The BRICK Times Vol. 24 - No. 23
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
October 12, 2024
Medical Center Celebrates 40 Years of Service and Innovation
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News Pages 10-13
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law Page 16
Classifieds Pages 21
Photos by Stephanie Faughnan (Left) Mike Alessi, a paramedic offered attendees an inside view of the helicopter used for emergency medical transport. (Right) Fiona, a member of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit, greeted attendees. By Stephanie Faughnan BRICK - Forty years ago, Brick Hospital opened its doors as a small 120-bed community medical center. Today, Hackensack Meridian Ocean University Medical Center (OUMC) has grown into a 357-bed facility and is part of a network recognized for excellence by U.S. News & World Report. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, OUMC hosted a large community event, transforming its grounds into a lively gathering for residents,
hospital staff, and families. The celebration featured a wide range of activities, with something for everyone to enjoy. It also allowed the medical center to showcase its advances in medical technology and care. The event included interactive exhibits with demonstrations of the hospital’s robotic-assisted surgery technology. OUMC has two da Vinci robots for minimally invasive surgery and a separate robot used for knee replacement. They are in the process of purchasing another robot
“Homeschool Pod” At Church Concerns Neighbors By Judy Smestad-Nunn BRICK - A controversial application that would allow a “homeschool pod” to operate on the grounds of an existing church had its fifth hearing before the township’s Board of Adjustment recently.
An ancillary building would be used for the school on the four-acre site of Fellowship Chapel, located at 170 Duchess Road, which is surrounded by a residential community of single family homes. The school, which would operate independently of
the church, would be a second principal use for the site (in addition to the Fellowship Church), which was g ranted a Conditional Use by the Board in the original 2011 ordinance. (Homeschool Pod See Page 4)
designed to assist in spinal surgeries. Guests had the chance to observe how the cutting-edge surgical robots work, with even small children sitting by the controls as though playing a fun video game. Dr. Thomas R. Lake, a colon and rectal surgeon for 23 years, watched as curious onlookers came to check out the robots on display. He said he has performed over 1,000 robotic bowel surgeries and shared the benefits of the technology. “Patients have less pain and a
quicker recovery overall,” said Lake. “They’re getting out of the hospital in two days versus five days; returning to work in three weeks versus eight weeks. It’s a big difference.” Robotic surgery offers surgeons enhanced precision and comfort. With ten times magnification, it provides superior visualization, and wristed instruments allow for movements similar to open surgery. Surgeons can sit comfortably (Medical Center - See Page 4)
County Geeks Out At FanNation By Bob Vosseller TOMS R I V ER – For nearly a decade, FanNation has been bringing a “Geekstravaganza” to the Toms River branch of the Ocean Count y Librar y. The free event provides a multi-media convention for fans of science f iction, comic books, fantasy,
horror, anime and much more and this year was no exception. Families could be seen making a nautical themed I spy bottle. In the Discovery Room you could also enjoy a Tinker Fairy storytime that featured stories, games and a meet and greet with a Tinker Fairy.
FanNation also featured the ret u r n of some old favorites such as the crimson haired mermaid who also provided some stories, games and greeted young people with tales and her tail. A popular annual feature is the scavenger hunt. This (FanNation - See Page 5)
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