Fall 2019 Connections

FALL 2019

N E WS F R O M E NG LEW O O D H E A LT H FO U N DAT I O N

Painting from a New Palette

Philanthropy Redesigns the Delivery of Behavioral Health Care

Bold Brushstrokes in Behavioral Health • The Sit Down • Faces of Philanthropy

F His dream to hit the slopes with his grandchildren came true thanks to the innovation and surgical expertise found at Englewood Health’s Division of Vascular Surgery.

With a 90% blockage in an inaccessible artery in his neck, Barry Shereck faced serious risk of a stroke. The good news?

He was a perfect candidate for an advanced minimally-invasive procedure called TCAR. Our award-winning vascular team did more than get Barry back up on his feet – they got him in his skis!

Join us in making an impact. Pledge your support in continuing to advance surgical innovation at Englewood Health by contacting the Foundation at 201.894.3725 or visiting www.EnglewoodHealthFoundation.org.

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Walk for Awareness:

Celebrating 20 Years of Making a Difference

Cover Story:

Bold Brushstrokes in Behavioral Health

The Sit Down:

Michael Gutter, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Englewood Health Foundation

Faces of Philanthropy:

Ulrike Berth, MD, Steven Kaplan, Esq. and Laura Rodgers

Know the Pros:

Stephen Bischoff, MD, David Drapkin, LCSW, and Linda Leighton, MSN, RN, APN

Happenings:

Philanthropy on Display

From the Foundation: The Art of Giving

C O N N E C T I O N S – FA L L 2 0 1 9 E DITORIAL STAFF D EBRA ALBANES E

Executive Vice President 201.894.3497 | debra.albanese@ehmchealth.org

LI NDS AY MAURER

Executive Director, Philanthropy Operations 201.894.3262 | lindsay.maurer@ehmchealth.org

SANDRA SGAMB ATI

Director, Donor Relations and Communications 201.894.3386 | sandra.sgambati@ehmchealth.org

Englewood Health has delivered the highest quality healthcare to the community for more than 129 years. Established in 1995 as a separate 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization, the Englewood Health Foundation raises private funds to further Englewood Health’s vision to become the regional leader in providing state-of-the-art compassionate care to the community it serves.

Two Decades of Dedication In 1999, there was no Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. We worried about Y2K, took pictures with our cameras and found movies at Blockbuster.

Getting places was not as easy without the help of Google Maps and Uber on our smartphone. Wait, we had no smartphones!

So much has changed in 20 years.

Incredible progress can also be seen close to home.

Thanks in large part to our partners in philanthropy, our once relatively small breast center at Englewood Health has grown into The Leslie Simon Breast Care and Cytodiagnosis Center as part of the 185,000-square-foot Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center. Recognized by the U.S. Congress as a model for the diagnosis and treatment of breast disease, the Breast Center averages over 60,000 patient visits annually, and performed nearly 32,000 mammograms and over 5,700 fine needle aspirations in 2018.

Also 20 years ago? Co-founders Jill Fader and her late husband, Paul, organized the first Walk for Awareness with the mission to provide critical assistance to breast cancer patients in our community. Helping fuel this couple’s desire to make a difference was the compassionate care Jill received as a breast cancer patient at Englewood Health – and a very special relationship that 2

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developed with Medical Director of The Leslie Simon Breast Care and Cytodiagnosis Center and Chief of Pathology Miguel Sanchez, MD, who Jill credits for the early diagnosis that saved her life.

A few hundred participants raised just over $85,000 for that inaugural event. Fast forward to today – over $2.4 million has been raised through the Walk for Awareness to benefit the Breast Center and help make a difference for breast cancer patients struggling to overcome financial obstacles to care. Last year, more than 800 smiling supporters joined Englewood Health Foundation for the event to raise over $190,000.

Another record-breaking number of supporters are expected this year, including Detra Harper and Lori Villa: friends, mothers and breast cancer survivors.

Detra chokes up sharing the story of how she first met Lori three years ago. “After eight long weeks, I finally completed my last radiation treatment appointment at Englewood Hospital,” she explains. “Feeling celebratory, I said my goodbyes to the team and turned to walk out the door. As I did, I locked eyes with a beautiful woman in a blue headwrap and matching blouse. She looked nervous,” recalls Detra. Instinctively rushing from her husband’s side, Detra greeted the woman with a big smile and warm embrace, whispering in her ear, “you look so beautiful today.” Detra will tell

you that there are no coincidences and her chance runin with Lori was meant to be. “She needed me that day.

We were destined to become friends,” says Detra.

“It was my very first appointment for radiation treatment. I was incredibly anxious, and I guess it showed,” says Lori as she remembers that same day.

As an Englewood Health employee for 20 years, the Hospital and staff were extremely familiar, but a breast cancer diagnosis was brand new territory. “I had barely crossed the threshold into the Center when this sweet woman made her way to me with a captivating smile and energy that let me know everything would be okay,” says Lori. And it was.

Today as program manager for the Patient and Family Engagement Department at Englewood Health, Lori helps ensure positive experiences for countless patients and families by providing essential resources, guidance and information. “I am proud to have helped the Faders organize the very first Walk for Awareness. Now, 20 years later, I too am a survivor. I am in awe of all we have accomplished to bring hope to those in our community battling breast cancer,” she says.

Cheers to 20 years!

Join us for the 2019 Walk for Awareness on Sunday, October 27, 2019 at The Englewood Field Club as we celebrate this milestone made possible thanks to your continued support. Don’t forget! Ask your favorite canine companion to tag along for the Susan Lucianna Memorial Dog Walk.

To register or become a sponsor, visit: www.walkforawareness.org.

Detra and Lori both have enormous appreciation for the clinical advancements, high-caliber medical professionals and culture of caring found at Englewood Health – and for programs like the Walk for Awareness that make it all possible. Most importantly, they consider themselves blessed for that one special day that brought them together. What’s next for these two formidable friends? “I can tell you that both of us will still be lacing up our sneakers for the Walk for Awareness 20 years from now. That is for sure,” says Lori with confidence.

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s e k o r t s Brus h I N B E H AV I O R A L H E A LT H

Rembrandt, Picasso and Van Gogh – these brilliant artists are arguably among the greatest in history. More than talented, they were geniuses in innovation. While their techniques, methods and tools varied, each relied on extraordinary vision to create masterpieces that continue to inspire generation after generation.

At Englewood Health, there are remarkable artists of a different kind at work. Thanks to a continuing philanthropic commitment, our clinical team is redesigning a bold and unique approach to behavioral health. This new model of delivery relies on a collaborative continuum of care and aims to address a community priority identified in Englewood Health’s 10-year Strategic Plan – one that is punctuated by staggering statistics emerging right here in our backyard.

Statistic Sources: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NJ Attorney General, and National Institutes of Health 4

PAI NT I NG T HE P I CT URE Mental health issues manifest in many ways and can result in depression, anxiety, substance abuse and suicide. Over 350 million people worldwide are diagnosed with depression each year and approximately half of them also struggle with anxiety. Suicide rates are at the highest level since World War II and the leading cause of death among young

people aged 15-25. In 2018, New Jersey lost 3,163 people to drugs – four times greater than a decade ago.

This data confirms we are in a national mental health epidemic – and our neighbors, friends and children are not spared.

C OL L A BORATIVE CARE According to Dr. Hillary Cohen, vice president of medical affairs at Englewood Health, designing an alternative care model to identify need and deliver care through multiple channels is essential to maximizing reach. “We are laser focused on increasing access to care across the continuum by integrating behavioral health services throughout the system, utilizing technology like telepsychiatry in the acute and outpatient setting to enhance access and fostering new external partnerships to promote education and awareness,” Dr. Cohen explains.

She cites an expanding team of talented and experienced behavioral health professionals and care coordination services embedded throughout the health system as strategic differentiators.

Managed by a multi-disciplinary staff of 60, Englewood Health’s adult inpatient program provides stabilizing medicine to treat psychiatric conditions, individual and group therapy, and patient and family education. Daily programs include a movement and music group designed to promote physical activity and interaction, creative arts therapy to aid in the expression of feelings and concentration, pet therapy and spiritual awareness. Cognitive behavioral therapy sessions focus on challenging, changing and developing coping strategies for unhealthy thoughts, attitudes and behaviors, which are essential tools in transitioning to an outpatient setting. Reminiscence programs support dementia patients by promoting memory recall and stimulating conversation. Medical treatments, like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), are also offered three times weekly for patients with severe depression or bipolar disorder who have failed to respond to other treatments.

Following generous gifts from organizations like The Alfiero and Lucia Palestroni Foundation and community members including Stephanie Goldman Rosen and Carol and Alan Silberstein, this department was recently renovated with updated patient rooms, meeting space and stateof-the-art security. On most days, the 23-bed voluntary behavioral health unit on 4 East is at capacity with several patients in the Emergency Department and within the community waiting for beds to open. With nearly 600 patients admitted to the unit last year, recent initiatives are addressing growing demand by focusing on helping accelerate time to discharge. A discharge planning group that begins upon admission and meets regularly throughout a patient’s stay helps facilitate transition to the outpatient setting.

Social workers, dedicated to behavioral health coverage in the Emergency Department, coordinate care directly with Englewood Health’s inpatient and outpatient teams to best address the needs of the most vulnerable population.

Building on a collaborative care model, providers are also embedded within Englewood Health Physician Network primary care practices for early screening and identification of at-risk patients.

T HE O UT PAT I E NT SE T T I NG The Gregory P. Shadek Behavioral Care Center opened its doors in 2018 thanks to a leadership gift given to the Englewood Health Foundation by Bergen County residents Pat and Larry Shadek.

The Center is named in honor of their son, who they lost to the grip of addiction in 2016. It has very quickly become a cornerstone for outpatient services, community education and prevention activities with volume that continues to climb.

In 2018 alone, two psychiatrists and one advanced practice nurse managed over 2,000 sessions with nearly 800 patients, while five licensed clinical social worker psychotherapists provided close to 2,400 treatment appointments to another 450 patients. Most importantly, the treatment and programs offered through The Center are insurance agnostic – eliminating an often-insurmountable barrier for many.

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This multi-pronged and head-on approach to the behavioral health crisis is especially meaningful to Manhattan native and mother of three Stephanie Goldman Rosen who has lived in Bergen County for nearly three decades. “With such a robust network of mental health and addiction practitioners, programs and services, Englewood Health is leading by example. As someone with a loved one who battled addiction, I am personally invested in this progress. I choose to support the Foundation in order to sustain and grow this program with emphasis on removing the stigma,” explains Stephanie.

B REA KIN G THE STIG MA Stemming from a lack of education about the nature of mental illness and the families it affects, stigma continues to surround mental health and addiction. While the healthcare industry makes strides in effective treatment,

n o i ss i M A

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A collaborative effort remains underway at Englewood Health to address behavioral health with increased attention on prevention. Nowhere is this more evident than at the Graf Center for Integrative Medicine at Englewood Health where complementary therapies centered on prevention, recovery and support blend into traditional clinical care. Behavioral health and addiction are key clinical areas where integrative approaches that center on the whole person prove successful.

Stephanie, who also serves on the recently formed Shadek Center Advisory Council, agrees a social perception still exists. “Unlike other diseases, when it comes to addiction and mental health, families tend to hide and feel shameful. Why? We need to recognize that this disease touches the most loving, supported and connected families,” she says.

Englewood Health is breaking down this barrier.

In May 2018, Englewood Health was officially designated a stigma-free zone coinciding with a dedicated community education initiative centering on combatting discrimination and negative perceptions regarding mental illness and substance use disorders. “At Englewood Health, we treat those with behavioral health issues in the same way we treat anyone with any other condition – that’s with compassion, diligence and a patient-first approach. It is

Studies indicate that mental well-being is directly linked with overall physical health.

Whether it is our own, or that of a loved one, disease, stress and trauma often result in anxiousness or hopelessness.

If left unmanaged, these feelings can be a gateway to serious psychological issues, addictive behaviors, substance abuse or even suicide. The Center offers evidencebased modes of healing and mindfulness including acupuncture, meditation, therapeutic massage, yoga, reiki and holistic nutritional counseling to assist with pain management, accelerate recovery and reduce stress and anxiety. Through generous philanthropic support, the Graf Center for Integrative Medicine continues to advance its mission, leveraging proven therapies and wellness education to foster disease prevention.

imperative that those in our community who are struggling know this is a safe place for care,” shares Dr. Cohen.

That approach extends beyond patients and the community. Clinicians and employees are an important third population to reach with this crucial message. Through informational seminars, training sessions and discussion groups, Englewood Health hopes to allow our most indispensable healers and caregivers freedom without judgement to acknowledge, express and seek help in addressing issues stemming from compassion fatigue, such as physical, mental and emotional exhaustion.

O U TR EA C H AND EDUCATION Along with the stigma-free initiative, The Shadek Center also delivers many other lifesaving education and prevention programs to the community with the shared commitment and investment of philanthropic supporters.

On-campus seminars led by a certified peer recovery specialist address the opioid epidemic and provide community members with training on how and when to use Narcan to reverse an overdose. Narcan kits were provided to all attending the most recent seminar. Another community event designed to save lives is Mental Health First Aid. Much like a CPR class, this highly effective training curriculum discusses how to identify the red flags of addiction and mental crises, best practices in addressing emergencies and nonconfrontational communication strategies.

As the number-one mental health challenge among our youth, anxiety has and will continue to be a primary community outreach focus.

According to the National Institute of Health, anxiety disorders affect more than one-quarter of teenagers and approximately 80 percent of adolescents suffering from anxiety do not receive treatment. To increase awareness, foster essential dialogue and introduce this at-risk population to a pathway to help, philanthropy has enabled The Shadek Center

to facilitate numerous screenings of a powerful independently produced documentary, Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety, to hundreds of middle and high school students, faculty and parents in our region.

A CRI SI S DE M ANDI NG CO URAG E This mental health and addiction crisis is broad sweeping and indiscriminate in the families it affects. Just ask the Shadeks. As a medical nurse practitioner, Pat knew the statistics. Yet, as a mother, she never imagined the crisis would silently and unexpectedly creep into her family. When she and her husband learned Gregory was battling depression and addiction, they faced unimaginable uncertainties and heartbreaking obstacles. They desperately pursued every avenue in search of treatment, but harsh realities became clear. A lack of qualified local providers, exhaustive red tape and prohibitive costs were just some hurdles in this family’s path. After losing their son, this couple is proudly, passionately and bravely supporting a steadfast mission to help those battling substance abuse and mental illness with access to quality care that can save lives.

French artist Henri Matisse said, “Creativity takes courage.” It is the vision, commitment, investment – and yes, courage – of Englewood Health and our partners in philanthropy that will continue to inspire creativity. On purpose and with purpose, by joining resources, using innovative tools and drawing from new color palette, we will design a behavioral health program to cast a dramatic impact on our community.

If you need professional help to manage stress, anxiety, depression or addiction, call The Gregory P. Shadek Behavioral Care Center at 201.292.1400 to make an appointment.

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WITH MICHAEL GUTTER It all started by accident – literally. Michael Gutter and his wife, Emily, had recently moved to Englewood when their daughter Sophie fell from her highchair and hit her head.

In a truly frightening moment, these first-time parents and new homeowners who were still learning their way around the community knew they needed to get to the emergency room. As Michael tells it, this first experience at Englewood Health became a defining moment for him.

Not long after arriving, the family was put at ease when doctors informed them Sophie would be just fine. Grateful and relieved, Michael and Emily came to their own diagnosis. It was the extraordinary level of compassionate care they received that day from their community hospital that Michael says inspired him to say ‘yes’ when Englewood Health Foundation Board of Trustees member Bernie Koster asked him to consider joining the board.

It is years later, and a lot has changed – for the Gutters and Englewood Health. We sat down with Michael just weeks after the birth of his fourth daughter, Hannah, and his election as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Englewood Health Foundation.

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How do you see your role on the board evolving now that you are chairman?

The Foundation Board of Trustees is a team with 40 members. I have been fortunate to serve as treasurer for four years and on various committees throughout my tenure. As chairman, my role going forward will require additional leadership to ensure the board remains focused on the changing landscape of healthcare and how to best address the needs of our community.

I am committed to leading that charge.

What are the areas that rise to the top for you when it comes to addressing the community’s needs?

There are several key areas. Of course, those include cardiac and vascular care, musculoskeletal and neuroscience, and oncology. Yet, as a father raising four young girls, I appreciate our ongoing efforts in the area of behavioral health. We must confront the opioid epidemic and the rise in suicide, anxiety and depression among our youth.

How has serving on the board changed you over the years?

I’d like to say it improved my golf game!

Seriously, I feel fortunate to be a part of something so important. I never set out to be involved with the Foundation; it just sort of happened.

Now, years later as I look back, I see first-hand everything we have accomplished. It feels good.

And, as much as they don’t like it when I go to meetings, my kids realize I am doing something that makes a difference for them and other families in our community. I am proud to demonstrate that for my girls and to be on the inside of Englewood Health as we build on our success.

How is Englewood Health able to do that?

Two primary reasons in my opinion. First, we have incredible talent here and we continue to attract the best of the best. I believe excellence attracts excellence. Second: philanthropy.

What role does philanthropy play?

Philanthropy is essential in allowing us to secure resources. Years ago, people would donate and let the hospital or charity use their donation as they saw fit. Today’s donors are looking for a return

on their investment. They want to see results in black and white. We have a good track record of being able to do that. Putting up the numbers that support success makes people want to donate more. Couple those metrics with the simple fact that this is the community where we live and raise our families and donors know the value of helping ensure first-class healthcare in our backyard.

What constitutes first-class healthcare?

Medical innovation and state-of-the-art technology are essential, as is a high-caliber team of medical professionals. The Englewood Health Physician Network is second to none and serves as the center point of our health system. With over 100 locations, our growing physician network provides reach into the community – allowing for greater access to quality health resources and a layer of primary and preventative care necessary.

With four girls, your days are pretty busy.

How do you like to spend your weekends?

Although I try to sneak in a game of golf every once in a while, we love getting out on the boat as a family. I recently took the girls on a day trip to Rye Playland. It was fun introducing them to where I spent my childhood summer days.

What is the best word to describe you as ...

Involved An entrepreneur Dynamic A community member Committed A golfer Challenged A father

They say you can tell a lot about a person from their taste in art. What’s hanging on the walls of your home?

We’ve got quite a few original pieces from three up-and-coming talented artists – our oldest girls, Sophie, Maya and Elana!

July 2019 new appointments to the Englewood Health Foundation Board of Trustees also include Vice Chairman Steven M. Kaplan, Esq., Treasurer Neil S. Piekny and Secretary Nancy G. Brown.

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y p o r h t P hilan

FACES OF

A GO OD R EAD ON G IVING Dr. Ulrike Berth loves a good story. And, as physician liaison to Englewood Health Foundation’s Breakfast Club, she relishes the opportunity to listen to captivating tales with friends over coffee – all while helping raise funds for essential community outreach programs. “The Breakfast Club has hosted many incredible speakers – award-winning authors, entrepreneurs, an astronaut, a Holocaust survivor and even a specialist game ranger.

I always learn something new from our guests and most importantly, proceeds help provide invaluable support to our patients and community members,” says Dr. Berth.

Dr. Berth’s own story began in Germany, where she was born and raised. She recalls understanding from a very early age the value of helping others and notes medical issues plaguing her twin sister as the primary influence in her pursuit of medicine.

“It was difficult to watch my twin struggle with her health. As a child, I remember wanting so desperately to help her get better and, in my mind, becoming a physician was the best way to do that,” she shares.

Coming to the United States in 2004, Dr. Berth completed her residency at the University of Massachusetts and joined Englewood Health in 2010. She credits philanthropic support directed to Foundation events like the Breakfast Club for allowing her and her fellow physicians the ability to deliver the highest level of compassionate care and a positive patient experience. An anesthesiologist, Dr. Berth touches patients at a very critical moment in their care – just before a life-changing surgical procedure. It is a role that she embraces.

“Speaking with my sister every day, I am easily reminded why I became a doctor – to help others when they are most vulnerable,” she says.

P HILANTHRO P Y I N WARRI O R P O SE When Bergen County resident Laura Rodgers delivered her son at Englewood Hospital 19 years ago, she experienced a level of compassionate care that she says made a lasting impression. Through the years, Laura has relied on the convenient access to quality medical care, yet today she is most passionate about how conventional medicine is blending with integrative therapies at Englewood Health.

A self-described ‘yoga and meditation fanatic’ with a master’s in social work, Laura is an advocate for the positive impact integrative treatments like meditation, yoga, acupuncture and massage have on the mind, body and spirit. She chooses to support the Englewood Health Foundation to advance this mission. “The Graf Center for Integrative Medicine offers a unique opportunity to be part of a whole health program at Englewood Health. Those who are seeking greater well-being, ill or managing disease can realize the incredible 12

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A D EF IN IN G DIFFERE NCE Go to a rock, pop or even indie music concert and you just might run into Steven Kaplan, Esq. This Bergen County native and his wife, Tiffany, are music enthusiasts who considered it a real treat to see icon Sheryl Crow up close and personal at The Best of Times 2019 Gala. But the performance at this year’s Gala was just a bonus for Steven, an attorney for over 20 years. It is the desire to make a difference that truly drives his generosity and service to the Englewood Health Foundation.

Growing up in the community, Steven recalls that Englewood Health really started to evolve into a state-of-the-art resource when he was a young man. “I remember thinking, ‘now this is the hospital we deserve’ and from there it was easy for me to see value in becoming a trustee to help sustain that growth,” he explains.

After a first year of what he calls ‘observation’ to better understand the Foundation’s mission and function, Steven quickly identified areas where he could gain traction, be effective and make a difference. As chairman of the Foundation’s Resource Development Committee, Steven works on a macro level to engage untapped philanthropic resources from key stakeholders.

benefits of holistic care knowing that these treatments are performed in cooperation with traditional medicine delivered by their Englewood Health physicians,” says Laura.

First-hand insight into the benefits of integrative therapies, along with the profound philanthropic influence of her late father, inspire Laura to give back. A self-made real estate entrepreneur whose parents emigrated from Russia and owned a small grocery store, Laura’s father never lost sight of his humble beginnings and always understood the importance of philanthropy. She recalls learning this valuable lesson along with her sister at a very early age – one that she continues to embrace today.

“There are many large corporations headquartered in our community footprint with employees living here in our neighborhoods. Support from these companies is essential to ensure the highest level of care is available for all of us,” he says.

Never satisfied with the status quo, Steven continues to set the bar higher for himself and was recently elected to serve as vice chairman of the Englewood Health Foundation Board of Trustees. “We are so fortunate to have this nationally recognized health system just steps from our front doors. As a husband and father, that motivates me and directs my philanthropic choices.

Hospitals that thrive with top talent, technology and innovative programs rely on substantial support from donors. It’s just that simple,” says Steven.

Through her generosity, Laura is helping expand the array of holistic services offered at the Graf Center with The Rodgers Family Meditation Program. These meditation services are offered within the hospital and to the community at large to support better health and help manage chronic disease, stress, anxiety and depression. “I firmly believe that meditation is a ground-stabilizing tool that relaxes the body, centers the mind and builds resistance to anxiety,” explains Laura. “My father left me with the fondest memories and many gifts, including an appreciation for giving. I feel like a warrior in my ability to make an impact on the community in this way while furthering his legacy.”

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Pros

KNOW THE

S TEPH EN BISCHOFF, MD The morning routine of unlocking the front door and hitting the light switch at The Gregory P. Shadek Behavioral Care Center is in a way symbolic of the mission Dr. Stephen Bischoff pursues as director of behavioral health for the Englewood Health Physician Network.

Like most physicians, Dr. Bischoff is a caregiver by nature. However, his desire to eliminate the darkness for those struggling with mental illness and addiction drew him to psychiatry. “This illness changes a person globally; they are no longer the same,” explains Dr. Bischoff. “As acutely ill patients feel better, they begin to shine brighter and return to their authentic self. After weeks or even months of treatment, I finally meet who they really are for first time.”

helping address a leading community concern.

Dr. Bischoff and his team of fellow psychiatrists and psychotherapists see an average of three new patients a day. “We are making substantial strides and opening new doors to hope thanks to the support of our donors, yet expanding our resources and adding additional providers will help meet growing demand,” he explains.

Access to treatment and support programs offered through The Shadek Center is certainly

In addition to holding clinical sessions, Dr. Bischoff also manages hospital rounds, is regularly on call for the Emergency Department and inpatient consult and seeks every available opportunity to connect directly with the community at large. “Open dialogue and education are essential to stemming this crisis,” says Dr. Bischoff. “We must continue to collaborate with external partners, improve communication and promote our stigma-free environment whenever possible throughout the community.”

D AVID D R A P KIN, LCSW What does the portrait of someone with depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder look like? If you ask David Drapkin, it looks like him. David proudly carries and shares his “labels” with hundreds of youth, community members, hospital employees – and now, our readers. “Transparency is central to stigma-free expression,” says David. As a licensed clinical

social worker, addiction specialist and behavioral health program manager, David is engaged in the development and implementation of education and resource programs for both internal hospital staff and the community. “The mantra ‘you are not alone’ is one I use daily and by sharing my personal story, I can more easily connect with those who feel isolated and even hopeless, providing much-needed support,” he explains.

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Originally from the United Kingdom, this husband and father has a vested interest in what the future looks like for this community where he chooses to raise his family. His compassion and dedication transcend his clinical role. For David, making a positive impact for future generations is also personal.

Helping combat surging opioid abuse is one area David believes requires additional attention and says philanthropy can play a defining role. He chairs Englewood Health’s Opioid Task Force, which has piloted several meaningful programs to advance this mission. ALTO (Alternatives to Opioids), as an example, is a unique approach that offers guidance on opioid substitutes, whether through medication or integrative therapies, to manage certain conditions or chronic pain.

Another program currently being explored is MAT (Medicated Assisted Treatment), which combines medication and behavioral therapies as an effective method to sustaining opioid recovery. David has taken the lead on this initiative, which has proven

the gold standard in preventing relapse, by working with federal and state representatives to design a model that best fits the community. “We have so many effective programs either underway or in development, yet we cannot ever become satisfied. It is imperative we continue to invest if we hope to affect honest change for our families, neighbors and friends,” he says.

L I N D A L EIGHTON, MSN, RN, AP N Even early in Linda Leighton’s career as an orthopedic trauma nurse, she had an enormous capacity for compassion. Knowing instinctively that each patient who was suddenly impacted by a life-changing injury carried their own personal story to affect recovery, Linda uncovered those unique circumstances to sketch out a personalized care plan.

This ability to see each patient as a unique and whole person is a gift that Linda continues to rely on today as behavioral health nurse manager in the inpatient behavioral health unit at Englewood Health.

“I always knew I wanted to be a psychiatric nurse, helping patients with mental illness by establishing a level of trust and connecting with them as individuals,” she says. Collaboratively managing a multi-disciplinary staff of 60 that includes nurses, social workers, therapists and patient care

associates, Linda sees first-hand the impact she and her team make on the lives of those wrestling with depression, anxiety, bipolar illness, schizophrenia or dementia. “This is a voluntary unit, so every patient in our care is seeking support,” she explains. “We are partners in their journey, walking alongside them with the treatment plan, education, resources and coordination needed to bring them to their goal of an outpatient program.”

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HAPPENINGS BR EAK FAST CLUB The Breakfast Club hosted its annual spring gathering at Alpine Country Club on April 11 with USA Today bestselling author Cate Holahan as the featured speaker. Holahan, a Bergen County resident and critically acclaimed writer, enthralled the audience with a discussion of her books and early career as an award-winning journalist.

Funds raised through this special event benefit Heel the Soul, a program that provides resources and support to women battling serious illness at Englewood Health.

Jay Nadel with Breakfast Club Committee members

T H E TA RGO VN I K AND VAN CLIEF FAMILY SCREENING CENTER NA MI NG The Englewood Health Foundation welcomed Tami and Brian Targovnik and Dite Van Clief and Andrea Barash to Englewood Hospital on June 6 to celebrate the naming of The Targovnik and Van Clief Family Screening Center, located in The Leslie Simon Breast Care and Cytodiagnosis Center.

Their leadership-level gift was given in support of Transforming the Future: Our Campaign for Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, which raised over $50 million.

Brian and Tami Targovnik with Andrea Barash and Dite Van Clief

P H Y SI CI AN PART NERS Englewood Health Foundation’s Physician Partners joined together on June 12 for a reception at the home of Foundation Trustee Dr. Alexandra Gottdiener and her husband, Charles Gottdiener.

The Foundation hosts this special event to thank and recognize physicians for their philanthropic leadership. Through their generosity, Physician Partners demonstrate to colleagues, patients and the community the essential role philanthropy plays in delivering next-generation healthcare.

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Sharon Scherl, MD, Ana Maria Burga, MD, Mikhail Tismenetsky, MD, and Alexandra Gottdiener, MD

A N DI AM O R UN DONATION The Andiamo Motorcycle Charity Run generously donated proceeds from its annual fundraiser to benefit Englewood Health. Now entering its 20th year, the Andiamo Run, as it is affectionately known by participants, is organized by Foundation Trustee Don Dickstein and draws support from hundreds of local motorcycle enthusiasts.

Debra Albanese, Don Dickstein and Warren Geller

B ROOKSIDE ELEMENTA RY SCHOOL DONATION Pediatric patients are having a bit more fun while at Englewood Hospital thanks to the generosity of eighth grade students from Brookside Elementary School in Allendale. As part of their community service project, the students hosted a charity bake sale at their local library. Funds were used to purchase various items for Englewood Health’s Department of Pediatrics.

Englewood Health pediatric nurses with Brookside Elementary School students

LEUKEMIA LYMPHOMA SOCIETY DONATION The Englewood Health Foundation welcomed The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Town Subaru to The Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center on August 14. As part of the Subaru Cares program, patients at Englewood Health will receive complimentary blankets to comfort them during their cancer journey.

Ben Kalish, Cathy Verhulst, MC, LCSW, Ted Siebold, Jane Seliegman and Tina DeMarco, RN, with Englewood Health infusion nurses Fall 2019

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THE

Art

OF GIVING

Forward-thinking, inspirational and tenacious are qualities we have long admired of our friend, colleague and former chairman of Englewood Health Foundation Board of Trustees Jay Nadel.

Serving as chairman since 2013, Jay has proven to be an extraordinary leader, shepherding the Foundation through unprecedented accomplishment. At every new plateau, Jay chose to set the bar even higher. As we transition and welcome Michael Gutter, the Foundation Board of Trustees’ newly elected chairman, we reflect on the impact philanthropy has made on our community.

I am reminded of President John F. Kennedy who said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” Healthcare is experiencing an undeniable shift. At Englewood Health, we are embracing bold opportunities for change. These include new programs and investments to align with the strategic imperatives identified in our 10-year Strategic Plan, including behavioral health, an area of need highlighted in this issue of Connections.

Additional focus centers on a commitment to nurture our next generation of nurses through education, training and professional development, and securing technologies that improve patient safety and care.

It was a transformative decade for the Foundation thanks to change-makers who put us on the path to a brighter, healthier tomorrow. As we prepare for the next decade of growth, know that our commitment to excellence in healthcare has no limit. Please continue to support the Foundation in our mission.

With you as our partners in philanthropy, our best days most certainly lie ahead.

Comprehensive collaboration between trustees, hospital leadership and donors helped propel forward Englewood Health’s extraordinary growth from a community hospital into a robust regional health system. Most notably, the Foundation generated unprecedented philanthropic support for its most ambitious fundraising initiative to date, Transforming the Future: Our Campaign for Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. Thanks to you, we surpassed our $50 million goal, one year ahead of schedule, allowing for the renovation and expansion of the Family Birth Place and establishment of The Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center to deliver next-level cancer care close to home.

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Englewood Health Foundation

Debra Albanese Executive Vice President

More than 800 guests gathered in celebration at the landmark Cipriani Wall Street on May 4 to recognize our 2019 Gala Honorees Richard S. Goldweit, MD, and Jennifer and David Graf. The evening was a record-breaking success, raising more than $1.7 million to power clinical innovation, broader access and essential programs for our community.

Fall 2019

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Cheers to 20 years!

Sunday, October 27, 2019 The Englewood Field Club Register Today! www.walkforawareness.org It’s Heel the Soul’s Fifth Anniversary!

Thursday, November 14, 2019 Montammy Golf Club Recognizing Joanne Ehrlich, Founder and Chair

GALA 2020

May 2, 2020 • The Glasshouse, New York, NY Honoring James and Lisa Cohen and Lawrence Davis, MD 20

Englewood Health Foundation