Press Releases
2008 l 2007 l 2006 l 2005
2008
Mary Anne Suttles, RN, MSN
St.
Francis Medical Center recently named Mary Anne Suttles, RN, MSN
Vice
President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer. In this
role,
Mary Anne is responsible for all inpatient nursing services, and
will
report directly to the President/CEO. Mary Anne is a graduate of the
Christ
Hospital School of Nursing in Jersey City, received her baccalaureate
degree
in Nursing from Rutgers University and a Master
of Science in
Nursing
from Hunter College of the City University of New York. Mary Anne
brings
over 20 years of nursing leadership experience to St. Francis
and
resides in Jackson, New Jersey.
ST. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER HOLDS ANNUAL
SPRING GALA
(L-R) Gerard J. Jablonowski, St. Francis
Medical Center President
and CEO; Congressman Chris Smith; Paul R. Langevin, Chairman
St. Francis Board of Trustees; James F. Bishop, Chariman St. Francis
Foundation Board of Trustees
With
350 guests in attendance, the St. Francis Medical Center Foundation
held
its 45th annual spring gala at the Hyatt Regency-Princeton on
Saturday,
May 10, 2008.
The
prestigious "Spirit of St. Francis: award was presented to Congressman
Chris
Smith from New Jersey's fourth congressional district. This honor
is
given to an individual who reflects the philosophy of caring as embodied
by
St. Francis of Assisi. According to Jerry Jablonowski, President and
CEO
of St. Francis Medical Center "The consistent moral integrity shown
by
Congressman Chris Smith, both in his private life and as a public servant,
is
representative of the attributes of the philosphy of St. Francis of
Assisi,
and
it is our honor to present him with this award." Smith - a nationally
internationally
renowned leader in Congress particularly
in the areas of
human
rights, religious freedom, veterans' affairs and healthcare - is an
equally
passionate local advocate who tirelessly applies his energy
toward
meeting local and state challenges.
The
theme of the gala was "Black and White Ball" and guests danced
to
the music of The Cutting Edge. A musical video recapped the events
of
the past year of St. Francis Medical Center, and another video captured
the
spirit that connected Congressman Smith with his life's work that
embodies
the motto of St. Francis of Assisi, "It is in giving that we receive."
Co-chairs
of the dinner dance were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J.
Moonan,
Monsignor
Walter E. Nolan, Dr. Luz Ramos-Bonner and Mr. Donald
Bonner,
and Dr. and Mrs. C. James Romano. The event raised a record net
of
$140,000 to benefit St. Francis Medical Center.
Elizabeth
Arsenault of Ewing was the lucky winner of 2008 Lexus IS 250
through
a raffle sponsored by the St. Francis Medical Center Auxiliary.
Over
650 tickets were sold at a cost of $100.00 per ticket. "My mother
Theresa
Naples had been a long-time volunteer at St. Francis, this is a
wonderful
surprise. I am sure she is smiling down from heaven. I never
thought
it would happen to me. I hope people will continue to support
this
very worthy cause" Said Ms. Arsenault, Brian Bennett Vice President
of
Lawrence Lexus; Norma Monaghan, CFRE Executive Director of
St.
Francis Medical Center Foundation; and Melisa DeStefano, President
of
St. Francis Medical Center Auxiliary. The proceeds from the raffle
helped
raise $140,000 for St. Francis Medical Center.
If
you would like to be on the mailing list for a chance to win a brand
new
Lexus next year, please contact the Foundation Office at 609-599-5659.
ST. FRANCIS
MEDICAL CENTER DEDICATE
NEW INTERFAITH PRAYER ROOM
St.
Francis Medical Center recently renovated and dedicated space
in
the facility as an Interfaith Prayer Room. On Thursday, Marth13th,
physicians,
staff, administration, and religous leaders gathered to bless
and
dedicate the new space.
"The
Interfaith Prayer Room is yet another way that we, as a Catholic
hospital.
support and encourage the entire community of St. Francis.
We
consider this an extension of our St. Francis and St. Clare Chapel,
located
at the Chambers Street entrance, where many gather daily
for
Mass and quiet prayer, " says Jerry Jablonowski, president and
CEO
of St. Francis.
The
creation of the Interfaith Prayer Room was made possible through
of
several St. Francis physicians and Foundation Board Members.
St.
Francis would like to recognize and thank the following: Dr. Khalid
Durrani,
Dr. Salman Muazzam Muddassir, Dr. Helmi Saud, Hamilton
Gastroenterology
Group, Dr. Abdul-Hady M. Kheder, Dr. Zak Maniya,
Dr.
Abdul Mughal.
"It
is our hope to support and encourage the celebrations of different
faith
traditions while we continue to promote discovery and learning
about
the common ground we share. We also strive to provide a
dynamic
model of diversity, respect and dialogue here at St. Francis,"
says
Carol Jaworski, vice president of Missiona nd Ministry at
St.
Francis.
St. Francis Medical Center Bestows
Spirit of St. Francis Physician Award
Shown in the photo: Paul Langevin,
left, Chairman of the Board,
and Jerry Jablonowski, president and CEO of St. Francis, right,
present C. James Romano, MD, center, with the Spirit of St. Francis Award
at the recent Medical Staff dinner.
The
Board of Trustees of St. Francis Medical Center recently bestowed
its
2007 Spirit of St. Francis Physician Award to C. James Romano, MD,
President
of the Medical Staff.
The
Spirit of St. Francis Physician Award is presented to the Physician
who
exemplifies
the philosphy of compassion for all people embraced by
St.
Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the medical center.
According
to Gerard J. Jablonowski, president and CEO of St. Francis,
"This
award is given to the physician who demonstrates a positive
influence
to others, to the hospital and
to the community. Dr. Romano
has
shown his dedication to his patients, the community
and St. Francis
Medical
Center through his continued commitment to providing patients
the
highest quality healthcare with dignity, respect and compassion.
Dr.
Romano received his MD degree from the New Jersey College of
Medicine/Dentistry
in 1975. He completed his Obstetrics and Gynecology
residency
at St. Michael's Medical Center. He is Board certified by the
American
Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and a Fellow of the
of
the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists.
Dr.
Romano is the President of the
Medical Staff at St. Francis,
Chairman
of
the Department of Gynecology,
and also the Director of
Medical
Education.
He resides with his wife and family in Titusville, New Jersey.
ST. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER ANNOUNCES
COMMUNITY
FUND RAISING BOARD MEMBERS
The
St. Francis Medical Center Foundation established the Community
Fund
Rasing Board (CFRB) dedicated to raising funds to benefit the hospital.
The
Community Fund Rasing is presently comprised of 20 young professionals
committed
to volunteerism, the mission of St. Francis Medical Center and
community
spirit.
On
December 12, 2007 the CFRB elected officers to their board they are:
President
Nicole Romano, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals; Executive Vice President
Meghan
Watson, KPMGLLP; Vice President of Corporate Funding Al Dillione;
Secretary
Rebecca Mullowney, Pharmacopeia Drug Discovery; Treasurer
Scott
Lingrell, MetLife Financial Services; Vice President of Membership
Lysa
Bergenfeld, Esq., Stark & Stark; Vice President of Procurement Megan
Christensen,
Esq., Stark & Stark.
According
to Norma Monaghan, executive director of the St. Francis
Medical
Center
Foundation, "The CFRB was established to provide a community action
venue
for the area's many young professionals who connect with the
mission
of St. Francis Medical Center and wish to make a difference within
their
community." Members of the St. Francis Medical Center Foundation
Board
of Directors who mentor the CFRB are: James F. Bishop, Thomas J.
Moonan,
and Wendell Pribila.
Members
at large of the CFRB are: Richard Devlin, Wachovia Securities LLC;
Michael
Gummel, Paradigm Technology Consulting LLC; Jonathan Katz, Esq.
Stark
& Stark; Len Kudgis, Horizon NJ Health; Piper Huggins, McCarter
Theatre
Center; John MacDonald Esq., Stark & Stark; Monica Mardikian, Esq.
Pepper
Hamilton LLP; Michael Osborne, Esq., Lynch, Osborne & Thievakumar,
LLC;
Matthew Pribila, Withum SMith & Brown; David Ritz, Affordable Boxes
Company;
Nirav K. Shah, M.D., Princeton Brain & Spine Care.
"I
am very appreciative of the SFMC Community Fund Raising Board and
efforts
in helping us raise funds to continue our mission" says Jerry
Jablonowski,
president and CEO of St. Francis. To date the CFRB has
contributed
over $60,000 to benefit the hospital. The CFRB's next fundraiser
"Toast
to your Health", an event that features the finest restaurants and
wine
merchants, will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2008. For information
on
the CFRB or their fundraiser contact the SFMC Foundation office at
609-599-5659.
Nicole Romano
In
addition, president of the board, Nicole Romano, received an award
of
high
recognition from her employer Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.
Ms.
Romano, Associate Director Commercial Solutions Support, was
presented
with the "The Golden Circle Award" on December 19, 2007.
"The
Golden Circle" award is reserved for those who have achieved the
highest
level of success in their respective fields within the company. As
President
of the St. Francis Medical Center Community Fund Raising Board
Ms.
Romano brings qualifications such as serving as
a model for others
in
performance and manner that helped her achieve this
professional
distinction.
ST. FRANCIS CELEBRATES WORLD DAY OF THE SICK
WITH BISHOP SMITH
On
Monday February 11th, St. Francis Medical Center celebrated the
World
Day of the Sick, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Bishop
Smith
and the Diocese of Trenton chose St. Francis Medical Center
as
the host site for this year's celebration.
The
Bishop spent time with the medical and surgical residents, and students
Nursing
and Radiologic Technology Schools. He then visited and
blessed
patients in the Compassionate Care hospice unit, as well
as
the other units in the facility.
Bishop
Smith celebrated the Liturgy of Anointing and Laying on the
Hands
for those present during mass held in the Chapel of St. Francis
and
St. Clare. St. Francis was very much honored to have Bishop Smith
spend
this very special day at their facility.
With
over 500 people in attendance, St. Francis Medical Center held
its
annual holiday concert on Monday, December 3, 2007 at Sacred
Heart
Church in Trenton. The concert featured the Orchestra of
St.
Peter by the Sea conducted by Reverend Alphonse Stephenson,
benefited
St. Francis Medical Center and raised over $13,000.
"The
holiday concert is an excellent way to usher in the holiday
season,"
says Jerry Jablonowski, President and CEO, St. Francis
Medical
Center. "Reverend Stephenson is incredibly entertaining and
the
concert is just beautiful."
The
Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea is comprised of 45 professional
musicians
from 177 colleges and universities around the world. Also
performing
with the orchestra are Three Tenors.
Reverend
Stephenson formed his first orchestra in New York's theater
district
while he served at St. Malachy's, the actor's chapel, and later
went
on to conduct A Chorus Line. Reverend Stephenson has conducted
with
many revered orchestras such as the Fresno Philharmonic,
Delaware
Valley Philharmonic, and the Metro Lyric Opera.
If
you interested in attending the concert next year, please contact
the
Foundation Office at 609-599-5659.
St.
Francis Medical Center and The Trenton Devils hosted the annual
Teddy
Bear Toss to benefit the children of Children's Futures, and C.A.R.E.S.
on
Wednesday, December 19, 2007.
Each
year, the Devils didicate one game for fans to "toss" new teddy bears
on
the ice. The team collects the bears and distributes them to the children
at
St. Francis Medical Center.
"The
teddy bear toss is an excellent way to celebrate the holiday season,"
says
Jerry Jablonowski, President and CEO, St. Francis Medical Center. "The
Devils
help make the holiday season special for the children of St. Francis,
and
we really appreciate everything they do."
The
Children's Futures East Ward Parent/Child Center provides a safe and
nuturing
environment where mothers and fathers can utilize a full range of
free
services. Children's Futures is a program ensuring that mothers, fathers
and
infants get excellent healthcare and support. Through the various services
offered,
Children's Futures reaches over 100 children and their families in
the
Trenton
community.
The
C.A.R.E.S. (Children Are Really Extra Special) Program is an acute
partial
hospitalization
program for children between the ages of 4 and 18 years who
suffer
from emotional and behavioral difficulties. The program provides high
quality
mental health diagnosis and intensive psychiatric treatment for over
40
children who do not require inpatient care, but who cannot be managed
by
outpatient care alone.
Shown in the photo are the St. Francis
Medical Center 2007
Values In Practice (VIP) Employee Award Recipients.
Back row (l. to r.) Fran Kenny, RN; Patricia DiPietro, RT,
Michael Gaskins, Lenore Scott, Pat Babcock.
Front row (l. to r.) Veronica Bittner, RN, Terry Simmons,
Cecelia Black, Irmy Hughes, Dale Festa, RN.
St.
Francis Medical Center named the 2007 recipients for the hospital's
Values
In Practice (VIP) Employee Award. The Values In Practice
Employee
Recognition Program was established to honor those
employees
who best exemplify the mission and the values of the
medical
center. It also honors those who have made outstanding
contributions
to the medical center and the community.
November 26, 2007
ST. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER
PROMOTES
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Shown
in the photo: Laura Farley, center, lung cancer patient at
St.
Francis, with Dr. Joseph Costic, DO, left, who performed her
life
saving lobectomy, and Laura's brother and SFMC physician,
Louis
G. Fares, MD.
Nearly
200 individuals from the community and surrounding
businesses
attended a complimentary Health/Business Connection
(HBC)
luncheon seminar at the Trenton Country Club on October 18th
to
learn more about the St. Francis Regional Cancer Center.
A
panel of experts from the St. Francis Regional Cancer Center,
a
Fox Chase Cancer Center Partner, presented "Clearing the Air
about
Lung Cancer: Prevention, Detection and Treatment". They
discussed
the importance of early detection, treatment options,
and
answered questions from the audience.
The
panel included Jo Ann Chalal, MD., Medical Director, Robert
J.
Moonan Department of Radiation Oncology: Joseph
T. Costic, DO,
FACOS,
Chief Section of Thoracic Surgery: Elizabeth
Rosvold, MD.,
Medical
Oncologist; Joseph R. Steeger, MD, Chief, Section of
Pulmonary
Medicine.
One
very special guest in attendance wa Laura Farley, a lung
cancer
survivor who had a partial lobectomy by Dr. Costic. Laura
has
been cancer free ever since.
The
Health/Business Connection was started in 2002 to inform and
educate
the business community on health issues that affect the
community.
It allows an opportunity for the hospital to connect
with
the business community while giving the business community
a
networking opportunity. This seminar was co-sponsored by
NJ
Pure Medical Malpractice Insurance.
According
to Jerry Jablonowski, CEO of St. Francis Medical Center,
"The
St. Francis Regional Cancer Center offers many great services
to
our patients". By reaching out to the business community through
the
Health Business Connection, we welcome the opportunity to
to
share information on this regional center of excellence and to
heighten
lung cancer awareness throughout our community."
For
more information about The St. Francis Regional Cancer Center
please
call 609-599-5221.
September 25, 2007
St.
Francis Medical Center held a raffle for a brand new children's
bicycle
at Hamilton Township's annual Septemberfest on Sept. 9th.
James
Egan, pictured above, and his 12 year old son Connor, of
Hamilton,
were the lucky winners. "This is great," said James.
Right
in time for Connor's birthday!"
St.
Francis has provided blood pressure screenings and health
information
to September patrons for the past four years.
August 7, 2007
Winners of the 2007 Lexus IS
250
Shown
in the photo are (l. to r.): The Okulicz Family, Christina, Wallace
and
their children Calvin and Brielle; Norma Monaghan, Executive
Director
of St. Francis Medical Center Foundation; Brian Bennett,
Vice
President of Lawrence Lexus; and Melisa DeStefano, President
of
St. Francis Medical Center Auxiliary.
Wallace
and Christina Okulicz of Bordentown were the lucky
winners
of a 2007 Lexus IS 250 through a raffle sponsored by the
St.
Francis Medical Center Auxiliary. Over 650 tickets were sold at
a
of
$100.00 per ticket, raising over $34,500 to benefit St. Francis
Medical
Center. The drawing was held at the hospital's Spring
Gala
on
June 9th at the Hyatt Regency Princeton.
July 30, 2007
The
St. Francis Medical Center School of Nursing held its 101st
Commencement
on Thursday, June 14th at Our Lady of Sorrows
Church.
Bonny Ross, R.N., M.A., Ph.D., Director of the School of
Nursing,
presented the following graduates with diplomas:
Maria
Bandin, Crystal Bing, Kimberly Brown, Nancy Chimera,
Jennifer
Cordero, Agnieszka Drzymala, Abegail Duay, Crystal Jackson,
Jessica
Kamal, Margaret Kingsley, Fawcett Lee, Jeffery Leporati,
Colleen
Lumio, Elizabeth Manness, Molly Mastrangelo, Gwen McNulty,
Beverly
Opielski, Sean Perez, Hema Riznyk, Janell Rosania, Janet
Sager,
Gary Samson, Donelle Smith, Lisa Teppert, Angela Tuccillo,
Delores
Vandergrift, Brian Verdi, Rosemond VonHerbert, Olena
Wagner,
Michele Walker, Falecia Wasicko, Kelly Watters and
Heather
Williams.
An
Awards Ceremony was held Monday, June
11th.
This
year awards went to the following recipients:
Jennifer
Cordero - Judith Mella Persichilli Scholarship
Olena
Wagner - Marilyn Dillione Nursing Excellence Award
Angela
Tuccillo - Dr.
Albert J Sekerak Award
Falecia
Wasicko - Jennifer Fletcher
Scholarship Award
Kimberely
Brown - St. Francis School
of Nursing Alumni Award
Abegail
Duay - New Jersey League for
Nursing Award and
The
Spirit of
Nursing Award and the
Nurse
with Heart Award
July 13, 2007
For
over 134 years, St. Francis Medical Center (SFMC) has provided
quality
healthcare to the residents of Trenton and its surrounding
communitities.
SFMC has made many technological advances and
"firsts"
in the county.
The
newest addition to SFMC is the recently opened lobby and
entrance
on Chambers Street. This new space links the existing
parking
garage to the hospital, allowing for a covered entrance.
Patients
will also find friendly faces to greet them and help them get
to
where they are going, and a newly renovated registration area
conveniently
located to the new entrance. In addition, the new
"horseshoe"
driveway is complete with curbside service and
valet
parking.
"Since
we're located in an urban setting, parking has always been an
issue,"
says Jerry Jablonowski, president and CEO. "We hope that
by
adding valet parking, our patients will find it easier and more
convenient
to visit our facility." The complimentary service is available
Monday
through Friday from 7:30am - 4:00pm.
For
those patient who find it difficult to get to the facility,
SFMC
also
offers the Senior Choice Van service to pick them up for
appointments
and procedures at the medical center. For more
information
on these services and other information, please call
609-599-5000.
St. Francis wants you to BE WELL.
July 12, 2007
The
2007 Graduates of St. Francis Medical Center's School of
Radiologic
Technology: Stacie Vancho, Colleen Heagan, Devin
Tsougas,
Rosemarie DiGuiseppi, John Osvai, and Christopher
Falconio.
The
School of Radiologic Technology is an accredited, full-time
hospital
based radiography program, which only accepts eight
students
per year. Upon successful completion of the
24 month
program,
the student is eligible to take the ARRT Registry
Examination,
which certifies him/her as a Registered Technologist,
RT
(R) and is eligible for the State of New Jersey License.
Graduates
can be found in many specialized areas of the profession
including
Cat Scan (CT), Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI), Nuclear
Medicine,
Sonography, Radiation Therapy, Cardiovascular
Interventional
Technology, Education, Management, Radiation Physics,
and
Sales.
July 2, 2007
With
over 300 guests in attendance, the St. Francis Medical Center
Foundation
held its 44th annual spring gala at the Hyatt Regency-
Princeton
on Saturday. June 9, 2007.
The
prestigious "Spirit of St. Francis" award was presented to Barbara
Draper
of Hamilton, in honor of her true compassion for the healthcare
needs
of the poor and underserved as reflected in her history with
the
medical center. Barbara began her career at St. Francis
in 1959
as
a candy striper and retired last December as Vice President of
Mission
and Ministry.
The
award was presented to Barbara Draper, center, (l. to r.) Gerard
J.
Jablonowski, president and CEO of the hospital; Jim Bishop, Chairman
St.
Francis Foundation Board of Trustees; Paul R. Langevin, Chairman
of
the Hospital Board of Trustees; and Judith M. Persichilli, Executive
Vice
President, Catholic Health East Northeast Division.
According
to Jablonoski, "We are very proud to present Barbara
Draper
with this honor. Throughout her tenure here at St. Francis,
Barbara
has made many contributions to our facility and the
communitites
we serve."
Barbara
has had many varied job descritions including ER staff nurse,
student
clinical instructor, and Vice President of Mission and Ministry.
As
Director of Women's Health Services from 1986 to 1995, Barbara
led
the crusade to offer affordable
mammography to all women in
all
walks of life. Barbara has spear-headed educational classes for
self-breast
exams, osteoporosis and menopause. Barbara was also
a
pivotal force in the establishment of the Heart Hospital in 1998.
The
theme of the gala was "Cruise Around the World" and guests
danced
to the music of the The Cutting Edge. A musical video recapped
the
events of the past year of St. Francis Medical Center, and
another
video captured the spirit that connected Barbara Draper
with
her life's work that embodies the motto of St. Francis of Assisi,
"That
is in giving that we receive."
St.
Francis Medical Center celebrated National Cancer Survivor Day
on
Sunday June 3rd, 2007. The day began with a celebration mass in
the
Medical Center's Chapel, followed by lunch and entertainment in
the
cafeteria.
Two
representatives from the Mercer County Chapter of the American
Cancer
Society, Marjorie Carnevale, Chair of the Mercer Board of
Managers,
and Jo Ann Gavin, Director of Patient and Family Services,
were
also present. In addition, Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer proclaimed
June
3rd as National Cancer Survivor Day in Trenton.
Over
200 survivors from the St. Francis Regional Cancer Center, Fox
Chase
Cancer Center Partner, were invited to "board" the SS
Survivorship
and celebrate their victory over cancer. St. Francis
employees
performed a skit in costume, bringing the crowd back
to
the days of Lucille
Ball and the Chordettes. The Inspiration of
Praise
Dance Ministry
of Friendship Baptist Church also entertained
the
crowd.
Mai-Ly
Pulley, RN, of Edhewater Park, NJ was awarded the 2007
St.
Francis Medical Center Nurse Excellence Award. The peer-nominated
award
is bestowed each year on the nurse who best exemplifies
outstanding
nursing practice.
Mai-Ly
has worked at St. Francis for eight years and has served in
her
present position in the Emergency Department for one year.
"Mai-Ly
came to the Emergency Department with a reputation for
for
being professional and having a good work ethic. In her assigned
role
as resource/charge nurse, she functions competently and
and
efficiently. She is an excellent mentor and resource for the new
staff.
Mai-Ly makes mature decisions and, along with her patient
care
responsibilities, takes the resource position very seriously," says
Judy
DiBartolo, RN, Executive Director of Nursing - Emergency and
Ambulatory
Services.
In
addition, a Nurse Excellence Award was given to the Licensed
Practical
Nurse (LPN) who best exemplifies outstanding nursing practice.
This
award was given to Connie Wilson, of Ewing, NJ.
Connie
has served St. Francis for over 18 years and has worked as
the
discharge nurse for three years. "Connie is a true professional
in
every sense of the word. She is devoted to our organization, our
patients
and displays a great sense of volunteerism," says Connie's
supervisor,
Judy Rottkamp, Vice President Clinical and Professional
Services.
The
first Delaware Valley Stroke Alert, a joint effort by hospitals and
rehabilitation
centers in the Delaware Valley aimed to raise awareness
about
stroke, was held on May 8, 2007. St. Francis participated by
holding
an "Iron Chef" style cook-off in the hospital cafeteria. The
three
teams were represented by the Emergency Room, the Stroke
Team,
and the Cardiac Team. Each team was given the same
ingredients
and an electric wok.
The
meals, chicken or shrimp stir fry, were judged on taste,
presentation,
and originality. The judges, Norma Monaghan,
Executive
Director of the Foundation, Joe Flamini, Vice President/COO,
and
Perry Herman, MD, Physical Medicine, guest speaker
at the
event,
awarded each team a First Prize award in one
of the categories.
After
the cook-off, Dr. Perry Herman spoke to the crowd of community
members
about Physiatry, Connie Wilson, LPN, spoke about smoking
cessation,
Mike Esmond, Director of Physical Therapy, spoke about
exercise,
and Kristen Yudin, RD, spoke about nutrition.
This
event will also kick off a series of Stroke support groups for
St.
Francis stroke patients.
St.
Francis Medical Center today opened the new entrance and lobby
located
on Chambers Street in Trenton.
This
new space allows patients a covered drop off point and links
the
entrance to the existing parking garage in an enclosed and
concenient
environment. The existing registration area has been
renovated
and movced to a more convenient location.
St.
Francis Medical Center President and CEO, Gerard J. Jablonowski,
was
joined by Trenton Councilman Gino Melone, Representative Rush
Holt,
and Mercer County Freeholders, Pat Colavita and Anthony
Carabelli,
who congratulated the medical center on its commitment
to
the community.
According
to Jablonoski, "St. Francis Medical Center is committed to
the
healthcare needs of the Greater Trenton community on all levels,
including
regional Centers of Excellence, primary care access,
and
emergency
medical services. We believe that the future of St. Francis
Medical
Center is an integral part of the future of our community.
We
are proud of our position and legacy in this capital city".
Inside
the new lobby is a beautiful bronze statue of St. Francis
which
was dedicated to a longtime employee, Marilyn Dillione during
the
grand opening. Marilyn died in January 2004 after working for
more
than 50 years at the hospital. "There is not a square foot of
this
building that she did not touch," said Judy Persichilli who called
Dillione
a "pioneer" in the field. "She opened her heart to all of us".
St.
Francis
Regional Cancer Center at St. Francis Medical, a Fox Chase
Cancer
Center Partner, received a Three-Year Approval with
Commendation
following on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor.
During
this evaluation, the Regional Cancer Center demostrated a
Commendation
level of compliance with six standards that
represent
the full scope of the cancer program (cancer committee
leadership,
cancer data management, clinical services, research,
community
outreach, and quality improvement). In addition, St. Francis
received
a compliance rating for all other standards.
Receiving
care at a CoC (Commission on Cancer)-approved cancer
program,
like the Regional Cancer Center at St. Francis, ensures
that
a patient will have access to:
- Comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment
- A multi-specialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options
- Access to cancer-related information, education, and support
- A cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers
and treatment
results and offers lifelong patient follow-up - Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care
- Quality care close to home
The Approvals Program, a component of the CoC, sets quality-of-care
standards for cancer programs and reviews the programs to ensure
they conform to the standards. Approval by the CoC is given to those
facilities that have voluntarily committed to providing the highest
level of quality cancer care and that undergo a rigorous evaluat