Jewish Community Housing Corporation Celebrates National Doctors’ Day at Two Senior Communities, Notes Benefits of On-Site Medical Services for Residents
West Orange, NJ (PRWEB) April 10, 2014 -- The Jewish Community Housing Corporation of Metropolitan New Jersey (JCHC) celebrated National Doctors’ Day with awards and tributes to the physicians and nurse practitioners who serve the residents at two of the organization’s senior living communities: Village Apartments of the Jewish Federation in South Orange and the Lester Senior Housing Community in Whippany, N.J. The staff and residents of both communities held special events in honor of the occasion. National Doctors’ Day is held every year on March 30th in the United States to celebrate the contribution of physicians who serve our country by caring for its citizens.
At the Lester Senior Housing Community, Dr. Sowjanya Bhagavatula and Nurse Practitioner Carol McKissock were honored by residents and staff at an elegant luncheon on March 27.
Bhagavatula is the medical director of the Community Health Center at Vauxhall; she is on staff at Overlook Medical Center in Summit and an assistant professor of medicine at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. McKissock is in collaborative practice with New Providence Internal Medicine Associates. The practitioners are on site at the community’s Judy and Josh Weston Assisted Living Residence every Thursday to provide checkups and health screenings, and answer health-related questions from the assisted living and independent living residents at the Lester Senior Housing Community.
Helen Heller, president of the Weston Resident Council, presented certificates and shared her personal appreciation for the medical attention she receives as well as the community’s gratitude for “your care and diligent monitoring of our health. It is a pleasure to have you and your team take care of us.”
“It has been our pleasure taking care of these residents for the last five years,” said Bhagavatula. “We enjoy spending time with them and they’ve taught us a lot about life in general. The medical residents and students that come with us as part of their training also learn a lot during these sessions.”
Marlene Glass, administrator of Lester Senior Housing Community added that, “I’ve seen the medical services provided by Dr. Bhagavatula and NP McKissock dispensed with great care and devotion. I too want to express our appreciation for their services and wish them a happy Doctors’ Day.”
Celebrating Partnerships that Improve Senior Services
In South Orange, Village Apartments of the Jewish Federation held a community celebration on March 31 to honor Dr. Theresa Redling, director of the Geriatric Health & Disease Management Center at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston and NP Sarah O’Connell, also from Saint Barnabas, whose specialty is gerontology.
Harold Colton-Max, CEO of the JCHC and Reuben Rothman, Executive Director of Jewish Family Service of MetroWest New Jersey (JFS) were on hand for the event. JFS spearheaded the JCHC’s House Calls program that brought a nurse practitioner and various social services to its residents through grants, primarily from the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey. The organization later worked with JCHC to develop the collaboration with Saint Barnabas Medical Center in early 2013.
“JCHC provides residential communities that are senior service-enriched,” said CEO Colton-Max. “The ‘aging at home’ model has been enhanced through the initiatives provided by Jewish Family Service with the introduction of nurse practitioners and physicians to our senior residential communities.” These medical and social work services are also provided for the residents living at the JCHC’s two other buildings: Jewish Federation Plaza in West Orange and the South Orange B’nai B’rith Federation House in South Orange.
Redling is board certified in geriatrics, internal medicine, palliative care, and hospice. She offers educational health-related programs every month to residents of the JCHC’s three Essex County communities, and she and O’Connell provide on-site medical screenings and house calls as needed. Redling has worked with the JCHC in various capacities on and off for the past 10 years.
“How many people can come to work and never be bored, be continuously challenged and feel gratified that they have helped someone have a better life? It is a privilege to do this work,” said Redling. “Thank you for the opportunity to work with the wonderful people of JCHC; together we can make a difference for the residents.”
Rothman of Jewish Family Services noted that, “This is a great day about partnerships. Dr. Redling and the Geriatric Center have been a tremendous asset to our holistic approach to care. Dr. Redling not only understands the physical needs of the elderly, but she also has a compassion and understanding of the psychosocial aspects of healthy aging.”
Residents echoed Rothman’s sentiments and cited the importance and value to them of receiving physician house calls. They enjoy the health lectures and agree on some key takeaways about healthy aging from the presentations: maintaining good nutrition and staying active both mentally and physically.
For more information about the JCHC and its senior communities, visit http://www.jchcorp.org.
###
About the Jewish Community Housing Corporation of Metropolitan New Jersey
Founded in 1983, the Jewish Community Housing Corporation of Metropolitan New Jersey (JCHC) owns and manages more than 470 apartments in four buildings for older adults in Morris and Essex counties in northern New Jersey. The non-profit organization offers seniors a range of options in terms of services, amenities, location, and cost, all within a traditional Jewish environment. The JCHC provides housing, programs, and services for the independent elderly as well as those who need assisted living. For more information, go to http://www.jchcorp.org.
About The Geriatric Health & Disease Management Center
The Center, based out of Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, N.J., opened in fall 2012. It is headed by Theresa M. Redling, DO, FACP, who is board certified in geriatrics, internal medicine, palliative care, and hospice. The Center coordinates health and social services for the elderly and their families, and provides consultations and comprehensive geriatric care and education.
Maria Paladino-Fitz, Media Consultants, LLC, http://www.mymediaconsultants.com, +1 (973) 931-4111, [email protected]
Share this article