Monmouth Medical Center to Host Dec. 7 Blood Drive
LONG BRANCH – The need for blood donations increases tremendously during the holidays. This year the Central Jersey Blood Center and Monmouth Medical Center are asking people to offer the ultimate gift of blood this holiday season.
The blood drive, sponsored by the Central Jersey Blood Center, will take place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, in the Community Meeting Room at Monmouth Medical Center.
All donors will receive a free lunch. One lucky donor will receive a $25 gift card.
Registration is requested, but walk-ins are certainly welcome. Additional information and registration for an appointment are available by calling Diane Kilzen at 732-932-7352.
Torcivia Foundation Awards $25,000 to Family & Children’s Service
LONG BRANCH – Clients of Family & Children’s Service (FCS), who suffered a hardship as a result of Hurricane Sandy, will now get additional help meeting their immediate needs thanks to a special fund made possible by a $25,000 grant from the Torcivia Family Foundation.
Many of FCS’s most vulnerable clients found themselves struggling to cope with the storm’s devastating effects. Some were left homeless or temporarily displaced. Others lost everything they owned and lacked even the most basic essentials to rebuild their lives.
FCS, with the support of Torcon, Inc., Red Bank, through the Torcivia Family Foundation, established the Client Emergency Relief Fund, known as CERF, to provide assistance to agency clients impacted by the storm or other emergencies that place them at increased risk.
FCS is Monmouth County’s oldest nonprofit social service agency.
“While many of us are dealing with the aftermath of the storm, the most vulnerable in our community are really hurting,” FCS Board Chair Debbie O’Donoghue said. “Their daily struggles have only been exacerbated by Hurricane Sandy and they will need our continued help and support in the weeks, months and years to come.
“We are grateful to Torcon and the Torcivia Family Foundation for making it possible to administer to their needs today and in the future,” she said.
While Torcon, Inc. provides construction management and general contracting services to leading corporations and private institutions along the East Coast and in Puerto Rico, the company makes its home in Monmouth County and many of its employees live at the Jersey Shore. Company officials understand well the enormous impact Hurricane Sandy has had on the community and they recognize the unique vulnerability of FCS clients – a vulnerability that will not end with disaster recovery.
Therefore, all donations – up to $25,000 – made to CERF by Dec. 31 will be matched by Torcon, Inc. A total of 100 percent of donations to CERF will be used to provide for ongoing FCS client needs not duplicated by another organization.
“The devastation caused by Sandy is unprecedented and difficult to fully comprehend. The fact so many of our friends, neighbors and local landmarks have been severely impacted serves as a call to action for all of us,” said Joseph A. Torcivia, Torcon co-president.
Benedict J. Torcivia, Jr., Joseph’s brother who shares the title of co-president at Torcon, said, “Torcon’s employees have been actively involved in recovery efforts in Monmouth and Ocean counties, by collecting and distributing supplies, and volunteering with the cleanup.
“As an organization, Torcon wanted to do its part in a meaningful way. We are long-time supporters of FCS and hope others will take up the matching-funds challenge to effectively double our donation,” Benedict Torcivia said.
To be eligible for a CERF grant, recipients must be FCS clients. Grants may be used toward the purchase of emergency goods and services, which may include, but are not limited to: food, clothing, household goods, cleaning services, nursing, home health aide or physician services, legal services, assistance with utility bills or any service that provides a direct benefit to a vulnerable client in an emergency situation.
For more information about FCS or the CERF program, contact the agency at 732-222-9111.
Monmouth U. Nursing School Offers Program on Diabetes in School-age Children
WEST LONG BRANCH – Monmouth University’s School of Nursing and Health Studies and Center for Professional Development in Nursing and Health will present a program from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, on Diabetes Management in the School-Age Child.
The program, which provides three contract hours for nurses, will be presented in the Club Dining Room of Magill Commons.
From gym class to glucose monitoring, the program is designed to provide guidelines for the management and support of the school-age child with diabetes. A focus will be on the techniques used to balance insulin and nutritional needs with school activities. Acute and chronic complications will be discussed as well as prevention and health promotion strategies. Current references and resources will be provided.
Topics will include the diabetes disease process, insulin and insulin pumps, glucose monitoring, glycemic control, physical activity, and guidelines for referral.
The presenter, Lauren Dorman, is a certified diabetes educator and registered dietitian.
The cost is $55; $40 for Monmouth University students. A light dinner is included in the program fee.
The Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies at Monmouth University is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the New Jersey State Nurses Association, an accredited approver of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
For more information or to register, visit www.monmouth.edu/academics/schools/nursing/continuing_programs.asp or call 732-571-3443.
Parker Health Center to Benefit from Hope Concert
The Hope Concert VI, which this year will benefit the Parker Family Health Center and The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, will be held at 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, at the Count Basie Theatre, Monmouth Street, in Red Bank.
The concert will be hosted by local musician Bob Bandiera.
The Hope Concert is an annual benefit for a local charity by an all-star lineup of Jersey Shore performers under the musical direction of Bandiera. Performers include Gary U.S. Bonds, Southside Johnny and more.
Tickets go on sale on Friday, Dec. 7. Tickets cost $500, $100 and $50. The $500 tickets include a pre-show reception at Buona Sera.
Tickets may be purchased by calling 732-842-9000, at the box office at 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, or on the theater’s website at www.countbasietheatre.org.
Fischer inducted as a College of Surgeons Fellow
RED BANK – The office of Lauren J. Fischer, M.D. and Robert M. Arbour, M.D. announces that Fischer was recently inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons at the 98th Annual Clinical Congress.
Fischer, who is board certified in general surgery and fellowship-trained in minimally invasive surgery, is affiliated with Riverview Medical Center and Bayshore Community Hospital.
The American College of Surgeons is the largest scientific and educational organization of surgeons in the world. It was founded in 1913 to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient by setting high standards for surgical education and practice. To become a fellow of the ACS, applicants must have completed advanced training in their medical specialty and must further demonstrate ethical fitness and professional proficiency. Acceptance as a fellow must be approved by three-fourths of the ACS board of regents.
After completing the rigorous process, members of the American College of Surgeons are referred to as “Fellows.” The letters FACS (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) after a surgeon’s name mean that the surgeon’s education and training, professional qualifications, surgical competence, and ethical conduct have passed a rigorous evaluation, and have been found to be consistent with the high standards established and demanded by the college.“I am humbled to join this prestigious group of surgeons,” Fischer said. “Becoming a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons is a major milestone in my career and is a goal every surgeon strives for.”
After completing a seven-year combined B.S./M.D. at The College of New Jersey and UMDNJ, Fischer continued her education with extensive postdoctoral training. She went on to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia where she completed an internship and residency in general surgery. Fischer then completed a fellowship in minimally invasive surgery at University of California – San Diego.
A Monmouth County native, Fischer is dedicated to providing access to advanced laparoscopic surgery to the residents of the county. Her expertise includes treatment of groin and abdominal hernias, hiatal hernias, gallbladder disease, reflux disease and many other common surgical problems.
Fischer welcomes patients to her office at 668 North Beers St., Suite 102 in Holmdel. She can be reached by calling 732-847-3300.
