As a Catholic faith-based institution founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, we nurture the spiritual, as well as the medical needs of our patients and their families. We recognize faith as a prime mover and as an essential part of our healing ministry. The Pastoral Care Department provides information, consultation, and education that support and enable care of the whole person—care that provides not only for people’s physical needs, but also for their emotional and spiritual needs.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital (SJCH) has been named a finalist in the Innovation Hero category in the 2014 NJBIZ Healthcare Heroes awards program that honors individuals and organizations making a significant impact on the quality of healthcare in New Jersey. The NICU was chosen as a finalist for their innovative Colostrum Study entitled, “Saving the Lives of Our Tiniest Patients.”

Searching for better ways to stabilize and save the lives of very low birth weight (VLBW) babies, Judy Petrazzuolo, RN, and her colleagues in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital/St. Joseph’s University Medical Center (SJCH) used statistical data and evidence-based best practices to develop a study using colostrum as an expanded immunotherapy tool. The resulting successful innovative newborn colostrum protocol saves lives while benefitting pre-term high risk infants and their mothers, and is being adopted as a model of care nationwide.

The colostrum study was inspired by a one-liner heard by Judy at a breastfeeding conference. A researcher reported swabbing the mouths of babies ≤ 1500 grams (VLBW infants) with colostrum, early breast milk, as immunotherapy to protect against necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a severe bacteria that can attack the intestines of a premature infant causing severe morbidity and mortality. Judy wondered: could feeding appropriate amounts of colostrum to high risk VLBW babies impact their survival?

After research/protocol development, Judy and the NICU team at SJCH launched their year-long colostrum study, a departure from the suggested oral swabbing protocol. Focusing on high risk pre-term infants weighing less than 1 pound to 3.3 pounds, the team administered 0.1 ml of measured colostrum for each buccal cavity, at 48 hours, for 48, q 2 hours.

The study’s results proved so impressive that SJCH’s NICU embraced the measured colostrum protocol as a best practice finding it lowered the:

• Time to start feedings from 11.2 days to 4.4 days
• Time to ‘full feeds’ from 45.7 to 25.4 days
• Mortality rate from 38% to 13%
• NEC rate in the NICU (5.9% in 2012 to 1.4% in 2013)
• Length of stay and overall cost of care per infant (NEC can increase an infant’s NICU stay by 20+ days at a cost of $200,000+)

Additional benefits revealed that feeding a mother’s own colostrum to her infant enhances mother/infant bonding, empowers a mother by easing feelings of helplessness, decreasing stress and facilitating acceptance of her infant’s fragile state. The study became the impetus of breastfeeding success in the SJCH NICU, where mothers are encouraged to provide breast milk beginning an hour after birth.

Also, SJCH has been invited to participate in a joint application for a National Institute of Health 5-hospital/5-year Randomized Controlled Trial to include ≤ 1250 gram infants to reduce the incidence of late-onset sepsis and enhance patient engagement.

The SJCH NICU colostrum study/protocol was developed through the leadership of one inspired nurse within a culture of caring, skill and teamwork; to meet patients’ needs in a positive healing environment within an organization that values life and strongly supports innovative Nursing vision and encourages inquiry through Nursing research processes.

This groundbreaking colostrum study/protocol developed by the Nursing team in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital is recognized as the first of its type in NJ – an Innovative Healthcare Hero that will continue to set trends in our state and across the nation.

Produced by NJBIZ, New Jersey’s premiere business news publication, the awards program is sponsored by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Hackensack University Medical Center, Comcast Business, New Jersey Hospital Association, WithumSmith+Brown, PC, MD Online, and Comcast Spotlight. The Healthcare Heroes awards finalists will be recognized and the winner in each category will be announced during a breakfast awards ceremony on June 24, 2014 at the Palace in Somerset Park in Somerset, New Jersey.

May 21, 2014

President and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health Honored by ACHE-NJ

William A. McDonald, President and Chief Executive Officer at St. Joseph’s Health, has been selected to receive the prestigious American College of Healthcare Executives-NJ 2014 Distinguished Service Award.

ACHE-NJ presents this award each year in recognition of the personal and professional contributions of a senior level New Jersey healthcare leader who has made a significant difference in the quality of and access to healthcare for the state's residents. The award will be presented at ACHE-NJ’s Annual Meeting on June 4th at the Johnson and Johnson Corporate Center in New Brunswick.

“We are proud to honor William A. McDonald as the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Service Award. Bill is a dynamic executive whose career is punctuated with successes that have greatly impacted St. Joseph’s Health, the residents and communities of northern New Jersey, and the health care industry in our state,” said Scott Serbin, President, ACHE-NJ.

As President and CEO, Mr. McDonald has operational responsibility for St. Joseph’s Health. The system is comprised of two inpatient hospital campuses, St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, a major academic tertiary care facility which includes comprehensive specialized St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Paterson, and acute care St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center in Wayne, as well as St. Joseph's Nursing Home in Cedar Grove, Visiting Health Services based in Totowa, and more than 50 ambulatory sites conveniently located across northern New Jersey.

A highly respected seasoned healthcare executive with more than three decades of expertise and experience, Mr. McDonald was appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, the flagship of the St. Joseph’s Health in May 2004, and was named to his current position in 2006, at which time he became a permanent St. Joseph’s employee.

Prior to coming to St. Joseph’s, Mr. McDonald was senior vice president of The Hunter Group and served in a number of chief executive officer and management roles with them. His professional executive level experience at major health care organizations includes a 13 hospital system in Oklahoma organized around a clinical integrated model, as well as Hermann Hospital, Houston, Texas; Miami Children’s Hospital, Miami, Florida; and the University of Texas Medical Schools Hospital in Dallas, Texas.

With tremendous expertise and foresight, Mr. McDonald has led the strategic development and implementation of sound policies and practices that have resulted in a balanced and reinvigorated St. Joseph’s Health. This organizational rebirth and economic recovery is punctuated by the Healthcare System’s tremendous strength and vitality, while repositioning the organization’s future direction, designed for future success, heightened viability and sustainability.

May 27, 2014

About American College of Healthcare Executives-NJ

ACHE-NJ is a chapter member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, an international professional society of more than 35,000 healthcare executives who lead hospitals, healthcare systems and other healthcare organizations. ACHE’s established network of more than 80 chapters provides access to networking, education and career development at the local level.

Castrol and John Force Racing dedicated the delivery of a WT-960 TRAN-SIT^® Car Transfer Simulator to be used at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Wayne, NJ. Numerous dignitaries from Castrol and St. Joseph’s Hospital were on hand for the occasion.

The state-of-the-art and high-tech WT-960 TRAN-SIT^® Car Transfer Simulator will forever change how patients can reclaim their independence by providing them a convenient and safe method of regaining their basic driving skills within a controlled environment.

“The simulated car or vehicle that we have on the unit will allow our patients the freedom and ability to get back on the road as well as feel safe about it. They will also be safe for other passengers and other drivers. The fact that John and Brittany Force came out today to support this product and show that there is a need for rehabilitation equipment like this. We are very grateful to them and Castrol BP,” said Dr. Massod, Medical Director of the Acute Rehabilitation Unit.

Daryl Benton, US Marketing Director with Castrol, was also in attendance and spoke about the Castrol EDGE brand and how it ties to “Performance” and “Driven Stronger”.

“A brand like Castrol EDGE is all about driving performance and by introducing John and Brittany Force that drive these high-performance vehicles, it's a natural fit,” said Benton. “For John to tell his story about recovery and rehabilitation and how he worked with a vehicle simulator that help to bring him back to win two more NHRA Funny Car championships is inspirational.”

Article and photo courtesy of JFRacing.

March 6, 2014

Eileen M. Clifford, SC, MD, is the recipient of the 2014 Distinguished Health Care Service Award, Passaic County, to be presented by the Northern New Jersey Council, Boy Scouts of America, at the organization’s 22nd Annual Distinguished Health Care Service Awards Dinner on June 3, 2014 at Mayfair Farms, West Orange, NJ. The dinner is conducted annually by the Northern New Jersey Council, Boy Scouts of America, and is co-sponsored by medical societies, hospitals, and other health-related organizations in the four counties of northeastern New Jersey.

“St. Joseph’s Health is pleased to join the Northern New Jersey Council, Boy Scouts of America, in saluting Dr. Eileen Clifford for her outstanding commitment and efforts on behalf of the communities of Passaic County. She is an exemplary physician and an inspirational leader,” stated William A. McDonald, President and Chief Executive Officer at St. Joseph’s Health.

Dr. Clifford is the Medical Director of Care Management at St. Joseph’s Health.

Born in Long Island City, New York and raised in Teaneck, New Jersey, she joined the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth in 1958. Dr. Clifford began her studies at the St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in Paterson in 1961 and upon receiving her degree in Nursing, she continued her education at Seton Hall University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1966. For eight years, she provided superior care to patients at St. Joseph’s Hospital serving as a head nurse and later as manager of the outpatient department.

In 1970, Sister Ellen made the decision, in conjunction with her religious congregation, to pursue further education. A suggestion was made that she pursue a medical degree rather than Nursing Administration. She attended Montclair State College taking Pre-Med courses and subsequently attended New Jersey College of Medicine and Dentistry receiving her medical degree in 1977. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine in 1980 and in her final year of residency served as Chief Medical Resident at Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark.

Upon completion of her residency, Dr. Clifford joined St. Joseph’s University Medical Center as an Attending Physician at the Family Health Center continuing in that role until 1987. For the following 19 years she served as a physician in private practice at Medical Internists Associates, Fair Lawn, NJ.

In 2006, Dr. Clifford began her current role as the Medical Director of Care Management for St. Joseph’s Health. A highly regarded physician leader, Dr. Clifford has served as a member, officer and then president of the Medical Board at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center. Dr. Clifford continues to share her expertise as a member of the medical staff serving on many committees of the Healthcare System. In addition, Dr. Clifford served on a variety of non-profit organization boards, including the Board of Trustees at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, New York and St. Joseph’s Health in Paterson. She is presently on the board of Trinitas Hospital, Elizabeth, NJ. She serves on the board of the Emmaus House, Ocean Grove, NJ as well as Eva's Village in Paterson, NJ.

In 2007, Dr. Clifford was honored by the St. Joseph’s University Medical Center Foundation as a recipient of the Kendrick P. Lance, MD, Distinguished Physician Award, which is presented each year to a dedicated St. Joseph’s physician.

Dr. Clifford, as a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, is a shining representative of the outstanding women who founded and have sponsored the St. Joseph’s Health since 1867. Previous Distinguished Health Care Service Award honorees affiliated with St. Joseph’s Health include Walid Baddoura, MD; Joseph Holahan, MD; Michael Lamacchia, MD; Anthony Losardo, MD; Vincent McInerney, MD; James Pruden, MD; and Joseph Shami, MD.

June 2, 2014

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital is a state designated specialized children’s hospital at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center provides advanced care for children from birth to 21-years-of-age. One of the first pediatric hospitals designated by the State, St. Joseph’s offers a full spectrum of specialty and subspecialty services including Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units, a dedicated Pediatric Emergency Room as well as the Regional Craniofacial Center, Center for Feeding and Swallowing Disorders, Concussion Center, Cystic Fibrosis Center and global telemedicine conferencing programs. Children’s Hospital services are conveniently available in Clifton, Fair Lawn, Hoboken, Paramus, Paterson and Wayne.