COMMUNITY CALENDAR

April 2015

Specialized Surgical Services

for Children
T
oday The Childrens Hospital at Saint
Peters University Hospital is one of
only nine state-designated acute-care
childrens hospitals.

on micro-preemies who
weigh a few hundred
grams to hernia repairs on
overweight teenagers.

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.

Dr. Gallucci and I provide

24/7 availability to our
patients and their families,
adds Dr. Palder. Every
Steven Palder, MD
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.

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.
John G. Gallucci, MD

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

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 anesthesiologists 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.
James Sperrazza, MD

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 Howard Lakritz, MD
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).
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

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).

zheimers/Dementia Caregivers Support Group

JULY 13, 10:00 AM 11:30 AM

nt Peters Adult Day Center

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.

SUPPORT
GROUPS
Autism Family Support Group
APRIL 12, 3:00 pM 5:00 pM
877-886-9462

Alzheimers/Dementia Caregivers
Support Group
APRIL 9, 10:00 AM 11:30 AM
Saint Peters Adult Day Center
200 Overlook Drive, Monroe Township
Rachel Kallish, CSW 609-655-6853

Bariatric Surgery Support Group

APRIL 2, 6:00 PM 7:00 PM

COMMUNITY
MOBILE HEALTH
Services
For more information about

surgery
APRIL 6, 1:00 PM

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

Lisa Lapinski, RD 732-745-8600, x8159

St. George Episcopal Church, Helmetta

Bereavement Support Group

APRIL 16, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM

APRIL 10, 11:00 AM 12:30 pM

732-745-8565

FREE
COMMUNITY
LECTUREs
latest technology for cataract

Saint Peters Adult Day Center

200 Overlook Drive, Monroe Township
Stephanie Fitzsimmons-Sexton, RN, NP
609-655-2220

SHARE Support Group

(for those who have suffered miscarriage, stillbirth

or neonatal death)

APRIL 9, 7:00 PM 9:00 PM

Irina Mariano-Brown, MSW, LCSW

732-745-8522

Elijahs Promise Soup Kitchen, New Brunswick

APRIL 6 & 20, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM

New Brunswick Senior Center

Guest speaker and open discussion.

Registration required.
Cancer Institute of New Jersey
Deborah Leif, MSW, LCSW 732-235-7011

APRIL 15, 11:00 AM 12:30 pM

Edison Senior Center

APRIL 29, noon 1:30 pM

Gynecologic Cancer Support Group

APRIL 10, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM

Ships I Soup Kitchen @ St. Johns, Somerville

Bone Density Screening

APRIL 9, 11:30 AM 1:00 PM

Cancer Institute of New Jersey 732-235-6792

Latina Women with Cancer

Support Group
APRIL 11, 10:00 AM 1:00 PM

Manville Senior Center.

Residents only.

Cholesterol Screening
APRIL 11, 9:00 AM noon

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.

Woodbridge Township Health Center

DIABETES
EDUCATION

Health Fair
APRIL 12, 9:30 AM 12:30 PM

Childrens Insulin Pump Group

APRIL 13, 6:30 PM 8:30 PM
732-745-8600, x8751

Diabetes Self-Management Education

HELD MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS
Registration and doctors prescription required.
732-745-6667

Gestational Diabetes
Self-Management Class
HELD WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAYS

Registration and a doctors prescription required.

732-745-6667

APRIL 13, 3:00 PM

Rossmoor Adult Community, Monroe Township

Residents only.

CANCER
Support
Breast Cancer Support Group

APRIL 10, 9:30 AM 10:30 AM

Caregivers Support Group/Monroe

APRIL 9, 1:30 PM 3:00 PM

Presenter: April McCullough, MD, ophthalmologist

Greenbriar@Whittingham, Monroe Township
Residents only.

Living with Cancer Support Group

APRIL 8 & 27, 7:00 PM 8:30 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

APRIL 22, 10:00 AM noon

APRIL 26, 9:00 AM 1:00 PM

Breastfeeding Class
APRIL 18, 9:00 AM 11:30 AM
Breastfeeding Support Group
APRIL 3, 1:00 PM 2:30 PM
Marvelous Multiples
APRIL 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)

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

FRIDAYS, 6:00 PM 7:15 PM

Registration required.

Prenatal Yoga and Exercise Class

(four-week sessions)

WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS

7:00 PM 8:30 PM
Registration required.

Prepared Childbirth Classes

MONDAYS, THURSDAYS, or ALL-DAY
SESSIONS SECOND AND FOURTH
WEEKENDS

maternity tourS
View 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.

american Diabetes
association alert
week event
thursday, april 2
noon - 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 6
11:00 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.

ciclovia

sunday, april 19
11:00 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.

New Brunswick campuses. Staff of Saint Peters

Community Mobile Health Services and hospital
departments will provide education and health
screenings. Call 732-565-5496.

Vantage Apparel, Avenel. Residents only.

SHARE YOUR BABYS PHOTO ON OUR BILLBOARD

For more information, and to register, call Lisa

Lapinski, RD, at 732-745-8600, x8159.

PARENT
EDUCATION
For information, fees and registration, call Parent
Baby Care
APRIL 6 & 13, 7:00 PM 9:30 PM

Saint Peters Physician Associates

Clearbrook Commons Medical and Professional Park
294 Applegarth Road, Monroe Township
Call 732-745-8600, x8105, for more information.

THURSday, april 2
7:15 PM - 9:30 PM

rutgers day

Education at 732-745-8579, unless otherwise indicated.

Franklin Township Senior Center

bariatric WEIGHT LOSS

SEMINAR

Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Barbara Hale, LCSW 732-235-7557

Hearing Screening
APRIL 8, 1:30 PM 5:30 PM

Diabetes Education Support Group/

Monroe

SPECIAL EVENTS

Registration required.

Sibling Class
APRIL 18, 12:30 pM 1:30 pM

saturday, april 25
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

annual gala

saint 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 Series

thursday, april 30
7:00 pm
topic: abuse awareness

Free; refreshments served. CEU credits.

Call 908-238-3254 to register.

SAVE THE DATE

just for the health

of it
saturday, may 2
noon - 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 park
sunday, may 3
9:00 aM

Highland Park High School. Call 732-745-8600,

x8551.

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.

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

Catholic hospital sponsored by the Diocese of Metuchen

| State-designated childrens hospital and regional perinatal center

| Affiliate of The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia

Major clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences