The Division of Adolescent Medicine at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital places particular emphasis on assessing the psychosocial development of adolescents; their interaction with peers, teachers and family members; and their ability to make the transition to adulthood. Special attention is given to prevention, health guidance, screenings and immunizations. The Division also provides care of adolescents with menstrual and other gynecological problems. 

Directed by Pediatric Board Certified Pediatricians with special training in Adolescent Medicine, this service treats both inpatients and outpatients between 13 and 21 years of age.  The Division provides outpatient services through the Pediatric Primary Care Department at the DePaul Center and inpatient consultations at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.

Contact Information
Appointments: 973.754.2523/973.754.2575
Referral/Fax: 973.754.2579
Jennifer Chuang, MD, Chief, Adolescent Medicine

St. Joseph's Health has announced the expansion of its genetic programs and the opening of its advanced Neurogenetics and Lysosomal Storage Disease Center. Devoted to leading edge treatment and research providing comprehensive and compassionate care for patients – children and adults – affected by rare genetic diseases and disorders, services are currently available at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital and St. Joseph's University Medical Center in Paterson, NJ.

"Due to the rapid expansion of molecular genetics into clinical medicine, there is a growing need for evaluation of pediatric and adult patients with inherited and neurodegenerative disorders," stated Punita Gupta, MD, a Board-certified clinical geneticist, Chief of the Genetics Division at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital and Co-Director of the Lysosomal Storage Disease Center at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital/St. Joseph's University Medical Center. "The ever-expanding list of diagnostic possibilities and available tests can seem overwhelming to patients in need of assessment – that's where the multidisciplinary team at St. Joseph's steps in and leads the way," she added.

An expert in the care of patients with genetic rare disorders, Dr. Gupta also provides clinical and leadership expertise as the Director of The Alfiero and Lucia Palestroni Birth Defects Center at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, as well as overseeing several multispecialty centers at St. Joseph's, including the Prader-Willi Center, The Neurofibromatosis Diagnostic & Treatment Program, the Turner Syndrome Program and the Down Syndrome Program. Recognized as a leader in the care of children with genetics disorders, the Genetics Division at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital provides a full range of advanced services, including pediatric evaluations, prenatal genetic counseling and cancer genetic counseling.

Dr. Gupta completed her residency at the University of Illinois in Chicago, her genetics fellowship at Columbia University and an additional neurogenetics fellowship at NYU Langone Medical Center with special training in lysosomal storage diseases. She is experienced in enzyme replacement therapy and an active participant in clinical trials for lysosomal storage diseases.

The Neurogenetics and Lysosomal Storage Disease Center at St. Joseph's provides diagnostic, evaluation, management and treatment services for patients with known or suspected neurogenetics disorders. This includes consultation and counseling for patients and their families, input to physicians regarding their patients with neurogenetics disorders, and coordination of appropriate testing and care management of neurogenetic diseases. 

Patient referrals are appropriate for children and adults with Gaucher disease, Pompe disease, autism, neurological disorders, MPSI Type 1, MPSIII, IV and VI, Familial Alzheimer's disease, congenital heart disease, skeletal dysplasia and a wide range of congenital anomalies.

Photo Caption:

Recognized as a leader in the care of children with genetics disorders, the Genetics Division at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital provides a full range of advanced services including prenatal genetic counseling led here by Punita Gupta, MD, a Board-certified clinical geneticist, Chief of the Genetics Division at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital and Co-Director of the Lysosomal Storage Disease Center at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital/St. Joseph's University Medical Center (center) and Loren Pugliesi, Genetic Counselor, Genetics Division at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital (right).

April 30, 2014

PATERSON, NJ [February 14, 2014] - St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, Paterson, NJ, a member of St. Joseph’s Health, has been named among of the nation’s Top 30 Nurse-Friendly Hospitals by the “Top RN to BSN” website (www.toprntobsn.com).

The prestigious Top 30 Nurse-Friendly Hospitals list showcases the hospitals across the country that are the most nurse-friendly, based on evaluation of the benefits, programs, facilities and overall work environments available to nursing staff. St. Joseph’s University Medical Center’s honors narrative includes the additional statement: St. Joseph’s “proved its excellence in enhancing the practice of nursing in 2010 when it became the only facility in the world to win the ultimate Magnet honor, the Magnet Prize, that year.”

“St. Joseph’s University Medical Center is honored to be recognized among the Top 30 Nurse-Friendly Hospitals in the United States. We are proud of the vibrant and fulfilling work environment at St. Joseph’s Health and our culture of caring for our employees and our patients. The members of our St. Joseph’s employee family – which includes more than 800 nurses - are highly respected and regarded for their expertise and quality of character, and encouraged to excel, personally, professionally and on behalf of our organization,” stated William A. McDonald, President and Chief Executive Office at St. Joseph’s Health.

St. Joseph’s, ranked 22nd overall, is joined by other top tier organizations including Johns Hopkins Hospital (MD), Mayo Clinic (MN), Cleveland Clinic (OH), Cedar-Sinai Medical Center (CA), Baylor University Medical Center (TX) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MA). St. Joseph’s University Medical Center is one of only two New York - New Jersey hospitals selected for the Top 30 Nurse-Friendly Hospitals list.

“It’s fortunate, then, that there are many [hospitals] within the U.S. that really value their nursing staff, providing employees with a host of benefits, support teams and outstanding work environments, all designed to welcome fresh personnel and make them feel valued,” noted Amy Bell of Top RN to BSN. “Many of these hospitals have received awards for the quality of their nursing staff and practices, perhaps spurring new nurses to go that extra mile. Besides which, a lot of these facilities also offer educational, training and career advancement programs.”

“St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, which includes St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, is a major academic tertiary medical center recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center since 1999 as a Magnet for Nursing Excellence organization. St. Joseph’s truly strives to create an enriching and fulfilling nurse-friendly environment for our nursing staff,” stated Maria Brennan, DNP, RN, CPHQ, Chief Nursing Officer, St. Joseph’s Health, and Vice President, Patient Care Services, St. Joseph’s University Medical Center.

February 14, 2014

For Carolyn Deni, a resident at St. Joseph's Nursing Home (SVNH), a member of St. Joseph’s Health in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, age isn’t a number you hide, but rather one you gladly share – along with the memories of years gone by.  At 107 years of age, Carolyn has lived a long and exciting life. Originally of Holyoke, Massachusetts, she is the eldest and only surviving of 9 children born to Sicilian immigrants. From early on, Carolyn had a passion for fashion and worked as a model while still living in Massachusetts. In the early 1940’s, she moved to Manhattan, New York, where she worked as a Sales Manager for a stationary company and later as a buyer for Macy’s. Carolyn never married and never had any children. She lived in Manhattan alone until she was 99 years old – over 50 years – before moving to SVNH in New Jersey in 2006.

“She has obviously gotten great care here at St. Joseph's. She is very happy and treated wonderfully well,” said Holly Deni (resident of Little Falls), Carolyn’s niece, in regards to her Aunt’s continued longevity. Holly, who visits her aunt often, came by to help celebrate and Carolyn was noticeably thrilled. Holly served her aunt a piece of chocolate birthday cake, her favorite, and reveled, “That’s another secret to a long life... never say no to a piece of cake.” With a big bite and a wide smile Carolyn then looked around the room and said, “Everything is beautiful.”

Pictured with Ms. Deni in celebration of her birthday are (left to right) Holly Deni; and Edgardo Adoptante, Activities Assistant, SVNH.

January 28, 2014

St. Joseph’s Health Leader Honored by the Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce

PATERSON, NJ - William A. McDonald, President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph’s Health (SJH) is the recipient of the prestigious 2014 Faith in Paterson award presented by the Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce (GPCC) during the Chamber’s 105th Annual Gala on Saturday, January 25, 2014. The Faith in Paterson award is presented to a person or business that has demonstrated an exceptional investment in the Greater Paterson economy through development, programs and other initiatives.

“I am truly honored to receive the prestigious Faith in Paterson award, positive recognition and appreciation that St. Joseph’s efforts to revolutionize healthcare is also revitalizing our community,” stated Mr. McDonald. “For nearly 150 years, St. Joseph’s Health has been a staple of the City of Paterson and a leader in our state’s healthcare industry. St. Joseph’s is an outstanding healthcare resource and faith-based advocate, driven by a strong mission and global vision that will remain focused on providing the best services available,” he added.

To meet a growing demand for inpatient and outpatient services, Mr. McDonald spearheaded a major $250 million facilities renovation and expansion of St. Joseph’s University Medical Center highlighted by the completion of the new ultramodern Critical Care Building with pediatric, adult and geriatric emergency departments, multiple critical care floors, operating suites and a roof-top helipad. Projects also include the regional medical center’s main lobby and conference center with circular drive and adjacent parking garage, an outpatient lobby entrance and reception area, the DePaul Ambulatory Care Center for adult and pediatric outpatients, and renovation of all patient care units.

Revitalization in South Paterson includes initiatives surrounding the hospital in Redevelopment Area Number 11, for which St. Joseph’s University Medical Center was designated official developer several years ago by the City of Paterson. In addition to projects taking place on the hospital campus itself, Area 11 redevelopment projects include a medical high school, luxury style housing at Barclay and Courtland Streets, condominiums at Courtland and Camden Streets, behavioral health residential housing on Barclay Street, professional office space at Main and Levine Streets, a Walgreens Pharmacy on Main Street, medical office space at Hine Street, and an adult day care facility on Marshall Street.

St. Joseph’s Health received designation as a clinical branch campus of New York Medical College, a member of the Touro College and University System in the Fall of 2013. According to GPCC President Jamie Dykes, the Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce is honoring Mr. McDonald and his work at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center because of the tremendous leadership, “in developing the area around the hospital. Paterson will not only greatly benefit from the added services, but also from the amount of jobs that will become available through St. Joseph’s initiatives as well as a significant boost to Paterson’s tax base.”

Mr. McDonald received his undergraduate degree in Administration of Justice/Criminology from the University of Pittsburgh and his Masters in Healthcare Administration from Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas. He was named Interim Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, the flagship of St. Joseph’s Health in May 2004. He was subsequently named President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph’s Health in 2006, bringing more than 30 years of expertise and experience in executive level healthcare management to his position at St. Joseph’s.

“Since joining the St. Joseph’s Health family ten years ago, it has been my privilege and priority to enhance the scope of services and environments for healing at St. Joseph’s, while also enhancing our greater campus and the neighboring South Paterson community,” added Mr. McDonald.

January 22, 2014

St. Joseph’s Health…
Extraordinary Care. Remarkable People.

As one of New Jersey’s leading health systems, our patients are at the center of everything we do at St. Joseph’s Health.

Founded by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth in 1867, St. Joseph’s stands on a proud history and unwavering commitment to its mission and values.  Over the decades, our organization has been a driving force in our surrounding communities, helping families celebrate some of life’s greatest moments - and overcome some of life’s most difficult challenges.

At the heart of our health system are two award-winning medical centers and a new state-of-the-art outpatient campus.  The system is further supported by a network of outstanding physicians and a host of imaging, physical therapy and urgent care centers located across northern New Jersey.  Our clinical services and programs are consistently recognized and ranked among the best in New Jersey and across the region. We have earned the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet designation six times, putting us in the top 1% of hospitals across the U.S. This designation recognizes our extraordinary nursing division and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing outstanding care to you and your family.

But above all else, St. Joseph’s Health is known far and wide for its amazing culture, shaped by its remarkable people.  We embrace a deep sense of respect and commitment for each and every person that places their confidence in our care.

Thank you for choosing us for your healthcare needs.

Dustin Riccio, M.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer
St. Joseph’s Health