Category: HEALTH

DNREC Announces Year’s First Detection of West Nile Virus

No Human Cases of WNV Reported in 2026 in State; Equine Owners Urged to Vaccinate Their Animals

West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in Delaware for the first time in 2026 in the sentinel chickens that help the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control monitor the state for mosquito-borne illnesses.

The DNREC Mosquito Control Section reported its first WNV detection from a sentinel chicken flock location in eastern Kent County that was sampled July 20, with virus-positive confirmation of the chicken coming on July 31 from the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) laboratory.

“This occurrence is slightly earlier than our typical first detection date, historically the last week in July or first week in August – but is consistent with other WNV activity thus far this summer elsewhere in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast,” DNREC Mosquito Control Section Administrator Tom Moran said.

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Virtua Appoints Renowned Heart Surgeon to VP Role

Virtua Health, South Jersey’s largest health system, has appointed Ibrahim Sultan, MD, FACS, FACC, FAHA, as vice president of clinical operations for Virtua’s cardiovascular service line.

Dr. Sultan is an internationally recognized cardiothoracic surgeon, researcher, educator, and physician leader with extensive experience in complex cardiac surgery, clinical program development, quality, research, and innovation. In this role, he will help shape strategy, operations, quality, growth, and innovation across Virtua’s cardiovascular programs. He will collaborate with clinicians and leaders to advance patient care, strengthen clinical programs, and expand access to advanced heart and vascular services throughout the region.

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New Jersey Blood Services’ Annual “Blood For A Brew” Campaign Returns

New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS) is kicking off its fifth annual “Blood for a Brew” campaign to encourage blood donations during the critical summer months. Expanded this year to include local coffee shops in addition to breweries, the campaign offers everyone who comes to donate at a NJBS donor center or mobile blood drive from August 1 through August 31 a voucher redeemable for a free beverage at a participating establishment.

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Norcross to Donate $100 Million to Cooper University Health Care/MD Anderson Cancer Center

Cooper University Health Care Board of Trustees Executive Chairman, Co-President and Co-Chief Executive Officer Anthony J. Mazzarelli, MD, and the Board of Trustees today announced a transformational $100 million gift from George E. Norcross III.
The gift from Mr. Norcross is being made in honor of the family’s patriarch and matriarch, George E. Norcross Jr. and Anne Carol Conner Norcross, and in recognition of his brothers, John, Donald, and Philip; his children, Alessandra (“Lexie”) and Alexander; and Sandra T. Norcross.


The donation is the largest single philanthropic gift in the institution’s history and one of the largest ever made to a health system in New Jersey. The gift will be directed toward investments in the City of Camden and Cooper’s larger service area in South Jersey, prioritizing education and community programs that create jobs, training, and opportunity.

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Substance Use Disorder Resources Available

Anyone seeking help with addiction, whether struggling personally or helping a loved one, can call 1-844-ReachNJ (1-844-732-2465) to receive immediate support and assistance from live, trained addiction counselors based here in New Jersey. The help line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Naloxone, sometimes referred to by the brand name “Narcan,” can revive people who have lost consciousness due to opioid overdose. New Jerseyans aged 14 and over can obtain naloxone freely and anonymously at participating pharmacies. One two-dose naloxone nasal spray kit will be provided per visit. People who obtain naloxone do not need to provide a name or a reason.

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Cooper University Hospital Recognized for Excellence 

The American College of Cardiology has recognized Cooper University Hospital for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients who come to an electrophysiology (EP) lab for care. Cooperwas awarded Electrophysiology Accreditation based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the health care team’s ability to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients who come to the EP lab.

“We are incredibly proud to receive ACC Electrophysiology Accreditation, as it reflects our team’s unwavering commitment to delivering the highest standard of care for patients with complex heart rhythm disorders,” said Andrea M. Russo, MD, director, Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Services, and member provider, Cooper and Inspira Cardiac Care. “This recognition affirms the expertise, collaboration, and dedication of our entire EP program to advancing quality, safety, and innovation at Cooper.”

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Mosquitoes – Always a Nuisance and Sometimes Dangerous

As temperatures rise and mosquito activity increases across New Jersey, health and environmental officials from the New Jersey Departments of Health (NJDOH), Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and Agriculture (NJDA) are urging residents to take simple steps to protect themselves and their communities from mosquito bites.  

“Protecting public health is a shared responsibility. The best defense against diseases transmitted by mosquitoes is to avoid being bitten in the first place and reducing breeding grounds,” said Dr. Raynard E. Washington, New Jersey Health Commissioner.  

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You Haven’t Been to the Dentist in Years: Here’s What Actually Happens When You Go Back

Image by wavebreakmedia_micro on Magnific 

The gap starts small. You miss a cleaning during a busy stretch, then you lose the insurance when you change jobs, then a year passes and calling feels like admitting something. Five years later the appointment you are avoiding is not really about your teeth. It is about the conversation you expect to have when you sit down.

That expected conversation is the main thing keeping people out of the chair, and it is usually worse in imagination than in practice.

Why the Gap Grows on Its Own

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How Much Should You Walk for Weight Loss?

When it comes to shedding pounds, we often picture grueling gym sessions, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or exhausting runs. But what if the most sustainable weight-loss tool is already part of your daily routine?

Walking is one of the easiest, most accessible, and highly sustainable ways to lose weight. It doesn’t require a gym membership, specialized gear, or recovery days that leave you too sore to move.

But a burning question remains: Can walking be your only form of exercise and still help you lose weight?

The short answer is yes. In this guide, we will break down exactly how much you need to walk, how pace and intensity affect your progress, what kind of calorie burn to expect, and how to optimize your daily walks to reach your weight-loss goals.

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Hackensack ALS Center Earns National Excellence Recognition

The ALS Center at Hackensack University Medical Center has been awarded the prestigious designation of an ALS Association Certified Treatment Center of Excellence™, marking a major milestone for the care of individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the region. The certification recognizes the program’s commitment to providing outstanding, multidisciplinary care and its dedication to advancing research in the fight against this devastating disease.

ALS, often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to a loss of muscle control. The disease’s progression can vary, but it relentlessly impacts a person’s ability to move, speak, eat, and eventually breathe. While there is no cure for ALS, a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to treatment has been shown to improve patients’ quality of life and can extend survival.

The ALS Association’s certification affirms that the ALS Center at Hackensack University Medical Center meets the highest national standards of care. This model brings together a dedicated team of specialists, including neurologists, palliative care experts, nurses, therapists, and researchers, to provide a seamless and patient-centered experience. This integrated approach ensures that patients and their families receive comprehensive support to navigate the complex challenges of living with ALS.

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