Sharon Abele, BSN, RN, a Surgical Services nurse at Jefferson Stratford Hospital, was recently honored with a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. A resident of Woodbury Heights, NJ, Abele was recognized for her quick actions that saved a patient’s life. Abele was working in Recovery when she checked a patient's blood pressure before discharge, noting their history of hypotension. She took another set of vital signs, noticing a gradual drop in blood pressure. When the patient mentioned a recent fall, Sharon alerted the anesthesia team, surgeon, and Emergency Department. The patient was later found to have a severe medical condition... Continue reading

Jefferson Occupational Health Network (JOHN) Nurse Practitioner Gwyn Parris-Atwell DNP, RN, was presented with the Military Legion of Merit Medal by Brigadier General Jason Christman, Assistant Adjutant General of the Delaware National Air Guard. Honored for her “exceptionally meritorious conduct,” Dr. Parris-Atwell recently retired from the Air National Guard after 31 years of service. She had served as the 166th Medical Group’s Commander, responsible for the oversight of all medical operations for state and global aerospace medicine services for the 166th Air Lift Wing. Earlier this year, Dr. Parris-Atwell was named to a three-year term on the Salem Community College... Continue reading

The exceptional contributions of nurses and caregivers at Jefferson Health in New Jersey were recently recognized through individual, team leader, and team DAISY Awards for Extraordinary Nurses, as well as the Being Extraordinary Everyday (BEE) Award for Extraordinary Caregivers. Jefferson Washington Township Hospital nurses Rebecca Bury, RN, CMSRN (Intermediate Care Unit), of Williamstown, and Kristina Quinones, BSN, RN (Silvestri 5), of Mullica Hill — as well as Heart Failure Coordinator Anatoliy Palamarchuk, BSN, RN, CMSRN, of Mount Laurel, were each recognized with individual DAISY Awards. They were praised for providing exceptional care, empathy, and positivity that greatly helped their patients... Continue reading

Jefferson Washington Township Hospital recently received formal approval from the New Jersey Department of Health to perform elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) — also known as elective angioplasty — a lifesaving procedure to prevent heart attacks. PCI, usually performed following a diagnostic cardiac catheterization, provides patients relief from symptoms of obstructed arteries without the need for invasive heart surgery. This approval comes a year after the hospital was approved by the state to offer PCI (angioplasty) for patients experiencing the most severe type of heart attack -- ST elevated myocardial infarction, or STEMI. More than 100 patients have undergone the... Continue reading

Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center locations in New Jersey were recently presented with a $10,000 grant award from Wireless Zone Gives, a national non-profit fundraising organization supported by local Verizon retail store owners. The grant will support various events at the two New Jersey Cancer Center locations in Cherry Hill and Washington Township, including Cancer Survivors Day, Massage and Reiki Days, and other patient-centered initiatives. Founded in 2003 with the realization that, as local business owners, Wireless Zone wanted to support its area communities as much as they support them, Wireless Zone Gives raises a significant amount of money and... Continue reading

Jefferson Health’s Camden County-based hospitals in Cherry Hill and Stratford recently received more than 400 free opioid overdose response kits. The kits were provided by the Camden County Office of Mental Health and Addiction, in collaboration with the Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force. Jefferson Health will soon distribute these kits to patients at their Camden County-based hospitals suffering from overdoses or substance use disorder issues to prevent future overdoses and save lives. Jefferson Health East Region President Aaron Chang noted that the health system is grateful to the county for providing these lifesaving kits: “The opioid epidemic has had... Continue reading

Members of the Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital Emergency Department (ED) were recently honored with a DAISY Team Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award was presented in recognition of their care of a teenage boy for two months while he was awaiting community placement. “Extended stays in the Emergency Department can be stressful, especially for those who suffer from mental health issues. Our team has done a phenomenal job caring for this patient day after day, making sure he had his healthcare and comfort needs met,” says Emergency Department Nurse Manager Shelby Van de Zilver, DNP, RN. “Some have gone ‘above... Continue reading

Jefferson Health’s New Jersey hospitals – in Washington Township, Stratford and Cherry Hill -- have each received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke GOLD PLUS quality achievement award. This award recognizes their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment, based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines that ultimately lead to more lives saved and reduced disability. Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the USA. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot... Continue reading

Tammy Harold, MBA, Director of Business Development for Women's & Children's Services at Jefferson Health - East Region, was recently reinstalled for her second year as a Board Member of the South Jersey Chapter of NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners). For the 2024/2025 term, Harold will serve as Co-Director of NAWBO's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Committee. NAWBO supports women business leaders through collaboration, education, mentorship, and networking. Jefferson Health is a proud Gold Sponsor and partner of the organization. A strong advocate for women’s health and youth, Harold – part of Jefferson’s management team for 8... Continue reading

Children of two Jefferson Health employees have been named recipients of the annual Sanderson Memorial Scholarship. The scholarships, each for $2,500, are awarded based on academic achievements and an interest in pursuing a career in healthcare. The scholarships are 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 2024 Scholarship recipients are: Anjuli Nair, of Mickleton, NJ, daughter of Maya Nair, a certified respiratory therapist at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital. Anjuli will graduate from Kingsway Regional High School this month... Continue reading

The Atco Lions Club, at its recent Annual Leadership Installation Dinner, donated $1,000 to the Maressa Center for MS Wellness at Jefferson Health. The donation will be used for future programs and services aimed at improving the quality of life for those living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Pictured, left to right, are: Atco Lions Club President John Shendock; Club Vice Treasurer, Phyllis Shendock; Family Medicine physician and Maressa Center participant Dr. Julian Maressa; Lions Club Chairperson Joseph Ricca; Lions Club Vice President Anthony Maressa; and Brian Duffy, DPT, Director of Rehabilitation Services at Jefferson Health in New Jersey. Founded in... Continue reading

The Atco Lions Club, at its recent Annual Leadership Installation Dinner, donated $1,000 to the Maressa Center for MS Wellness at Jefferson Health. The donation will be used for future programs and services aimed at improving the quality of life for those living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Pictured, left to right, are: Atco Lions Club President John Shendock; Club Vice Treasurer, Phyllis Shendock; Family Medicine physician and Maressa Center participant Dr. Julian Maressa; Lions Club Chairperson Joseph Ricca; Lions Club Vice President Anthony Maressa; and Brian Duffy, DPT, Director of Rehabilitation Services at Jefferson Health in New Jersey. Founded in... Continue reading

Nineteen members of the Project SEARCH Class of 2024 — at our hospitals in Cherry Hill, Stratford Hospital, and Washington Township — were honored at recent ceremonies. The events celebrated the achievements of 12 Camden County-based YALE School NJ Project SEARCH program participants — six working at each of our Cherry Hill and Stratford hospitals — as well as the seven Gloucester County-based Project SEARCH program participants who worked in Washington Township. The Project SEARCH interns attended classes at the hospitals every day throughout the school year, working and learning alongside Jefferson Health employees. Jefferson has been involved with Project... Continue reading

Jefferson Health’s three New Jersey Hospitals – based in Cherry Hill, Stratford and Washington Township – have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for their success in caring for patients in historically underserved communities. The inaugural “Best Regional Hospital Awards for Equitable Access” honors community hospitals' dedication to equitable access. Jefferson’s NJ hospitals have formal programs in place to address health disparities, including providing language access for those with limited English proficiency and services for community members with health-related social needs. “This is a wonderful recognition, and it demonstrates our commitment to providing world-class care to everyone in... Continue reading

Jefferson Washington Township Hospital ICU Nurse Renee Stephens, BSN, RN, CCRN, a resident of Glassboro, was recently honored with a Nurse Excellence Award by the South Jersey Chapter of the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA). Stephens, who has been a nurse with us for 25 years, was celebrated with other award winners at a special ceremony held this month at the Woodcrest Country Club in Cherry Hill. The first Jefferson Health nurse in New Jersey to receive a COVID vaccine in December 2020 – Renee was honored for her commitment to nursing and to the communities we serve. She is... Continue reading

The Bill Bottino Cancer Foundation, a longtime supporter of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, recently donated $45,000 to the Cancer Center’s Patient Assistance Fund at Jefferson Health in New Jersey. Last year, dozens of cancer patients who needed help with rent, utilities, or transportation received financial assistance from this fund, allowing them to continue focusing on their treatment and care. "Living with cancer is challenging for patients and their families, and can be made harder with financial worry,” said Tamara LaCouture, MD, Chief of Cancer Services, Jefferson Cherry Hill & Washington Township Hospitals. "We thank The Bill Bottino Cancer Foundation... Continue reading

Jalen Stewart, a Patient Transport Associate at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital, was recently honored with a Being Extraordinary Everyday (BEE) Award for Extraordinary Caregivers. The Pennsauken resident was nominated for building trusting relationships, treating others with dignity and respect, and placing patients and families first to promote a positive hospital experience. “Patients recognize, smile, and look forward to seeing Jalen. I know my patients are in good hands with him,” wrote a nursing colleague. “A team player, Jalen stays at work late and never leaves a patient until we meet all their needs. The Post-Anesthesia Care Unit recently had many... Continue reading

Dozens of well-wishers, community leaders and Jefferson Health physicians attended a Ribbon Cutting event and reception for the new Oncology Suite at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center in Cherry Hill. This location is part of the NCI-designated Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Jefferson. The new, expanded Medical Oncology suite includes 20 infusion chairs and 10 examination rooms. Other services offered within the suite include blood draws, a clinical trials office, patient navigation services, social work, genetic counseling, and nutrition counseling — providing a wide array of cancer services, all in one location. This expansion at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer... Continue reading

Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital and Jefferson Washington Township Hospital each earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade in the Spring 2024 rankings from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog that sets standards for excellence in patient care. “Patients have healthcare choices. It is important for them to understand the differences in how healthcare systems treat individuals and deliver on the promise of improving health,” said Aaron Chang, President of Jefferson Health – East Region. “The Leapfrog organization allows our South Jersey community members to compare, and it gives me great pride to know that we stand out with our top-tier... Continue reading

Kristina Johnston, DNP, RN, CMSRN, NE-BC, a Nurse Manager at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital, presented a poster at the recent annual meeting/conference of the Organization of Nurse Leaders of New Jersey (ONL NJ), held in Princeton. Some 200 nurse executives and leaders from across the state -- including direct care providers, managers and administrators from all practice settings encompassing acute care, post-acute and long-term care, academia, and industry -- attended the event. Johnston’s poster was titled Development and Evaluation of a Nurse Leader-Driven Pre-Fall Huddle in High-Fall Risk Patients on a Medical-Surgical Unit. Johnston, left, is shown at the event... Continue reading

Lori Harris, RN, CAPA, an Emergency Department nurse at Jefferson Stratford Hospital, was recently honored with a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. A resident of Glassboro, NJ, Harris saw a community member in need in the hospital lobby and stopped to talk to him. Lori, who was returning to the building with her food truck Hospital Week celebratory meal, then offered her meal to this resident. Harris says she believes in doing good and that her reward was his thanks and appreciation. She consistently shows professionalism and a positive attitude toward her co-workers and patients. Part of an international program,... Continue reading

Two Jefferson Health Patient Care Technicians in New Jersey were recently honored with a Beyond Expectations of Excellence (BEE) Award for Extraordinary Caregivers — Lisa Hawkins, of Clementon, NJ, and Rosa Lopez, of Philadelphia. Hawkins, a Jefferson Stratford Hospital 2-East Unit tech, received a patient compliment for being an helpful, friendly person who responds quickly to call bells with a smile. Lopez, who works in the Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital ICU, is described by her co-workers as a caring and personable tech who goes above and beyond with patients. She is also an immense help to the dietitians by always... Continue reading

It was a day for celebration as the 1000th Robotic Surgery using the da Vinci Xi surgical system took place at Jefferson Stratford Hospital. Robotic surgeries at the hospital began in January 2022. Surgeon Adeshola Fakulujo, MD, performed the 1,000th robotic procedure on March 27. Dr. Fakulujo (seated, front row, right) is shown with members of the Jefferson Stratford Hospital surgical services team. The surgical robot at Jefferson Stratford Hospital is used for bariatric (weight loss) surgery, along with gynecologic, urologic, and general surgery procedures. Jefferson Health in New Jersey also offers robotic procedures with the da Vinci Xi system... Continue reading

A Jefferson Health program that offers retired nurses an opportunity to help new-to-practice nurses hone their skills through in-person mentoring is being expanded to potential hires from outside of the health system. “We’ve had great success with our Nurse Emeritus program, originally offered to Jefferson Health nursing retirees, and we’re ready to take it to the next level,” said New Jersey Program Coordinator Marilyn Goodman, MSN, RN. First established during the pandemic in 2022, more than 12 nurses who had retired within the past three years (a requirement of the program), joined the Nurse Emeritus team at Jefferson in New... Continue reading

Members of Jefferson Health’s New Jersey leadership team were out for a night of networking and knowledge at the recent “Beyond the Glass Ceiling” Gala held by the National Association of Women Business Owners of South Jersey (NAWBO). Jefferson was the Gold Sponsor for the event, held at the Mansion on Main Street in Voorhees. The gala honored extraordinary individuals and businesses for their contributions to women and women business owners, as well to as the community at large. Jenny Breunig, Vice President of Operations at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital, spoke about Jefferson’s continually expanding patient-focused programs and services, as... Continue reading