NJ Health
Summer 2026
An RWJBarnabas Health Magazine
GLP-1s
WHAT TO KNOW NOW
TRANSFORMING CANCER CARE
TAKE AN ACTIVE BREAK
GARDEN STATE GETAWAYS
GET CHECKED! JACK HUGHES CHAMPIONS A HEALTHIER NEW JERSEY
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NEW JERSEY’S INTERIOR DESIGN DESTINATION book a complimentary design session today
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NJ Health
An RWJBarnabas Health Magazine
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CONTENTS SUMMER 2026
Features 14 Power Play
Hockey star Jack Hughes talks about his commitment to health and community.
22 4 Habits for a Healthier Summer Follow these tips to stay safe in warmer weather.
26 Take an Active Break On water or on land, get away without going away this summer.
32 Pitch Perfect
18 Advancing Cancer Care A $1.5 billion investment is transforming cancer diagnosis and treatment in the state.
24 Fielding a LifeThreatening Injury A baseball player recovers from a shattered spleen thanks to expert pediatric trauma care.
30 When Your Heart Skips a Beat Heart rhythm disorders are becoming more common in adults younger than age 65. Here’s what to know.
36 Healthy Dinner,
Take a look inside the most innovative soccer training facility in North America.
Solved Hiring a personal chef to prepare a few meals each week can be a smart investment in your health.
40 5 Tips for Healthier Ankles Use these helpful insights to protect your ankles and keep them strong. 42 Rethinking Recovery
For those who have substance use disorder, this program offers empathy and treatment choices.
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Hometown Healthcare System
OUR FIELD IS YOUR FIELD Red Bull New York is committed to the beautiful game. RWJBarnabas Health is committed to fueling their passion with one of the most innovative training facilities in North America. To learn more visit rwjbh.org/redbulls
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CONTENTS 6
www.rwjbh.org RWJBarnabas Health complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. For more information, see the link on our homepage at www.rwjbh.org. RWJBarnabas Health provides free language services, including qualified interpreters, to people whose primary language is not English. The following Language Assistance Services information is provided in multiple languages. ESPAÑOL ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1.844.465.9474 繁體中文 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費 獲得語言援助服務。 致电1.844.465.9474 한국어 주의: 한국어를 사용하시는 경우, 언어 지원 서비스를 무료로 이용하실 수 있습니다. 1.844.465.9474 로 전화하십시오.
PORTUGUÊS ATENÇÃO: Se fala português, encontram-se disponíveis serviços linguísticos, grátis. Ligue para 1.844.465.9474
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In Every Issue 6 FACES OF RWJBH Meet emergency physician and public benefit pilot Eric Handler, DO. 8 HOT TOPICS
Read expert insights on health issues in the news.
10 HEALTHY BITES
Maximize the Garden State’s summer bounty.
12 ASK THE PROVIDER
A primary care physician answers common questions about GLP-1s.
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44 HEALTHY MIND Learn how to beat burnout.
46 INSIDE RWJBH
Read updates from RWJBarnabas Health.
47 HEALTHY COMMUNITIES This RWJBH hospital is taking medicine to the streets. 48 JUST THE FACTS
Microplastics are a hidden health risk.
LEARN MORE
About Your Health!
ગુજરાતી સુચના: જો તમે ગુજરાતી બોલતા હો, તો નિ:શુલ્ક ભાષા સહાય સેવાઓ તમારા માટે ઉપલબ્ધ છે. 1.844.465.9474 પર કૉલ કરો POLSKI UWAGA: Jeżeli mówisz po polsku, możesz skorzystać z bezpłatnej pomocy językowej. Zadzwoń pod numer 1.844.465.9474 ITALIANO ATTENZIONE: In caso la lingua parlata sia l’italiano, sono disponibili servizi di assistenza linguistica gratuiti. Chiamata 1.844.465.9474
CONNECT WITH US @NJHealthMag @NJHealthMag NJ Health is published by RWJBarnabas Health, 95 Old Short Hills Rd., West Orange, NJ 07052. Issue No. 1. Serving residents of New Jersey, the magazine is distributed quarterly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. If you have medical concerns, seek the guidance of a healthcare professional. Copyright 2026 by RWJBarnabas Health. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. For issues regarding delivery of NJ Health, please email NJHealth@wainscotmedia.com.
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M O N M O U T H
C O N S E R V AT I O N F O U N D AT I O N
City lights are magical but nature puts on the best show.
We preserve and protect the parks, farms, and natural areas that make Monmouth County so special - for you. Huber Woods Park. Photo by Emilee Carton, Jersey Shore Wildlife Photography.
Join us for educational programs, volunteer opportunities, and signature events in support of our charitable work!
MONMOUTHCONSERVATION.ORG @MONMOUTHCONSERVATIONFOUNDATION
#KeepMonmouthGreen
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FACES OF RWJBH
Help Is in the Air
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INTERVIEW WITH
Eric Handler, DO
Chair, Emergency Medicine Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
When not saving lives as an emergency physician, licensed pilot Eric Handler volunteers to fly patients to distant medical appointments. When did you decide to be a physician? I knew I wanted to be a physician from the age of 10, and during medical school narrowed it down to three areas: trauma surgery, anesthesia and emergency medicine. What is the most rewarding part of your job? When a patient asks, “Where’s your office?” because they’d like to make a follow-up appointment. Many people don’t realize that emergency medicine doctors don’t have an office—the emergency department is our office—so receiving that kind of appreciation from a patient is a great compliment. Emergency medicine is generally episodic, so you have a very short time to make a connection and gain a patient’s trust. Just making somebody feel better and having that rapport is wonderful. When and how did you decide to become a pilot? From a very young age, I built and flew remotecontrol airplanes. As I got older, I wanted to get my pilot’s license, but I had my residency, marriage and then kids. In my early 40s, I got my private pilot’s license, shortly followed by my instrument rating. A few years later, I got my commercial rating. Do you have your own plane? Yes, it’s a Cirrus SR22T, which is a single-engine plane. It’s technically a five-seater but can hold four adults.
What is the best thing about flying? I really enjoy the mental challenge of it. There’s a lot of brain work—constant radio communications, making sure everything is operating as it should. It keeps me engaged, it’s fun and it offers a freedom that is not there in other modes of travel. It also saves time when traveling with my family and allows us to go places that would be inconvenient to drive to. How and why did you begin volunteering as a pilot to help patients? I’m very fortunate to have a plane and be able to fly. Doing some good with those opportunities is something that I’d always intended to do. What organizations do you fly for? I fly for three different volunteer organizations, all of which are under the auspices of the Air Care Alliance. The one that I started with and fly for the most is Angel Flight East. I also fly for Angel Flight NE, and Patient AirLift Services, or PALS, which is out of Long Island. In what circumstances might a patient need a flight? We don’t fly critically ill patients, so it’s not “medical transport,” per se. We usually fly patients who need medical treatment but may have a significantly long drive to their treatment, which would make it difficult for them to keep those appointments, or patients who live in rural or remote areas and have limited access to specialized care.
Are there any patients who really stand out to you? They’re all unique, and I’ve gotten to meet some very interesting people, but there are two who stand out. One was a 17-yearold from Pennsylvania with an osteosarcoma for which he had to travel multiple times to New York City for a specialized bonesparing surgery. His mentality and positive spirit were amazing. The second is a woman with colon cancer who was so appreciative of Angel Flight East that she volunteered to start speaking for them, and now, even with her illness, she volunteers to do flight coordination for them. Aside from flying, what activities do you enjoy? Mountain biking and hanging out or traveling with my family. What are your favorite movies? “The Big Lebowski”; “The History of the World,” by Mel Brooks—or any Mel Brooks movie; and on the drama side, “The Shawshank Redemption.” Do you watch the HBO Max series “The Pitt”? I’ve watched both seasons. The first season was phenomenal. They nailed the medicine 90 to 95% of the time, and most of the cases were based on emergency medicine board questions. The second season had a different feel from the first, but I still found it enjoyable.
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HOT TOPICS
Guns at Home; Kids at Home? A ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly one-half of firearm deaths among children and teens occur at home. Kids tend to be naturally curious, so if they find a gun, they may try to see how it works or want to show it to a friend. In addition, because their brains—especially the areas responsible for self-control and decision-making—are still developing, children and teenagers can be impulsive. If they’re sad or angry, they could use a gun on another person or themselves without thinking through the potential consequences. There’s a critical difference between hiding a gun and securing it safely. A study by the National Library of Medicine reported that while 70% of parents believed their child couldn’t access a gun, 22% of children in those
households said they could access one within five minutes. Keeping kids safe from gun violence takes a village. That’s why RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) has partnered with 15 other hospitals and healthcare organizations in Agree to Agree, a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing youth gun injuries. “We encourage doctors, community members, gun owners and non-gun owners to engage in respectful conversations about gun safety,” says Mark E. Manigan, president and chief executive officer of RWJBH. “Together, we can create a future where no child dies from a preventable firearm injury.”
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Over the past four years, firearms have been the leading cause of death for young people ages 1 to 17, accounting for more deaths than car crashes, overdoses or cancers. Source: Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions Annual Firearm Mortality Report
SAFE STORAGE TIPS If you have firearms at home, take these steps to keep yourself and your family safe. • Keep guns unloaded, and store guns and ammunition in separate places. • Lock all guns in a gun safe or cabinet, guarded by a keypad, combination lock or biometric data (usually a fingerprint). • Use safety devices, such as trigger locks that prevent the trigger from being pulled or cable locks that stop guns from being fired. • Store firearms outside your home. Gun storage facilities, local shooting ranges and gun shops can keep your weapons far from the reach of kids. • If anyone in your household suffers from depression or is at increased risk of suicide, remove guns from the house entirely.
For additional resources, visit agreetoagree.org/ healthcare.
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SEARCH SMARTER:
Artificial Intelligence and Your Health To find trusted health information, visit rwjbh.org.
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sk an AI chatbot about your health or that of a loved one, and you’ll get an answer in seconds. But how can you know whether that of people who information is accurate? use AI for health “AI is very powerful, but it’s just a tool,” says Anna information Busler, MPH, a community health educator with conduct their RWJBarnabas Health. “It’s similar to a calculator in that if we don’t understand how to use it, it can produce a research before wrong answer.” doctor visits. Busler, who teaches courses on AI and healthcare Source: Gallup literacy, offers this four-step process to verify health information found using AI or social media: 1. Review all sources. AI engines and Google AI overviews typically include links to webpages where the information was found. Evaluate those sources. Information from most hospitals, government health sites and peerreviewed journals is the most credible. Be wary of information pulled from social media influencers who are not medical professionals. 2. Cross-reference what you find. Google Scholar and PubMed provide free online access to trusted scholarly research and literature. University and medical school websites are other trustworthy sources. 3. Check your emotions. If a social media post or AI response uses language that triggers an emotional response (such as “Here’s what your doctor doesn’t want you to know”), consider that a red flag. Trusted health content uses objective language and aims to educate, not alarm. 4. Check with your doctor. Use AI to be your own best advocate. Research information online, synthesize it, then jot down two or three questions you want to ask your doctor.
Be the Giving Type
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onating blood now can help our community avoid blood shortages that often happen over the summer. Just one pint of donated blood can save three lives. It’s easier than ever to give blood. Book an appointment with RWJBarnabas Health Blood Services via its new online portal. To begin, all
you need is your name, birthdate and ZIP code. (Returning users can use their unique user ID.) Inside the portal, you can: • Schedule an appointment at a fixed site or mobile blood center near you. • Verify your blood type. • Review your mini medical history. • Sign up for text message reminders. • Reschedule or cancel appointments. Hospitals rely on blood donations to provide lifesaving care. Anyone who is at least 17 years old, weighs at least 110 pounds and is in good health can give blood or blood products. Sixteen-year-olds who weigh at least 120 pounds may also donate, with written parental consent.
RWJBarnabas Health
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Sign up today to DONATE BLOOD and help save lives!
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HEALTHY BITES
Cream of the Crop New Jersey produce makes a tasty, fresh, nutrition-packed choice.
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t’s no accident that New Jersey is known as the Garden State. While you may be aware of our reputation for sweet corn, tomatoes (the state vegetable) and blueberries (the state fruit), did you know that top summer crops also include peaches, bell peppers, zucchini and cucumbers? Consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables is a great way to protect your health. Choosing options that are in season allows you to explore a rotating gamut of tastes and textures and expand the mix of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients you take in. As soon as produce is picked, nutrients begin to break down, so the quicker it gets to your table, the better. Another benefit
of buying local: Eliminating transportation and excess packaging is better for the environment. To find locally grown produce, look for Jersey Fresh signage in supermarkets and at farmers markets. At restaurants, many menus proudly list local ingredients. If you want to go right to the source, try a pick-your-own farm or plant a garden at home. These DIY options generally cost less than buying produce at the supermarket. If you have kids or grandkids, showing them how fruits and vegetables are grown can increase their enthusiasm for trying new varieties. Here’s a nutritional overview of three of New Jersey’s most popular locally grown summer foods and ideas on how to incorporate them into your diet.
CORN AND TOMATO SALAD INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
• 3-4 ears of corn, kernels sliced off
Cook the corn kernels in a half inch of water for three minutes, then drain and cool. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, sugar and salt. Add the corn kernels, tomatoes, mozzarella, shallot and basil. Stir until well coated, then add pepper to taste.
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil • ¼ cup red wine vinegar • ½ teaspoon sugar • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls, drained • 1 shallot, finely chopped • ⅛ cup packed fresh basil leaves, finely chopped • Ground black pepper, to taste
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BLUEBERRIES
Blueberries are packed with antioxidants, which protect against cell damage and may reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. They’re also rich in soluble fiber, which helps to reduce cholesterol and keep blood sugar stable. A one-cup serving has only 80 calories and 0.2 grams of fat. Blueberries are also high in vitamin C, manganese and potassium. A handful of blueberries makes a tasty quick snack, or top off a bowl of yogurt or a salad with them. And of course they’re great in smoothies. For a festive treat, try a blueberry mocktail (see recipe).
SWEET CORN
In summer, it’s hard to beat the taste of grilled corn. For tender kernels, grill with husks on: Strip husks partly off to remove the silks, rewrap the husks and grill the cobs for 15 to 20 minutes. For lightly charred corn, remove husks and silks, blanch the corn for three minutes in simmering water, then brush the cobs with butter or olive oil and grill. Turn often, for about five minutes until some of the kernels start to darken. Leftover grilled corn? Slice kernels off the cobs to sprinkle over a salad or use them as a main ingredient in a simple corn and tomato salad (see recipe).
TOMATOES
Did you know a tomato is composed of about 95% water? But it’s still a nutritional powerhouse. The bold color of this low-calorie food comes from lycopene, an antioxidant that helps reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. High levels of vitamin C, potassium and fiber offer additional benefits. For a caprese salad, a classic summer treat, slice fresh tomatoes, layer them with sliced mozzarella and basil, then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. For a light and easy pasta sauce, combine chopped tomatoes with basil and garlic. Easiest of all, add tomatoes to salads, burgers and sandwiches.
Blueberry Mojito Mocktail INGREDIENTS • 10 fresh blueberries, plus extra for garnish • 4 fresh mint leaves, plus extra for garnish • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice • 1 tablespoon simple syrup • 3 ounces berry-flavored sparkling water • 1 lime slice, for garnish DIRECTIONS Place the blueberries, mint, lime juice and syrup into a flat-bottomed glass. Muddle for about 15 seconds until the mixture becomes fragrant. Fill the glass with ice, then gently stir in the sparkling water. Top it off with a couple of fresh mint leaves, a few whole blueberries and a lime slice for garnish.
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ASK THE PROVIDER
GLP-1s Explained Expert answers to common questions about the class of weight-loss and diabetesmanagement medications known as GLP-1s. INTERVIEW WITH
Devraj Lahiri, MD
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n the past five years, prescriptions for GLP-1s—a class of medicines used to treat obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular risk—have skyrocketed. These days, you can’t go long without seeing a news story or social post about these medications, which are now being taken by about 30 million people in the U.S. In this article, Devraj Lahiri, MD, a primary care physician and a member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, answers common questions about GLP-1s.
What are GLP-1s, and how do they work?
GLP-1 is an abbreviation that stands for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. These medications mimic a natural gut hormone involved in appetite and blood sugar regulation. They slow gastric emptying, enhance satiety (the feeling of fullness) and help reduce calorie intake. They also work in the brain to reduce cravings and hunger. These medications
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INJECTIONS OR PILLS:
are most commonly used to treat obesity and diabetes. They help treat diabetes by improving insulin secretion as well as by other mechanisms.
What to Consider GLP-1 medications designed to support weight loss have long been available as weekly injectables. Now, two pharmaceutical companies offer them in pill form, too. Here’s what to know:
Why are they prescribed?
They are prescribed for chronic weight management in individuals who are overweight or obese, particularly when lifestyle measures such as dietary changes and exercise have not been effective. Many agents in this class are also used to treat type 2 diabetes, and some have been shown to decrease risk of heart attack and stroke. They have also been found to help treat other obesity-related conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea and a condition known as fatty liver.
• Clinical trials found that patients using injectables lost a slightly higher percentage of body weight than those taking GLP-1 pills. • Special timing related to eating and drinking is required for one company’s oral GLP-1, but many patients prefer that inconvenience to injecting the medication. • Out-of-pocket costs for pills are generally lower than for injectables.
How can they improve my health?
Weight loss associated with these medications can lead to improvements in blood pressure, blood sugar control, cholesterol levels and overall cardiac risk factors. Some patients also experience better mobility, improved sleep quality and a reduction in obesityrelated conditions. Are there risks involved?
As with any medication, there are potential risks. Common issues are gastrointestinal. When starting treatment, many patients experience mild nausea and abdominal discomfort. These side effects usually improve over time. Less common but important risks include gallbladder disease and, rarely, pancreatitis. These medications are not appropriate for individuals with certain endocrine tumors or a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma. A careful medical evaluation is required before initiation. Can I space the shots out instead of taking the drug as scheduled?
GLP-1s are designed to be taken on a consistent schedule to maintain stable drug levels and effectiveness. Altering the dosing interval may reduce efficacy and increase side effects. Any
• Side effects are similar for pills and injectables.
changes should be discussed with the prescribing physician or nurse practitioner. I have read that GLP-1s can cause loss of lean muscle mass. Is there anything I can do to prevent that?
Some loss of lean mass can occur with any weight reduction. Loss of muscle mass can be avoided or minimized by increasing dietary protein intake and committing to regular strength training. Consistent physical activity is an essential part of losing weight, maintaining weight loss and optimizing general health.
Are there ways to offset side effects?
Starting at a low dose and gradually increasing helps to reduce and manage side effects. Eating smaller meals, avoiding highfat foods and very large portions, staying well hydrated and maintaining regular eating patterns can also reduce symptoms. How long am I likely to stay on GLP-1 medication?
Obesity is a chronic condition, and these medications are generally intended for long-term use. Stopping GLP–1 medication often leads to weight regain. The length of treatment is individualized based on response, tolerability and overall health goals, with ongoing reassessment over time.
What side effects are common?
The most common side effects are nausea, early satiety (feeling full after a smaller meal), constipation and sometimes diarrhea. These are typically mild to moderate and tend to improve over time as the body adjusts.
To find a provider, visit rwjbh.org/ docfinder.
RWJBarnabas Health
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POWER PLAY New Jersey Devil and Olympic hockey star Jack Hughes doubles down on his commitment to health and community.
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xactly 46 years to the day after the Miracle on Ice— when the U.S. men’s hockey team played its way into Olympic lore by defeating the powerhouse Soviet Union to win gold—Jack Hughes was on the ice in Milan, ready to make history again. Missing chunks of teeth from an earlier high stick, he found himself playing defense against Canada’s Connor McDavid, one of the world’s best players. Though not a defenseman, Hughes showed up to play, and this was sudden-death, 3-on-3 overtime for Olympic gold. Not only was Hughes able to corral McDavid, but he was also able to convert his defensive skills into his better-known offensive maneuvers in an instant, speeding up the ice, chipping the puck past world star Cale Makar, and scoring the game winner in front of nearly 35 million transfixed North Americans. On February 22, 2026, the goal of a generation was scored. The postgame celebration photo of Hughes with the U.S. flag draped over his shoulders captured his chipped-toothed elation and is already one of the most iconic hockey photos ever snapped.
THE POWER OF TENACITY
Less than a year earlier, Hughes underwent surgery on his right shoulder after sustaining a second injury to the area. It ended his 2024-2025 season, sending him to an offseason of rehabilitation. His Instagram post from March 2025 laid it bare for all to see: “Sports/Life can break you down, can be unfair. All the preparation, sacrifice, emotion, training, toughness you put into a year can be wasted within a matter of seconds. I know I’m not the first athlete to face the challenges that come with injuries, and I certainly will not be the last. But this is another hill to climb. The more adversity I face, the more I will believe in myself, the deeper I will dig into who I am, in the pursuit of being the best version of myself.” Hughes knows what recovery is all about. After multiple shoulder surgeries and a 2025 hand surgery from cutting himself on broken glass, he spent two consecutive offseasons in physical rehabilitation. With the Olympics on the horizon, he knew staying healthy was his priority, and by December 21, he was back on the ice.
Earlier that month, Hughes had inked a multiyear agreement positioning him as the first-ever brand ambassador for RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH), New Jersey’s largest academic health system. RWJBH is also a 30-year partner of the New Jersey Devils, Hughes’ current National Hockey League (NHL) team and the one that drafted him first overall in 2019. AN AUTHENTIC PARTNERSHIP
Given his resilience in the face of injuries and his commitment to health and fitness, a partnership between Hughes and RWJBH makes perfect sense. Together, they’ve launched the “Get Checked” campaign, a statewide call to action urging New Jerseyans to prioritize preventive care, routine screenings and the kinds of proactive health habits that keep you performing your best, whether you’re playing professional sports, enjoying retirement, raising a family or focusing on your career. “Get Checked” isn’t just another celebrity endorsement. It’s personal. It’s rooted in authenticity via lived experience and a genuine alignment
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PHOTOGRAPHS BY ELSA/GETTY IMAGES
Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils center and RWJBarnabas Health brand ambassador, after scoring the goldmedal-winning goal for Team USA men’s hockey at the Olympics in Milan
of values and beliefs. Hughes has spoken openly about the family legacy of helping others that shapes him. “Both of my grandfathers, a pediatric neurologist and a firefighter, are individuals who impacted people’s lives for the better—in completely different ways,” he says. “Making a meaningful contribution to my community and impacting others are very important to me. This partnership
bridges all that. Being part of that and making a difference is something I am really proud of.” Hughes’ father, Jim, coached in the NHL and was director of player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs for five seasons. His mother, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, is a former U.S. women’s national ice hockey player who is now a player development consultant for the team,
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which also won gold in 2026. Together, Jim and Ellen raised three first-round NHL draft picks who have all reached the pinnacle of their sport. Quinn Hughes scored the overtime goal in the 2026 Olympic semifinal against Sweden and is considered one of the best defensemen in the world. Luke Hughes, a rising star defenseman, also plays for the Devils. With experience in player development, both parents understand how off-ice habits and intangibles are just as important as on-ice coaching and training. These are values the family has always held close. Their sons were raised in a home where resilience, hard work and giving back were daily
expectations, not just aspirations. For Jack, that obligation now extends to his partnership with RWJBH. He proudly wears the RWJBH logo sewn on his Devils home jersey and knows what it means to the collective New Jersey community, many of whom are avid Devils fans. COMMITTED TO NEW JERSEY
“RWJBarnabas Health is proud of its long-standing partnership with the New Jersey Devils, and this new collaboration with Jack Hughes allows us to deepen our commitment to building and sustaining a healthier New Jersey,” says Mark E. Manigan, president and chief executive officer of RWJBH.
“As a trusted leader on and off the ice, Jack embodies the values of teamwork, dedication and community, making him an ideal partner to help encourage New Jersey residents to make their health a priority. Together, we will raise awareness about the importance of regular checkups and preventive care, reinforcing our shared commitment to improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve across New Jersey.” Nationally renowned for quality, safety and innovation, the RWJBH system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 locations. It’s a network that, in
With Hughes as ambassador, RWJBH’s long-standing support of youth hockey carries new energy.
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addition to cutting-edge treatments and Level I Trauma care, delivers preventive services ranging from pediatric well-visits and sports physicals to adult cancer screenings, cardiac evaluations, diabetes management and behavioral health support. Its partnership with Rutgers University powers cutting-edge research and education. In addition, RWJBH is New Jersey’s safety-net leader, addressing social determinants of health while simultaneously offering world-class specialty care to patients across the state. The health system’s community roots run deep. RWJBH has long supported youth hockey through Learn to Play programs and high school teams, hosted blood drives and community screenings, and welcomed patients to immersive game-day experiences. The annual Running with the Devils 5K promotes active lifestyles across the state. With Hughes as ambassador, those efforts now carry a new energy and a face that New Jersey’s next generation already knows and trusts. Hughes isn’t phoning in the partnership, either. He’s already surprised RWJBH employees at events, joined team-building activities and embraced his role as a champion for healthier habits. Hughes has spent his entire career being told what he can’t do: “You’re not big enough. You can’t play defense. You won’t be able to withstand the toughness of the NHL. You’re not good in big moments.” But his incredible work with the Devils despite serious setbacks and his legendary golden goal in the Olympics tell a much different story. TURNING WORDS INTO PRACTICE
What we don’t see are all the training sessions, the surgeries and the mental anguish that come with quiet offseason rehabilitation. We don’t see the trust that has been built between him and his trainers and specialists,
Primary care isn’t just about getting treatment when you’re sick. It’s about preventing your illness before it starts, managing ongoing conditions, and staying on top of screenings that can catch problems early.
rwjbh.org/getchecked
“Making a difference is something I’m really proud of,” says Hughes, the ambassador for RWJBarnabas Health’s statewide “Get Checked” campaign.
Staying ahead of potential health issues takes discipline but pays off handsomely. So get checked, New Jersey. Book your appointment today. Hughes and his new team are on your bench. LEARN MORE at rwjbh.org/getchecked.
how much preparation goes into not getting injured again, and the discipline it takes to stay ahead of health by being proactive both on and off the ice. There’s a real lesson here, and it applies to everyone in New Jersey—the kid getting his or her hockey physical, the busy parent who hasn’t thought of going to the doctor since the onset of the pandemic, and the grandparent who keeps saying, “I feel fine” instead of being proactive: Getting ahead of something is most certainly better than trying to catch up with it.
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Pediatric cancer survivor Grace Eline with her mother, Aubrey, in the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center
ADVANCING Cancer Care A $1.5 billion investment in next-level care is transforming the way we diagnose, treat and conquer cancer.
C
ancer patients often speak of their disease as a journey—one that takes a team to face. Fortunately for New Jerseyans, RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH), together with Rutgers Cancer Institute, the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, offers an elite team and the
most advanced treatment options close to home. A recent $1.5 billion investment in the expansion of oncology services by RWJBH is taking its commitment one step further, transforming cancer care and research across the state. “Our goal is that no patient in the state is farther than 20 minutes or so from exceptional cancer care,” says Steven Libutti, MD, the William
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KEEPING CANCER AT BAY Even small changes in daily habits can have big effects on cancer risk over time. Among the most important steps you can take are: • Stay physically active. RWJBarnabas Health’s Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center—New Jersey’s first and only freestanding cancer hospital—opened last year in New Brunswick. Below: one of the center’s warm and welcoming pediatric spaces.
• Avoid tobacco. • Limit your alcohol consumption. • Maintain a healthy weight.
N. Hait Director of Rutgers Cancer Institute and senior vice president of Oncology Services at RWJBH. In spring 2025, the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center—New Jersey’s first and only freestanding cancer hospital and one of just 13 in the country—opened in New Brunswick. In June, the Melchiorre Cancer Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center opened in Livingston. In early 2027, the Specialty and Cancer Care Center at the Vogel Medical Campus in Tinton Falls will become yet another major destination for care. Together, these RWJBH facilities will provide unparalleled access to state-of-the-art cancer treatment across New Jersey. The size of the health system’s investment in cancer care reflects the magnitude of need, with more than 60,000 new cancer cases expected to occur in New Jersey during 2026 alone. It also reflects RWJBH’s philosophy of patientcentered care. “We don’t take care of cancer—we take care of people who have cancer,” says George Raptis, MD, director of Oncology Services for the RWJBH
Northern Region. “Our goal is to create environments where patients feel supported, not just clinically but emotionally, every step of the way.” SIX KEY ADVANTAGES
The health system’s integrated statewide network of patient-centered care affords every New Jersey resident
• Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. • Protect your skin from the sun. • Know your family history and discuss it with your doctor. • Keep up with recommended screenings and vaccines.
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Vital Screenings Treatment is most effective when cancer is caught early, so it’s important to follow recommended screening guidelines. BREAST. It is recommended that women receive their first screening mammogram at age 40 and continue annually. Those at high risk should speak to their doctor about screening earlier. COLORECTAL. Individuals at average risk should begin regular screening at age 45. Those at higher risk should speak to their doctor about getting screened sooner. Screening can be done by colonoscopy or with a home stool test, which looks for tiny amounts of blood or cancer DNA in the stool. Speak to a doctor to find the test that is right for you. LUNG. Get a low-dose computed tomography scan every year if you’re 50 to 80 years old, have a 20 pack-year smoking history (the equivalent of smoking an average of a pack of cigarettes per day for 20 years), and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. PROSTATE. Talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of getting prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screenings starting at age 45 (age 40 if you’re African American or had a father or brother who developed prostate cancer when he was younger than 65).
In June, the Melchiorre Cancer Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (both photos on this page) opened in Livingston. At each RWJBarnabas Health cancer center, thoughtfully designed spaces, like the roof deck on the opposite page, promote comfort and healing.
who needs cancer treatment these advantages: 1. Close-to-home care. Cancer doesn’t travel well. So, it’s important that patients have easy access to outstanding specialists, innovative clinical trials and sophisticated technology near where they live, minimizing travel time. 2. Advanced technology. The MR-Linac, a highly sophisticated imaging and radiation oncology technology, is currently available at the Morris Cancer Center and the Melchiorre Cancer Center, making it only the third of its kind in the state. Advanced technologies, such as linear accelerators and high-dose brachytherapy, will also be offered at the Specialty and Cancer Care Center on the Vogel campus, which will have individual floors devoted to radiation oncology and imaging services, surgery, medical oncology, and infusion. 3. Clinical research. As an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, the facility provides patients with access to the latest clinical trials, many not available elsewhere. Cancer clinical trials evaluate new
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treatments and help doctors learn which are most effective and may improve a patient’s outcome and/or quality of life. Many clinical trials are studying new drugs, using current drugs in a new way, or combining drugs to evaluate their effectiveness. 4. Services under one roof. Each of our cancer centers is designed to deliver comprehensive, multidisciplinary care, all in one location. “That makes it easier for patients to access the full spectrum of services they need throughout their treatment journey, all in a setting focused on convenience, comfort and continuity of care,” says Rick Davis,
president and CEO of Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center. Each center offers access to multidisciplinary teams of cancer specialists, including medical, surgical and radiation oncologists; specially trained nurses; and support personnel. Other essential resources include labs, radiology and imaging, pharmacy and wellness facilities. 5. Peace of mind. “Cancer care is not only physical, but also emotional, deeply personal and often overwhelming for both patients and their families,” says Dr. Raptis. To address these realities, the Melchiorre Cancer Center, for
Above right: In early 2027, the Specialty and Cancer Care Center at the Vogel Medical Campus will open in Tinton Falls. Below: The MR-Linac, a highly sophisticated imaging and radiation oncology system, is just one example of the advanced technology used to treat cancer at RWJBH centers.
example, offers integrative therapies including nutrition support, movement-based programs, Reiki, emotional support and art therapy. It also features a wellness center, a wig and prosthetic fitting studio, and a teaching kitchen. 6. A comfortable environment. The design of each center promotes both next-level care and at-home comfort. Thoughtfully configured gathering spaces foster an environment that promotes healing, well-being and a sense of normalcy. Infusion center rooms are often private and filled with natural light. Ample windows, bright lighting and lounge areas project an ambiance of calm and consolation.
Visit rwjbh.org/ beatcancer to learn more about cancer care at RWJBarnabas Health.
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4 Habits for a Healthier Summer Follow these tips to keep yourself and your loved ones safe in warmer weather.
1. KEEP KIDS SAFE AROUND WATER. A day at the pool, lake or beach is meant to be relaxing, but this isn’t the time to zone out. “Keep eyes on children at all times and never swim alone,” says pediatrician Sarah Yavelberg, MD, a member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. “It doesn’t matter the activity—if there’s water involved, it can pose a threat.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year in the U.S. there are more than 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths, and drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death among children ages 1 to 4. Drowning is often silent. Look out for passive signs of struggle, including body upright in the water with little to no leg movement, blank expression, closed eyes and hair covering the face. To make water activities safer, wear life vests. Avoid alcohol, both when you’re enjoying the water yourself and when you’re responsible for monitoring a child. Enroll youngsters in swim lessons. “Knowing how to swim can be lifesaving for a toddler, reducing the risk of drowning by up to 88%,” says Dr. Yavelberg. If you see someone in the water who’s in trouble, throw them
a flotation device and get help immediately. If you find yourself struggling, float on your back. If you’re caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore to get past it, rather than fighting to get back to shore through it, which can lead to exhaustion. 2. BEAT EXTREME HEAT. Spending time outdoors in the summer is something many New Jerseyans look forward to with gusto. But unless you’re careful, a hot afternoon can quickly turn into a medical emergency. When the body can’t cool itself, heat exhaustion can set in. Unless steps are taken to reduce the body’s temperature, heatstroke— which can cause multi-organ damage— can develop. To lower someone’s body temperature, help them seek shade or air conditioning, splash cool water on them and encourage them to drink water. “The best way to prevent heat illnesses,” says Sreedar V. Raja, MD, medical director, emergency medicine, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, “is to limit your time outdoors on a hot day; dress in light, loose clothing; and drink plenty of water—especially if you’re out exercising or playing sports.”
3. PROTECT YOUR SKIN. Outdoor sports and activities are a healthy way to keep kids occupied during summer. While balls, rackets, shovels and buckets are key, don’t forget to pack the most important gear: sun protection, including beach umbrellas, hats, sunglasses, UV-blocking shirts and—every kid’s favorite—sunscreen. “Not only can sunblock protect you from an uncomfortable sunburn; it can decrease your risk of developing skin cancer down the road,” says pediatric specialist Mary Lutz, MD, a member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. Make sure to apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 for adults and 45 for children about a half hour before you head outside. “Even if it’s cool or cloudy out, don’t leave home without it,” says Dr. Lutz. “And remember to reapply every two hours and after swimming for optimum protection.” Waterproof sunscreen doesn’t exist, but water-resistant sunscreen can protect skin while it’s wet for 40 to 80 minutes (check the label). Finally, avoid the sun when it’s strongest, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Infants under 6 months should stay out of direct sunlight altogether. Sunscreen is not recommended for infants; choose protective clothing and shade instead.
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SIGNS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION • Cool, clammy skin • Dizziness or fainting • Tiredness • A rapid, weak heartbeat • Muscle cramps • Nausea • Headache
4. DON’T BE A TICK TARGET. New Jersey’s Lyme disease cases are often among the highest in the nation, but this year’s warm weather is causing even more concern. As of late April, emergency room visits for tick bites were already up 27%—and ticks remain active through September. “Warning signs of Lyme disease include its signature bull’s-eye rash, fever, fatigue, joint pain and headache,” says Tatiana Borja, MD, a pediatric rheumatologist and a member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. “If you notice these symptoms, seek treatment.” The best way to sidestep all
the diseases ticks carry is to avoid getting bitten. But preventive steps aren’t foolproof, so routine checks are important. “Perform thorough tick checks on yourself, children and pets, and shower within two hours of being outdoors,” says Dr. Borja. “Be sure to scan concealed areas, too, including the scalp, inside and behind ears, between fingers and toes, and the groin area.” To remove a tick, grasp it as close to the skin’s surface as possible with clean tweezers and pull it off the skin with steady pressure. Consider sending a photo of the tick to NJ Ticks 4 Science!, a Rutgers Center for Vector Biology citizen science project that tracks tick activity: ticks.rutgers.edu.
5 Ways to Stay Tick-Free • Avoid heavily wooded areas and high grass. • Apply a repellent when spending time outdoors. • Wear long sleeves, long pants, hats and closed-toed shoes. • Shower after outdoor activities. • Perform visual checks.
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Fielding a LifeThreatening Injury Thanks to expert pediatric trauma care, a baseball player recovers from a shattered spleen.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY KRISTYN MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY
T
he batter hit a fly ball between left and center. Cole Cianflone—then 14 and playing left field for a travel baseball team from Connecticut—dove and made the catch. “I was just focused on the ball and not where my teammate was,” he says. The same was true for the center fielder. The two boys violently collided. “His knee went full speed into my left side,” Cole says. Cole tried to get to his knees, flipped the ball to second base, then collapsed. The game, being played on July 19, 2025, in Piscataway against a team from Southeastern Pennsylvania, came to a halt. “Coach came out and asked if I was okay,” Cole says. “I had pain like I’d never felt before in my life. I said, ‘Dude, I don’t know, I might need to be taken out.’” Cole’s father, Paul DiGiovanni, was watching from the sidelines as the coach waved him onto the field. “Kids collide all the time, and at first I thought Cole was just winded,” Paul says. “But he had difficulty moving, had turned pale, and was covered in sweat.” An ambulance took Cole to The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital (BMSCH) at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) in New Brunswick. He was rushed
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into the Level I Trauma Center at RWJUH, which is the only state-designated Level I Trauma Center to have an American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma-verified Level I Pediatric Trauma Program. CRITICAL DECISIONS
“At one point,” Cole remembers, “it seemed like there were about 20 doctors surrounding me. It all happened so quickly.” The buzz of activity reflected urgent questions that needed to be answered fast. Tests and examinations found that Cole had not only four broken ribs but also a crushed spleen. “His spleen injury was Grade 5—the most severe kind,” says Sathyaprasad Burjonrappa, MD, a pediatric surgeon at BMSCH and a member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. “The spleen was completely shattered.” Cole’s injury was potentially life-threatening. Blood vessels engorge the spleen. “There’s a danger that a patient with a shattered spleen will bleed out,” Dr. Burjonrappa says. A longstanding approach to devastating spleen trauma has been to seal off blood flow to the organ or remove it altogether. “Those options defunctionalize the spleen and are permanent,” Dr. Burjonrappa says. “We offer them, but the goal is to save the spleen and fully preserve its function. The resources of a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center allow us to offer the highest level of care without surgery.” Preserving the spleen’s function is especially important in children because it serves an important role in protecting the body against infections from capsulated bacteria such as those that cause pneumonia and meningitis.
Young people are more susceptible to immune-related complications, such as infection, if the spleen isn’t functioning. Another factor in the decision: Children have a higher capacity to heal. Dr. Burjonrappa compares Cole’s shattered spleen to a smashed orange in which the skin is intact, but segments inside have detached and separated. “If you leave the spleen alone under close supervision, the segments can bind back together,” he says. The question was what dominated Cole’s injury—bleeding or healing. Pediatric trauma experts monitored Cole continuously. “His blood pressure and heart rate were closely monitored, and he was kept on strict bed rest for 24 hours in addition to monitoring his blood counts,” says Paul, who stayed with Cole in the pediatric intensive care unit—the state’s largest, staffed by fellowship-trained pediatric intensivists. Cole’s mother, Joy DiGiovanni, drove from Connecticut to be with her son and husband. THE HEALING BEGINS
Cole received a blood transfusion, but it soon became clear that his spleen would mend with proper care. “He’s a very tough kid,” says Dr. Burjonrappa. “His recuperative capacity was so good that in three days he started healing.” “As a worried mom, you have a hundred questions,” says Joy. “I didn’t understand how a spleen could recover
by itself after being injured that badly. I’m still amazed. But Dr. Burjonrappa kept assuring us it would be fine with the right care.” The family went home after four days. Cole found summer convalescence challenging. “I’m a very active person,” he says. “But I listened to my body and didn’t push myself too hard.” By September, he could swing a bat. He slowly ramped up training and by spring 2026 had qualified as a freshman for his high school’s baseball team. “The first time fielding a fly ball was scary,” Cole says. “I had to get my mind right and couldn’t be fearful out there, because that was never how I played. Once I knew I was back to where I had been before the injury, nothing was stopping me.”
To learn more about the Children’s Health network at RWJBarnabas Health, visit rwjbh.org/childrenshealth.
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Take an
Active Break On water or on land, get away without going away this summer.
S
ummer invites us to take time away from our everyday lives to enjoy new experiences and spend time outdoors with family and friends. Active New Jerseyans searching for memorable destinations and activities don’t have to look far from home. The Garden State is a natural paradise with over 1.6 million acres of preserved open space and more than 4,000 miles of mapped public trails. The state also boasts nearly 1,800 miles of tidal shore, including rivers, creeks, bays and 130 miles of Atlantic coastline. The following hotspots earn their stellar reviews via the memory-making experiences and family-bonding opportunities they deliver without derailing your commitment to an active lifestyle.
CLASSIC SHORE EXCURSION
Billed as “America’s Greatest Family Resort,” Ocean City lives up to that slogan. Set on a barrier island in Cape May County, it boasts eight miles of oceanfront beaches, a family-oriented boardwalk featuring multiple amusement piers, and a quaint downtown shopping district. Surfing, kayaking and fishing are popular pastimes. If you feel the need for speed, Totally Tubular Watersports offers private boat charter packages that include tubing, waterskiing and wakeboarding (including free instruction) for up to six people. Charters are available for one to three hours, with prices ranging from $250 to $750. With its sandy-bottom beaches and consistent beginnerfriendly waves, Ocean City is an ideal place to learn to surf. Multiple surf schools dot the shoreline. On the opposite side of the island, the calm, scenic waters of Great Egg Harbor Bay are perfect for paddleboarding and kayaking. Ocean City Paddle Company offers rentals, tours and lessons, as well as morning paddleboard yoga and sunset outings. Inside Tip For those who prefer pedals to paddles, Ocean City offers bike rentals and several cycling routes. For a downloadable bike-route map, which includes the locations of playgrounds, fishing areas and more, visit bikeocnj.org.
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GOLF AND MUCH MORE
Situated on the edge of the scenic Appalachians, Crystal Springs Resort in Sussex County is the largest golf resort in the Northeast—home to six elite courses with postcard mountain views. Two courses, Crystal Springs and Ballyowen, are frequently listed among the best public courses in the state. Traveling with kids? The Minerals course (nine holes) offers forward junior tees and alternate oversized cups to even up the competition. Youngsters also might enjoy
FootGolf, a family-friendly sport that involves kicking a soccer ball into an oversized cup. Off the links, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy. For families with children, the resort’s three-mile Wild Turkey Nature Trail offers a highly approachable hiking experience. Just five miles away, you can hike a section of the storied Appalachian Trail. Choose an easy jaunt through Pochuck Valley or a rugged hike up the Stairway to Heaven to the scenic Pinwheel Vista. Crystal Springs Resort counts a four-star restaurant among its 10 dining options and boasts a worldclass wine cellar, two spas, multiple swimming pools and two choices of accommodations. One of them, Grand Cascades Lodge, has won the prestigious AAA Four-Diamond Award for six straight years. The other, Minerals Hotel, is more modestly priced, yet still comfortably appointed. Minerals Sports Club is available to all resort guests. It offers yoga and fitness classes, a cardio and weight-training center, a rock-climbing wall, pickleball courts and more. Inside Tips Guests are welcome to arrive early, before check-in, to indulge in the resort’s beautiful pool complexes, which include steam rooms and saunas, and to relax on the outdoor terraces. Pack comfortable footwear for hikes on the property’s nature trail, and if you enjoy wine, leave time for a tour of the Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning wine cellar.
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FAMILY LAKE ESCAPE
Lake Hopatcong forms a natural border between Morris and Sussex counties. Spanning about four square miles with 45 miles of shoreline, it’s the largest freshwater lake in New Jersey. Hotels, inns and short-term rentals surround the lake, as do a variety of restaurants, several along the water’s edge. The shore is ringed by marinas offering boat rentals for fishing, waterskiing or relaxed cruising. If you want to bring your own boat, Hopatcong State Park has a boat launch. It also offers trails, playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts, and a beach with a bathhouse complete with showers and changing rooms. Looking for something a little different? The Lake Hopatcong Adventure Company delivers, on both land and water. • Hike n’ Bike to Liffy Island: Enjoy a short, guided hike and an occasionally hilly bike ride on this five-mile round-trip excursion via trails and back roads for $80 per person.
• Water tours: Explore the lake on a hydrobike, kayak or pedalboard. Half-hour tours ($47 per person) take participants around Halsey Island or along the lake’s eastern shore. Onehour tours ($67 per person) navigate three different routes. Inside Tips Four towns surround Lake Hopatcong. Of them, Jefferson Township, in the northeastern area of the lake, offers the most water frontage and a family-friendly atmosphere. It’s home to some of the best restaurants on the lake, as well as Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, which, at more than 3,500 acres, is one of the largest nature preserves in the state. This county park boasts 27 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. There’s also a campground with paved pads for RVs and a separate tent camping area with raised tent platforms and Adirondack shelters.
PADDLING ADVENTURES GALORE
Kayak East is a resource for both new and experienced New Jersey paddlers. Although located in Columbia (part of Knowlton Township) on the Delaware River, Kayak East doesn’t limit explorers to that body of water. It also offers tours on Farrington Lake; Crosswicks Creek; Mill Creek; the Pompton, Passaic and Raritan rivers; and many other bodies of water. Sunset tours are offered most Thursdays in the Meadowlands or on Spruce Run Reservoir. Most tours are half-day, last about two and a half hours, and are offered on Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays. There are challenging, intermediate and easy options, with no experience required for the lightest tours, but kids must be at least 6 years old. Many packages are priced under $100. Want to go at your own pace? Kayak East also rents paddleboards and sit-ontop kayaks.
Inside Tips Keen hikers who opt for a Delaware River kayak outing might want to extend their stay to an overnight so they can enjoy exploring some local trails. Area accommodations to check out include the RoseMary Inn in Columbia and the Inn at Millrace Pond in Hope. • Advanced hikers: Set your sights on the top of Mount Tammany for stunning views of the Delaware Water Gap. The hike is rocky, includes steep sections and is designated “hard” on AllTrails. • Casual hikers: Check out Van Campens Glen Trail, which passes multiple waterfalls with only 255 feet of elevation gain. Of course, any time you hike, especially with children, check out the trails online in advance, wear sturdy, protective footwear and sunscreen, let someone know where you’re headed and take along plenty of water.
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When Your Heart
SKIPS Y A BEAT Diagnoses of heart rhythm disorders are growing in adults younger than age 65. Know the signs to protect your health. INTERVIEW WITH
Conor Barrett, MD, MBA
ou’re taking a leisurely bike ride when you feel your heart suddenly skip a beat. Then it calms down. But a few days later, you’re running on a treadmill, and it feels like butterflies are floating inside your chest. The feeling comes and goes. Should you call a doctor? “Yes,” says Conor Barrett, MD, MBA, senior vice president and chief clinical officer for Heart and Vascular Services at RWJBarnabas Health. “Any awareness of your heart fluttering, skipping beats, taking extra beats or racing isn’t normal and should be examined.” The cause could be atrial fibrillation (AFib), a type of irregular heartbeat that affects roughly 10.5 million Americans. AFib is more than just a
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fluttery feeling—those who have it are five times more likely to have a stroke than those without the condition. While once thought to be a disease of older adults, AFib is now being diagnosed more in younger adults. A 2024 study of more than 67,000 AFib patients found that 25% were younger than age 65, for example. Dr. Barrett cites two reasons for the rising frequency of diagnosis in younger people. One is increased public awareness of AFib, stemming from coverage in the news and on social media as well as educational campaigns by local hospitals and national health groups. The other is the growing popularity of wearable devices that track heart rate and other vital signs. “The diagnostics on many wearables are very good,” Dr. Barrett says. “We have seen patients come into the office and tell us that they went into AFib at 12:32 p.m. and stayed there for 97 minutes based on their wearable, and they’ll be exactly right.” SYMPTOMS AND RISK FACTORS
While a racing heart or a skipped beat can be a telltale sign of AFib, younger people sometimes experience irregular heartbeats differently. Avid exercisers, for example, may feel palpitations when running or working out at the gym. They also might develop shortness of breath while exercising. Some people, however, have no symptoms at all. “For some, symptoms can be mildly to very annoying,” Dr. Barrett says. “For others, they can be quite debilitating. And for a select few, they can be lifechanging—even fatal.” Many underlying health conditions can raise the risk of AFib, including uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes and pulmonary diseases, such as sleep apnea. People with congenital heart conditions and heart failure are more prone to developing rhythm disorders, as are people with inflammation of the lining of the heart sac (pericardium). If you experience any of the symptoms of AFib, even if they’re brief,
TAKE CONTROL OF AFIB These two steps can help reduce the risk of developing AFib. For those who already have been diagnosed, they can help manage the condition. 1. Control modifiable risk factors. High blood pressure, diabetes and sleep apnea can contribute to AFib. Follow treatment plans and take any medications prescribed for those conditions as directed. 2. Exercise regularly. “Research shows that a daily 20-minute brisk walk can help reduce blood pressure, decrease the risk for cardiovascular disease and even help you live longer,” says Connor Barrett, MD, MBA, senior vice president and chief clinical officer for Heart and Vascular Services at RWJBarnabas Health.
or if you receive an abnormal rhythm notification on a wearable device, you should notify your primary care provider (PCP) immediately. They can check the recording information on a wearable and run initial tests such as an electrocardiogram to assess your heart rhythm. If your PCP suspects AFib, you may receive a referral to see a cardiologist or an electrophysiologist who specializes in rhythm disorders. “The first thing a cardiologist will do upon diagnosing AFib is an assessment to determine whether you’re at an increased risk for stroke,” Dr. Barrett says. HOW AFIB IS TREATED
Treatments may include medications designed to slow the heart rate (beta blockers or calcium channel blockers). Other medications or a cardioversion can be used to help restore a normal heart rhythm. Blood thinners are often very important and used to reduce the risk of a blood clot forming and traveling from the heart to the brain, causing a stroke. Discussing stroke risk with your doctor is important if you have a history of atrial fibrillation; the risk is also higher in women. For people with symptomatic AFib or those who develop heart failure due to AFib, doctors may recommend
cardiac ablation. It’s a minimally invasive procedure, performed through a catheter, that uses energy to target and eliminate the triggers causing an irregular heartbeat. For patients who can’t tolerate blood thinners, the WATCHMAN device offers an alternative way to reduce stroke risk. The small, parachute-shaped device is inserted through a catheter and implanted in the heart’s left atrial appendage. Once in place, the device seals off the appendage, preventing clots from traveling to the brain. “Work with your doctor to find the type of treatment that works best for your AFib,” Dr. Barrett says. “Doing so can stop you from having a stroke and can potentially save your life.”
Learn more about heart health. Visit RWJBH.org/heart.
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Pitch
PERFECT The most innovative soccer training facility in North America— RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center—opened in April.
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s part of its commitment to building a healthier New Jersey, RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) has partnered with Red Bull New York, one of Major League Soccer’s 30 clubs, to bring a worldclass training center to the state. Set on more than 80 acres in Morris Township, RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center boasts eight full training pitches (both natural grass and turf ), including five heated for year-round play and several equipped with high-tech camera systems that can track players from multiple angles to assist with coaching. The 88,400-square-foot main building includes an elite gym, an
athlete wellness lab, academic spaces for academy players, an innovation lab, dining facilities tailored to athlete nutrition and more. The center will support Red Bull New York’s long-term growth by centralizing all levels of the organization—youth programs through pros. “This facility brings our entire pathway together, from academy to first team, and creates an environment where players can train, develop and compete at the highest level,” says Marc de Grandpré, president and general manager, Red Bull New York. “What began as a shared vision,” says Mark E. Manigan, president and CEO, RWJBarnabas Health, “is
now a world-class facility that will support elite athlete performance, advance innovation in sports health and serve as a source of pride for our community.” RWJBH will serve as the Official Hometown Healthcare System for the club and its affiliated teams and youth programs. As part of that commitment, the organization will connect with Red Bulls Youth Programs to educate young athletes about nutrition and healthy lifestyle. “This partnership,” says Manigan, “reflects our deep commitment to building a healthier New Jersey—on and off the field—and we are proud to invest in a stateof-the-art facility that will inspire excellence for generations to come.”
From left: Red Bull Head of Global Soccer Jurgen Klopp, NYNJ Host Committee Board Chair Tammy Murphy, Mayor of Morris Township Donna Guariglia, Red Bull New York President Marc de Grandpré, RWJBarnabas Health President and CEO Mark E. Manigan, FOX 5 New York Sports Anchor Tina Cervasio, Red Bull New York Head of Sport Julian de Guzman and Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber
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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF RED BULL NEW YORK
Clockwise from top: Aerial view of RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center; RWJBarnabas Health Athlete Wellness Lab; main building, as seen from one of the eight training pitches; main lobby
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Clockwise from top left: First Team locker room, professional gym, main entrance
Learn more about RWJBarnabas Health’s partnership with Red Bull New York at rwjbh.org/redbulls.
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Healthy Dinner, I
Hiring a personal chef can be a smart investment in your health.
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magine opening your refrigerator on a Tuesday evening, after a long day of work or carting around the kids, and finding it fully stocked with nutritious, delicious meals. Dinner is on the table quickly—without stress, the drive-thru or delivery apps. And, most important, you’re confident everyone in your family will enjoy it. This is what weekday dinners can look like if you engage a personal chef.
Personal chefs are no longer just for celebrities or the very wealthy. Their services are surprisingly accessible and, for anyone looking to eat healthier, maybe even invaluable. Every meal prepared by a personal chef is customized to meet your dietary goals, allergies, health concerns and taste buds. “There’s no mass production of food,” says Brianna Sebasto, owner of Brianna’s Nutrition Kitchen, a personal chef company that serves much
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of New Jersey and New York City. “Even with meal delivery services, you’re not getting food made specifically for you like you do with a personal chef.” HOW IT WORKS
Four practical strategies from the pros Hiring a personal chef to prepare flavorful, nutritious, kid-friendly meals can help take the stress out of mealtime with selective eaters. Not only do chefs know how to make broccoli taste delicious, but they’re full of tips and tricks to get more veggies into your child’s belly. Below are four strategies to help kids embrace a wider variety of nutritious foods. 1. Ask children to help with meal prep. “Kids will be more likely to try foods they’ve been involved in preparing,” says Lauren Kretzer, a chef and recipe developer in northern New Jersey. One easy way to do this is to create assembly-line meals like tacos or grain bowls, where everyone can pick and choose which toppings they add to their dinner. 2. Keep healthy fruits and vegetables visible and easy to grab. Think rinsed blueberries in an open bowl in the fridge or mini seedless peppers at kids’ eye level. “If fruits and veggies require zero effort to eat, there’s a better chance they’ll get eaten,” says Marcy Ragan, owner of Relish Your Chef. 3. Make foods familiar. Research shows you might need to introduce a food up to 15 times before a child will try it. “Keep putting vegetables on the plate,” Ragan says. “The repeated exposure matters.” Kretzer agrees. “I always serve my kids veggies, even if I know for sure they’re not going to eat them,” she says. “The more often they see them, the more likely they are to eat them.” 4. Eat your own veggies! “If your kids see you and your spouse eating vegetables, that’s a great place to start,” Kretzer says. “You can’t expect them to do something that you yourself aren’t doing.”
MEET THE CHEFS
While offerings vary, personal chefs can prepare two to five meals for as many as five people in a single visit. It usually works like this: After getting to know you a bit, the chef proposes a weekly menu. Can’t stand tomatoes? You’ll never see any. Crave roasted chicken? Expect it to make regular appearances on the menu. Typically, about once a week the chef will shop farmers markets and grocery stores and arrive in your kitchen to prepare, package and label meals with serving and reheating instructions. The chefs even clean up, leaving the kitchen spotless. The most you’ll have to do is turn on the oven at dinnertime. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, don’t despair! There are personal chefs who specialize in preparing meals that align with those
HELP FOR PICKY EATERS
Brianna Sebasto Brianna’s Nutrition Kitchen
Marcy Ragan Relish Your Chef
Lauren Kretzer Plant-based personal chef
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SERVES: 4–6 PREP TIME: 20 MINUTES COOK TIME: 20 MINUTES
INSTRUCTIONS 1. Pound and season the chicken. Place each chicken breast between two sheets of parchment or wax paper and pound to an even ¼-inch thickness. Season both sides generously with garlic powder, onion powder and pepper. 2. Bread the chicken. Line up three shallow bowls: the first with gluten-free flour, the second with the beaten eggs whisked together with the milk, and the third with the bread crumbs mixed with paprika, garlic powder and salt. Working one at a time, dredge each cutlet in flour (shake off the excess), dip it in the egg wash, then press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture on both sides. Set the breaded cutlets aside on a plate while you heat the oil. 3. Fry to golden perfection. Pour enough light olive oil into your skillet to come about ¼ inch up the sides and heat over medium-high until shimmering. To test if it’s ready, drop in a pinch of breadcrumbs—they should sizzle immediately. Add the cutlets in a single layer without crowding the pan (work in batches if needed) and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until deeply golden and cooked through to 165°F internally.
Crispy Gluten-Free Chicken Cutlets Recipe by Brianna Sebasto of Brianna’s Nutrition Kitchen Sebasto swears by this crispy, gluten-free baked chicken cutlet, served with homemade honey mustard sauce, for getting minimally processed, whole food protein into picky eaters. Be sure to rest the chicken on a wire rack so every bite stays crunchy.
4. Rest on a rack and serve. Transfer the finished cutlets to a wire rack rather than a plate—this keeps the bottom crust from steaming and going soggy. Season with a pinch of flaky salt while they’re still hot. Serve with lemon wedges and your favorite sides.
INGREDIENTS For the chicken: • 4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to ¼-inch thickness • Salt and freshly ground black pepper • 1 tsp garlic powder • 1 tsp onion powder
For the breading: • 1 cup gluten-free allpurpose flour (such as Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1) • 2 large eggs, beaten • 2 Tbsp whole milk • 1½ cups Aleia’s GlutenFree Italian Bread Crumbs • 1 tsp paprika • 1 tsp garlic powder • ½ tsp salt
For frying: • Light olive oil for pan frying • Lemon wedges for serving
Pro Tips • Make ahead: Bread the cutlets up to a day in advance and refrigerate uncovered on a rack. The coating dries out slightly and fries up even crispier. • Freeze: Fully cooked cutlets freeze beautifully. Reheat in a 400°F oven on a rack for 10-12 minutes straight from frozen. • For kids: Cut into strips before serving to make it easy for little hands to dip in ketchup, honey mustard or ranch dressing.
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preferences. “You want to be sure you hire someone who has a background in nutrition and will serve you whole foods that are minimally processed,” says Lauren Kretzer, a plant-based personal chef and recipe developer in northern New Jersey. “That means fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, beans and seeds. Those are the building blocks of every meal I make.” MEALTIME’S MENTAL LOAD
Turning food building blocks into a meal every night can be overwhelming. The mental load causes stress and can result in poor food choices, says Marcy Ragan, owner of Relish Your Chef, which
serves Monmouth County and the Shore. “Many people who come to me know they should be eating better, but they just have too much going on in other parts of their lives,” she says. “They’ve found themselves reaching for packaged foods or opting for takeout because those solutions are quick and easy.” For a few nights a week, eliminating the stress of planning, shopping for food and preparing meals can have other health benefits, too. “The hours people spend making dinner happen can be used to do other things that support health,” says Kretzer, “like exercising or spending time with your family or even getting into bed a little earlier each night.”
We can’t control our family genetics, of course, but we can control the foods we put into our bodies.” —Brianna Sebasto
HELP FOR HEALTH CHALLENGES
Personal chefs can play a critical role for people who need help navigating a new medical diagnosis or food allergy. “A lot of people don’t really know where to begin if a doctor tells them they need to suddenly change their diet,” Ragan says. A personal chef, especially one with a nutrition background, can translate medically prescribed diets into meals that are not only compliant, but genuinely enjoyable to eat. One client of Brianna’s Nutrition Kitchen shares her experience: “After my routine blood work showed elevated cholesterol, along with a few other inflammatory markers, my doctor recommended I follow a Mediterranean-style diet and cut back on processed foods,” she says. “I knew what I should be eating, but between work, my commute and taking care of my family, I just couldn’t stay consistent long enough to actually see a difference.” Newly discovered food allergies or a diet-altering diagnosis like celiac disease can significantly complicate mealtimes. A personal chef can help ensure success. “We take cross contamination very, very seriously,” Sebasto says. “We cook in your own kitchen using your pots and your pans—we only bring in our knives— which reduces risk and can bring a level of peace and safety.” No matter the reason, hiring a personal chef can be a great way to take ownership of your health. “We’ve been led to believe that disease is something that happens to us, and we have no say in it,” Sebasto says. “We can’t control our family genetics, of course, but we can control the foods we put into our bodies. It’s incredible when people see, ‘Oh, I changed my diet and now my cholesterol is going down, and I don’t need to take medication anymore.’ Food really does have power.”
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5 TIPS FOR HEALTHIER W ANKLES
INTERVIEW WITH
Adam Becker, MD
hether you’re planning to run a 10K race or take a lunchtime stroll, make sure your body is ready for movement. Here, Adam Becker, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and a member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, answers some common questions about ankle injuries, including sprains and Achilles tendon strains and tears.
Here’s what you need to know now about sprains, Achilles tendon strains and more.
1 What precautions can help avoid ankle injuries? Most importantly, when you’re exercising, wear stabilizing shoes rather than flimsier ones that might look more stylish. From age 25 upward, take a few minutes to stretch before you exercise. That will decrease your risk of an Achilles strain or rupture.
2 How can I reduce my risk of injury during normal, everyday activities? Wear proper footwear and don’t rush. If you wear a heeled shoe or a shoe with a poor tread or sole, you have a higher risk of slipping, especially in bad weather. Watch out for any trouble spots on walkways and streets, such as branches or leaves that might be hiding uneven pavement.
3 What can I do to alleviate ankle pain from an injury? Rest your ankle and protect it by not doing anything too demanding or strenuous. Alternate applying ice and heat to the area; both are great—ice has an antiinflammatory effect, and heat increases blood flow and helps with healing. An over-the-counter anti-inflammatory is good to take, if you’re able to tolerate it.
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NEW PRACTICE IN RIVER EDGE RWJBarnabas Health now has an orthopedic practice in River Edge, staffed by three surgeons from RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group who are on staff at Jersey City Medical Center and Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center:
4 When should I get a sore ankle looked at by a doctor? If you can’t walk normally or bear weight on your ankle because of pain, get it checked out. Also see a doctor if you experience a slow buildup of pain and it’s stopping you from doing things you enjoy, or it either doesn’t get better or gets worse over a twoweek period.
• Raphael Longobardi, MD, FAAOS, specializing in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery
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• Adam Becker, MD, specializing in advanced joint replacement techniques • Frank Liporace, MD, specializing in orthopedic trauma and complex joint reconstruction
How do doctors treat ankle injuries? Doctors can offer a variety of treatments: protective braces, supportive devices that can take some of the stress off the injured area, different types of medications, and different types of local treatments, such as anti-inflammatory or pain creams or patches. If the issue is chronic, sometimes physical therapy, conditioning, and strengthening exercises can help significantly.
For more information about orthopedic services at RWJBarnabas Health or to find a physician, visit www.rwjbh.org/ortho.
All three board-certified surgeons are highly experienced, have cared for professional and collegiate athletes, and are dedicated to helping patients return to their favorite activities as soon as possible. To make an appointment at the new office, located at 130 Kinderkamack Road, Suite 300, call 201-716-5850 or schedule online through MyChart.
REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT!
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Rethinking
Recovery For patients who have substance use disorder, this collaborative program offers empathy and treatment choices.
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ubstance use disorder has long carried stigma, making it difficult for those in need to receive treatment. Connie Greene, senior vice president, the Institute for Prevention and Recovery (IFPR), part of Behavioral Health Services at RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH), was determined to change the way patients with substance use disorder were cared for. After applying for and receiving funding through the Opioid Overdose Recovery Program of the New Jersey Department of Human Services, she approached the then regional medical director of Emergency Medicine for
RWJBarnabas Health, Chris Freer, DO. “Dr. Freer became one of the most important partners for the evolution of this program,” Greene says. With support from Dr. Freer, IFPR created the Peer Recovery Program (PRP), introducing recovery specialists with lived experience who could provide pathways to recovery and work within the clinical care team, advocating for treatments such as buprenorphine for individuals with opioid use disorder. These specialists helped change the perception of substance use disorder, allowing patients to receive treatment without judgment. Together, Greene and Dr. Freer
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Signs of SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER • Inability to limit or stop using a substance • Increased tolerance, leading to higher or more frequent doses • Continued substance use despite negative personal, legal or financial consequences • Physical (tremors, sweating, vomiting) or emotional (anxiety, insomnia) symptoms when not using the substance • Decline in performance of daily responsibilities • Significant behavioral changes and secrecy to hide substance use • Significant changes in weight or appearance and extreme fatigue Source: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
conceptualized the Tackling Addiction Task Force (TATF), a systemwide team that is focused on prioritizing and improving substance use disorder care across RWJBH. REDEFINING ADDICTION
“No one uses a substance for the first time and thinks, ‘I want to become addicted to this,’” says Greene. Yet, 12 to 15% of the U.S. population does become addicted due to genetic and environmental factors that alter brain function. “Substance use disorders are not a choice, but recovery is. Our team supports thousands of individuals in navigating their recovery every year,” she adds. Dr. Freer, now executive vice president and chief clinical officer for Acute Care Providers, RWJBH, and his team of addiction specialists emphasize that substance use disorder is a treatable medical condition. “Just as there are medications for other medical conditions, there are medications for substance use disorders,” he says. RWJBH leads the nation in prescription rates for medications for opioid use disorder, particularly buprenorphine. “We’re demonstrating that there are effective care options
We’re looking to create a gold standard for substance use care that can be replicated anywhere.” —Connie Greene
for individuals with substance use disorder and reducing the barriers and stigma around those choices,” Dr. Freer says. PATHWAYS TO RECOVERY
When TATF and PRP launched a decade ago, treatment largely centered on abstinence. Today, the team embraces all pathways to recovery. “Recovery is a highly personal journey based on the individual’s goals,” Greene explains. Recovery
specialists build trust with patients and rapport with the medical team by sharing their own recovery journey. Through conversations with patients, these individuals open a window to recovery. The PRP began in the emergency department and now serves patients at all RWJBH hospitals, ensuring that those with substance use disorder receive the same compassionate care as patients with any other medical condition. The program operates under the philosophy “Meet people where they are with kindness and understanding.” A PATIENT-CENTRIC SYSTEM
Greene is proud of the work the PRP has already accomplished, helping more than 100,000 patients and their families feel welcome and safe. “We’ve successfully changed the way individuals with substance use disorder are treated in our hospitals,” says Greene. “Now, we’re looking to create a gold standard for substance use care that can be replicated anywhere.” According to Dr. Freer, the goal is to keep growing by continuing to build out the medical team for addiction care. RWJBH currently has two addiction physicians working with Emergency Hospital Medicine, but the aim is to double, then triple that number to expand TATF’s imprint across New Jersey. Dr. Freer adds, “We’ve made tremendous strides in treating and supporting individuals with substance use disorder in our system and want to continue to expand our program, reaching more families and communities across the state.”
Visit rwjbh.org/preventionandrecovery to learn more.
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HEALTHY MIND
HOW TO BEAT
BURNOUT Stress in the workplace is common. Here’s how to address it before it turns into something more serious.
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unning on fumes at a demanding job might seem inevitable at times, but prolonged stress can turn into burnout—a state of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion—if it’s not addressed. Factors that contribute to burnout include persistently excessive workloads, lack of autonomy or control over work, unclear expectations and feeling isolated or unrecognized. Though we often hear about burnout affecting healthcare workers, first responders and teachers, any
profession can leave you feeling extremely exhausted. In the Society for Human Resource Management’s 2024 Employee Mental Health survey, 44% of U.S. respondents said they felt burned out from their work, and 51% felt “used up” at the end of the workday. In a 2025 survey by Moodle, an online-education software company, 66% of U.S. employees reported experiencing some sort of burnout. Burnout can have several significant effects, including emotional and physical
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exhaustion, increased absenteeism, reduced job performance and satisfaction, and health problems such as anxiety and depression. The good news is that if you keep stress in check, burnout can often be prevented before it takes a larger toll on your health. If you’re already experiencing burnout, there are steps you can take to alleviate it, even if leaving your job isn’t an option right now. IS IT STRESS OR BURNOUT?
You can have stress without burnout, but you can’t have burnout without stress. Here are some specific ways to tell the difference. Stress is a temporary state born out of your body’s fight-or-flight response to adversity. When a critical deadline looms, it’s natural to have your heart rate rise and cortisol spike. You might feel overwhelmed and anxious, with a high sense of urgency. But once the deadline passes, your system is quickly able to revert to normal. Burnout is a long-term reaction to sustained stress. It’s a chronic dysregulation of your nervous system that can last for weeks, months or even years. You might
feel emotionally exhausted, hopeless or detached. Recovery may require long-term lifestyle or workplace changes. RECOVERY: THE 42% RULE
To help prevent and manage workplace burnout, experts say that 42% of your day (10 out of 24 hours) should be dedicated to rest and recovery. About eight of those hours should be earmarked for sleep. The remaining two hours should be spent in ways that allow your brain and body to decompress: • Mindful eating away from screens, work or podcasts • Physical activity • Stress-reducing conversation with a partner or friend • Activities that allow your default mode network (a system of connected brain areas that kick in when you’re not focused on the outside world) to come online and your brain to wander. In most jobs, periods of stress are unavoidable. But if it persists or you experience feelings of burnout, know that there are ways to regain a sense of control and ensure that your mind and body have the opportunities they need to rest and recover.
What Does BURNOUT Look Like? Workplace burnout isn’t just about feeling stressed; it carries with it a feeling of hopelessness and detachment. Symptoms of job exhaustion can also include: • Constant fatigue, even after rest • Sleep disruptions • Loss of interest in activities • Difficulty focusing • Feeling unmotivated • Mood changes • Headaches, stomach problems and muscle tension
5 WAYS TO ADDRESS BURNOUT Creating small daily changes in your work habits can help protect your mental and physical well-being. Below are five actionable steps you can take to help prevent or manage burnout at work. 1. Create and enforce boundaries. Set clear work hours, prioritize the most important tasks and make time for interests outside of the workplace. 2. Protect your physical health. Get enough sleep, eat balanced meals, exercise regularly and seek support from loved ones. 3. Practice mindfulness. Try journaling, breathing exercises or yoga to relieve stress. 4. Disconnect. Have lunch away from the office or take a walk. Plan time off to rest and recharge. 5. Seek support. Reach out to family members, friends or a therapist.
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INSIDE RWJBH
NEWS
Briefs HIGH GRADES FOR SAFETY
All 12 RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) acute care hospitals have once again received high grades for patient safety in the latest Hospital Safety Grades rankings released this past spring by The Leapfrog Group. The nationally recognized independent nonprofit organization dedicated to driving quality, safety and transparency in the U.S. health system ranks facilities on an A-to-F scale. It uses more than 30 evidence-based measures of patient safety to determine grades. Among the recipients receiving an A rating were Community Medical Center (CMC) in Toms River, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus (MMCSC) in Lakewood, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville and Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth. This latest recognition marked the seventh-straight A ranking for CMC and MMCSC. RWJBH continues to make patient safety a priority, with its acute care hospitals ranking high in their ability to protect patients from medical errors, accidents, injuries and infections.
For more health system news, visit rwjbh.org/news.
Delivering TOP MATERNITY CARE
Four RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) facilities—Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick—have been included in Newsweek’s 2026 list of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals. The prestigious annual list, presented by Newsweek and global datagathering company Statista, features 460 maternity hospitals whose excellence is based on three pillars: hospital quality, patient experience and reputation. All hospitals included in the list were required to exceed predefined percentile thresholds for each pillar. RWJBH maternity hospitals deliver more than 25,000 babies each year— the most in the state—and support women and families throughout their birth journeys, including postpartum care.
NOTED FOR FIRST-RATE NURSING Two RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) hospitals have once again been acknowledged by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program® for their outstanding work in nursing. This recent recognition marks the
fourth time Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset has received the designation, the most prestigious honor in nursing—it also received Magnet status in 2011, 2016 and 2021. RWJUH Hamilton was likewise recognized this year, after having earned the honor once before, in 2021. Magnet designation is bestowed upon fewer than 10% of hospitals nationwide, and there are six Magnet hospitals in the RWJBH system. According to the ANCC, Magnet organizations report better patientcare outcomes, including decreased mortality rates, shorter hospital stays and lower infection rates. Magnet status also helps hospitals recruit and retain talented nurses.
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HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
Taking Medicine to the Streets In Elizabeth, the first street medicine program in New Jersey brings healthcare to the city’s most vulnerable residents.
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very morning on the way to Trinitas Regional Medical Center (TRMC), a quiet reality unfolds along the commute. As you near the hospital, it is common to notice individuals carrying their belongings along busy sidewalks, resting on public benches or seeking shelter where they can. “Seeing people struggle for basic survival on our streets is a stark reminder that traditional healthcare systems aren’t reaching everyone,” says Nancy DiLiegro, PhD, president and CEO of TRMC, an RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) facility. “If we want to truly heal our community, we have to look beyond our clinical walls and change how we deliver care.” This local struggle reflects a significant statewide challenge, as more than 13,000 individuals experience homelessness across New Jersey. For these neighbors, consistent medical care has long been out of reach. “When a homeless neighbor faces a serious health issue, the emergency department is often their only option,” says Balpreet Grewal Virk, PhD, senior vice president of Community Health for RWJBH. “Managing chronic illness, mental health needs or addiction becomes nearly impossible while struggling for daily survival, so many only receive care when a condition becomes life threatening.” Supported by vital funding from the State of New Jersey under RWJBH’s “Our Healthy Communities” strategy, the groundbreaking street medicine initiative at TRMC brings essential care directly to people where they are. Led by Edward Egan, MD, an emergency medicine physician and medical director of the
Edward Egan, MD, an emergency medicine physician and medical director of the Street Medicine Program at Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Street Medicine Program, a specialized clinical team travels in a medical van directly to shelters, encampments and community gathering spots to deliver lifesaving services. HOSPITAL-GRADE CARE
Medical Center. “By bringing physical and behavioral healthcare directly to the streets, we remove barriers and build deep, lasting trust.” The program offers early intervention, whole-person care and a compassionate alternative to the emergency room. “With regular outreach, we earn the trust of those we serve,” Dr. DiLiegro says. “We’re ensuring that vulnerable individuals in our community finally find a true medical home right where they need it most.”
The care provided goes far beyond basic first aid. Dr. Egan’s team delivers hospitalgrade urgent care, rapid testing, wound treatment and ongoing management for chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension and asthma. The program also provides essential behavioral health services, including psychiatric assessments, mental health medication management and immediate medication-assisted treatment for addiction. Learn more about Our “Our goal is to meet people Healthy Communities exactly where they are,” says initiatives at rwjbh.org/ Dr. Egan, who completed a communityhealth. Street Medicine Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh
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ROAD TO
REPAIR Despite his fear of surgery, a longtime mechanic chooses hip replacement to regain the life he loves. INTERVIEW WITH
Richard S. Yoon, MD, FAOA, FAAOS, FIOTA
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ll his life, Glenn Carnevale has been a doer. A native of Livingston, he’s owned and operated his service station, Carnevale’s Gulf Service Center, in town for 47 years. Before that, he worked in gas station refurbishment. “I love working on cars, but I was always in funny positions—leaning underneath them and bending over to attach them to the lift,” he says. “At least 40 times a day, I was really putting my body through it.” Glenn realized the decades of long
days standing, lifting, and crawling on concrete had caught up with him when he struggled to walk from the front office to the gas pumps just 20 feet away. “I was in so much pain, I could barely stand,” he recalls of the pain in his right hip. “I used to park a car outside the office so I could rest on it on my way to the pump. Then I’d rest on the customer’s car while pumping the gas.” TIME TO DO SOMETHING
Glenn headed to RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) for an evaluation of his hips
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of physical therapy, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, and injections that would only help temporarily. “The total hip replacement was the ideal option for a pain-free life,” Dr. Yoon says. Given Glenn’s active lifestyle and motivation to get back to work, Dr. Yoon felt he was an ideal candidate. Though Glenn was nervous about being operated on, he agreed to the surgery. BETTER THAN EXPECTED
and knees, which included a physical and imaging. Richard S. Yoon, MD, FAOA, FAAOS, FIOTA, an orthopedic surgeon on staff at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (CBMC) and a member of RWJBH Medical Group, noticed how much pain and stiffness Glenn had, but more jarring were his X-rays. The images showed that Glenn’s hip socket cartilage was completely deteriorated, and the hip and joint were bone on bone. Dr. Yoon explained his options: either anterior hip surgery, which allows for a fast recovery, or a combination
Because anterior hip replacement offers a fast recovery, it is Dr. Yoon’s preferred approach for most of his patients who have a condition like Glenn’s. It’s often a same-day surgery, with patients discharged within hours of the operation, as the procedure is performed between muscle intervals and no muscle is cut. Dr. Yoon used this technique to replace Glenn’s hip with a high-grade titanium alloy and plastic implant that lasts between 30 and 40 years. The entire procedure at CBMC lasted less than two hours. Glenn remembers waking up to “a little discomfort, but nothing major.” After he left the hospital, he went to his single-floor home on the Jersey Shore to recover. He took a few of the pain pills the hospital prescribed, but otherwise he relied on just Advil and Tylenol. RWJBH sent a physical therapist to his home twice a week for four weeks. “I did great,” Glenn says. He obeyed the simple guidelines given to him following surgery—don’t turn out your operative leg for six weeks, and use a cane for as long as you feel unstable. After a month, he was able to return
For more information about orthopedic services at RWJBarnabas Health or to find a physician, visit www.rwjbh.org/ortho.
to Livingston, where he completed outpatient physical therapy three times a week. BACK IN ACTION
Glenn was anxious to return to work, but Dr. Yoon was wary. “Most patients ask for three months off from work but go back sooner,” he says. Glenn, however, was in the shop the day after his sutures were removed—just two weeks after the surgery. Though Glenn was already up and walking, Dr. Yoon was concerned about him being in a repair shop and infecting his healing surgical wound. “Even though I was bandaged up real good, I was in an extremely dirty environment,” Glenn says. To play things safe, he kept to office work for the first few weeks and waited a month to resume manual labor. Glenn is now completely healed and back to living his life. Semiretired, he enjoys playing golf and goes to the gym for more than an hour at a time, alternating between cardio machines like the elliptical, stationary bike and treadmill. He also works at his shop a few days a week for fun—all with zero pain in his hip. “The surgery changed my life in every way,” he says. “It made walking, sitting, living and working so much more comfortable and easier.” Dr. Yoon has loved watching Glenn get back to work—something that was a huge drive in overcoming his fear of surgery. “He’s a pillar of his community,” Dr. Yoon says. “Glenn helps so many people as a mechanic and has been doing it for years. When he was in pain, he wasn’t able to do that, and I think that’s when he knew he was finally ready for the surgery.”
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TARGETING
Tremors For patients who struggle with movement disorders, a nonsurgical treatment can help. INTERVIEW WITH
Robert Gross, MD, PhD
S
ipping a hot cup of coffee or tea might sound like a great way to start your morning, but for many people, it’s not so easy. Those affected by essential tremor (ET) struggle to manage their steadiness, making everyday tasks, such as eating, drinking and buttoning clothing, a challenge—or sometimes even an impossibility. “It can greatly affect quality of life,” says Robert Gross, MD, PhD, joint chair of Neurosurgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, senior vice president for Neurosurgical Services at
RWJBarnabas Health, and a member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. An expert in functional and stereotactic neurosurgery, Dr. Gross addresses common movement disorders, including essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease, as well as rarer forms, such as dystonia, Tourette syndrome and Huntington’s disease. Fortunately, when medication doesn’t provide enough symptom relief, other treatment options can help. THE EVOLUTION OF CARE
Since the 1950s, ET has been treated with radiofrequency (RF) thalamotomy,
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WHAT IS ESSENTIAL TREMOR? Essential tremor (ET) is characterized by involuntary shaking, commonly in the hands and arms, face, voice, jaw, tongue and voice box; it rarely affects the lower half of the body. ET is diagnosed based on self-reported symptoms and a neurological examination. The condition is most common in adults over age 40, but people with a family history (50% of patients) may experience symptoms earlier. While tremor might increase over time, it does not shorten life expectancy. Treatment for ET can include:
sound waves on the target area. “We do that over a series of three or four steps while we’re testing tremor and possible side effects in our patient,” Dr. Gross says. “We monitor how we’re doing, and when there’s a noticeable improvement in the tremor, we know we’re done.” Many patients can go home the day of the procedure. If tremor is present in both hands, patients must wait nine months between FUS treatments. WHO CAN BENEFIT
Medication
Botulinum toxin, or Botox
Focused ultrasound
Deep brain stimulation
Occupational therapy
Lifestyle changes
If you’re experiencing shaking in your upper body that interferes with your daily activities, such as eating, drinking, writing or working, consult a healthcare provider.
a procedure that requires inserting a probe through a small hole in the skull. The probe channels heat generated by radio waves to create a small lesion in the thalamus (a structure in the brain that controls movements). This lesion disrupts the abnormal circuits that are causing tremors. In the 1990s, deep brain stimulation became the preferred approach. “That’s been a great treatment for essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease and other disorders, but it does require implantation of hardware and the adjustments and maintenance that go along with that,” Dr. Gross says. Now, focused ultrasound (FUS) can be used to perform thalamotomies. This technique employs high-intensity sound waves to create the necessary lesion and, unlike RF thalamotomy, does not require an incision. “FUS procedures can be done in just a couple of hours without ever cutting skin,” says Dr. Gross, who leads the FUS program at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset. “It has been revolutionary.”
HOW FUS WORKS
FUS relies on acoustic energy. “There are approximately 1,000 small probes that focus their energy at one spot, such that the rest of the brain only experiences a very trivial amount of heating,” Dr. Gross says. “Where they come together, we can heat to temperatures that allow us to burn a hole, much like taking a lens and focusing the sun’s energy on a leaf to burn it.” The procedure is performed inside an MRI scanner, where the patient is positioned in a frame that attaches to the head. Imaging is used to focus the
To learn more about neurosurgery at RWJBarnabas Health, visit www.rwjbh.org/neuro.
If you have essential tremor, have failed a trial of beta blockers and Mysoline, and are healthy enough to undergo a procedure, then you could be a candidate for FUS, Dr. Gross says. It’s a popular choice for patients who prefer to avoid a surgical procedure that requires anesthesia, or don’t want a permanently implanted device. “But FUS is not right for everyone,” he says. “For example, the skulls of some people don’t let enough of the sound waves through to complete the procedure. For those patients and for those wanting to have simultaneous surgery on both sides, we have other options, such as deep brain stimulation.” Some patients with tremor caused by Parkinson’s disease also can be treated with FUS. “For some of the more challenging conditions, we aim to offer our patients anything that’s available anywhere across the country,” Dr. Gross says. “We’re making great progress with that. We’re up to date and helping to advance the latest research into these conditions.”
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HEALTHY MIND
SOCIAL FITNESS
Sustaining relationships and forging new social connections can improve health and extend life.
Y
ou can boost your odds of living a longer, healthier life by performing a simple, fun exercise. It consists of getting together with friends or loved ones and—well, socializing is the whole exercise. Maintaining social connections as you age reduces several key health risks and ultimately can lead to a life that’s not only more enjoyable but also longer and healthier. Among the proven benefits are increased mental sharpness and
emotional resilience, less memory loss with age and better physical health. The more diverse your relationships are, the better. Research suggests that connecting with people in varying categories (such as children, friends, extended family and neighbors) is just as important as having lots of relationships. TAKE THE INITIATIVE
Loneliness and isolation are common among older adults, so it’s important to actively build a more social environment
for yourself. Here are some ways to get involved with others. Step out. Just leaving your house offers social opportunities—not only to gather with friends and relatives but also to engage with acquaintances and even strangers. Research shows that pleasant interactions with strangers can improve your well-being, increase social skills, reduce anxiety and make you feel more connected. Plan ahead to tackle any limitations that might hold you back as you age, such as mobility
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Why Social Activity Is Important There is strong evidence that feeling lonely or socially isolated is associated with an increased risk of premature death from all causes. In addition, it increases the risk of: • Developing dementia by approximately 50% • Having a stroke by approximately 32% • Developing coronary heart disease by approximately 29%
[ RESOURCES ]
and transportation. Commit to an exercise routine that will help you maintain your strength and flexibility over time. Explore public transportation and rideshare options so you’re comfortable using them if the need arises. Seek new connections. Losing loved ones is inevitable as you age. You can’t replace dear friends or relatives, but it’s important to welcome new relationships throughout life. If
To learn more about the health benefits of staying socially connected, check out these books.
you do lose someone close, reach out to friends, a counselor or a grief support group to help you work through your feelings and decrease loneliness—social connection is even more important during challenging times. Engage your mind. As you plan for or enjoy retirement, make a point to explore interests with like-minded people. Some ideas: • Join a club—most areas have
social groups for readers, knitters, runners and many other pastimes. • Take a class through a local college, high school or community program. • Organize a group activity for your friends. For example, arranging a hike to an unfamiliar location requires planning, map reading, focused attention and problem-solving. • Study another language that’s commonly used in your community or one that will help you engage with locals when you travel. Set the stage. Approaching new people can be daunting, so create contexts where connections feel natural. For example, sign up for golf, pickleball or chess lessons—learning something with others creates loads of opportunities for casual conversations, which are beneficial in themselves but can also lead to ongoing friendships. Volunteering is another activity that typically creates natural opportunities to interact with people who are new to you. Hospitals, libraries, food pantries and animal rescue organizations commonly look for ongoing volunteer help.
“Once Upon a Stranger: The Science of How ‘Small’ Talk Can Add Up to a Big Life” By Gillian Sandstrom, PhD In an age when loneliness and isolation are on the rise, Sandstrom has taken a deep research dive into the value of small talk. This book shows how short conversations with strangers can create small moments of joy, curiosity and goodwill that contribute to a more positive view of the world and stronger feelings of social connection. “The Good Life” By Robert Waldinger, MD, and Marc Schulz, PhD Based on the longest study of adult development in history, this book explores the power of human connection. Blending data from that research with instructive case studies and interviews, the authors explore how the strength of our connections with others can predict the health of our bodies and brains as we age.
RWJBarnabas Health
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JUST THE FACTS
Microplastics: A HIDDEN HEALTH RISK Microplastics—tiny particles of plastic that don’t break down in the environment—have been found everywhere from deep ocean trenches to the human body. They’re in the water and food we consume and the air we breathe. Not surprisingly, growing evidence suggests that microplastics can disrupt health in various ways. Based on early studies, potential health risks may include inflammation, immune system impairment, changes in metabolic function and harm to reproductive, digestive and respiratory health.
400
MILLION TONS
The approximate amount of plastic produced globally each year
2,400
The number of chemicals used to make plastic that are considered potentially toxic
CREDIT CARD The volume of microplastics that scientists estimate a person ingests each week
The percentage of plastics that degrade into microplastics and pollute the earth’s ecosystems
Microplastics can be: INGESTED through food and water and the use of plastic cookware, utensils and food packaging.
1
93%
HOW DOES PLASTIC GET INSIDE US?
INHALED via dust saturated with invisible plastic particles (for example, from walking across synthetic carpet). ABSORBED through the skin via sweat glands, hair follicles and microscopic wounds.
REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE
FOOD AND DRINK • Skip bottled water. • Reduce your intake of ultraprocessed foods. • Eat a fiber-rich diet to move microplastics through your system quickly. • Choose loose-leaf tea over tea bags, which often contain plastic fibers.
MEAL PREP • Choose stainless steel, cast-iron or enamel-coated cookware instead of nonstick. • To store or reheat food, use glass or ceramic containers instead of plastic containers or plastic wrap. • Avoid plastic utensils and cutting boards.
DAILY HABITS
PERSONAL CARE
• Wear clothes made of natural (not synthetic) textiles, especially for exercise. • Vacuum with a HEPA filter. • At the grocery store, choose foods and beverages in glass jars when possible.
• Use tampons or pads made from organic materials. • I n skincare products, avoid ingredients such as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon and acrylates.
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Introducing Benchmark Senior Living
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BUILT TO SILENCE CANCER. The Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center
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