Innovations Magazine Spring 2020

Spring 2020

Al’Asia Wallace Director & Safety Coach, Quality & Patient Safety, Inspira LIFE

Providing Leading-Edge Care in Your Backyard.

Safety First At Inspira, we are driven to fulfill our Inspira promise to every patient in every encounter —patient safety, clinical excellence and a Wow experience. Safety is the foundation of our promise, and at Inspira we put patients first and safety first while focusing on the relationship among patients and caregivers to create the trust patients need to also feel safe.

Five years ago, we embraced as an organization the safety science and high reliability organizing (HRO) to both keep our patients and employees safe and to continuously improve our care processes to create and maintain a safe environment.

What is high reliability? Simply stated, what is supposed to happen happens 100% of the time; what is not supposed to happen does not happen 100% of the time.

Our high reliability education allows us to consistently provide safe care and adapt quickly to a new situation. I can’t emphasize enough how this education has added an extra level of defense as we fight this COVID-19 pandemic.

But as we all know, it’s the practice of what we learned in the high reliability education that counts. At every level of the organization, no matter the title or expertise, we expect our staff to speak up for safety and peer-check each other. And in return, be willing to be “peer checked” - thanking the person for doing so.

I realize that the stress of this pandemic has the ability to cloud our thoughts and blur our actions. In using our high reliability, we bring clarity to every situation and we keep everyone safe.

Two New Ways to Define Patient Safety Two months ago - surge, social distancing and flattening the curve weren’t in our vocabulary. Now they dominate our days. Let me explain two new concepts that are now closely monitored by Inspira:

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Cohort: The dictionary describes this noun as group of individuals having a statistical factor in common. Health organizations like Inspira now use the term “cohorting” to define how our hospitals have completely concentrated COVID-19 patients and non COVID-19 patients in different locations.

These patients are also treated by distinct care teams.

Negative pressure rooms: This type of environmental control has been used in hospitals to help prevent the spread of airborne diseases, such as tuberculosis and the flu. Now it is a powerful tool to safely care for our patients with COVID-19.

Negative air is achieved by reducing the volume of supply air into the room and discharging a greater amount of “exhaust air” out of the room. This produces a negative pressure within the room.

One month ago - our network’s facilities team worked around-theclock to convert the entire east patient tower at Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill to create 92 negative pressure rooms. We also added dozens of negative pressure rooms at Inspira Vineland and Elmer, as well as the emergency departments in Mullica Hill, Vineland, Elmer and Bridgeton. These rooms allow us to isolate our COVID-19 patients from our other patients.

What can you do?

Commit to clean hands by washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Practice social distancing, keeping 6 feet between yourself and others. Remember - the cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

It’s too early to say for sure, but we may be seeing a flattening of the curve. The number of South Jersey residents who are testing positive is decreasing—but we all have to stay vigilant.

In This Issue:

Above all, if you are experiencing chest pains or other symptoms which may indicate a serious health issue, please call 9-1-1. We provide a safe environment for every patient who needs our care.

(Pages 1-2)

John DiAngelo President and CEO Inspira Health

(Pages 3-4)

Safety First, a message from President and CEO John DiAngelo

More Cancer Services, More Cancer Providers at Inspira Thoracic Surgeon Joins Inspira

(Page 5) Smart Rooms, Happier Patients Inspira Family Medicine Doctor Physician of the Year (Page 6) Urogynecology Helps Women with Pelvic Floor Disorders Inspira Welcomes New Director of Bariatric Surgery (Page 7) Using Aspirin as a Preventative Measure Partnership with Davita Brings Five-Star Dialysis to Inspira Patients (Page 8) Blue Hearts for Heroes (Page 9-10) Patient Gets Back to Life with Help of Orthopedics Award Winning Care Inspira Urgent Care Can Help You Fight Spring Allergies

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More Cancer Services, More Providers at Inspira Erev Tubb, M.D.

Lung cancer programs aimed at addressing community needs Low dose lung cancer screening: Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in the United States for both men and women and 85% of these deaths can be linked to smoking. The lung cancer rates in Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties are among the highest in New Jersey. Painless, non-invasive, low dose CT scans can help detect lung cancer earlier and increase patients’ chances of surviving.

Who is eligible for lung cancer screening?

You should be screened for lung cancer if: You are between the ages of 55 and 77

The recent opening of the Inspira Leading-Edge Cancer Center in Mullica Hill and the arrival of an experienced thoracic surgeon, who will perform surgeries in Mullica Hill and at the Vineland campus, represent a new era of increased access to advanced, patient-friendly cancer services throughout southern New Jersey.

“No one wants a diagnosis of cancer,” said Erev Tubb, M.D., FACP, an oncologist and medical director of the Inspira Mullica Hill Cancer Program. “And no one needs the added stress of traveling for treatment. We give the latest evidence-based care, in a way that is convenient for patients and families. At the new Leading-Edge Cancer Center in Mullica Hill, we have virtually all patient services under one roof. And with the arrival of Dr. Charles Shieh, patients who require lung or esophagus surgery after a cancer diagnosis will be able to get it closer to home than ever before.” (See next page for Dr. Shieh profile.)

You are asymptomatic (no signs or symptoms of lung cancer) You have a smoking history of at least one pack per day for 30 years, or equivalent You are a current smoker or one who has quit smoking within the last 15 years Lung-nodule program Lung (pulmonary) nodules are small masses of tissue found in the lungs that can be a result of smoking, irritants in the air or conditions such as pneumonia or lung infections. Though most nodules are harmless, they should be identified in patients with risk factors and monitored to test for cancer. Inspira Health offers a comprehensive lung nodule program with screening images taken at six Centers of Excellence across the system.

You may be at a higher risk for lung nodules and lung cancer if you:

KUSH SACHDEVA, M.D.

Are between the ages of 55 and 77 Smoke or have been a heavy smoker (one pack per day for 30 years, or equivalent)

Have a family history of lung cancer “Ever-increasing quality and the expansion of services to our patients are the two most important goals for Inspira,” said Kush Sachdeva, M.D., oncologist and medical director of the Inspira Frank and Edith Scarpa Regional Cancer Pavilion in Vineland. “We offer the latest treatment options, delivered by outstanding providers, to patients right here at home.

Inspira Leading-Edge Cancer Centers With everyone from oncologists to social workers, nutritionists, patient advocates, financial services professionals and more, the nearly 40,000 square foot Mullica Hill facility makes receiving comprehensive cancer care more seamless than ever.

“Our plan is to expand the number and level of cancer services throughout the system, so patients get everything they need at Inspira,” said Tubb. “Many of our providers have trained in some of the best academic centers in the world. We’re bringing that knowledge, approach and quality to South Jersey.”

Programs for the cancer continuum New and existing cancer programs are available to patients in both Mullica Hill and Vineland. Programs across the system have been designed to address the specific needs of the communities that Inspira serves. That means delivering comprehensive cancer care, including prevention, detection, early disease management and on-going treatment to patients with many different types of cancer.

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Patients at Inspira receive treatment from board-certified physicians, including surgical oncologists, reconstructive, plastic and thoracic surgeons, radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and pathologists.

Stop smoking today For patients who are ready to quit smoking, Inspira’s Quit Center is ready to help, at no cost to participants. The program includes access to:

Certified tobacco treatment specialists One-on-one counseling - in person or by phone Individualized quit plan Group counseling sessions Free nicotine replacement therapy One-month and seven-month follow up Re-admission into the Quit Center if needed

Inspira doctors, surgeons and other caregivers treat virtually all types of cancer, including: Bladder Brain Breast Colorectal Gynecologic

Head and Neck Kidney Leukemia Lung Lymphoma

Prostate Skin Testicular Thyroid

For more information about any of the cancer programs at Inspira Health, please call 1-800-INSPIRA (1-800-467-7472)

Thoracic surgeon joins Inspira Charles Shieh, M.D. a fellowship trained, board-certified, cardiothoracic surgeon is the new medical director of Inspira Health’s Lung Cancer Program.

Shieh’s main clinical interest is lung cancer diagnosis and treatment, using minimally invasive techniques, including robotic surgery. He will also be active in clinical research, building lung-cancer-specific clinic programs, and training residents.

“One of the things that drew me to Inspira was that they have a great program, with a diverse group of cancer specialists and support teams in place,” said Shieh. “Patients are already getting an excellent range of cancer care at Inspira, including pulmonary care and chemotherapy and radiation services. Now patients who require lung and esophagus surgery can get everything they need without traveling out of the area.”

Focus on prevention as well as treatment

Charles Sheih, M.D.

Shieh Photo N/A

Shieh said that besides offering advanced surgery capabilities, one of the most important parts of the program he wants to help continue to build at Inspira is lung cancer screening.

“Studies have shown that cancer screening programs work. Many other forms of cancer have very successful, almost routine, screening programs. I plan to do community outreach to make sure that patients and providers in the area know how much we can do to screen, identify, treat and manage lung cancers early as well. Diagnosing lung cancers in earlier stages, when those cancers can be treated surgically, will help us save lives.”

Shieh was most recently an attending surgeon affiliated with the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. While there, he was selected by his physician peers as a “Top Thoracic Surgeon” in each of the last two years. Joining Inspira is a return to the northeast for him. Shieh completed his general surgical training at Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, PA, and his fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut. He and his wife and two young children plan to reside in South Jersey.

Shieh will practice at both the Vineland and Mullica Hill campuses and plans to open a lung nodule clinic. There, patients with a suspicious nodule can be monitored, treated if necessary, and then followed to determine an ongoing plan of care.

“Patients with a cancer diagnosis need support from more than just their care team,” Shieh said. “Being able to offer surgical services right here in South Jersey will make it just a little easier for the patients, their families, friends and other caregivers.”

“Prevention and early detection are keys to successful treatment for many forms of cancer,” said Shieh.

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Smart rooms, happier patients Patients often say that one of the most stressful things about being in the hospital is a loss of control. The uncertainty of what’s happening around you can be disconcerting. Your surroundings are unfamiliar. You’re being asked questions or examined by multiple people, some of whom you may have never met before.

At the newly opened Mullica Hill medical center - and soon at Inspira Medical Center Vineland patients and families will regain a higher level of control, have better engagement with their care team, and more easily get information about their care through innovative “smart room” technology.

What is a “Smart Room”?

“Today, if you are a patient at Inspira Mullica Hill and later this year at Vineland, you will be in a room outfitted with audio, video and identification technology that is second to none,” said Tom Pacek, chief information officer for Inspira Health.

would like care team members to know,” Pacek said. Smart room technology allows patients and families to be engaged, give input, and more readily receive information. Patients can directly communicate requests or concerns to their care team and with those who are maintaining their room, providing meal service, and delivering spiritual support. Very soon, patients will be able to give real time feedback that is shared directly with the managers and directors of that area during their stay.

“This real time, direct communication helps our Inspira management team ensure that we are providing the highest quality care. It will create a more personalized conversation, letting the patient know we are on top of their needs at all times

Interactive, smart TVs allow patients to not only enjoy their favorite programming, but also send messages to their care team, ask questions, look up information about their medication, condition or treatment, surf the internet, and send email. “ Patients can also enter information, such as a preferred nickname, spouse or partner’s name, special requests and other things that they

A digital display outside patient rooms provides information to care team members about the patient’s status, and identifies clinicians seeing the patient in the room. This promotes safe care and reduces interruptions, while maintaining patient privacy.

In the near future, patients can have family members, friends, and caregivers get updates and be “in the room” via video chatting, for meetings or consultations with an in-hospital staff member.

Great today, even better tomorrow Pacek said that though the smart room system is advanced and powerful, it is easy to use.

“Every time an Inspira team member enters a room, they will be identified on the patient’s TV monitor. This allows patients to know who is entering their room and their role on the care team.” There is, however, much more to the technology than simply identifying people.“ “Having the ability to know who is entering your room is just the start,” Pacek said.

one is aware, reducing the need for multiple people asking patients the same questions. Manual entry of information is reduced, allowing nurses to focus on what they do so well - caring for their patients.”

during their care experience with us,” Pacek said.

More information, delivered faster Equipment in the room records patients’ vital signs and automatically sends it to the electronic medical record, making it instantly available to their care team. Pacek said, “This means providers have up-to-the minute information about a patient whenever they need it. It ensures that every

“Our team supports patients and family members, teaching them how to get the most out of it using wireless keyboards or the nurse call pillow device,” he said. “The system already has incredible capabilities that support care and education and we will be adding more functionality that promotes a continuous care connection with patients and families beyond their stay.”

“We are confident that the smart rooms at Mullica Hill and later this year at Vineland, will help make the patient experience at Inspira more informative, pleasant and efficient,” Pacek concluded.

“Though the technology has been in use at Inspira for only a short time, the feedback from patients and families has already been fantastic.”

Inspira Family Medicine Doctor Physician of the year Suzanne Wanlass Vanderwerken, M.D.

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Suzanne Wanlass VanDerwerken, M.D., FAAFP, chair of the Depart-

ment of Family Medicine at Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill and director of its Family Medicine Residency program based in Woodbury, was recognized as the 2019 New Jersey Family Physician of the Year by the New Jersey Academy of Family Practice (NJAFP).

“I am truly honored to receive this award. It has always been my goal to serve patients and the community. I am truly passionate about the importance of mentoring and inspiring young physicians and medical students as part of taking excellent care of our patients,”

says Dr. VanDerwerken.

NJAFP noted that this award is presented to one outstanding physician in the state “who best exemplifies the tradition of the family physician by providing the community with compassionate, comprehensive and caring medical service on a continuing basis.

The recipient is directly and effectively involved in community affairs and activities that enhance the quality of life within their community, emulating the family physician as a healer and human being.

“In addition, the Family Physician of the Year is a role model for professionalism in the service

and art of medicine to colleagues, other health professionals, the community and especially to young physicians in training and to medical students.”

Board-certified in Family Medicine since 1992, VanDerwerken successfully attained her board certifications for Adolescent Medicine in 2003 and for Obesity Medicine in 2018.

VanDerwerken received her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College and graduated from the Underwood Memorial Family Practice Residency Program in 1992. She resides in Pittsgrove, NJ.

Urogynecology Helps Women with Pelvic Floor Disorders

Woojin Chong, M.D.

Many women across southern New Jersey have probably experienced it: a small urine leak when sneezing or laughing or feeling the urge and not being able to get to bathroom on time. The condition is called either “Stress Urinary Incontinence” or “Urgency Urinary Incontinence.” While it may be a sensitive, personal issue, it’s also a medical issue that can be corrected with the help of Inspira Urogynecology.

“Women shouldn’t suffer in silence or embarrassment,” said Woojin Chong, M.D., FACOG, an Inspira urogynecologist with offices in Mullica Hill and Vineland. “We have many ways of treating urinary incontinence and other bladder and pelvic floor disorders. The first step we take is listening to each patient to better understand their symptoms. Then we help to educate them about the range of treatment options available.”

According to Chong, many symptoms can be treated conservatively, through behavioral modifications like fluid intake management, Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscle, weight reduction, and “retraining” the bladder.

muscle exercises and pessaries, and surgical management. Surgical services range from minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgery, to open surgery. A vaginal approach is used whenever possible, as recommended by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

“Our brain controls our bladder,” she explained. “Women with urinary incontinence can retrain their bladder by pelvic floor muscle exercises and timed voiding, even if they don’t have the urge to urinate.”

Chong also helps women with other pelvic floor related conditions, like overactive bladder, bladder pain syndrome (a.k.a. “Interstitial cystitis”), urinary tract infections, rectovaginal/vesicovaginal fistulas, urethral diverticulum, vulvovaginal conditions like labial hypertrophy, dry vagina, sexual pain and so much more.

For patients who don’t respond well to conservative approaches, Inspira Urogynecology provides medications, as well as outpatient procedures such as mid-urethral slings, Botox injections, and nerve stimulation therapies like percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation and sacral neuromodulation.

For women with pelvic organ prolapse (“vaginal bulge”), Chong offers various treatment options, including conservative management with pelvic floor

“No matter what the condition or course of treatment, we provide personal attention to each patient every step of the way,” Chong concluded.

“There’s a great sense of family here at Inspira, and I like to treat each patient I see as if they are my mother, aunt or sister.”

Inspira Welcomes New Director of Bariatric Surgery Keith Allan Kreitz, M.D., has joined Inspira Medical Group as the Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill. Dr. Kreitz, who is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and American College of Surgeons, has over 20 years of experience in bariatrics. Before joining Inspira, he spent six years building the bariatrics program at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Langhorne, PA.

aroscopic and robotic surgery, for faster recovery and improved outcomes.

Bariatric Surgery at Inspira Medical Center Vineland is designated as a Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®) accredited program. That means patients can be confident that they are receiving top-quality care from highly trained surgeons.

In addition to his surgical duties, Kreitz will be responsible for developing the bariatrics program, patient and provider outreach and education, inpatient and outpatient care, training, and staff coordination between bariatrics and other Inspira services.

“I’m looking forward to building the practice and educating the community about the benefits of bariatric surgery,” Kreitz said. “Estimates predict that by 2030, 50% of the population will be considered obese, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or over. This excess weight isn’t just a cosmetic issue. It can also lead to health problems like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and even cancer.”

Keith Allan Kreitz, M.D.

Opening Bariatric Surgery to more Patients Kreitz said he’s particularly excited to bring a new surgical procedure to Inspira to treat people with a lower BMI than is required for traditional bariatric surgery. The procedure, called endoscopic gastric balloon placement, is appropriate for patients with a BMI of 30 or above (instead of 40 or above, or 35 or above with co-morbidities). The partial-day outpatient procedure is less invasive than lap-

Ahmed Attia, D.O. “Inspira has over 20 years of excellent surgical results, helping people lose weight and reducing the diseases associated with obesity,” said Ahmed Attia, D.O., a bariatric surgeon at Inspira Vineland. “We were the first in the region to start laparoscopic procedures when everyone else was still doing open gastric bypass. We also were the first to bring lap band surgery and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy to local patients. It’s incredibly rewarding for all of us to see people improve their health, increase their confidence and get their lives back following successful bariatric surgery.”

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Using aspirin

Kurt w. Kaulback, M.D.

as a preventive measure

For many years, there has been a great deal of media coverage about the use of aspirin, especially low dose or “baby” aspirin to prevent against heart attack, stroke and other conditions. Now there is information that may affect that recommendation for certain groups of patients, especially those with an increased risk of bleeding.

In 2019, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) issued guidelines to clinicians about aspirin use at its annual meeting in Philadelphia. Though low-dose aspirin is still widely recommended for patients who have specific risk factors or a history of cardiovascular disease, the guidelines highlighted that it may not be the most appropriate approach for all patients as a primary preventive measure.

is aspirin right for you?

According to the ACC/AHA Guidelines, risk factors that might make aspirin usage less desirable include age, a history of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding or ulcers, bleeding from other sites, bleeding disorders, chronic kidney disease and a range of other conditions.

However, for many people with risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of heart disease, low-dose aspirin may still be recommended.

Kurt W. Kaulback, M.D., FACC, interventional cardiologist and Cardiovascular Service Line Clinical Director for Inspira Health, said that as with many health issues, good doctor-patient communication is key.

Kaulback said that Cardiac Partners, the Inspira Health and Cooper University Hospital collaborative program for comprehensive cardiovascular services, provides patients throughout southern New Jersey with seamless access to high-quality cardiology care and cardiac surgery services for virtually all conditions.

“A number of factors determine whether aspirin is right for you,” Kaulback said. “Your doctor will take into account your medical and family history, age and risk level for cardiovascular disease as well as your risk level for bleeding. Even things like whether you regularly use over the counter medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen can be important.”

“Be an informed consumer,” he said. “Communicate with and trust your primary care provider. And know that when you come to Inspira, the recommendations we make and care we offer are based on the latest research, medical evidence and determination and ability to provide the highest level of cardiac health care.”

Partnership with DaVita Bring Five-Star Dialysis to Inspira Patients From a six-station outpatient unit established in 1981 to a network of five dialysis clinics with 84 stations throughout southern New Jersey, Inspira has greatly expanded its dialysis treatment services, thanks to a partnership with DaVita, one of the country’s leading dialysis providers.

The partnership allows patients with End-Stage Renal Failure to receive their treatments close to home, in Bridgeton, Millville, Vineland, Williamstown and a soon-to-open DaVita center in Upper Deerfield.

“DaVita represents best-in-class outpatient dialysis,” said Kevin Barber, D.O., medical director of Inspira Kidney Center of Vineland and Inspira Kidney Center of Millville.

Kevin Barber, D.O.

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“They have been rated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as having the highest number of Five Star facilities in the CMS Grading System.”

Three times a week, patients come to a DaVita location for dialysis sessions, where a machine clears toxins in

their blood that would normally be filtered by healthy kidneys. Dialysis is needed when the kidneys can no longer remove salt, water and toxic chemicals produced by the normal, everyday breakdown of proteins.

Kidney disease: knowledge is power Barber recommended that patients start seeing a nephrologist when their kidney function is about 50% of normal, to avoid hospitalization and the other complications associated with chronic renal failure.

“Like with blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, everyone should know what their creatinine numbers are,” Barber suggested. “Your family doctor can easily monitor this through routine blood tests including the blood urea nitrogen, or BUN test, and creatinine test.”

He noted that people can reduce their risk of kidney failure by limiting salt intake, exercising regularly, and controlling their blood pressure and blood sugar. People with diabetes, he said, are particularly prone to kidney failure, making it especially important for them to stay aware of their kidney function and the amount of protein in their urine.

“Knowledge is power,” he concluded. “Learning about your disease and its treatment helps you make informed decisions about your health as an integrated part of your care team. Even if you’ve been on dialysis for a while, you can benefit from learning about new techniques, medications and rehabilitation and transplant options.”

#BlueHeartsForHeroes Join us in expressing our gratitude and support to all of the caregivers and staff going above and beyond by risking their lives every day treating patients.

Place a blue heart – an icon that is simple and easy to make, yet clearly defined and recognizable – in your window as a way to express your gratitude for health care workers on the front line.

These blue hearts could be created from anything at your disposal: construction paper, markers, crayons, beads, old shirts, painter’s tape, chalk drawings—anything, as long as it’s blue and in the shape of a heart.

Be sure to take photos or videos of your blue hearts and share on your social platforms using the hash tag #BlueHeartsForHeroes to recognize the bravery of front-line staff and their unwavering commitment to protecting the local community.

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Patient Gets Back to Life with Help of Orthopedics “I thought my career was over at 39 years old.” Karen Kaufman, of Forked River, NJ, has had five shoulder surgeries in less than five years. It all started with a calcium deposit in her rotator cuff in 2014. What should have been a relatively simple procedure and normal recovery turned into a long, complicated recovery which resulted in low functional mobility and pain. As a New Jersey State Police Sargent and active athlete, Kaufman was no longer able to do many of the things she enjoyed – such as play softball, workout, and go running.

“I had my first shoulder surgery in January 2014, and then subsequent surgeries in October 2015, July 2016, and January 2018 – all to correct complications from the original surgery,” said Kaufman. “My quality of life was significantly affected by my shoulder issues – I couldn’t sleep on my side without being in pain and the physical requirements of my job were becoming increasingly difficult.”

Kaufman consulted with various physicians and was told that they couldn’t help her – and all they could assist with was pain management. “Most doctors didn’t want to touch my case – they saw my history of several surgeries and didn’t think they could fix it,” added Kaufman.

Not Giving Up In her line of work, Kaufman knew that being in constant pain wasn’t an option. It also wasn’t how she planned to live the rest of her life. That’s when a colleague recommended Dr. Thomas Dwyer, orthopedic surgeon and staff physician at Inspira Health.

“My colleague mentioned my situation to Dr. Dwyer and he immediately suggested I make an appointment. I wasn’t overly optimistic, but I figured what was the harm in seeing one more doctor,” said Kaufman.

She traveled 1.5 hours to Vineland, met with Dwyer, and was immediately impressed with his professionalism and bed-side manner. Dwyer looked at Kaufman’s scans and suggested they run more tests – tests that no other doctor had suggested.

“My initial diagnosis was a failed rotator cuff repair with severe tissue deficiency.

Kaufman had several prior opinions and was told nothing further could be done.

I ordered an MRI Arthrogram to evaluate the amount of cuff deficiency and the degree of tissue loss. Her preoperative active motion was poor and painful, and her strength was very poor,” explained Dwyer.

“After reviewing the scans, Dr. Dwyer was very realistic with me,” added Kaufman. He advised that he could do surgery, but he couldn’t guarantee that I would have no pain or get back full range of motion. I told him that even 50% less pain and more range of motion would be great – I would consider that a win.”

In October 2018, at Inspira Medical Center Vineland, Dwyer performed Kaufman’s fifth shoulder surgery. Dwyer performed tendon transfers and arthroscopically placed a soft tissue collagen matrix graft to reinforce the deficiency.

“I hoped for improved motion and strength, but we were able to achieve outstanding active range of motion and markedly improved strength,” said Dwyer.

After her recovery period, Kaufman was able to return to all sports and lifting activities without restriction and was also able to return to her job in full-duty capacity.

“Less than a year after my shoulder surgery with Dr. Dwyer I was able to complete my physical test at work – which consists of timed push-ups, situps and a run – and I felt great,” said Kaufman.

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Dr. Thomas Dwyer

Patient Update In the summer of 2019 Kaufman slipped, fell, and twisted her knee. She knew the first person to call – Dr. Dwyer. Kaufman ended up having a tear in her meniscus, which Dwyer performed surgery on in December 2019.

Kaufman has since healed, returned to work and is back to her normal activities of running, weight lifting, and taking her puppy, Remington, for walks.

“I was determined to get back to my life and the things I enjoyed, and I refused to think that I could be in pain forever. Dr. Dwyer gave me my life and lifestyle back. I can’t say enough good things about my experience.”

Award Winning Care

Elmer Obstetrics Inspira Medical Center Elmer has been named one of America’s Best Hospitals by the Women’s Choice Award® in 2020 for Obstetrics and Orthopedics.

This is the third award for each service and signifies that Inspira is one of the top health care providers in the country for these specialties based on a review of nearly 5,000 hospitals.

The methodology for the America’s Best Hospitals combines national accreditations, Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey results, and hospital outcome scores with primary research about women’s health care preferences.

Elmer Maternity It recognizes excellence in patient services based on robust criteria that consider patient satisfaction and clinical excellence. Additionally, each service line award has supplementary criteria that are specific to the service line.

“We are extremely proud that Inspira Elmer’s Obstetrics and Orthopedics departments continue to be nationally recognized as exceptional places to receive great care,” said John DiAngelo, president and CEO of Inspira Health.

“It is because of the dedication and passion of our staff that we have now earned a total of six Women’s Choice Awards.”

Inspira Urgent Care Can Help You Fight Spring Allergies The sneezing, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes…it must be spring allergy season. When seasonal allergies strike, Inspira Urgent Care is there, with hours seven days a week and 11 locations nearby.

“Spring allergies can start even before the flowers bloom,” said Chad Richmond, D.O urgent care physician at Inspira Urgent Care Mantua. “People tend to start feeling symptoms in the early spring, when everything starts to bud.”

According to Dr. Richmond, most spring allergies are caused by airborne pollen from grasses, flowers and trees. Mold can also cause allergies, especially when mold spore counts increase due to the rain and high moisture levels common in the spring.

Dr. Richmond encourages people to monitor allergy symptoms including those described above or cough, scratchy throat, headaches and fatigue.“If symptoms are stubborn or prolonged, and you’re not getting good relief from over-thecounter allergy medicines, antihistamines and eye drops, it’s a good time to visit an Inspira Urgent Care facility,” he said.

Inspira makes it easy Inspira makes the process of visiting Urgent Care simple. Patients can visit the Inspira web site or use the My Inspira App to find their closest location, view wait times, and check in.

Patients can also walk in to see a doctor; no appointment is needed. Once at Inspira Urgent Care, patients are assessed by a nurse, who checks their vital signs and records their medical history. Next, they are evaluated by a physician, who reviews their medical history and conducts an examination.

“Most often, allergies are diagnosed based on previous allergy history, combined with current symptoms,” said Dr. Richmond.

“We look at the types of allergies a patient has had in the past, the allergy care they’ve received from their family doctor or allergist, and how any previous treatments worked.”

Dr. Richmond said that most allergies can be treated with over-the-counter medications such as Benadryl, Sudafed, Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec, as well as soothing eye drops.

When symptoms are more severe, Inspira Urgent Care physicians can administer a steroid injection and prescribe stronger medications, as well as recommend appropriate follow up with an allergist.

“I also recommend avoiding allergy triggers by staying indoors when pollen counts are high, keeping windows closed and turning on the air conditioner,” he added. “A furnace filter with microparticle filtration, as well as in-home HEPA filtration can help improve indoor air quality by trapping airborne irritants.”

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At Inspira we are constantly evolving to accommodate everyone’s health care needs in the safest way possible.

Through your telephonic or virtual visit, you can consult one of our Inspira Medical Group providers from the comforts of your home. Receive your diagnosis and treatment by phone or virtually through PC, smartphone or tablet.

Call 1-800-771-2778 or request an appointment at inspirahealthnetwork.org