted in categories that included: Clinical, Spaces, and Wellness. The12 finalists presented their ideas before a panel of... Continue reading

Jefferson Health’s three New Jersey hospitals -- located in Cherry Hill, Stratford and Washington Township -- were each awarded an ‘A’ in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for Spring 2022. This national distinction recognizes Jefferson New Jersey’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and error in the hospital. The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems that hospitals have in place to prevent harm. “At a time when... Continue reading

Community members are invited to put on their dancing shoes for a good cause! Tickets are now available for the Jefferson Health Foundation – New Jersey 2022 Gala, featuring the famed Beach Boys, on Saturday, May 7, at Atlantic City’s Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa. Proceeds from this year’s Gala will benefit the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center in New Jersey. Black tie optional. Seating will be confirmed on a first-paid, first-served basis. Must be 21 to attend. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The Beach Boys concert begins at 9:30 p.m. Also, winners of... Continue reading

Jefferson Health - New Jersey’s Kum "Kay" Pai, a Patient Care Technician on the C4 unit at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital, was recently honored with a BEE Award for Extraordinary Caregivers. A Mt. Laurel, NJ, resident, who joined Jefferson in late 2017, was presented the award by Coordinator of Patient Care Services Dawn Scott, RN, and Senior VP & Chief Nursing Officer Helene Burns, DNP, RN, NEA-BC. Kay was nominated by a grateful patient, who praised her for being welcoming and easy-going: "From the moment Kay walked through my door, warmth and comfort came with her. She took my vitals... Continue reading

Congratulations to Jefferson Health – New Jersey’s Gwyn Parris-Atwell, DNP, FNP-BC, CEN, FAEN, whose poster presentation received First Place in the Research category at the recent New Jersey Emergency Nurses Association's (NJENA) 43rd Annual Emergency Care Conference. The NJENA conference, held in Atlantic City, featured timely educational topics in emergency nursing practice — while also providing key networking opportunities for attendees. A Nurse Practitioner with the Jefferson Occupational Health Network, Parris-Atwell's First Place poster is about mitigating fatigue to improve the health and well-being of shift-work nurses. During the three-day conference, Parris-Atwell also presented on wound care practices. When not... Continue reading

Mercedes Kallal, BSN, RN — a Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Registered Nurse at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital — was recently honored with a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. In addition, Sabrina Bogert, an Environmental Services housekeeping attendant at the hospital, was presented with a BEE Award for excellence in supporting nursing care. Kallal, of Turnersville, NJ, and Bogert, of West Deptford, NJ, were each nominated by Director of Surgical Services Irene Houck. The oldest full-time nurse at Jefferson Health – New Jersey, the 83-year-old Kallal, was praised for her strong work ethic, dedication to her nursing career, and willingness to help... Continue reading

Jefferson Health – New Jersey’s Operating Rooms at its hospitals in Cherry Hill, Stratford and Washington Township have earned the Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR®) Strong designation from the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI). The CNOR Strong designation is given to facilities having at least 50 percent of its Operating Room staff CNOR certified through training specific to their area of expertise. According to CCI, research shows that nurses who earn the CNOR credential have greater confidence in their clinical practice, having validated their specialized knowledge in perioperative nursing. Thus, a team of CNOR certified nurses who have mastered the standards... Continue reading

Cody Ramos, BSN, RN, CCRN, and Helen Gudin, BSN, RN, were both recently honored with a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Additionally, the Jefferson Washington Township Hospital MS-3 Unit received the DAISY Team Award. Ramos, who lives in Cherry Hill, works at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The son of one of his patients nominated him for this award, citing his compassion and ability to connect with his mother. The patient’s son also appreciated Ramos keeping him informed and explaining medial terms to him. A resident of Philadelphia, Gudin works at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital’s C5 Unit.... Continue reading

The Bill Bottino Cancer Foundation, a longtime supporter of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – Washington Township, recently donated $50,000 to the Patient Assistance Fund at Jefferson Health – New Jersey. Cancer patients who need help with rent, utilities, or transportation during their treatment can receive financial assistance from this fund. “The generosity of the Bill Bottino Foundation means so much to our patients and their families, said Ana María López, MD, MPH, Chief of Cancer Services at Jefferson Health – New Jersey. “I speak for everyone at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – Washington Township when I say, ‘Thank... Continue reading

Jefferson Health’s three New Jersey acute care hospitals – Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital, Jefferson Stratford Hospital and Jefferson Washington Township Hospital – have each been honored with a 2021 Hospital Quality & Safety Award by the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health (GPBCH).The awards were announced at the Inaugural GPBCH Hospital Quality and Safety Awards virtual event, held March 3, and then presented to Jefferson Health – New Jersey leadership in person. Hosted by GPBCH and the Health Care Improvement Foundation, the awards program brings together healthcare leaders and employers to discuss the value of the Leapfrog Hospital Survey and... Continue reading

Brian W. Jones, President & CEO of The First National Bank of Elmer, has been appointed to the Jefferson Health Foundation – New Jersey Business Leadership Council (BLC) to serve as Chair. Brian W. Jones, Jones will serve as liaison to the Foundation Board and lead its members in establishing initiatives that encourage more meaningful relationships with JHNJ and the business community. The Business Leadership Council promotes partnerships with socially conscious businesses that make it a priority to give back to the community. Business partnerships help Jefferson Health promote awareness of its many services, offer expanded visibility and networking opportunities,... Continue reading