Connections Fall 2020

FALL 2020

NEWS FROM ENGLEWOOD HEALTH FOUNDATION

2020 VISIONARIES Changemakers with Clear Focus on a Brighter, Healthier Tomorrow

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Our Visionaries

Our very own inspiring visionaries embrace opportunity to impact healthcare throughout the region

The Sit Down

Richard Lerner, Chairman, Board of Trustees Englewood Health and Englewood Hospital

Cutest Faces of Philanthropy Young donors make a difference

Know the Pros

Englewood Health team members create greater patient experiences

Happenings

The year it all went virtual

It Only Gets Better When We Stand Together Stephen Brunnquell, MD President, Englewood Health Physician Network

*Englewood Health Foundation maintains strict safety protocols in response to COVID-19.

All photography for this issue of Connections adhered to strict social distance guidelines.

CONNECTIONS - FALL 2020 EDITORIAL STAFF Debra Albanese

Executive Vice President 201.894.3497 debra.albanese@ehmchealth.org

Sandra Sgambati

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 130 years.

Established in 1995 as a separate 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization, 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.

LEADING WITH VISION

Visionary leaders are known for breaking away from what is expected and leading with intention and enthusiasm. They embrace bold ideas and have a unique ability to inspire those around them to see every challenge as an opportunity.

When asked about these big thinkers and doers, we often call to mind global entrepreneurs, best-selling authors and motivational speakers. The truth is that remarkable visionaries are right here, beside us in our community every day.

They are our neighbors and friends who through their philanthropic commitment are helping to advance the mission of Englewood Health.

I am excited for you to meet our visionaries – or perhaps get to know them better – in this issue of Connections. Like so many of our benefactors, they know the importance of and appreciate philanthropy’s impact on care for our community.

They choose to answer the call time and again, fueling our health system’s extraordinary growth and progress. Yet, for all that we have achieved, 2020 serves as a cautious reminder that we must maintain focus on remaining powerfully prepared to meet unexpected challenges head on, while also guaranteeing access to world-class clinical care that countless patients depend on – the kind of care that literally saves lives.

As this year draws to a close, we thank all of you – our extraordinary visionaries – for your amazing passion and commitment to advancing our mission.

Debra Albanese Executive Vice President Englewood Health Foundation

The Zaikovs 2 Englewood Health Foundation

EYES ON THE FUTURE

Lynne and Marty Zaikov met for the first time in their twenties thanks to a family friend with a hunch they would hit it off. They will tell you that it was more than compatibility – it was love at first sight. Fifty-three years later, this Bergen County couple maintains an active lifestyle by keeping busy with their three children and 10 grandchildren, enjoying the life they always imagined together. For the couple, realizing a bright future for themselves, their future generations and the larger community relies on leadership-level giving to the Englewood Health Foundation, which began more than a decade ago and helps ensure access to world-class healthcare.

At some point in your life, you or someone you love will need a hospital and it is incredibly comforting to know we have access to one of the best. Being the best takes incredible foresight and that is why I am so proud that my husband serves as an Englewood Health Foundation Trustee. From our state-of-the-art Emergency Department to The Family Birth Place to The Lefcourt Family Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center – the last decade wholly transformed our health system thanks to the strategic thinking of our leadership team and philanthropic partners who kept a keen eye on the future. That ensures the ability to exceed our community’s evolving needs.

And, now we clearly see just how important it is to be prepared for the unexpected, like this year’s pandemic. To care for the sick, our healthcare workers made incredible sacrifices every day for months. We are so grateful and that is why writing a check to the Foundation was easy; it was a no brainer. They

Lynne y t r a &M

urgently needed supplies, equipment and support and we wanted to help.

The pandemic really underscored what we have always believed: Regularly investing in the health system is very much like an insurance policy. You are helping guarantee that you – and your children and their children – receive healthcare that is second to none. Nothing compares to that peace of mind.

A LASTING LEGACY

Fifteen-year-old Alfiero Palestroni biked nearly 300 miles from his home in Italy’s charming coastal town of Pesaro to Rome for work so that he could make a difference. An extremely hard-working and disciplined young boy with a deep love for his family, Alfiero’s commitment to helping those in need was never stronger. His mother was battling cancer and Alfiero knew just how much his family was depending on his support. These early years o f peddling along the Adriatic coast with one faithful purpose would not only shape a young man’s character but set in motion an undeniable legacy.

I will never know another man as generous and kind as my late husband, Alfiero.

Always rooting for the underdog, he gave selflessly to ensure those less fortunate had a fair shot. He was also an exceptionally talented home builder and real estate developer, which allowed him to make a successful career and gave us the ability to bless others with gifts of hope and opportunity.

Alfiero and I shared a vision to help those in need. It is why we established The Palestroni Foundation. I am so happy that over the years, through our support of the Englewood Health Foundation, w e made an impact on the lives of the most vulnerable, particularly those with mental health issues, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Our vision is realized through the incredible growth o f Englewood Health, especially the Behavioral Health Unit which is proudly named in recognition of The Palestroni Foundation. I know Alfiero would be so pleased.

He also took a great interest in our youth. Our most recent grant to the Englewood Health Foundation is helping deliver life-saving education, and wellness and prevention programs to school-aged children in our community. During the pandemic, these programs moved to a virtual format so no one would be left without the help they needed. I am incredibly honored to know that my husband’s hard work is helping make all of this happen.

Lucia i n o r t s e l Pa

and The Palestroni Foundation

Fall 2020 5

The Palestroni Foundation

Nimesh Nagarsheth, MD 6 Englewood Health Foundation

OUR DONORS ROCK

Growing up, Nimesh Nagarsheth, MD, had one career goal and surprisingly, it was not medicine. Young Nimesh was going to be a rock star. Quite a talented percussionist through high school, he pursued his dream as a college music major.

At the end of his freshman year, surrounded by a sea of equally gifted peers, Nimesh began to question the viability of a musical career and sought a new path.

While he admits going into medicine by default, today Dr. Nimesh Nagarsheth is an internationally recognized gynecologic oncologist at Englewood Health and loving every minute of it. What about his boyhood dream of performing for thousands of screaming fans? Well, since 2008, this surgeon has been moonlighting as a rock star drummer alongside five other gynecological surgeons in his band, N.E.D. (No Evidence of Disease), to raise awareness and funds for women’s cancers.

I am incredibly grateful to be an Englewood Health physician with the privilege of working beside some of the finest medical clinicians. Englewood Health is unlike any other institution. It is rare to find the level of teamwork, energy and synergy that exists here and it all stems from a universal desire to provide an exceptional patient experience. That collective vision is rewarding to be a part of and, in my opinion, fueled by a steadfast partnership with the community. In fact, our ability to deliver the highest quality care is possible thanks to our donors.

Take for example robotic oncology surgery, which is an area that I am personally passionate about because it continues to raise the bar on cancer treatment. Keeping pace with the breakneck speed of technology is dependent on the ability to capitalize on critical advances in innovation. As a surgeon, I see the extraordinary impact philanthropy makes on my ability to save lives. It feels good knowing that the care I provide inspires generous donor giving. It is also important for me to personally make that commitment, so I choose to be a Physician Partner.

h t e h s r a g a N . r D

World-class healthcare through philanthropy begins with a promise to lead and I strive to do that through example.

The

SIT DOWN with

d r a h Ric r e n r Le No matter the genre of music, the bass guitar can enhance sound, making whole songs come together more brilliantly. The bass musician? They are not about a flashy solo – instead, they quietly establish the foundation, putting the rock in the roll and the rhythm in the blues.

While Richard Lerner only began studying bass guitar a few years ago as a hobby, his role in the Englewood Health System draws many parallels to that of a seasoned musician in a legendary band. A husband and father of two, Richard has been a member of the Englewood Healthcare System Board of Trustees since 2016 and the Englewood Hospital Board of Trustees since 2014. He also served as chair of the professional affairs committee to oversee and guide quality and patient safety initiatives.

We caught up with Richard just a few short months after his appointment as chairman of both Englewood Health and Englewood Hospital Boards of Trustees to gain a peek into what new hits might be on the horizon.

How has your role with Englewood Health evolved now that you are chairman?

As chairman, I believe my primary role is to help foster relationships throughout the health system, into the community and with regional business and governmental leaders – all with an objective of ensuring Englewood Health delivers the highest quality care to the community. I assumed the role in April, in the middle of the pandemic, so it has been a challenge to connect with people how I normally like to – with a smile and a big handshake.

So, a firm handshake and big smile are key to your leadership style. What else?

I am not a doctor, but over the last 20 years, my professional career gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in hospital and post-acute care environments. Collaboration is pivotal to success and I am committed to lending that experience to our incredibly capable management team. I also strive to be strategic, maintaining a clear understanding of industry trends and how to navigate the pitfalls of modern healthcare. Most importantly, I never forget the community. Families throughout the region rely on us for exceptional healthcare. I take that very seriously.

What did that mean in 2020?

This year, we saw first-hand the value of preparedness, so whether it is a resurgence of COVID-19 or something else unexpected, we need to keep our eye on the ball and be certain we have the processes, supplies and infrastructure necessary to ensure the safety of our medical team, staff and patients. Bigger picture, our visionary leadership, clinical expertise and philanthropic spirit will continue to concentrate on several strategic imperatives to ultimately provide patients with even more care options, broader access and enhanced outcomes.

What makes you most proud of this organization?

Well, there is so much to be proud of here at Englewood Health. We are forward-thinking, innovative and committed to medical excellence.

But perhaps the one aspect that shines bright day in and day out is an amazing culture of caring – one that is exceptional, unique and patient-focused. It is hard to find in other organizations. I call it a secret sauce.

A secret sauce?

Yep, even though we are a world-class regional health system extending into six counties and two states, our culture is one of an intimate community hospital – and that’s the secret sauce that everyone loves. It is truly the best of both worlds.

Where do you see Englewood Health 10 years from now?

I envision a vibrant organization filled with an even greater number of sought-after physicians and modern cutting-edge technology. We will raise the bar even higher on diagnosis, imaging, treatment and surveillance of disease. Moreover, we will have reimagined care, pushing even further outside the four walls of the hospital and into the community. This includes comprehensive and effective community programs focusing on the social determinants of health such as food and housing security, healthy nutrition, wellness education and stigma-free behavioral health. The future of healthcare lies in these incredibly important areas.

How will we get there?

Two ways. First, we remain laser focused on our vision to reimagine the delivery of care by maximizing strategic resources and partnerships, clinical innovation and expertise. I am committed to helping lead that charge. Second, none of this happens without a philanthropic commitment – which interestingly is a lot like playing in a band. A few years after starting lessons on the bass guitar, I now play in a local band. It is a blast, but it also requires collaboration, a lot of time and heart. That investment pays off big time and the rewards can be truly transformative.

Staying in Tune Favorite Band | Grateful Dead

Book on the Nightstand | Patient Care Under Uncertainty by Charles F. Manski Streaming on Netflix | Community Hands-down Favorite Meal | White Castle Favorite Sport to Play | Soccer Fall 2020 9

Cutest FACES OF PHILANTHROPY Sometimes the most inspiring visionaries come in small packages!

Meet just a few of our cutest faces of philanthropy. With big hearts and imagination, they took action and made their mark on our community by donating to the Englewood Health Foundation’s Power to Prepare Fund.

We are so thankful for the innovation and generosity of our young supporters!

Go Team! Thanks to the Cresskill Cougars and their donation of hand-made masks, the Englewood Health staff continues to be well protected – and looking good!

The FRIYAY Go Fund Me raised over $4,000 for the Englewood Health Foundation’s Power to Prepare Fund and lightened everyone’s spirits with a specially performed music video in honor of our incredible healthcare heroes.

A talented young artist, 12-year-old Liam donated all proceeds from sales of his hand-drawn stickers to the Power to Prepare Fund as his way of thanking the Englewood Health doctors and nurses who cared for him and his family throughout the years.

10 Englewood Health Foundation

Girl Scouts rock! Thank you to Troops 5487, 5905, 96000 and 95201 of Mahwah and Troop 95281 of Bergenfield who donated truckloads of delicious pick-me-ups to the Englewood Health staff.

A virtual high-five to Glen Rock Hungry 2 Help, local teens inspired by our incredible frontline workers. By selling custom Bergen County unity bracelets to the community, they raised $1,300 for the Power to Prepare Fund.

Eleven-year-old Sophie Gutter of Demarest was inspired by the incredible work of Englewood Health frontline workers. She put her creativity and giving spirit to work by selling her hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind tie dye masks to family and friends with all proceeds going to the Foundation’s Power to Prepare Fund.

Know

the

PROS

Batman and Robin, Fred and Ginger, Lewis and Clark … the individuals in these famous pairs are gifted on their own, each with unique talent and skill. Yet, like most great teams, these partners are infinitely better together.

Meet Englewood Health Physician Network Senior Directors Moishe B. Singer, MPH, FACHE, FACMPE, and Victoria Lange, MHA. They will each readily admit they are more effective in their job thanks to the other – and the incredible team of practice managers, administrators and providers that fill 100 sites across two states and six counties. Their mission? To ensure the consistent delivery of the highest-quality healthcare throughout the network, from operational efficiencies to staffing and scheduling to patient satisfaction.

It is a big job, but this is a dynamic duo with some impressive skills.

The Ability to Adapt and Overcome

Even for the best team, challenges will arise and there was none more significant than the global pandemic that gripped Englewood Health earlier this year.

“On a Thursday, we were informed we needed to begin testing for COVID-19 as soon as possible. Months earlier, no one had even heard of a COVID test, but by that Monday, we opened a testing center with the staff, supplies, processes, protocols and technology in place to begin swabbing,” explains Moishe. A volunteer EMT and the son of a military father whose family moved often, flexibility, quick thinking and grace under pressure come as second nature to Moishe. “Our ability to pivot rapidly on a multitude of COVID-related initiatives allowed us to be well prepared to help the community.”

Remaining Patient Focused

The community remains a consistent focus of this team’s efforts, as Moishe believes that by simply putting themselves in patients’ shoes, they are best equipped to continue reimagining the delivery of compassionate care in an ever-changing landscape. “How can we do things better, more efficiently

A Call to

Compassion

When Elaine Sonzogni, APN, adopted Atlas from the local pet rescue in March, he was malnourished, frail and frightened. Today, thanks to an abundance of love and care, he is a healthy and happy chihuahua who relishes a good romp outside. For anyone who knows Elaine, her ability to compassionately care for others is always on display. Selfless giving helps define this Englewood Health Physician Network nurse practitioner and is a characteristic much appreciated by her patients and their families.

When the pandemic reached Englewood Health, elective surgeries, 12 Englewood Health Foundation

outpatient services and office visits were cancelled throughout

and with greater outcomes for the patient – every patient, every time? That is our ultimate objective,” he explains.

Vicki agrees and sees her primary role as helping provide a great patient experience. For Vicki, whose father was an internist, this career has been in her mind’s eye since an early age. “As a young girl, I worked the front desk to check in patients and help my dad, who was a brilliant clinician, manage all the business and operational aspects of the practice,” shares Vicki. “The practitioner-patient relationship was paramount for us back then. Fast forward to today and my role here at EHPN, I strive to keep delivering on that same promise.”

Always in Action

They say in healthcare that if you are standing still, you are falling behind. No one at Englewood Health is ever standing still – especially Moishe and Vicki. Continually, they pursue new and improved processes and state-of-the-art technologies to empower patients to take greater control of their healthcare. Some of those patient-centered advancements include online appointment scheduling and prescription refill requests, a MyChart portal for quick patient access to records, office visits and immunization history, a robust telehealth program and new streamlined EHPN office procedures that best address COVID safety and well-being.

“Support from our donors allows us the flexibility to find new solutions, implement improvements and make investments that continue to change how we deliver healthcare to the community,” explains Vicki. Moishe also sees philanthropy as valuable in the ability to attract top-notch clinical talent. “We have an incredibly unique and collaborative culture at Englewood Health, and while that is certainly due to all the many amazing individuals within the system, it is also a big reflection of community support and investment.

That is attractive to best-in-class physicians looking to come here – it excites them.”

the system. Those employees, including Elaine, stepped up in new capacities within the hospital to meet urgent patient demands. Elaine’s new role was to keep patients connected with their families and she and her colleagues made calls every day, seven days a week – nearly 14,000 – to ensure loved ones stayed informed. “It was an incredibly emotional time, and I was humbled and honored to work with these families,” shares Elaine. “There are no words to console loved ones who are worried

received from them. Despite their personal hardships,

and grieving. We did our best to make sure they were never left in the dark. What is truly remarkable and so incredibly touching is the outpouring of support we

they wanted to know how we were doing and extended heartfelt thanks to all the doctors and nurses.”

It was that expression of gratitude that prompted Elaine to make a gift to the Englewood Health Foundation’s Power to Prepare Fund. “I thought about all the

many families who I spoke with. They truly inspired

me. It is because of them that I chose to make a gift, with the clear vision that it would make a difference for someone in need,” she says.

Fall 2020 13

HAPPENINGS 2020

Gala

Despite the inability to gather in person for Englewood Health Foundation’s On The Hudson 2020 Gala, our community remained together in spirit, celebration and commitment. A Virtual Touchstone Award Ceremony on September 12 proudly recognized honorees James and Lisa Cohen and Lawrence Davis, MD,

Englewood Health President and CEO Warren Geller

as exceptional and devoted visionaries. More than $1 million was raised to benefit the Power to Prepare Fund.

17th Annual

Golf Classic

The Englewood Health Foundation 2020 Golf Classic may have looked a little different this year as golfers hit the links on September 24 at the Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, but the spirit and fun were undeniably familiar. Following all protocols established by public health officials, friends and colleagues enjoyed an action-packed day and helped the Foundation raise nearly $260,000 for Englewood Health and the many patients it serves.

Pictured left to right: Foundation Board Chairman Michael Gutter, Foundation Trustee Rafael Martinez, Jared Cohen and Foundation Trustee Emmet Dennis, Jr.

Informational

Zooms

Throughout the pandemic, the Englewood Health Foundation held several virtual gatherings led by Englewood Health President and CEO Warren Geller. Informative and interactive, th e s e s s io n s a d d re s s e d Englewood Health’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Attendees also gained valuable insight into the future o f t h e h e a lt h s y s t e m – h o w v i s i o n a r y l e a d e r s h i p , cl i n i ca l e x p e r t i s e a n d philanthropic p a r tn e r s w i l l combine to address bold strategic imperatives, ushering in a new era of healthcare for our region.

Englewood Health President and CEO Warren Geller and Englewood Health Foundation Executive Vice President Debra Albanese

Staying

Healthy

Now more than ever, it is important to get an annual flu vaccine to safeguard against respiratory illnesses. As a special thank you for steadfast support, Leadership Society members were invited by the Englewood Health Foundation to receive complimentary flu shots this fall. As of late November, the health system administered more than 18,000 flu shots to our community.

Joseph A. Agresta, Jr. of Benzel-Busch Motor Corporation Fall 2020 15

On October 1, 2020, Englewood Health hosted a special outdoor ceremony to remember those we lost to COVID-19 and honor our healthcare heroes who selflessly cared for countless patients in our community. A leader in thought and action, President of the Englewood Health Physician Network Dr. Stephen Brunnquell touched the hearts of all who attended. His words joined minds and spirits – recognizing our pain yet inspiring us to believe in a brighter tomorrow.

Strength, Courage and Resilience Remembered We all walked through a dark and terrifying time last spring. As I have said before, I have never been so proud of the nurses, doctors and all the supporting staff at Englewood. The energy and devotion to our calling was never so evident. But it has taken a toll; each of us have been affected in many ways, including emotionally. For all of us, not only the hands-on caregivers, but all who supported us, the events of the past six months – especially last spring – had an indelible effect.

We came to work battling our own fears – fears about working with an illness no one understood at first; fears of getting sick ourselves; fears of bringing it home to our families; fears about caring for so many sick people that we felt our best efforts were not enough even when we gave every last ounce of ourselves; fears about dying ourselves …

And yet we continued to care for the sick and dying. We continued to comfort and inspire patients and their families. We are able to do this because deep down we are people of hope. Not a ‘the sun will come out tomorrow’ Pollyanna sense of hope, but a deeply held conviction that what we do matters.

We believe that each of our small acts of compassion and kindness count. We believe that as a healthcare team, our compassion and kindness make a significant difference in the lives of others and the life of our community. Although sometimes bruised and sometimes hurting, we continue to care and heal. We trust and believe that as we continue to care and heal others, that we ourselves will be healed and perhaps become more deeply human and be able to care for others better than ever before.

Atticus Finch at the end of To Kill a Mockingbird, when the full depths of that story’s injustice were so painful and evident, held his head high and looked at his kids and paraphrased Psalm 30. He said that after the darkness and sadness of night, that joy comes in the morning. Joy comes in the morning and so may I speak for all of us when I say, “Dear God, morning cannot come soon enough.”

Stephen Brunnquell, MD | President, Englewood Health Physician Network

To view the ceremony in its entirety, please visit Englewood Health on YouTube.

The Englewood Health Foundation’s annual Walk for Awareness went virtual this year! Hundreds of supporters “made a move” on October 25 in the fight against breast cancer. They walked, ran, biked, danced and more! The Foundation live streamed the excitement on Facebook and Honorary Chair Nina Pineda of WABC-TV joined the fun to cheer on all participants. Thanks to the generosity of many, the Walk raised over $180,000 to benefit The Leslie Simon Breast Care and Cytodiagnosis Center and provide uninsured and underinsured patients with access to life-saving care.

Thank you to all our supporters near and far who got moving and shared their photos with us on #EHWalk2020.

Fall 2020 17

350 Engle Street Englewood, NJ 07631 EnglewoodHealthFoundation.org

S AV E T H E D AT E

Be sure to visit EnglewoodHealthFoundation.org for the latest on upcoming events and initiatives, and continue to follow us on social media. facebook.com/englewoodhealthfoundation twitter.com/ehmcfoundation 18 t h

instagram.com/englewoodhealthfoundation youtube.com/EnglewoodHospitalNJ ANNU AL

M o n d a y, M a y 2 4 , 2 0 2 1

WALK for AWARENESS On the Move against Breast Cancer

Sunday, October 24, 2021