Englewood Health Receives Accreditation for Emergency Medical Services

Posted on by John Williams

June 9, 2023 — Englewood Health has received re-accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) for its compliance with national standards of excellence.

“Accreditation for our ambulance service represents our deep commitment to supporting the health of our patients and community,” said Michael Geisler, assistant director of emergency medical services at Englewood Health. “Our entire EMS team dedicates themselves to delivering outstanding care on each and every call, and to continuously improving as individuals and as a service, which is acknowledged by this outstanding achievement.”

To receive this re-accreditation, Englewood Health completed an assessment and a site visit performed by CAAS, including an independent external review by national experts in emergency medical services (EMS). Englewood Health is one of just four CAAS accredited ambulance services in New Jersey and is the only accredited service in Bergen County.

“Receiving this verification of the quality care we provide in the community followed a rigorous process that all of our team members participated in,” said Barbara Schreibman, MD, medical director of EMS at Englewood Health. “We are proud that our assessment and site review revealed zero adverse findings, which is a testament to the commitment of our entire team to meeting the commission’s high standards every day.”

CAAS is a non-profit organization that encourages and promotes quality patient care in the EMS system by establishing national standards—often exceeding state or local licensing requirements—which address not only the delivery of patient care, but also the ambulance service’s total operation and its relationships with other agencies, the general public, and the medical community.

Englewood Health Appoints EVP of Legal Affairs and Chief Legal Officer

Posted on by John Williams

June 1, 2023 — Englewood Health has appointed Matthew Amodeo, Esq., as its new executive vice president of legal affairs and chief legal officer.

Amodeo has served as Englewood’s external legal counsel since 2009, while a partner with law firm Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. During that time, he has helped guide Englewood Health on its growth strategy, integration of the physician network, and managed care contracting, among other efforts.

“It is with great pleasure we officially welcome Matt as in-house counsel for Englewood Health,” said Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health. “As we continue to grow, Matt’s extensive health law background combined with his years of service as outside counsel for Englewood make him a valuable addition to our health system family.”

In his new role, Amodeo will plan and lead all legal activities of the health system, overseeing in-house counsel and coordinating activities of outside counsel, ensuring all are in alignment with Englewood Health’s mission, values, and goals.

Amodeo received his undergraduate degree from the College of the Holy Cross and his law degree from New England School of Law.

Englewood Health Clinicians Honored with Healthcare Hero Awards

Posted on by John Williams

May 19, 2023 — Two Englewood Health clinician leaders have been honored with NJBIZ Healthcare Hero awards. Hillary Cohen, MD, MPH, senior vice president of medical affairs, and Jill Cox, PhD, RN, APN-c, CWOCN, have both been recognized by the statewide publication.

Hillary J. Cohen, MD

Hillary J. Cohen, MD

Emergency Medicine | Full profile

Dr. Cohen is being honored in the Public Health category for her outstanding leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as her dedication to improving community health and reducing healthcare disparities. She is an emergency medicine physician at Englewood Health, board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine, and has extensive experience in population health management and preventive health initiatives.

Dr. Cohen has helped Englewood Health prioritize healthcare accessibility within the community by focusing on the social determinants of health. She leads the institution in addressing health equity, food insecurity, and other health-related issues through annual screenings and vaccinations, nutritional education, and more.

Jill Cox, APN

Jill Cox, APN

Primary Care Advanced Practice Nurse | Full profile

Dr. Cox is being recognized in the Education category. She has excelled as a clinical nurse specialist, a nurse educator, and a leader in the field of pressure injury prevention. Her research on pressure injuries has been published in over 25 peer-reviewed publications. One of her articles was distinguished as one of the most frequently cited in the history of the American Journal of Critical Care.

Dr. Cox is also an industry leader, serving in multiple leadership positions and holding appointments on national and global health initiatives. In 2020, she was recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.

“Dr. Cohen and Dr. Cox truly represent Englewood Health’s commitment to the patients, families, and communities we serve,” said Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health. “Their forward-thinking leadership and clinical expertise, as well as their dedication to providing state-of-the-art, compassionate care, make them well deserving of this recognition.”

The NJBIZ Awards program was created to honor excellence, promote innovation, and reward the efforts of individuals and organizations making a significant impact on the quality of healthcare in New Jersey.

Winners are chosen by a panel of independent judges who recognize individuals and organizations across 12 categories. An awards ceremony will take place June 27. See the full list of honorees here.

Englewood Health Named One of the Best Hospitals in the U.S. for Maternity Care  

Posted on by Brenna Holland

May 11, 2023 — Englewood Health has been named one of the best hospitals in the U.S. for maternity care for the second year in a row by Newsweek in their 2023 Best Maternity Hospitals list. 

“We are honored to be ranked as one of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals for the second year in a row,” says Valerie M. French, MBA, BSN, RNC-LRN, senior director of nursing for maternal/child health at Englewood Health. “With only 350 hospitals from across the U.S. included on the list this year, this distinction is particularly special because it recognizes our team’s enduring commitment to delivering the highest quality maternity care throughout pregnancy, birth, and post-partum.” 

“Englewood Health prioritizes quality, safety, and providing an outstanding patient experience,” says Arthur Gross, MD, chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Englewood Health. “We deliver over 3,000 babies each year. Whether it is a routine delivery or managing a high-risk pregnancy, our team is committed to achieving the best possible outcome for every mother and baby and this ranking affirms that commitment.” 

This accolade was given by Newsweek and consumer data company Statista Inc., following a rigorous evaluation process in which three data sources were considered. 

Those sources are: 

  • A nationwide online survey: 10,000 medical professionals with knowledge of maternity care processes—including midwives, neonatal specialists, and OB/GYNs—were asked to recommend leading maternity hospitals. 
  • Hospital quality metrics: key performance indicators relevant to maternity care, including those relating to cesarean births, elective deliveries, and perinatal care. 
  • Patient satisfaction surveys: hospital patient surveys on topics like cleanliness, communication, staff responsiveness, and care transitions. 

At Englewood Health’s Karen and Gary Singer Family Family Birth Place, moms and babies receive expert care and attention, and a full spectrum of services including prenatal care, high-risk testing and monitoring, childbirth education, and post-pregnancy resources and support.  

The newly constructed facility offers entirely private rooms. Maternal-fetal medicine specialists and neonatologists are available on-site to care for high-risk mothers and newborns and provide timely, high-quality care in a modern neonatal intensive care unit. 

For more information about the rankings and methodology of Newsweek’s America’s Best Maternity Hospitals list, visit: newsweek.com/rankings/americas-best-maternity-hospitals-2023. 

Englewood Health Receives ‘A’ Leapfrog Hospital Safety Rating

Posted on by John Williams

May 3, 2023 — Englewood Health has received an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade, from The Leapfrog Group, for spring 2023. The ‘A’ rating is a national distinction that Englewood Health has achieved consecutively for over three years from The Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit organization committed to driving quality, safety, and transparency in the U.S. health system.

“We are proud to receive an ‘A’ rating once again from The Leapfrog Group,” says Kathleen Kaminsky, MS, RN, NE-BC, senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Englewood Health. “Up and down the line, our team prioritizes patient safety. It is our team’s commitment to high quality and effective care that has allowed us to be consistently recognized with a top safety grade.”

“At Englewood Health, we continuously establish and refine systems that ensure our patients are safe throughout our hospital,” says Tina Bloemer, MSN, RN, CPHQ, CPHRM, FASHRM, vice president for quality at Englewood Health. “We are pleased to see this work recognized by The Leapfrog Group with yet another ‘A’ grade.”

“This new update of Hospital Safety Grade shows that, at the national level, we saw deterioration in patient safety with the pandemic,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “But this hospital received an ‘A’ despite those challenges. I congratulate all the leaders, staff, volunteers, and clinicians who together made that possible.”

The Leapfrog Group updates hospital safety grades twice annually, in the spring and fall. To see Englewood Health’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in hospitals, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org.

Fostering Diversity and Inclusion in Health Care Has Never Been a More Pressing Goal

Posted on by John Williams

Englewood Health reflects on three years of initiatives to bring about social change and meeting the needs of its diverse communities of patients and employees

April 26, 2023 — Three years since a pandemic and a sociopolitical movement altered the public’s consciousness on racial justice, organizations and companies nationwide continue to incorporate diversity, inclusion, and equity initiatives into the employee and customer experience. For healthcare organizations, addressing racial disparities has never been more important or a greater focus by its leaders committed to the goals of a healthier population.

Englewood Health, located in northern New Jersey in the suburbs of New York City, has long been committed to a healthcare experience centered on the individual patient. The past three years, however, have propelled this health system to recommit its focus on reducing healthcare disparities and fostering an inclusive workplace through innovative efforts.

In 2020 Warren Geller, Englewood Health’s president and CEO, was the first healthcare leader in New Jersey to sign the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge, the largest CEO-driven business commitment to encouraging diversity and inclusion within the workplace. In the pledge, Englewood Health leadership agreed to provide equal access to vaccines, helping to mitigate risk factors for those most vulnerable to COVID-19; enhance and expand training programs for new and current employees focused on diversity and inclusion; and continue on the path to diminishing healthcare disparities, with the support of the organization’s newly founded Diversity and Inclusion Education Council.

“We are not naïve in thinking we can change deep-seated inequities easily or quickly, but any worthwhile effort takes time and commitment,” said Geller. “Over the last three years, I can confidently attest to the efforts from our leaders and teams across Englewood Health to continually do better and serve our communities more effectively and with greater empathy.”

Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives developed at Englewood Health over the past three years include:

Formation of the Diversity and Inclusion Education Council

Founded in fall 2020, the council brings together a cross section of Englewood Health leaders, physicians, and front-line staff, representing the diversity of its workforce. The council provides guidance to the health system’s leadership on two areas of focus: reducing healthcare disparities and enhancing diversity in the workplace. It has also participated in health promotion and disease prevention efforts in the communities the health system serves, including underserved communities.

Fostering Diversity and Inclusion Among Employees

Englewood Health expanded content available on its employee education platform to include diversity and inclusion education and unconscious bias training. This training content was integrated into candidate interviews, employee performance evaluations, and compliance coursework. “We all have unconscious biases and, although we may not realize it, unconscious bias can affect how well we do our jobs,” said Eva Matos-Botex, senior director of talent acquisition and development. “Our goal is to cultivate a workplace where different points of view are welcomed and where we feel empowered to discuss tough issues in an open, productive, and respectful way.” In addition, to attract local talent in Jersey City, Englewood, and Fair Lawn, Englewood Health hosted hiring events throughout the year. The events were aimed at recruiting diverse candidates for essential roles across the organization.

Improving Access to Community-Based Care

Nestled in a suburban setting in the far northern reaches of Bergen County, Englewood Health has long been a destination hospital for the local region. Yet its leaders understand that transportation barriers and patients’ schedules have necessitated new tactics to improve access. With a strategy of growing its services across the region, Englewood Health opened several important outposts in the past three years. The Englewood Health ZT Systems Outpatient Center at Jersey City, a 73,000-square-foot facility in the heart of Journal Square, opened in 2022, offering urgent care, primary care, specialty care, breast center services, diabetes care, and advanced diagnostic imaging services. Residents of Jersey City—one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the nation—and the greater Hudson County now have convenient access to comprehensive, culturally sensitive healthcare services. In addition to this facility, Englewood Health over the past three years also opened urgent care centers in Cresskill, Fair Lawn, and downtown Englewood.

Opening of The Shirvan Family Live Well Center

Englewood Health will open The Shirvan Family Live Well Center in the coming months in the heart of downtown Englewood. The center will focus on promoting the health and wellness of the community through free education and hands-on experiences and will engage community members of all ages in making healthier choices to prevent health problems or in response to chronic conditions. Live Well Englewood builds on the success of a three-year Live Well pilot program designed to proactively prevent chronic disease among at-risk community populations through access, awareness and resources that promote healthy lifestyles. The center’s programs focus on nutritional, emotional, and physical well-being for all ages. It will feature a demonstration kitchen, meeting rooms, and workshop space. To date, Live Well Englewood has served thousands of families challenged by obstacles to preventive care because of social status, education, culture, or financial circumstances. The center is made possible thanks to the Sylvia and Stanley Shirvan Foundation, the Amy and Mark Shirvan Family Foundation and many other generous donors.

Englewood Health President & CEO Named to NJBIZ Health Care Power 50 List

Posted on by Brenna Holland

March 30, 2023 — Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health, has been named on NJBIZ’s 2023 Health Care Power 50 List. 

The list recognizes health care leaders who have garnered acclaim for their professional accomplishments and public service. In doing so, these leaders have contributed meaningfully to the advancement of New Jersey’s public interest. 

“As president and CEO of Englewood Health, Geller oversees a growing network comprised of more than 3,900 employees and over 1,200 physicians and other medical staff practitioners with revenue of $890.1 million—a number that has more than doubled since he took the helm in 2013,” NJBIZ stated in their announcement this week. 

Englewood Health has expanded its footprint under Geller’s leadership, with a focus on extending services beyond the campus to be more accessible to local communities.  

Last fall, Englewood Health opened a 73,000-square-foot facility in Jersey City, offering urgent and primary care, imaging and specialty care services. Additionally, Englewood is expanding its presence further into Bergen County. 

“I want to push the convenient care off of our campus and for the campus – it’s really for those esoteric tests that you need – cancer treatment, wellness center, in-patient care, advanced surgery,” Geller told NJBIZ last April. “So more complex on campus. Less complex, more affordable, less expensive – off campus.” 

The first hospital leader in New Jersey to sign the CEO Action Pledge, which supports advancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace and reducing health care disparities, Geller was one of 650 leaders from U.S. hospitals to sign the Health Care Sector Climate Pledge in the fall. Such moves build on Englewood Health’s steps toward an equitable expansion of care and contribute to its ability to earn high marks.  

Rated a Best Hospital for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report at the end of 2022, last fall Englewood also received its 19th “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade rating since 2012. 

To learn more about the list, visit: njbiz.com/health-care-power-50 

Englewood Health Announces New Physician Leaders

Posted on by John Williams

March 28, 2023 — Englewood Health has announced new physician leaders to oversee invasive cardiology, neurology, nephrology, pulmonology, obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, hospital medicine, urology, gastroenterology, oral maxillofacial surgery, and hospice and palliative medicine.

“We celebrate the rise of an accomplished group of physician leaders,” said Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health. “Each of our new leaders is a current member of our medical staff. Their accomplishments and contributions to Englewood Health and the field of medicine have already been numerous and impactful.”

Department Chiefs

Arthur Gross, MD

Arthur Gross, MD

Chief of obstetrics and gynecology | Full profile

Dr. Gross is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. He received his MD from Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He performed his residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he served as administrative chief resident. Dr. Gross has been cited as a “Best Doctor” by many publications including Castle Connelly, 201 Magazine, and The Jewish Standard.

Maz Ganat, MD

Maz Ganat, MD

Chief of urology | Full profile

Dr. Ganat is board certified in urology and obtained his MD from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. He did his internship in surgery and residency in urology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Following his residency, Dr. Ganat completed an additional urologic oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. His clinical interests include cancers of the prostate, bladder, kidney, testes, and penis and he performs endoscopic, robotic, and open surgery.

Associate Chiefs

Gabriel Lisung, MD, FACP

Gabriel Lisung, MD, FACP

Chief of hospital medicine-operations | Full profile

Dr. Lisung is board certified in internal medicine. He received his MD from Universidad San Martin de Porres and completed his residency at Northwell/Hofstra – Lenox Hill Hospital. Dr. Lisung is an assistant professor at Hackensack Meridian SOM and serves on Englewood Health’s Diversity and Inclusion Education Council. In addition to English, he is fluent in Spanish.

Yelena Galumyan, MD

Yelena Galumyan, MD

Associate chief of hospital medicine-safety, quality, and wellness | Full profile

Dr. Galumyan is board certified in internal medicine. She received her MD from Russian National Research Medical University and did her residency at Montefiore Medical Center. Dr. Galumyan is a senior fellow in hospital medicine with the Society of Hospital Medicine and has an MBA from University of Massachusetts Amherst. In addition to English, she speaks both Armenian and Russian.

Section Chiefs

Lee Kojanis, DDS

Lee Kojanis, DDS

Section chief of oral maxillofacial surgery | Full profile

Dr. Kojanis is board certified in oral and maxillofacial surgery and received his DDS from New York University College of Dentistry. He subsequently completed an oral/maxillofacial surgery program at New York University/Bellevue Hospital Center. His clinical interests include complex facial trauma, TMJ surgery, jaw corrective surgery, implantology, facial reconstruction, and dental rehabilitation.

Aron Schwarcz, MD

Aron Schwarcz, MD

Section chief of invasive cardiology | Full profile

Dr. Schwarcz is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, and interventional cardiology. He is also certified in echocardiology and nuclear cardiology. He received his MD from Mount Sinai School of Medicine and did his residency in internal medicine, as well as fellowships in cardiology and in interventional cardiology, at Montefiore Medical Center. Dr. Schwarcz specializes in the use of catheter-based techniques to treat heart disease such as coronary artery disease and valvular disease. He has helped create the coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) program and Complex Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) program at Englewood Health.

Mitchell Spinnell, MD

Mitchell Spinnell, MD

Section chief of gastroenterology | Full profile

Dr. Spinnell is board certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine. He received his MD from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and did his internal medicine residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center, where he served as chief resident and received additional gastroenterology training. His clinical interests include advanced endoscopic procedures, including ERCP, EUS, and stenting. He has participated in clinical research involving Crohn’s disease, C. difficile colitis, hepatitis, and bloodless medicine.

Catherine Laiosa, MD, PhD

Catherine Laiosa, MD, PhD

Section chief of internal medicine | Full profile

Dr. Laiosa is board certified in internal medicine, as well as hospice and palliative medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in hospice and palliative medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. During her fellowship, she had additional training in geriatric care. In addition to providing preventative care, risk-factor modification, and advanced care planning, Dr. Laiosa treats patients with hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and common infections.

Marc Zelkowitz, MD

Marc Zelkowitz, MD

Section chief of nephrology | Full profile

Dr. Zelkowitz is board certified in internal medicine and nephrology. He received his MD from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and performed his internship and residency at Jacobi Hospital. Dr. Zelkowitz pursued additional fellowship training at Montefiore Medical Center. In addition to English, Dr. Zelkowitz speaks Hebrew.

Kirk J. Levy, MD

Kirk J. Levy, MD

Section chief of neurology | Full profile

Dr. Levy is board certified in neurology, clinical neurophysiology, and sleep medicine. He received his MD from SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine. He did his residency in neurology at Barnes-Jewish Hospital of Washington University and his fellowship in clinical neurophysiology at University of Michigan Hospital at Ann Arbor. Dr. Levy is co-medical director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at Englewood Hospital. His clinical interests include epilepsy, seizure, sleep disorders, and migraine.

David Shiu, DO

David Shiu, DO

Section chief of pulmonary medicine | Full profile

Dr. Shiu is board certified in internal medicine and specializes in pulmonary and critical care medicine. He received his DO from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and did his internal medicine residency, as well as his fellowship in pulmonary and critical care, at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. In addition to English, Dr. Shiu is fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin and has a working knowledge of Spanish.

Vinnidhy Dave, DO

Vinnidhy Dave, DO

Section chief of hospice and palliative medicine | Full profile

Dr. Dave is board certified in hospice and palliative medicine, as well as internal medicine. He received his DO from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and did his internal medicine residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, followed by hospice and palliative medicine clinical and research fellowships at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. His clinical interests include cancer pain management, pain management in patients with multiple medical conditions not eligible for interventional treatment, symptomatic management in oncology patients, and advanced care planning.

Englewood Health Named a Top Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker’s Hospital Review

Posted on by Brenna Holland

March 21, 2023 — Englewood Health has been named one of the top places to work in healthcare by Becker’s Hospital Review.  

Becker’s annual Top Places to Work in Healthcare list recognizes hospitals, health systems, and healthcare companies that invest in their employees’ wellbeing, satisfaction, and fulfillment. Englewood Health was among just 150 employers nationwide to be included on the list. 

In their announcement today, Becker’s stated that Englewood Health’s “focus on excellence and human values extends to its relationship with its almost 4,000 employees. Employees are provided with benefits packages that provide affordable access to healthcare, financial security, professional and personal development, and the ability to maintain a work-life balance.” 

For more information about the list, visit: beckershospitalreview.com/150-top-places-to-work-in-healthcare 

Three Unexpected Services Available at Urgent Care Right Now

Posted on by Brenna Holland

You know how your smoke alarm batteries only seem to start beeping at 2 a.m.? Well, the same is often true for injuries and illnesses—they always seem to happen at night or over the weekend, when your regular doctors are off the clock. That’s where Englewood Health Urgent Care comes in.  

Englewood Health Urgent Care provides adult and pediatric urgent and non-urgent medical care seven days a week, with extended weekday and weekend hours. Conveniently located in Englewood, Cresskill, Fair Lawn, and Jersey City, Englewood Health’s urgent care centers are a local resource for a wide range of health services.  

Here are three unexpected services you can rely on Englewood Health Urgent Care for: 

Routine Care 

While many still perceive urgent care as just a resource for urgent illnesses and injuries (cuts, sprained ankles, flu, etc.), urgent care also provides a range of routine care services. Visitors to urgent care can get their yearly vaccinations or undergo pre-employment, school, or camp physicals. Though urgent care does not replace your regular physician appointments for routine care, it’s nice to know it’s there when you need it fast. 

Women’s Health Services 

Though most urgent care centers do not have a gynecologist or obstetrician on site, they do employ highly skilled, board-certified physicians and other providers who can diagnose and treat the gamut of health issues, including women’s health conditions. Urgent care can offer treatment for urinary tract infections, morning sickness, vaginal infections, menopause flare-ups, pelvic and abdominal pain, and pregnancy and STI testing, just to name a few. 

Tests of Many Varieties  

The diagnostic capacity of urgent care extends far beyond your average strep test. When you visit urgent care with an illness or injury that requires additional testing, the providers at urgent care can offer blood tests, EKGs, lab tests, and X-rays to get to the bottom of what’s ailing you. The team can also offer you a knowledgeable referral to a local specialist for follow-up care if needed and can share your test results with your current doctor or doctors, so you can start feeling better as quickly as possible. 

Posted March 2023.