PATCO AWARDED $12.6 MILLION “BUILD” TRANSPORTATION GRANT

Project identified by U.S. Department of Transportation to have significant regional impact.

The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) announced today that it will receive a $12,580,000.00 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for its

PATCO Franklin Square Station Reopening Project

. The project will revitalize and reopen an existing rail station consistent with modern Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

The USDOT awarded the grant under the Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) program. Previously known as the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program, BUILD grants provide opportunities for USDOT to invest in roads and other projects that have a significant local or regional impact.

“This BUILD grant will help the Delaware River Port Authority to re-open Franklin Square Station, giving Philadelphians more transit options,” said U.S. Senator Bob Casey. “The funding will contribute to necessary upgrades for the station and will serve new residential and commercial growth in the area. I was proud to advocate on behalf of DRPA for this important project for the Philadelphia metropolitan area.”

“PATCO is excited to be a recipient of a 2019 BUILD grant,” said John D. Rink, PATCO General Manager. “It is a testament of the importance that the Franklin Square Station Project has to the community and the continued economic development in our region.”

In September 2018, PATCO announced plans to reopen its shuttered Franklin Square Station located beneath Franklin Square Park. Construction on rehabilitating the existing station is expected to begin in late 2020 with an opening date in Summer 2023. The work covered under the project will allow the station to become fully functional and in-line with the existing PATCO stations. The project will address improvements to the station’s civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical systems and will provide access in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. In order to reach the concourse area, a new head house building will be constructed where the previous head house was located at the corner of 7th & Race Streets. The total budget for the project is $30 million.

“The BUILD grant comes at an exciting time for the DRPA and its transportation infrastructure investments,” said Michael P. Venuto, DRPA Chief Engineer. “DRPA’s Capital Budget is approximately $200 million in 2020 with a total spending of $810 million over the next five years. The grant enables the DRPA and PATCO to further advance its mission of world-class stewards of transportation assets.”

“On behalf of the DRPA and PATCO, I would like to thank the Department of Transportation and Senator Casey for recognizing the importance of the Franklin Square Project,” said John T. Hanson, DRPA CEO and PATCO President. “BUILD grants provide infrastructure funding to better connect communities, and connecting people is at the heart of what we do every day at DRPA and PATCO.”

For more information about the 2019 BUILD Transportation Grant program, please visit

www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants

. For more information about the Franklin Square Reopening Project, please visit

RidePATCO.org/projects

CNBNews Tips/Snippets: Growing Up Gloucester; White Supremacist a Fireman; Graffiti Problem in City

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews

GROWING UP GLOUCESTER-

-Back in the day, everyone knew everyone in Gloucester City. In those days it wouldn\’t be unusual if you even knew some members of the outlaw Pagan\’s MC, who had one of the first chapters in the state located in Gloucester City. The head of that chapter was a childhood friend of my wife Connie. He went through the local school system and graduated with her and other members of the GHS Class of \’62.

New Jersey Crime Investigators Say Pagan\’s MC Expanding Into State

After we got married we lived in one of the row homes in the 700 block of Powell Street. This one particular day in 1967, Connie was sitting outside on the front step

with two of our kids who were no more than babies at the time. A roar of motorcycles come riding up Powell Street heading east towards Broadway. There were 20 or more guys dressed in dungaree jackets with Pagan etc written on the back.

It was a scary sight.

At the head of the pack was this guy with shades on with a goat tee and a fu man mustache wearing a Viking helmet with two horns. He had pythons for biceps and his arms were decorated with tats from his shoulders down to his wrists. He and some of the

others drive pass Connie when the guy in the front, apparently the leader, suddenly raises his hand signaling everyone to stop.

Fond Memories of Growing Up in Gloucester City/South Jersey Area and The Geator

The leader turns his big Harley around and drives up on the sidewalk stopping in front of Connie and the kids. The guy with the Viking helmet jumps off the cycle gives her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She didn’t realize who it was until he removed his helmet; it was her childhood friend and classmate.

GROWING UP GLOUCESTER–The Cleary Family celebrating Christmas in the 1950s

In the meantime, traffic is backed up on the street in both directions as the members remained on their cycles. None of the neighbors came outside. Instead, you could see them peeking out their blinds no doubt wondering what was happening. After five minutes or so the leader of the pack jumps on his Harley and drives to the front of the line signaling everyone to follow him. You could hear their Harleys roar all the way to Broadway and beyond.

Related: Gloucester City History

Finding a parking spot on Powell Street in front of your house was a daily challenge but after that day we never had a problem. The spot was always open for our car. I always wondered if that day we had the leader of the local Pagans visit our family had anything to do with it.

GROWING UP GLOUCESTER–from left to right, Billy Hampton, Marie Connoley, Trudy Bodenschatz, Tom Ferry and Ed Ferry. Location 8th and Division Streets. Check out the shorts the two Ferry boys are wearing? Sixty plus years ago if you were a kid your underwear could also be worn for your summer shorts. And nobody cared. Of course, if your Dad or Grandpop tried to get away with running outside in their underwear, there was a good chance they would go to jail.

WHITE SUPREMACIST WAS A FIREMAN-

–

Brooklawn resident Richard Tobin who was arrested last week for allegedly conspiring with a hate group against the rights of minorities and Jewish people, was a member of the local

volunteer fire department, according to several news outlets including

NJ.com

Brooklawn Fire Chief John McKinney told the media that Tobin had been a fireman for less than a year.

Federal authorities said Tobin expressed a desire to attack African-Americans. He is accused of telling people to vandalize Midwest synagogues.

Tobin was originally part of the fire company’s “Fire Service Explorers” program, a Boy Scouts of America program that introduces adolescents to a firefighting career, the chief said. A March 2018 Brooklawn fire company Facebook post congratulated Tobin on completing the Camden County College Fire Academy Junior Firefighter course. The chief said that he never had any issues with the 18-year-old.

Tobin told investigators that he was thinking about going to a North Jersey mall and attack African Americans with a machete. He blamed his hatred on all the turmoil in the United States.

McKinney said there was never an issue with Tobin. The chief declined further comment. On Monday, Tobin was still listed on the borough’s website as a member of the exploring program, but his name was removed by Tuesday.

Brooklawn Police Chief Shamus Ellis echoed those remarks, \”Prior to this investigation, I don\’t believe we have had any negative encounters with Tobin.\”

Alleged White Supremacist from Brooklawn Charged with Wanting to Kill Blacks, Jews, and Gays

According to the criminal complaint, Tobin allegedly directed members of a “white racially motivated violent extremist group\” to vandalize minority-owned properties through online platforms and encrypted messaging applications. The complaint did not identify the group but described it as a far-right group that has “proclaimed war against minority communities within the United States and abroad.\”

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported

that Tobin was acting as a member of The Base, a neo-Nazi group that “trains members in violence at ‘hate camps,’”

according to The Daily Beast

Tobin allegedly directed the group’s \”Great Lakes Cell” from his Brooklawn home, ordering an “Operation

Kristallnacht,” a reference to Nov. 9 to 10, 1938

, when Nazis in Germany burned down synagogues, vandalized Jewish homes and businesses and killed about 100 Jewish people.

GRAFFITI PROBLEM IN CITY

–A Gloucester City community activist, who wants to remain anonymous, submitted several photos of unsightly graffiti on Nicholson Road under the 676 overpass. The individual believes by bringing attention to the graffiti someone in the highway department or some other department will remove it.

If you have a Tip or story idea send it to CNBNews1@gmail.com. Your name will not be published if you request to remain anonymous.

Graffiti in Gloucester City

Rutgers-Camden Women Tie Mark by Raising Record to 4-0

CAMDEN CITY, N.J. (Nov. 23, 2019) – The Rutgers University-Camden women’s basketball team built a 13-point second-half lead, saw Arcadia University whittle its deficit to one point and hung on to defeat the Knights, 59-55, here Saturday afternoon in the Scarlet Raptors’ home opener.

The win lifts Rutgers-Camden to 4-0, tying the best start in program history, which now has been accomplished four times – during the 1981-82, 1991-92 and 2016-17 seasons before this year. The Raptors will try to set a new program standard Tuesday when they open their New Jersey Athletic Conference schedule with a 6 p.m. game at Rowan University.

The loss snapped Arcadia’s three-game winning streak, dropping the Knights to 3-3 this season.

In a tight first half, the Scarlet Raptors inched ahead to establish a 34-27 halftime lead, led by 17 points from senior guard

Fatimah Williams.

Sophomore guard/forward

Tamara Johnson

collected nine first-half points.

The Scarlet Raptors appeared to pull away in the third quarter, opening up their biggest lead of the game, 50-37, on a three-pointer by Johnson with 17 seconds left in the period. Arcadia cut that margin to 50-38 on a foul shot by sophomore guard Julia Makowski by the end of the quarter.

Led by senior guard Taylor Dunn, the Knights started heating up in the final quarter as they charged back into the game. Dunn scored Arcadia’s first eight points of the quarter and assisted on a field goal by sophomore guard Sidney Barrer as they sliced the gape to 56-50 with 4:07 remaining. A pair of foul shots by Makowski and a three-point play by sophomore forward Holly Daveski made it a 56-55 game with 1:02 left.

Arcadia had a chance to take the lead, but committed a turnover with 11 seconds remaining and Raptor junior guard

Shane Holmes

drained a clutch three-pointer, making it a 58-55 game with seven seconds remaining. Moments later, Dunn missed a potential game-tying three-point attempt and Raptor freshman guard/forward

Jalissa Pitts

grabbed the rebound and was fouled. She provided the final margin on a foul shot with three seconds remaining.

Williams finished with a game-high 20 points for Rutgers-Camden, while adding a game-high 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the year. The 10 rebounds tied a career high, accomplished three previous times.

Johnson tied her career scoring high with 16 points, set against Penn State-Lehigh Valley on Nov. 15, and Holmes finished with 13 points and team-high totals of five assists and four steals.

Arcadia received 19 points, four steals and a game-high six assists from Dunn. Makowski added 11 points.

Rutgers-Camden shot 20-for-55 (36.4 percent) from the floor, including 7-for-18 (38.9) from three-point range. Johnson had four treys, while Holmes added three. The Raptors also were 12-for-17 (70.6) from the foul line, led by Williams, who shot 8-for-11 from the charity stripe.

Arcadia shot 17-for-49 (34.7) from the floor, including 5-for-16 (31.3) from three-point range. The Knights were 16-for-19 (84.2) from the foul line.

Arcadia held a 38-31 advantage off the boards, but also made four more turnovers than Rutgers-Camden (18-14).

MD Anderson at Cooper Leading the Way in Pancreatic Cancer in SJ

CAMDEN CITY, NJ (Nov. 21, 2019)–Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of

cancer death in the United States and the second most common gastrointestinal cancer in the U.S.

There are two types of pancreas cancer:

pancreatic adenocarcinoma

, which makes up more than 95% of all pancreatic cancers, and the rarer

pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor

. The symptoms and treatments for neuroendocrine tumors are different than those of pancreatic adenocarcinomas. For this article we will focus on pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

photo Jamin C Morrison, MD

“There are several reasons mortality rates related to pancreatic cancer are so high,” says

Jamin Morrison, MD

, medical oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper.

“Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive cancer and it generally spreads silently, without symptoms,” says Morrison. “About 80% of pancreatic cancers are diagnosed after the cancer has spread to other organs, which makes them hard to treat.”

“The pancreas is set deep inside the body, behind several other organs, making it difficult to feel or see without special equipment,” he explains.

“Also, there are no screening tests for pancreatic cancer for those at average risk,” Dr. Morrison continues. “Screening is generally limited to people at high risk, such as those with certain inherited

Your pancreas is about 6 inches long and lies horizontally behind the lower part of your stomach back toward the spine. The pancreas is an essential organ in the digestive process. It produces enzymes that aid in digestion and it makes insulin and other hormones that help the body manage sugar.

gene mutations.”

Advanced Treatment Options

Treatment for pancreatic cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, interventional radiology procedures, or a combination of these options. “Coordinated, multidisciplinary care like we have at MD Anderson at Cooper is crucial to good outcomes,” says Dr. Morrison.

“Today we are able to offer some exciting new chemotherapy regimens that are more effective in treating pancreatic cancer than ever before,” says Dr. Morrison. “There have been great advances in our understanding of how pancreatic cancers behave, and the more we know about the cancer the more effective treatment can be.

“We often treat patients with an aggressive chemotherapy regimen before surgery to shrink the tumor and make the surgery more effective,” he explains. “And we have a new clinical trial underway where we are delivering chemotherapy directly into the tumor.”

photo Francis R Spitz, MD, FACS

When pancreatic cancer is confined to the pancreas, and sometimes when it has spread only to nearby lymph nodes, the tumor can be removed with surgery. “Complete removal of the tumor with surgery is often the best chance at curing pancreatic cancer,” says

Frank Spitz, MD, FACS

, Director of the Pancreatic Cancer Program and Deputy Director of MD Anderson at Cooper.

“Research shows that patients who have their surgery at high volume centers like MD Anderson at Cooper have fewer complications and lower mortality,” says Dr. Spitz. “Our team performs the most pancreatic cancer surgeries in South Jersey. The experience of our surgeons and team makes a difference.”

The most common technique used to remove a pancreatic tumor is known as the

Whipple procedure

. This complex operation is performed when the cancer is located in the pancreatic head. The surgery involves removal of parts of the pancreas, intestine, nearby lymph nodes, gallbladder, bile duct, and sometimes parts of the stomach. Often, we can offer minimally invasive surgery for tumors located in the body and tail of the pancreas – which means smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays, less pain, and a faster return to normal activities.

Advanced radiation therapy technologies are also being used to treat pancreatic cancer at MD Anderson at Cooper.

David J Mulvihill, MD

“Patients with pancreatic cancer can receive radiation treatments before or after surgery; either to shrink the tumor pre-operatively or destroy any remaining cancer cells after surgery. Radiation therapy can also be used to destroy the tumor if surgery is not an option or to ease symptoms,” says

David Mulvihill, MD

, radiation oncologist at MD Anderson at Cooper.

In spring 2020, MD Anderson at Cooper will be one of the first centers in the U.S. to offer a ground-breaking new radiation treatment to patients with pancreatic and other cancers – the MR Linac.

“We’re very excited about this technology,” says Mulvihill. “It allows for greater precision during treatment, especially with tumors that move during breathing and/or the body’s natural internal movements.”

“Pancreatic cancer continues to be a challenge for cancer experts, but the team at MD Anderson at Cooper is committed to improving the odds for patients and is leading the way in pancreatic cancer care in South Jersey,” says Dr. Spitz.

For more information about the

Pancreatic Cancer Program at MD Anderson at Cooper

or if you’d like to make an appointment with one of our specialists call 855.MDA.COOPER (855.632.2667).

Norcross Statement on New Jersey’s Commitments to Public Employees

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statement:

“We all share the common goal of upholding the pension and health care commitments made to our state, county, municipalities and school board employees. The issue is how best to meet these promises,” said Congressman Norcross. “I believe we cannot let New Jersey fall to the ways of

Washington but should instead work together to resolve tough issues. That is why I oppose any effort to place pension and health benefit reform bills on the ballot. Instead, all parties should come together to work on solutions that keep our promises to New Jersey workers. I am happy to participate in a dialogue with legislators, the Governor and union leaders to work together to meet New Jersey’s obligations to its workers.”

Jefferson Health’s Lisa Morina Receives Corporate Excellence Award from Gloucester County NAACP

On November 3,

Lisa Morina

, Vice President of Government & External Relations, received the Corporate Excellence Award from the Gloucester County NAACP. Morina was one of 20 recipients of a “Game Changers” award at the annual Black & White Gala, held at Auletto’s Caterers in Deptford, NJ.

“Game Changer awards recognize those who, through their organization, provide significant financial or in-kind resources to assist organizations like the NAACP in meeting community needs,” said

Loretta Winters

, President, Gloucester County NAACP. “Through Lisa’s community involvement, she has recognized and met those needs with persistence, involvement and commitment to equity.”

At Jefferson Health in New Jersey, Morina ensures its mission is represented across all lines of government, community, business and trade association stakeholders.

Morina is an active member and serves on the boards for numerous community and business organizations. And, prior to joining Jefferson Health in New Jersey in November 2013, she served as Director of Economic Development for Gloucester County, the Director of Business Services for Cumberland County College, and Director of the Business and Industry Training Center for Gloucester County College.

We are proud of Lisa’s achievements and congratulate her on receiving this prestigious award.

For more information, visit

www.gloucestercountynaacp.org

Active-Shooter Drills in Schools May Do More Harm Than Good, Says Rutgers–Camden Nursing Scholar

CAMDEN CITY, NJ (Nov. 22, 2019)–– Active-shooter drills in schools expose students to frighteningly realistic scenarios with masked intruders and loud gunfire sounds. They also may be doing more harm than good, says a Rutgers University–Camden nursing scholar who urges school and law enforcement officials alike to include school nurses in their plans to prepare for violent situations.

Robin Cogan

, a lecturer in the

Rutgers School of Nursing‒Camden

and lead author of an article published in Current Trauma Reports, says school nurses are ideally positioned to work with other medical professionals, law enforcement, and government officials who are committed to public health approaches to prevent mass shootings.

In the article, titled “School Nurses Share Their Voices, Trauma, and Solutions by Sounding the Alarm on Gun Violence,” Cogan and her co-authors say school nurses know of the acute need for evidence-supported, school-based mental health services. Based on those metrics, active-shooter drills may not be achieving their desired outcomes.

Since World War I, schools have been holding safety drills, fire drills, and natural disaster drills, but Cogan says today’s active-shooter drills can expose students and staff to frighteningly realistic scenarios.

Cogan says there is no evidence to show that the drills are effective in preparing students, teachers, and administrators to deal with gun violence in schools.

“While the incidence of school shootings is rare, now more than 95 percent of schools across the country have active-shooter drills,” says Cogan, who also works as a school nurse in Camden. “We do not prepare our students for fire drills by making them walk through smoke and debris-filled hallways.”

Cogan worries about the impact that the drills have on the psychological development of young children, and the effect the drills have on school nurses.

In the article, the authors share concerns from school nurses who have participated in active-shooter drills. One nurse reports that her heart sank the day she was in her office when she heard the sounds of gunshots from the school’s loudspeaker. She did not know if it was an unannounced lockdown drill or if there was an active shooter in the building. Instinctively, she locked her office door, closed the blinds, and hid in a corner. After she found out it was just a drill and the gunfire sounds were from an app used by the person running the drill, she did not understand the need to endure the fear and concern for herself and everyone in the building.

“Our brains cannot always differentiate when an incident is real or just a drill,” says Cogan, who adds that there is no evidence that even some of the most recognized programs – including Alert Lockdown Inform Counter Evacuate (ALICE), which uses a run, hide, fight options framework – are effective in preventing injuries.

Among the problems Cogan sees with the programs are that they are not evidence-based and do not consider the students’ ages and developmental stages, if they have special health care needs, or if they have learning challenges.

“These are reactive measures and are not taking into consideration the need for preventative programs to create a culture of kindness, acceptance, and safety in schools,” says Cogan. “Money is being spent on hardening schools instead of softening them.”

Cogan and her co-authors suggest a better approach to preventing violence: a multistrategy, multidisciplinary approach that takes into consideration student and faculty development, and mental and emotional health. They authors say investing in a nurse workforce in the school “would transform fear into courage and anticipation into action by implementing student-focused strategies rooted in prevention.”

The Rutgers–Camden educator says that an emergency preparedness program such as Stop the Bleed, a national awareness program launched by the White House in 2015, may be effective in saving lives. The program encourages bystanders to be trained to help stop bleeding victims in an emergency before medical professionals arrive.

The Sandy Hook Promise organization offers programs that encourage relationship building, which Cogan says could help to prevent violence. She says initiatives that focus on safe gun storage to keep guns out of the hands of students and offering gun locks to families on Back to School Night activities could also be effective.

Cogan’s own family experience motivates her to work to prevent gun violence. In 1949, her father was 12 years old when he hid in a closet in his family’s Camden home while a deranged neighbor went on a shooting rampage, killing Cogan’s grandmother, grandfather, and great-grandmother, and 10 other people in the city. Nearly 70 years later, Cogan’s 17-year-old niece hid in a Parkland, Fla., high school closet with her teacher and other students in 2018, when a gunman opened fire at the school. Fourteen students and three teachers died, and 17 students were injured.

“My decision to use my position as a school nurse to fight against gun violence came from a promise I made to my sister and niece in the aftermath of the Parkland shootings,” says Cogan. “Prevention of firearm violence belongs in the health care arena and requires funding for research as any public health issue has been afforded.”

The article, “School Nurses Share Their Voices, Trauma, and Solutions by Sounding the Alarm on Gun Violence,” is co-authored by

Donna Nickitas

, dean of the Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden, Donna Mazyck of the National Association of School Nurses, and Sunny Hallowell of Villanova University

Southbound Route 42 Ramp/Lane Closures Tonight for Bridges over Timber Creek

Bridge girders to be erected tonight

(Trenton)

– New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced overnight lane and ramp closures on Route 42 southbound as the Bridges over Timber Creek and Lower Landing Road project advances between Gloucester, Camden County and Deptford, Gloucester County.

Beginning at 10 p.m., tonight, Friday, November 22 until 6 a.m. Saturday, November 23, NJDOT’s contractor, Richard E. Pierson Construction Company, will close the right and center lanes on Route 42 southbound, along with the ramp from Route 41 to Route 42 southbound. The closures are necessary to allow for the installation of eight new girders on the bridge over Big Timber Creek and Lower Landing Road.

The current southbound traffic configuration of two lanes of traffic shifted to the left and the left lane traveling on the northbound side of Route 42 will remain in place. This configuration will be in place through the spring of 2020. Route 42 northbound will continue to have three lanes of travel open. The following overnight ramp detours will be in place:

Deptford Center Road to Route 42 southbound

detour:

Motorists traveling on Deptford Center Road wishing to take Route 42 southbound will be directed to turn left onto Route 41 northbound

Take the ramp to Route 42 northbound

Take Route 42 northbound to Exit 14/Creek Road

Turn left onto Edgewood Avenue

Turn left onto Creek Road

Turn left onto Harding Avenue

Turn left onto Leaf Avenue to Route 42 southbound

Route 41/Hurffville Road northbound ramp to Route 42 southbound

detour:

Motorists traveling on Route 41/Hurffville Road northbound wishing to take Route 42 southbound will be directed to the next exit for Route 42 northbound

Take Route 42 northbound to Exit 14/Creek Road

Turn left onto Edgewood Avenue

Turn left onto Creek Road

Turn left onto Harding Avenue

Turn left onto Leaf Avenue to Route 42 southbound

Route 41/Hurffville Road southbound ramp to Route 42 northbound

detour:

Motorists traveling on Route 41/Hurffville Road southbound wishing to take Route 42 southbound will be directed to turn right onto Superior Way

Turn left through the parking lot

Turn left onto Deptford Center Road

Turn left onto Route 41 northbound

Take the ramp to Route 42 northbound

Take Route 42 northbound to Exit 14/Creek Road

Turn left onto Edgewood Avenue

Turn left onto Creek Road

Turn left onto Harding Avenue

Turn left onto Leaf Avenue to Route 42 southbound

The $9.6 million federally-funded project, which began in September 2017 will demolish and replace the two bridge deck spans on the Route 42 Bridges over Timber Creek and Lower Landing Road and make repairs to the piers and abutments. The project has been designed in stages with the bridge deck replaced one side at a time to reduce the impact to motorists. Work will begin on the southbound bridge. The estimated completion date is fall 2020.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website

www.511nj.org

for construction updates and real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter

@NJDOT_info

or on the

NJDOT Facebook page

Jefferson Health in New Jersey Receives MAAPE Proficiency Award

CHERRY HILL, NJ (Nov. 22, 2019)–Jefferson Health in New Jersey (JHNJ) recently received a Proficiency Award from the nonprofit Mid-Atlantic Alliance for Performance Excellence (MAAPE). The award is the next tier in JHNJ’s journey to achieve Baldrige Performance Excellence, after receiving MAAPE’s Commitment Award in 2017.

JHNJ began its Baldrige journey in 2017 — under the leadership of Dr. David Condoluci, Senior Vice President and Chief Patient Safety & Quality Officer; Kathleen Victor, Corporate Director for Performance Improvement; and Abbey Driendl, Performance Excellence Specialist — by using the

Baldridge Health Care Excellence Framework

. Many organizations use the framework to reach their goals, improve and sustain results, and become more competitive.

“I am pleased we have been awarded the next tier level in the Baldrige Journey,” said Joseph W. Devine, FACHE, President, New Jersey Division. “This is a monumental achievement for our program, after just two years on the journey. The award acknowledges our commitment to excellence, and our drive to establish and execute processes for continuous improvement.”

The MAAPE is a Baldrige-based awards program serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. MAAPE helps organizations improve their performance and outcomes; it uses the leading-edge Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence as the basis for its process and for giving feedback to applicants. The result of this feedback supports JHNJ’s performance advancement and achieving increasing levels of excellence through MAAPE and, eventually, at the national level through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

The Baldrige Framework helps JHNJ accelerate its performance in 17 Health Care Criteria in leadership, strategy, customers, measurement, analysis and knowledge management, workforce, operations, and results. Dr. Condoluci, who last spring completed the nationally recognized

Baldrige Executive Fellowship Program

, says, “We are excited to see this framework shape our organization to be a high-performing healthcare system dedicated to improving lives by putting people first, doing the right thing, and being bold and thinking differently.”

Devine will accept the award at MAAPE’s annual Awards Banquet & Conference, in Malvern, PA, on Nov. 13. Among the six other award recipients will be Abington – Jefferson Health, who will receive MAAPE’s Excellence Award, the highest level of recognition. For more, visit

www.midatlanticape.org

Jefferson Health New Jersey Using MyChart for Patient Medical Records

On September 28, Jefferson Health in New Jersey transitioned to a new patient portal called MyChart. The innovative, user-friendly platform will enhance the safety and security of the organization of medical records, as well as offer unique benefits to

patients.

MyChart allows patients to access real-time results, right at their fingertips, explains Brenda Gorman, oncology assistant at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – Washington Township.

“It’s one chart – everywhere you go,” said Gorman. “That’s what we are so excited about! All of the patient’s information will be comprehensive, in one spot, to help us provide the best possible care.”

If you’re a Jefferson Health patient using MyChart through a secure, internet connection, you can:

Schedule medical appointments during or after office hours.

Swap your appointment for an earlier one.

Message your provider directly (*note: not meant for urgent matters).

Schedule video visits with Jefferson Health doctors.

View test results electronically – no more waiting for a phone call or letter in the mail.

Request prescription refills at Jefferson pharmacies.

View your health information while you\’re in the hospital, with

MyChart Bedside

, a 24/7 tool that provides you with safe and secure access to your medical record, treatment plan, test results and more.

If you or a loved one requires additional assistance in managing and navigating medical care, you can also

assign a Proxy

through MyChart. If you are a parent, legal guardian or other designated adult, you might be eligible to become a designated proxy.

Gorman and all other clinical employees at Jefferson Health in New Jersey have received extensive training in MyChart and Epic (the new internal electronic medical record system).

“It’s our priority to have complete accuracy in each patient’s chart,” continued Gorman. “In addition, no one can access patient records without a proper, credential login, and we can see everyone who views a chart. We want these records to be as safe as our patients.”

With this transition, you’ll be able to manage your healthcare information like never before. You can sign-up for MyChart at your next Jefferson Health visit.

To learn more about MyChart, including how to login, schedule an appointment, pay your bill online, and more, click

HERE

Check out Jefferson Health in New Jersey\’s journey to implementing Epic and MyChart by watching the video below!