JFK Donor Impact Report 2023

HACKENSACK MERIDIAN JFK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER AND JFK JOHNSON REHABILITATION INSTITUTE DONOR IMPACT REPORT

JFK University Medical Center Foundation

Technology Provides Vital Help in the Field Through the generosity of our donors, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team at Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center has the tools in place to provide emergency care for the community. The team utilizes Toughbooks for charting, documenting and accessing decision support resources out in the field, where rugged, indestructible equipment is critical. EMS vehicles are also Wi-Fi-enabled, so the team is able to transmit information to the hospital in real-time. Donor-funded lactate meters, which detect sepsis, are also used in the field, providing early identification and treatment for patients. The meters are in sync with the hospital’s laboratory, so medication can be ready upon patient arrival.

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We are very thankful for all of the resources now available through the generosity of our donors, helping us provide vital care in the community.”

—Mark Bober, MHA, MICP, director of EMS

Supporting Team Member Advancement Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation team members had the opportunity to attend and present at the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation’s (AAPM&R) annual conference. Additionally, JFK University Medical Center residents and faculty attended the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting. Through active participation at conferences, attendees then share what they have learned with the whole team, which improves care for all patients across the hospital.

Four-Legged Friends Bring Smiles and Compassion

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I could not have faced this emotionally without the regular pet visits. Thank you.”

—A grateful patient

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I love them, they brighten the entire day and make our patients so happy. I wish they were always here.”

—3 South team member

There are some new team members of the furry variety at JFK University Medical Center.

JFK’s Pet Therapy Program includes dogs, rabbits and a pony! Everyone looks forward to visits from their four-legged friends, who bring so much joy to what is often a challenging environment. When the pets engage with patients, they dramatically improve their mood.

This, in turn, increases patients’ compliance, helping to make them more receptive to receiving care and treatment. The pet visits also provide comfort, stress relief and joy to our team members. Thanks to our donors, these pets bring countless smiles to JFK, and we are extremely grateful.

Defying Gravity One Step at a Time Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Hackensack Meridian JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute patients benefit from the Zero-G Gait and Balance System, a robotic ambulatory assistive device. Zero-G is an overhead tracked lift system that helps patients with mobility issues, safely harnessing them during physical therapy. It features sensors that prevent patient falls and injuries from being off-balance by lowering them safely and easily to the floor. This equipment is especially helpful for spinal cord, brain injury, stroke and amputee patients.

Nursing Scholarships Help Everyone The Jairam N. Kamath Scholarship at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute was established to assist entry-level team members who are interested in a nursing career. When team members advance their learning, not only do patients benefit from a higher level of care, but students can then bring what they learn to their unit, elevating the whole team. Education support also addresses nursing shortages, helping the medical center retain highly trained workers. We are grateful for our donors whose support helps make a difference in team members’ and patients’ lives.

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I want to do more work with brain trauma patients. I love getting to know them and it amazes me when they enter the unit unable to walk or talk and they leave able to do those things. I am grateful for the scholarship that is helping me realize my dreams.”

—Yaritza Ponce, Jairam N. Kamath Scholarship recipient

To learn more about how you can make an impact, email gratitude@hmhn.org.

Your Gifts Bridge the Gap Through the generosity of our donors, Plainfield Health Connections (PHC) continues to improve the health of uninsured and underinsured residents and reduce health care costs through innovative community health care. A variety of activities and classes offer diabetic vision and foot screenings, wellness activities, health coach events, supermarket tours, exercise classes and more. Additionally, PHC’s bilingual health coach provides guidance to non-English speakers.

By connecting people with the resources they need, PHC is addressing many of the underlying barriers to maintaining one’s health.

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We would like to thank all our donors for their ongoing support, which enables us to facilitate access to much needed medical and social resources for the clients we serve.”

—Beryl Sowah, MSN, RN, NP-C, program director, Plainfield Health Connections

GiveHMH.org/JFKUMC

343 Thornall Street, 7th Floor Edison, NJ 08837

JFK University Medical Center Foundation