Today The Childrens Hospital at Saint Peters University Hospital
is one of only nine state-designated acute-care childrens
hospitals.
Saint Peters was one of the first hospitals to have a separate
emergency department designated just for the care of children. When
it re-opened the doors last year to a renovated space that was new
from the floor to the rafters, the Dorothy B. Hersh Pediatric
Emergency Department became one of the largest in the state, able
to accommodate more than 24,000 pediatric patient visits a
year.
Comprehensive services that range from a renowned Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to the pediatric anesthesiologists
charged with meeting the special sedation needs of children who
need surgery, make The Childrens Hospital one of the largest and
most comprehensive pediatric hospitals in the state. The hospital
has 40 pediatric beds, plus eight more in the Pediatric Intensive
Care Unit (PICU) and six step-down beds for patients transitioning
from the PICU to the pediatric unit in the main hospital. With 54
beds, the NICU is the largest in New Jersey.
Specialized Surgery Two of only about 14 specially trained
pediatric surgeons in the state practice medicine at Saint Peters
John G. Gallucci, MD, and Steven Palder, MD. Kids are not little
adults, explains Dr. Gallucci. They have their own issues.
Thats why surgeons need special training in treating the young,
and also why they handle a wider variety of clinical areas than
their adult-surgeon counterparts. The doctors perform 700 to 900
procedures a year. The most common operations treat appendicitis,
hernias and bowel obstructions, according to Dr. Gallucci. The
doctors
also operate on gallbladders, perform tumor biopsies, and remove
masses in the chest and abdomen, often using minimally invasive
laparoscopic techniques.
We do it all, Dr. Gallucci says. Thats the nature of pediatric
surgery. Doctors Gallucci and Palder perform a variety of surgical
procedures, from complex and delicate repairs of congenital
anomalies
on micro-preemies who weigh a few hundred grams to hernia
repairs on overweight teenagers.
Dr. Gallucci and I provide 24/7 availability to our patients and
their families, adds Dr. Palder. Every family who comes into my
office leaves with my cellphone number. Id rather have them call me
for what turns out to be a small problem than not call and later
wish they had.
Another unique feature of the surgery program at Saint Peters is
its pediatric anesthesiology services. When we perform a procedure
on a child, there is an experienced pediatric anesthesiologist in
the room at all times, says James Sperrazza, MD, of Anesthesia
Consultants of New Jersey, assistant chair of Anesthesiology. Saint
Peters has the largest number of board-certified and
fellowship-trained pediatric anesthesiolo- gists in central New
Jersey and is one of the few hospitals to offer 24/7
coverage of this kind. Pediatric anesthesiologists receive an
extra year of training to learn the special techniques needed to
care for younger and smaller patients.
There are a lot of different considerations when caring for
children, says Howard Lakritz, MD, also of Anesthesia Consultants
of New Jersey and chair of Anesthesiology at Saint Peters.
Positioning breathing tubes in an airway is challenging in any
patient, but the tiny trachea of a 2-pound premature newborn, or
even a 30-pound toddler, makes it more so.
If the tube is too high or too low, it may displace or you may
ventilate only one lung, says Dr. Sperrazza. Maintaining proper
oxygen levels during surgery is the most important thing
anesthesiologists do, he says. Oxygen levels can drop fast in kids
faster than in adultsand you need to know how to deal with
that.
Medication management is also trickier in small patients.
Dosages need to be much more specific and calculated, because any
small variation can have a big impact, says Dr. Lakritz. And
complications such as minor blood loss that would be
inconsequential in adults can be devastating in a child. Adults
have more reserveif something happens, they can compensate for it,
he says. Children lack that ability. For them, things can take a
turn for the worse much more quickly.
Bedside manner is also important. Children are, of course, often
afraid of hospitals, needles and doctors. We are trained to comfort
kids as well as care for them, says Dr. Sperrazza.
For more information on pediatric services provided at Saint
Peters, call 732-565-KIDS (5437).
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Specialized Surgical Services for Children
A LISTING OF PROGRAMS OFFERED THIS MONTH CAN BE FOUND ON THE
REVERSE SIDE.
NEED A DOCTOR? TO FIND A SAINT PETERS PHySICIAN, CALL
1-855-SP-My-DOC (1-855-776-9362).
APRIL 2015
James Sperrazza, MD
Steven Palder, MD
Howard Lakritz, MD
John G. Gallucci, MD
When your child needs a specialist
Top-quality specialty care is provided at The Childrens Hospital
at Saint Peters University Hospital in a number of areas,
including: adolescent medicine anesthesiology asthma/pulmonology
audiology and occupational, physical and speech therapy cardiology
craniofacial surgery critical care developmental/behavioral
pediatrics Dorothy B. Hersh Child Protection Center endocrinology
and diabetes care For KEEPS acute behavioral program
gastroenterology genetic evaluation and counseling
hematology/oncology immunology/allergy infectious diseases
neonatology nephrology neurology and epilepsy neurosurgery
orthopedics otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) pediatric surgery
psychological services sports medicine and concussion urology
Alzheimers/Dementia Caregivers Support Group JULY 13, 10:00 AM
11:30 AMSaint Peters Adult Day Center
SUPPORT GROUPSAutism Family Support Group APRIL 12, 3:00 PM 5:00
PM877-886-9462
Alzheimers/Dementia Caregivers Support Group APRIL 9, 10:00 AM
11:30 AMSaint Peters Adult Day Center200 Overlook Drive, Monroe
Township Rachel Kallish, CSW 609-655-6853
Bariatric Surgery Support GroupAPRIL 2, 6:00 PM 7:00 PM Lisa
Lapinski, RD 732-745-8600, x8159
Bereavement Support GroupAPRIL 16, 7:00 PM 8:30
PM732-745-8565
Caregivers Support Group/MonroeAPRIL 9, 1:30 PM 3:00 PMSaint
Peters Adult Day Center200 Overlook Drive, Monroe TownshipStephanie
Fitzsimmons-Sexton, RN, NP609-655-2220
SHARE Support Group(for those who have suffered miscarriage,
stillbirth or neonatal death)APRIL 9, 7:00 PM 9:00 PMIrina
Mariano-Brown, MSW, LCSW 732-745-8522
DIABETES EDUCATIONChildrens Insulin Pump GroupAPRIL 13, 6:30 PM
8:30 PM 732-745-8600, x8751
Diabetes Self-Management Education HELD MONDAYS AND
TUESDAYSRegistration and doctors prescription
required.732-745-6667
Gestational Diabetes Self-Management ClassHELD WEDNESDAYS AND
THURSDAYSRegistration and a doctors prescription required.
732-745-6667
Diabetes Education Support Group/Monroe Saint Peters Physician
Associates Clearbrook Commons Medical and Professional Park 294
Applegarth Road, Monroe Township Call 732-745-8600, x8105, for more
information.
COMMUNITy MOBILE HEALTH SERVICES For more information about
screenings and educational programs, please call 732-745-8600,
x8903. Blood Pressure/Blood Sugar Screenings APRIL 1, 2:00 PM 3:30
PM DeForest B. Soaries, Jr. Residences at Somerset, Franklin
Residents only.
APRIL 7, 9:30 AM 11:00 AM St. George Episcopal Church,
Helmetta
APRIL 10, 11:00 AM 12:30 PM Elijahs Promise Soup Kitchen, New
Brunswick
APRIL 10, 9:30 AM 10:30 AM New Brunswick Senior Center
APRIL 15, 11:00 AM 12:30 PM Edison Senior Center
APRIL 29, NOON 1:30 PM Ships I Soup Kitchen @ St. Johns,
Somerville
Bone Density Screening APRIL 9, 11:30 AM 1:00 PM Manville Senior
Center. Residents only.
Cholesterol Screening APRIL 11, 9:00 AM NOON Woodbridge Township
Health Center
Health Fair APRIL 12, 9:30 AM 12:30 PM Immaculate Conception
Church, Somerville
APRIL 18, 9:30 AM 12:30 PM St. James Church, Woodbridge
APRIL 18, 11:00 AM 1:00 PM Middlesex County Education
Association PRIDE in Public Education Fair Brunswick Square Mall,
Route 18, East Brunswick
Hearing Screening APRIL 8, 1:30 PM 5:30 PM Vantage Apparel,
Avenel. Residents only.
APRIL 22, 10:00 AM NOON Franklin Township Senior Center
FREE COMMUNITy LECTURESLATEST TECHNOLOgY FOR CATARACT SURgERY
APRIL 6, 1:00 PM Presenter: April McCullough, MD, ophthalmologist
Greenbriar@Whittingham, Monroe Township Residents only.
APRIL 13, 3:00 PM Rossmoor Adult Community, Monroe Township
Residents only.
CANCER SUPPORT Breast Cancer Support GroupAPRIL 6 & 20, 7:00
PM 8:30 PMGuest speaker and open discussion.Registration
required.Cancer Institute of New Jersey Deborah Leif, MSW, LCSW
732-235-7011
Gynecologic Cancer Support GroupAPRIL 10, 7:00 PM 8:30 PMCancer
Institute of New Jersey 732-235-6792
Latina Women with Cancer Support Group APRIL 11, 10:00 AM 1:00
PM Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center Light lunch will be
served. Free, but registration requested. Sessions conducted in
Spanish. Call 908-658-5400 for more information.
Living with Cancer Support GroupAPRIL 8 & 27, 7:00 PM 8:30
PMCancer Institute of New JerseyBarbara Hale, LCSW 732-235-7557
PARENT EDUCATIONFor information, fees and registration, call
Parent Education at 732-745-8579, unless otherwise indicated.
Baby Care APRIL 6 & 13, 7:00 PM 9:30 PM
APRIL 26, 9:00 AM 1:00 PM
Breastfeeding ClassAPRIL 18, 9:00 AM 11:30 AM
Breastfeeding Support Group APRIL 3, 1:00 PM 2:30 PM
Marvelous MultiplesAPRIL 20 & 27, 7:00 PM 9:30 PM
New Mom Support Group APRIL 3, NOON 1:00 PM
Postnatal yoga and Exercise Class(four-week sessions)FRIDAYS,
6:00 PM 7:15 PM Registration required.
Prenatal yoga and Exercise Class(four-week sessions)WEDNESDAYS
AND FRIDAYS7:00 PM 8:30 PM Registration required.
Prepared Childbirth ClassesMONDAYS, THURSDAYS, OR ALL-DAY
SESSIONS SECOND AND FOURTH WEEKENDSRegistration required.
Sibling Class APRIL 18, 12:30 PM 1:30 PM
Catholic hospital sponsored by the Diocese of Metuchen |
State-designated childrens hospital and regional perinatal
centerMajor clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical and Health
Sciences | Affiliate of The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia
APRIL 2015
All programs are designed for community members and are held at
Saint Peters University Hospital, unless otherwise noted. For more
information or to register for a program, call the contact number
listed or visit saintpetershcs.com/newsandevents.
BARIATRIC WEIGHT LOSS SEMINAR THURSDAY, APRIL 27:15 PM - 9:30 PM
For more information, and to register, call Lisa Lapinski, RD, at
732-745-8600, x8159.
AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION ALERT WEEk EVENT THURSDAY, APRIL
2NOON - 1:30 PM McCarrick Care Center, Somerset Community Mobile
Health Services staff will provide blood sugar screenings. Call
732-745-8600, x8903.
HEALTH CARE INDUSTRy WEEk MONDAY, APRIL 611:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Rutgers University College Avenue Student Center Nursing Village by
Saint Peters University Hospital. Information and educational
materials about the nursing profession. Community Mobile Health
Services staff will provide sun damage screenings using the
DermaScan machine and blood pressure and blood sugar
screenings.
CICLOVIASUNDAY, APRIL 1911:00 AM - 3:00 PM A 2.8-mile throughout
New Brunswick open for outdoor exercise and fun.Community Mobile
Health Services staff will provide screenings at the Joyce Kilmer
Firehouse.
RUTGERS DAySATURDAY, APRIL 259:00 AM - 4:00 PM New Brunswick
campuses. Staff of Saint Peters Community Mobile Health Services
and hospital departments will provide education and health
screenings. Call 732-565-5496.
ANNUAL GALASAINT PETERS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM SATURDAY, APRIL 25 The
Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center New Brunswick For details,
call Saint Peters Foundation at 732-745-8542.
EMS EDUCATION SERIESTHURSDAY, APRIL 307:00 PM TOPIC: ABUSE
AWARENESS Free; refreshments served. CEU credits. Call 908-238-3254
to register.
jUST FOR THE HEALTH OF ITSATURDAY, MAY 2NOON - 4:00 PM Takes
place in Buccleuch Park across the street from Saint Peters
University Hospital. Annual health fair and community celebration
sponsored by Saint Peters Healthcare System and the City of New
Brunswick. Saint Peters staff will provide free screenings and
health education information. Call 732-745-8600, ext. 8551.
HIGHLAND PARkS 7TH ANNUAL 5k RUN IN THE PARkSUNDAY, MAY 39:00 AM
Highland Park High School. Call 732-745-8600, x8551.
254 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 | 732-745-8600 |
800-269-7508 | www.saintpetershcs.com
Top Performer on Joint Commission Key Quality Measures 2012
This calendar is for information only. Do not rely on it to make
healthcare decisions on your own; instead, talk with your
healthcare provider for advice and treatment. Do not ignore medical
advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. We
do not suggest or endorse that you have any tests, use products, or
use other information in this document without advice from your
healthcare provider.
SAVE THE DATESHARE yOUR BAByS PHOTO ON OUR BILLBOARD
Parents of babies born at Saint Peters University Hospital can
post photos of their newborn or in the case of multiple births
their newborns on our digital billboard along Route 1 by using our
Facebook app called Saint Peters Delivers! For more details visit
http://www.facebook.com/spmybaby
MATERNITy TOURSView our interactive maternity tour, which
includes pictures of our private labor and delivery suites and our
modern mother/baby units, at www.saintpetershcs.com/MaternityTour
and
get an idea of what you can expect when you deliver at Saint
Peters. To schedule a tour, call Parent Education at
732-745-8579.
SPECIAL EVENTS