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Michellene Davis, Esq., Sr. Vice President for Policy Development and Governmental Affairs, Barnabas Health, Gary Lotano, Immediate Past Chair and current Board of Trustee member, Community Medical Center, Assemblymen Gregory McGuckin and David Wolfe, Stephanie L. Bloom, President and Chief Executive Officer, Community Medical and Anthony Slonim, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Barnabas Health met to discuss key issues facing Community Medical Center, including the behavioral and mental health crisis, cardiac care and cancer services.
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TOMS RIVER, NJ (February 28, 2012) – Assemblyman David W. Wolfe (R-10) and Assemblyman Gregory P. McGuckin (R-10) recently paid a visit to Community Medical Center, a Barnabas Health facility, to meet with the hospital’s senior leadership, physicians, members of the Board of Trustees and employees. The 10th District covers Toms River and nine surrounding municipalities.
The Assemblymen began their visit by meeting with Community Medical Center’s (CMC) senior leadership, including Stephanie L. Bloom, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer; Board of Trustees members Mayor Thomas Kelaher, former Chair of the Board and Board member; Gary Lotano, Immediate Past Chair; Joseph Coronado, Vice Chair; Tom Hourigan, Treasurer; and Sripad Dhawlikar, MD, President of the Medical Staff. The discussion focused on key issues facing Community Medical Center, most notably the behavioral and mental health crisis, including the adolescent population, cardiac care and cancer services as well as providing continued access to the highest quality of healthcare to members the surrounding community.
According to Stephanie Bloom, “We are pleased that Assemblymen Wolfe and McGuckin joined us today to provide their insights on healthcare issues and to give us an opportunity to share our accomplishments and future plans in the areas of neuroscience and cardiac care, as well as the challenges we face.”
Assemblyman Wolfe recognized the challenges presented to hospital Emergency Departments when it comes to caring for patients with mental and behavioral health needs. “This pressing issue affects individuals and their families of all ages, including adolescents and seniors. We look forward to continued discussions with CMC leadership to address these challenges” said Wolfe.
Larry DesRochers, MD, Chairman of Emergency Medicine, addressed the seriousness of patients requiring behavioral and mental health services as just last year alone, CMC’s Emergency Department treated more than 4,000 patients with behavioral health issues, which is more than double from the prior year.”
Following the meeting with Community Medical Center and Barnabas Health senior leadership, Assemblyman McGuckin met with an auditorium filled with Community Medical Center employees.
“While I’m new to the New Jersey Assembly, I’m not new to Ocean County or Community Medical Center,” said Assemblyman McGuckin. “Community Medical Center is not only a leading healthcare provider in Ocean County but is an economic engine that is crucial to the entire region. I recognize the challenges we face in healthcare and pledge to do my best to help Community Medical Center advance the services you need to help area residents.”
Stephanie Bloom and Michellene Davis, Esq., Sr. Vice President for Policy Development and Governmental Affairs, Barnabas Health, pledged to educate and inform legislators on issues that are crucial to the health and well-being to Ocean County residents.
Assemblyman Wolfe has served in the General Assembly since 1992 and has held the position of Deputy Republican Leader since 2008. He also served as Assistant Leader and Assistant Majority Leader. Assemblyman Wolfe serves on the Assembly Education Committee and Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee. Prior to serving in the Assembly, he served on the Brick Township Council for 15 years. His various appointments and memberships include: former chairman of the State Beach Erosion Commission, chairman of the Commission on Business Efficiency of the Public Schools and a member of the Governor’s Advisory Panel on Higher Education Restructuring.
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Assembly Gregory McGuckin speaks with Stephanie L. Bloom, President and Chief Executive Officer, Community Medical Center and Michellene Davis, Esq., Sr. Vice President for Policy Development and Governmental Affairs, Barnabas Health following a meeting with hospital employees.
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Assemblyman McGuckin was elected to the Toms River Township Council in 2003 where he has served as Council President since 2004. He was elected to the General Assembly in November 2011. Assemblyman McGuckin serves on the Assembly Law & Public Safety Committee and the Telecommunications & Utilities Committee. He is a partner in the law firm of Dasti, Murphy, McGuckin, Ulaky, Cherkos & Connors in Forked River. McGuckin was appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court to serve on the District IIIA Ethics Committee and serves on the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys.
CONTACT: Jean M. Flaherty
Director, Marketing
732.557.2296
jflaherty@barnabashealth.org
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