Middlesex Health & Life's July 2009 issue

MIDDLESEXhealth&life

THE GOOD LIVING MAG AZINE from SAINT PETER’S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

July 2009 / $3.95

Health watch

10 JERSEY ADVENTURES

Dining out: Metuchen’s Novitá

BEDECK YOUR DECK!Outdoor seating we love

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■ QUIZ: How fit is your brain?■ 5 tips for your mammogram■ Summer skin-safety tips

TRY IT! A tasty zucchini recipe

Plus

Cover_middlessex.REV 6/1/09 2:42 PM Page C1

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pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine, andBarbie Zimmerman-Bier, M.D., chief of develop-mental and behavioral pediatrics at Saint Peter’sUniversity Hospital

Inside lookWhere better health is in store From bandages to beds, medical equipment plays a vital role in patients’ recovery.

Tech savvyAn alternative to hysterectomy Specialistsnow treat uterine fibroid tumors without surgery.

Seasonal healthSave your skin You can reduce the danger of skin cancer.

Up closeIn Amy’s name A widower is determined to helpother women beat the disease that took his wife.

Glorious foodMiracle growers A bountiful summer staple,zucchini is a savory warm-weather treat.

Middlesex gourmetBistro bliss Chic but not stuffy, Metuchen’sNovitá is full of quiet elegance and inspired cuisine.

Shopping guide

Faces of MiddlesexScoop troupe

Welcome letter

Editor’s letter

Flash Captured moments around the county

Health watch· How fit is your brain? · 5 tips for your mammogram

The buzzNotable events at Saint Peter’s University Hospital

Faces of Saint Peter’sConversations with Amar Bukhari, M.D., chief of

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Contents

QUIZ: What’s your design era?We’ll tell you which period suits you best and howto create that look in your own beloved abode.

Well-dressed floorsNever mind neutrals—these eye-catching area rugsgive your rooms instant panache and personality.

Sit this one outUnwind in alfresco elegance with these hip outdoorseating options.

Escapes / Jersey joys How many of these Garden State adventures willyou experience this summer?

Features

COVER IMAGE: MASTERFILE

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July 2009

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Departments

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TOC_MSX_209_v4.jcREV 5/27/09 2:31 PM

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A MEMBER OF SAINT PETER’S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

254 EASTON AVENUE | NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 08901

732.745.8600 | www.saintpetersuh.com

SPECIAL EVENT

23rd Annual Sharon Montero Golf ClassicMonday, September 1411:00 AM Shotgun StartThe Ridge at Back Brook211 Wertsville Road, RingoesCost: $750 per player. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact Saint Peter’s Foundation at 732-745-8542.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Weight-Loss Surgery SeminarThursdays, July 9, August 13 and September 107:00 PM – 9:00 PMIf you’re at least 100 pounds overweight, you simply can’t afford to miss this life-altering seminar. Our bariatric surgeons will explain everything you need to know to make an informed decision on weight-loss surgery. In addition, you’ll learn about The Program for LIFE™, a customized support plan for weight-loss patients. To register, call 1-866-97MYPFL (1-866-976-9735).

Community Mobile Health ServicesSaint Peter’s Community Mobile Health Services provides health education and screenings, including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, stroke, and body mass index (BMI) throughout the area. Community groups interested in these or other types of screenings can contact Community Mobile Health Services at 732-745-8600, ext. 8903.

Parent EducationBaby Care, Baby Signing, Grandparents Class, Infant Massage, New Daddy, Prenatal Nutrition, Prenatal Yoga and Exercise, Prepared Childbirth, New Family Support Group, Sibling Class, Tiny Tots and more. Call Parent Education at 732-745-8579 for fees and registration.

Diabetes EducationAdults with Diabetes Support Group, Diabetes Self-Management Education and Gestational Diabetes Self-Management Class. Call 732-745-6667.

Kids Pump Group and Teen Pump GroupCall 732-745-8600, ext. 8751.

Sincerely,

ALFRED GLOVER

President and Chief Executive OfficerSaint Peter’s University Hospital

SAINT PETER’S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IS ON Ajourney—a journey to achieve the highest levels of patient-centered excellence and superior service. Our collective goalis to create an experience that exceeds the expectations of ourpatients and their families, as well as the physicians who carefor them. We want to understand and manage what our cus-tomers see, feel and experience—optimizing every encounter,delivering world-class service every time. Each employee,volunteer and member of the medical staff plays a significantrole, whether we’re caring for patients, conveying informa-tion or directing visitors through the hospital. Customer sat-isfaction is so important to us, the admitting office gives inpa-tients my cell phone number so they can reach me directly ifthey are not completely satisfied with our service.

Saint Peter’s is fortunate to have more than 900 out-standing physicians who are affiliated with the hospital. Theirsatisfaction is of paramount importance, and my door is alwaysopen to discuss ways in which we can help them provide bet-ter service to their patients.

We are proud to be part of the Saint Peter’s HealthcareSystem, and we partner with our system affiliates to extend thecontinuum of care for patients who need support after they leavethe hospital. Our affiliates include HomeCare America (ourInside Look story), which supplies medical equipment to helppatients continue their recoveries at home; the MargaretMcLaughlin McCarrick Care Center, which provides short- andlong-term residence for the elderly; and the Saint Peter’s AdultDay Center, which offers medical and social day programs forolder adults who require assistance with activities of daily living.

We are proud to have cared for generations of centralNew Jersey families. Our work, and our journey to excellence,continues with the goal of treating you better … for life.

Our journey to excellence

Welcome LETTER


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IT’S NO EASY THING, CHOOSING A STYLE FOR your home. Just as many of us shudder looking back on out-dated hairstyles and outfits, so do we often cringe recalling aparticular floral sofa or way-too-metallic wallpaper we nowregret. Having recently survived a modest home makeovermyself, I know that the fear of choosing poorly while pon-dering fabric swatches and paint samples can drive youcrazy—if you don’t have a proper vision. And that’s wherewe come in.

In this issue, we seek to provide guidance and inspira-tion in equal measure. For the former, turn to page 12, whereyou’ll find a visual quiz to help you pinpoint your design era of choice—plus tips on how to achieve that look for maxi-mum impact throughout your house. As for inspiration, weoffer a dose in “Well-dressed Floors,” page 16, where we spot-light eight eye-catching area rugs sure to give your roominstant pop.

When you’re ready to shift your focus away from yourhome, consider a meal at the chic Novitá in Metuchen, whichserves sophisticated Italian fare with a few notable twists. Readthe details in our review on page 46. Ready to venture a littlefarther? “Jersey Joys,” this issue’s Escapes piece on page 24,details 10 Garden State thrills you may not yet have made timefor—after all, you live here.

And if you prefer to simply while away the summerhours in your own backyard, we provide a little insight into alongtime garden favorite, zucchini, on page 44 and offer ahost of chic outdoor seating options in “Sit This One Out,”page 20.

No matter where the months ahead take you, may youand everyone in your home enjoy the season.

Interior delights

Editor’s LETTER

RITA GUARNAEditor in Chief


254 EASTON AVENUE, NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 08901 � 732.745.8600

Treating you better...for life.

Accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer � Catholic hospital sponsored by the Diocese of Metuchen � State-designated children’s hospital and regional perinatal center

Dorothy and Gregory Kacprzynski

THE BREAST CANCER SPECIALISTS AT SAINT PETER’S COULDN’T HAVE BEEN MORE CARING.I’ve always been there for my son. So nothing was going to stop me from being there at his graduation—not even being diagnosed withbreast cancer. The cancer specialists at Saint Peter’s University Hospital understood that I had to win the biggest battle of my life for theboth of us. Using the latest cancer therapies blended with a level of caring that was nothing short of amazing, I didn’t miss one of themost important moments in his life…and mine.

To learn more about our Breast Cancer Care, call 732-745-6687 or visit saintpetersuh.com

A MEMBER OF SAINT PETER’S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM


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Middlesex Health & Life Staff

editor in chiefRITA GUARNA

art director

SARAH LECKIE

senior editor

TIMOTHY KELLEY

managing editor

JENNIFER CENICOLA

assistant editor

KRISTIN COLELLA

art intern

ALEXANDRIA PATE

group publisher

EDWARD BURNS

executive vice president, sales & marketing

JOEL EHRLICH

regional advertising director

DOUGLAS C. BARKER JR.

regional advertising manager

ROBERT SEIGEL

director, internet

and new media

NIGEL EDELSHAIN

marketing director

CHRISTOPHER KAEFER

production manager

CHRISTINE HAMEL

advertising services manager

THOMAS RAGUSA

senior art director,

agency services

KIJOO KIM

circulation director

LAUREN MENA

editorial contributions:

The editors invite letters, article ideas and other con-

tributions from readers. Please write to Editor,

Middlesex Health & Life, 110 Summit Avenue,

Montvale, NJ 07645; telephone 201-571-7003; fax

201-782-5319; e-mail [email protected]. Any

manuscript or artwork should be accompanied by a

self-addressed envelope bearing adequate return

postage. The magazine is not responsible for the

return or loss of submissions.

advertising inquiries:

Please contact Edward Burns at 201-782-5306 or

[email protected].

J U L Y 2 0 0 9


One of the largest selections of exotic wood in New Jersey& the most up to date laminate fl ooring collection available

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To fi nd out more, schedule a consultationto kick off your summer in style.

732- 495 -0611 www.coastaldesignanddecor.com

Greta SiwiecCoastal Design & Décor

Designer Sources—Designer Style

Saint Peter’s University Hospital Staff

president and chief executive officer,

saint peter’s healthcare system

RONALD C. RAK, J.D.

president and chief executive officer,

saint peter’s university hospital

ALFRED GLOVER

president, medical

and dental staff

EDWARD FEIN, M.D.

executive vice president,

chief marketing officer

PETER CONNOLLY

director of marketing

and media relations

MICHELLE LAZZAROTTI

marketing and public relations

representative

VIRGINIA SCIORRA

SAINT PETER’S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

254 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ08901. For more information about SaintPeter’s facilities and services, please visit

www.saintpetersuh.com or call 732-745-8600.

P u b l i s h e d b y

Wa i n s c o t M e d i a

chairman

CARROLL V. DOWDEN

president

MARK DOWDEN

executive vice president

JOEL EHRLICH

senior vice president

EDWARD BURNS

vice presidents

AMY DOWDEN

NIGEL EDELSHAIN

RITA GUARNA

SHANNON STEITZ

SUZANNE TRON

subscription services:

To inquire about a subscription, to change an

address or to purchase a back issue or a reprint

of an article, please write to Middlesex Health

& Life, Circulation Department, PO Box 1788, Land

O Lakes, FL 34639; telephone 813-996-6579; e-mail

[email protected].

Middlesex Health & Life is published four times a yearby Wainscot Media, 110 Summit Avenue, Montvale, NJ07645, in association with Saint Peter’s UniversityHospital. This is Volume 3, Issue 2. ©2009 by WainscotMedia LLC. All rights reserved. Subscriptions in U.S.:$14.00 for one year. Single copies: $3.95.

Material contained herein is forinformational purposes only. If youhave medical concerns, seek the advice of a health-care professional. Acceptance of advertising byMiddlesex Health & Life does not constitute anendorsement of products or services.

009_MSHL_JUL09.indd 1009_MSHL_JUL09.indd 1 5/28/09 3:57:12 PM5/28/09 3:57:12 PM

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AT THE HYATT REGENCY IN NEW BRUNSWICK,the George Street Playhouse celebrated its 35th anniver-sary season with a black-tie gala and silent auction. Thenationally recognized theater produces new and estab-lished plays by both renowned and emerging artists. TheHeldrich in New Brunswick, meanwhile, was the site ofSaint Peter’s University Hospital’s black-tie CentennialGala. The event raised more than $150,000 to fund a vari-ety of hospital programs. Finally, Autism New Jersey helda Black and White Ball at the Hilton East Brunswick, fea-turing music, comedy, ballroom dance performances andmore. The nonprofit provides a variety of programs andservices for people with autism.

2

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GEORGE STREET PLAYHOUSEANNUAL GALA1. honoree Christopher Paladino,

Kelly and Dan Loughlin

2. John and Stephanie Mortenson

SAINT PETER’S CENTENNIAL GALA3. Alfred Glover, president and

CEO of Saint Peter’s UniversityHospital; honoree TheodoreCardinal McCarrick, archbishopemeritus of Washington, D.C.;the Most Reverend Paul G.Bootkoski, bishop of theDiocese of Metuchen

4. State Assemblyman JosephEgan and Yolanda Egan

AUTISM NEW JERSEY BALL5. Kiran Cherty

6. Mike Aquino, Loraine and Jim Paone, Linda Meyer

Think you belong in Flash? Send photos from

your gala or charity event to Middlesex Health &Life, att: Flash editor, 110 Summit Avenue,

Montvale, NJ 07645; or e-mail editor@wainscot

media.com. Include your contact information,

a short event description and names of all who

appear. (Submissions are not guaranteed to

appear and must meet the following image

specs: 4x6 color prints or 300 dpi jpg, tif or

eps files. Prints must be accompanied by an

SASE in order to be returned.)

Flash_MSX_209_v3.jcREV2 5/26/09 3:56 PM Page 10

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THE PAST IS ALIVE—IN YOUR LIVING ROOM. CONSCIOUSLY OR NOT, WE ALL DRAW ON

THE STYLES OF DIFFERENT ERAS TO DECIDE WHAT LOOKS WE LIKE IN INTERIOR

DESIGN. BUT SOMETIMES WE NEED HELP IDENTIFYING, UNIFYING AND MAKING THE

MOST OF OUR PREFERENCES. THAT’S WHAT THIS QUIZ IS FOR. SIMPLY PICK YOUR

FAVORITE IMAGE IN EACH OF THESE EIGHT SECTIONS—WE’LL TELL YOU WHICH ERA

SUITS YOU BEST AND HOW TO CREATE THAT LOOK IN YOUR OWN BELOVED ABODE.

QUIZ: What’s your design era?

1 2 / J U L Y 2 0 0 9

A.

B.

At HOME

Living rooms

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A.

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A.

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C.

C.

D.

A. B. C. D.

D.

Lamps

Couches

Side tablesM I D D L E S E X H E A L T H & L I F E / 1 3

c o n t i n u e d


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At HOME

Chairs

Kitchens

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C.

MOSTLY “A”s: 19th-CENTURY TRADITIONALYou like a comfortable-but-formal setting, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuffy.After all, a number of lively styles—Regency, Victorian, American Empire—commingled during this era. Today’s interpretation allows for a refreshing, eclectic look that maintains a classic aesthetic. WHAT TO LOOK FOR:• Grand furniture with soft, smooth lines, modest curves and classical symmetry• A profusion of patterns, often florals and plaids• Materials such as marble, polished mahogany and rosewood and luxurious fabrics• Embellishments such as carvings, decorative accents and gilding• Rich, dark colors• An abundance of furniture and other decorative objects—lamps, figurines,

elaborate draperies, urns, large patterned rugs, ornamental globes

MOSTLY “B”s: ART DECO Elegance and industry converged in the ’20s and ’30s, creating spaces both exoticand opulent, grand and graceful. Those in search of a dash of glam need look nofurther than the splendid, look-at-me showpieces from this chic era.WHAT TO LOOK FOR:• Beveled mirrored surfaces • Motifs such as rays, “stepped” forms and curves• Bold, saturated colors• Light and dark woods together, wood inlays• Exotic pieces with Asian and African influences • Strong geometric patterns, plus stylized florals and figures• Materials such as ebony, lacquer, mother-of-pearl, metal and glass

MOSTLY “C”s: 1950s AND ’60sPlastic and color don’t scare you. You are a risk-taker and love all things that pop! Clothing fashions of the time greatly influenced this design style, and itevokes the era: uninhibited, playful and just plain cool. WHAT TO LOOK FOR:• Fun colors such as aqua, yellow, red, blue and mint green• Futuristic-looking forms• Rounded, asymmetrical, parabolic shapes• Simple, Scandinavian-influenced shapes• Oversized florals• Bold pop art touches, with dashes of kitsch and humor• Materials such as plastic, acrylic, teak, plywood and chrome

Mostly “D”s: TODAYYou enjoy minimalist-inspired pieces thoughtfully enhanced with a few “wow”accents. You follow the style trends heralded in the latest design blogs and appreciate simple forms made with exquisite craftsmanship, as well as rooms that deftly balance shape, color and texture. WHAT TO LOOK FOR:• Crisp, clean lines with little embellishment• Items in basic geometric forms, often offset by one or two whimsically shaped

decorative accents• Industrial finishes • Materials such as stainless steel, glass, slate, durable woods and reclaimed

or sustainable materials • Natural textures and colors, accented with spots of bright color ■

RESULTS

Mirrors

Pendant lights

A. B. C. D.

For product and photo information for the itemsshown, see page 47.


NEVER MIND NEUTRALS—THESE EYE-CATCHING AREA RUGS

GIVE YOUR ROOMS INSTANT PANACHE AND PERSONALITY

At HOME

Well-dressed floors

1 6 / J U L Y 2 0 0 9

Rugs_MSX_209_v2.jc 5/20/09 2:54 PM Page 48

FROM LEFT

Who says stained glass is for lamps and

windows alone? Get the look underfoot

with the 100-knot Glass rug by Tibetano,

$100 per square foot, made of wool with

silk accents. It comes in custom colors and

sizes up to 25 feet wide.

From Odegard’s Artist collection, this

striking black-and-white rug—modeled

after a work by Belgian artist Narcisse

Tordoir—is made of hand-spun, -knotted

and -carded Himalayan wool, $11,200 for

an 8-foot by 10-foot version.

Nature and abstract art collide in the

colorful Pokeweed Encounter rug by

Amy Helfand, $11,200 for 7 feet by

10 feet, crafted of hand-knotted Tibetan

wool and Chinese silk.

Get a dose of the outdoors with Grass by

Graviti Zone Rugs, $3,400 for an 8-foot

5-inch by 5-foot 6-inch rug, featuring dark-

green blades on a light-green background,

made of hand-tufted New Zealand wool.c o n t i n u e d


FROM LEFT

Inspired by the famed quilts of Gee’s Bend,

Ala., this limited edition 8-foot 5-inch by

11-foot 8-inch rug from ABC Carpet &

Home, $6,999, is handmade in Turkey with

100-percent wool textile fragments.

The whimsical spirals of the Calabasas rug

from Rug Art’s Botanic collection, $6,800

for 9 feet in diameter, were inspired by

the blooms of the Mexican Hat wildflower.

Sold to the trade only.

Add a burst of color with the bright-orange

Parqué rug by Alicia D. Keshishian, $106

per square foot, made of hand-carded

and hand-spun Tibetan wool with silk

accents. Custom colors and sizes available.

Everything’s coming up Mums and Asters

in this playful Tibetan wool offering from

Kim Parker for The Rug Company, $6,125

for a 10-foot by 7-foot rug. ■

1 8 / J U L Y 2 0 0 9

For stores that carry the product lines shown, seeour shopping guide on page 47.


2 0 / J U L Y 2 0 0 9

SIT THIS ONE OUT

UNWIND IN ALFRESCO

ELEGANCE WITH THESE HIP

OUTDOOR SEATING OPTIONS

At HOMEp r o d u c e d b yR i t a G u a r n a

Products_MSX_209_v2.jc 5/20/09 2:57 PM Page 38

THIS PAGE (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT):• Retro lovers will covet the sleek Klip armchair from Koverton Classics ($1,299),

made of stainless steel and vinyl tubing.

• Seat yourself in soothing style with the Riviera lounge chair from Century Furniture

($2,600 to $3,900), made of powder-coated aluminum and available in six colors.

• Reposition yourself to your heart’s content with the teak-and-stainless-steel Fifty-

five Chaise Lounge from Giati ($8,060).

• Meditate on life’s mysteries—or just peruse a magazine—on the cushy teak-framed

Moon Sofa (to designers only), designed by John Hutton for Sutherland, available in

four finishes.

• Don’t rely on flowers to make your yard bright. Add pop with the flame-hued

Bellechase chair from Veneman’s Roger Thomas Outdoor Elegance Collection ($1,260).

OPPOSITE: • Say “ooh, la la” to Outdoor Lifestyle’s stunning French-inspired Provencal table

($3,028), crafted of cast and extruded aluminum and flanked by two Ashbury arm

chairs ($388 each) and six Ashbury side chairs ($318 each). c o n t i n u e d


2 2 / J U L Y 2 0 0 9

At HOME


THIS PAGE (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT):• Choose this Coast Arc Chaise ($4,300) from Henry Hall Designs and your space

will always be sunny. The lounge features underseat storage and is adjustable to

six positions.

• Rock out with Pier 1 Imports’ Pier Painted Wood Rocking Chair ($160).

• Go modern with this Zephyr Collection resin-weave arm chair ($2,185 to $2,320,

depending on fabric).

• Don’t stay ahead of the curve, rest upon it with Whitecraft’s rounded All-Weather

Wave Runner Lounge Rocker ($1,120).

• Give your patio a comfy spot of whimsy with the colorful iron curls of the Re-

Trouvé 566 chair ($1,120), by Patricia Urquiola for Emu.

OPPOSITE:• Relax regally in Windham Castings’ elegant Catalina chaise longue ($1,550),

made of powder-coated aluminum. ■

M I D D L E S E X H E A L T H & L I F E / 2 3


2 4 / J U L Y 2 0 0 9

ESCAPESb y K r i s t i n C o l e l l a

HOW MANY OF THESE GARDEN STATE ADVENTURES WILL YOU

EXPERIENCE THIS SUMMER?

If New Jersey were a distant destination, you might have journeyed here to

discover its many wonders long ago. But who expects travel thrills in their own

backyard? Fact is though, we Jerseyans are blessed: Within a short drive there

are sandy beaches, lush farmlands, rolling mountains, scenic rivers—and unfor-

gettable experiences. Try these 10 types of nearby fun:

JERSEY JOYS

b y K r i s t i n C o l e l l a

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Boston. Though numerous hiking trails are availablefor visitors, paddling through the Pinelands’ pristinewaterways is perhaps the best way to enjoy its largelyuntouched beauty in the summertime. The WhartonState Forest in Atlantic, Burlington and Camdencounties permits canoeing on the Mullica, Batsto,Wading and Oswego rivers, where you can observebald eagles, red-tailed hawks, river otters, Pine Barrenstree frogs and more. Don’t own a canoe of your own?You can rent one to take onto the Wading or Oswegorivers at Pine Barrens Canoe Rental in Chatsworth (1-800-732-0793, www.pinebarrenscanoe.com; $48 per canoe).

4BIRD-WATCH IN THEMEADOWLANDS

The Meadowlands in Bergen andHudson counties is a haven for some of thestate’s most magnificent birds, and you canview them up close thanks to 1,168 acres ofpublicly accessible parks, viewing platforms and walk-ing and paddling trails. Hackensack Riverkeeper(201-968-0808, www.hackensackriverkeeper.org) offerseducational guided bird walks through various spots inthe Meadowlands, such as Mill Creek Wetlands Trail inSecaucus—where you’ll observe green-winged teals,herons, egrets, raptors, hawks and osprey—and theRichard W. DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, home to sand-pipers, semipalmated plovers, great blue herons and anincreasing number of yellow-crowned night herons,considered a threatened species by the state.

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1PARASAIL OVER THE ATLANTICSeagulls aren’t the only ones who can

relish a bird’s-eye view of the AtlanticCoast—you can too, thanks to numerousJersey Shore companies that offer parasail-ing, soaring in a parachute towed by amotorboat. For a view of the Garden State’ssouthern coast, try Hang Loose Parasail inWildwood (609-522-9453, www.hanglooseparasail.com), which provides single, doubleand triple rides lasting eight to 12 minutes inthe air ($65 per person), operated by UnitedStates Coast Guard–trained captains. Hangon tight, because you could reach heights upto 500 feet—the highest permitted by NewJersey law. Want to relive your flight on land? HangLoose can photograph your experience with 35mmSLR cameras with zoom lenses ($24 for 24 photos).

2HIKE THE APPALACHIAN TRAILSpanning approximately 2,178 miles from Maine

to Georgia, the Appalachian Trail is the nation’slongest footpath, with 72 of its miles running throughnorthwestern New Jersey along the Kittatinny Range.You can enjoy breathtaking scenery on a hike throughall or part of the Jersey trail, which extends from theDelaware Water Gap opposite Pennsylvania to AbramS. Hewitt State Forest in Passaic County. On thesouthern end check out Sunfish Pond in WorthingtonState Forest, a 44-acre glacial lakesurrounded by a chestnut oak forest. In the north, a walkthrough the rocky ridges of HighPoint State Park offers stunningvalley and mountain views.

3PADDLE THROUGHTHE PINELANDS

Encompassing about 1.1 millionacres of tranquil pine oak forests,streams, rivers, farms, crossroadhamlets and small towns in south-ern New Jersey, the Pinelands NationalReserve—also called the Pine Barrens—isthe largest body of open space on the Mid-Atlantic seaboard between Richmond and


Escapes_MSX_209_v2.jc 5/20/09 2:46 PM Page 43

5SPOT WHALES IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT

You can observe the world’s largestmammals with a family-friendlywhale-watching cruise offered by theCape May Whale and Research Center inCape May (609-898-0055, www.capemaywhalewatch.com). The two- to three-hour journeystake you on the Atlantic aboard the 80-foot-long M/VWhale Watcher, where you’ll learn about the feeding,migratory and breeding habits of whales, dolphins andlocal birds, as well as “spotting techniques” for viewingwhales and dolphins in the water. ($28 to $38 foradults; $18 to $23 for children ages 7 to 12.)

6VISIT THE LAKOTA WOLF PRESERVEListen to the howls of tundra, timber and arctic

wolves—and watch them run and play from a safevantage point—at the Lakota Wolf Preserve inColumbia (1-877-733-9653, www.lakotawolf.com).Lakota offers Wolf Watch programs twice daily, allow-ing you to view four packs of wolves in a special obser-vation area and learn interesting facts about them, suchas their social structure and eating habits ($15 foradults, $7 for children under 12). Because photos taken

at the Wolf Watch program will revealchain-link fencing installed for safety

reasons, more serious photographers canenjoy a guided photography session

around each individual wolf compound($300 for two hours), which provides numer-

ous opportunities to photograph the wolves up to 3 feet away through special portal openings in the fencing.

7TAKE A HOT-AIR BALLOON RIDEWant to capture the full beauty of Hunterdon

County’s serene rolling hills, tranquil farmlands andbreathtaking old estates? Leave the car behind and hopon a hot-air balloon. Hunterdon Ballooning Inc. (908-788-5415, www.hunterdonballooning.com) in Fleming-ton launches 45-minute flights—in the evening daily,with additional morning launches on weekends—takingyou on a dreamy voyage a few thousand feet in the air.Visitors float over picturesque corn and grain fields,lakes, meadows and forests—and on clear days cansometimes even see the New York City and Philadelphiaskylines as well as the Delaware Water Gap. Wear comfyclothes and bring a camera and your thirst for adven-ture. ($215 to $295 per person, includes a complimenta-ry champagne toast and snacks following your flight.)

8STROLL THROUGH STERLING HILL MINE

You might not strike gold, but a walk throughthe world-famous Sterling Hill zinc mine inOgdensburg, which closed in 1986 and isthought to have been operational as far back asthe early 1700s, will provide invaluable insightinto New Jersey’s rich mining history. The one-hour, 1,300-foot underground stroll is part of atour offered by the Sterling Hill MiningMuseum, a nonprofit foundation committed topreserving the mine (973-209-7212, www.sterlinghillminingmuseum.org). Tour highlightsinclude walking through mine galleries datingback to the 1830s, viewing pieces of equipmentused in the mine and visiting the RainbowRoom, where brightly fluorescent zinc ore isexposed in the mine walls. Visitors are eveninvited to take a piece of the fluorescent zincore home as a souvenir. ($10 for adults; $9 forseniors; $7.50 for kids 12 and under.)

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9MOUNTAIN-BIKE AT DIABLO FREERIDE PARK

You’ll discover America’s most popular bike park righthere in New Jersey at Diablo Freeride Park in Vernon(973-864-8420, www.diablofreeridepark.com). Anadventure seeker’s haven, the park boasts more than40 custom-built mountain bike trails for beginners toadvanced riders. We suggest checking out the IndyCross, a giant slalom course featuring a series of perfectly sculpted banked turns, jumps and doubles;and the BMW, Utah, Stigmata and Ripper trails—expert terrains complete with rocky off-camber sections (those with corners that force cyclists to the outside of turns). Admission to the park costs $38 for all-day trail and gondola access; you can rent Jamis bicycles for $79 to $99.

10TUBE ON THE DELAWAREForget water parks—you can enjoy a real

lazy river ride by renting single, double and triple tubes from Delaware River Tubing in Frenchtown(908-996-5386, www.delawarerivertubing.com). Tube launches begin along the banks of the DelawareRiver, accessible by a free shuttle from the company’s

headquarters on Route 29. From there you’llsoak up the summersun and take in thebeauty of the region as you follow the river

current for three to four hours, spanning about 5 or 6 miles. Admission fees include a barbecue lunch at The Hotdog Man, a snack stand located about halfway through your voyage on Adven-ture Island (you can munch your meal on picnic tables placed in the water), life jackets and a shuttle to and from Delaware River Tubing’s head-quarters ($18.95 on weekdays; $22.95 on week-ends and holidays). ■

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A TABLE TO TRY After your unforgettable hot-airballoon ride over Hunterdon County, enjoy a delec-table dinner at one of the region’s finest eateries—THE CLINTON HOUSE RESTAURANT in the historictown of Clinton (908-730-9300, www.theclintonhouse.com). Established in 1743 and recently reno-vated in 18th-century style, the restaurant offers aneclectic menu of land, sea and vegetarian special-ties in a peaceful setting. Highlights include pecan-encrusted pork tenderloin, filet mignon with bluecheese and salmon fettuccini.

A PLACE TO PERCH Since parasailing over theAtlantic coast in Wildwood requires a five-hourround-trip drive from Middlesex, we suggestspending a few relaxing days at the PORTROYAL HOTEL (609-729-2000, www.portroyalhotel.com) in nearby Wildwood Crest ($199 to$325 per night). Located right on the sands ofthe Jersey Shore, the luxe hotel offers deluxeguest rooms, one-room efficiencies and oceansuites—all equipped with private balconies, plusfree beach access, an oceanfront sun deck and aheated hourglass-shaped pool.

Escapes_MSX_209_v2.jc 5/20/09 2:47 PM Page 45

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“YOU KNOW THEY SAY TV WILL ROT YOUR BRAIN?That’s absurd. TV only softens the brain like a ripe banana.” Sodeclared actor Alec Baldwin in a Super Bowl spot for web video

hub Hulu. And it turns out he’s more or less right. “The brain is an organ of adaptation,” says Louis

Cozolino, a professor of clinical psychology at PepperdineUniversity in Los Angeles and author of the recent book TheHealthy Aging Brain: Sustaining Attachment, Attaining

Wisdom. “You constantly have to give it something to adapt to.” “It’s better not to spend too much time in passive activities

like watching TV,” agrees Saint Peter’s University Hospital neurol-ogist Jeffrey Greenberg, M.D. “Do things that challenge your mind.”

Neural plasticity—the idea that your brain is continuouslychanging—is a relatively new concept. It explains why people getwiser with age, why personalities change and why seniors who stay

active maintain their mental acuity longer. Research has shown that,contrary to a longtime belief, our brains do not lose a large number of neu-rons as we age. Instead, the synapses that connect these neurons often slowfrom disuse. By stimulating the synapses, we can help ourselves stay sharp.

The quiz at right tests your memory, your ability to think on ahigher plane and your social stimulation. All are important for a fit, sharpmind. Take the quiz and tally your score to see how your brain fares.

HEALTH WATCHb y S e a n R y a n

How fit is yourBRAIN?

Follow these 10 tips from neurologists to

keep your mind sharp:

1. Exercise regularly. “There’s evidence that

exercise is healthy for the brain,” says Jef-

frey Greenberg, M.D., a neurologist affili-

ated with Saint Peter’s University Hospital.

“It’s been shown to slow cognitive decline.”

2. Get lots of sleep. The brain doesn’t store

and consolidate information properly with-

out about seven hours of high-quality sleep

each night. For restorative slumber, avoid

regular use of alcohol, cold medicines called

“p.m.” or benzodiazapene drugs—those

with chemical names ending in “pam.”

3. Play with children whenever you get the

chance. Interacting with different age

groups keeps you alert.

4. Eat right. A Mediterranean diet—one

that’s strong on fish, fruits and vegetables,

olive oil and unsaturated fats—is a proven

brain boost, says Dr. Greenberg.

5. Challenge your “executive function”—

the ability to coordinate different activities

and remember schedules—by planning a

meal that involves a recipe with many steps.

6. Fill the unused time in your day. Bring a

book to read while you’re in the waiting

room or in line. Sign up for an adult educa-

tion class for evenings when you’re not busy.

7. Vary your route to work or the grocery

store. This snaps you out of the “autopilot”

of driving to familiar locations.

8. Consider learning a foreign language,

taking up a demanding hobby or mastering

a musical instrument.

9. “Find mentally challenging activities

you like—that way, you’ll keep doing them,”

says Dr. Greenberg. Examples could be

crossword puzzles, “word searches” or

reading discussion groups.

10. Be social. The stimulation of friendly

social contact helps keep the brain young.

Train your brain!

TAKE OUR QUIZ TO FIND OUT HOW WELL

YOU’RE KEEPING THAT GRAY MATTER IN SHAPE

FitBrain_MSX_209_v1.tsk 5/20/09 3:01 PM Page 16


Before you begin, think of three words.

Remember them for later.

1 Name the next number in this pattern:

1, 3, 6, 10, 15, ___Give yourself one point if you are correct (see the key below for answers when you’ve finished thissection).

a. 18

b. 20

c. 21

d. 25

2 What did you have for breakfast yesterday?

If you can remember in less than 15 seconds, giveyourself one point.

3 Did you have trouble executing all the steps

involved in the last recipe you followed?

If you did not, give yourself one point.

4 Take 100 and subtract 7 from it in your head,

then subtract 7 from the difference.

Give yourself one point if you can continue this

pattern five more times (see key below).

5 Are you able to balance your checkbook

without difficulty? If yes, give yourself one point.

6 Who is the current governor of New Jersey?

If you can remember in less than 15 seconds, give

yourself one point (see key below).

7 Do you ever forget your intended destina-

tion while you’re driving? If you never do,

give yourself one point.

8 What is 1 + 2 – 3 + 4 – 5 + 6? Give yourself

one point if you are correct (see key below).

a. 1

b. 5

c. 7

d. 10

9 What were the three words you selected at

the beginning of the quiz? Give yourself one

point for each word you can remember.

SELECTED ANSWERS: 1. c; 4. the sequence is as

follows: 93, 86, 79, 72, 65, 58, 51; 6. Jon Corzine; 8. b

10 How often do you feel lonely while in crowds?

a. almost never

b. sometimes

c. frequently

11 How often do you interact with new people?

a. regularly

b. sometimes

c. rarely

12 How many good friends have you made in

the last three years?

a. several

b. one to two

c. none

13 How often do you get enough sleep at night?

a. always

b. sometimes

c. never

14 You are happy with your day-to-day life:

a. most of the time

b. sometimes

c. rarely

SCORING: Give yourself two points for every a, one

point for every b and zero points for every c in section 2.

Add your total with your score from section 1 for your

final tally.

17–21 POINTS: A beautiful mind. Good job! You’ve

kept your life chock-full of brain-stimulating activities,

but a little extra exertion never hurts. Exercise both your

cognitive and social sides by chatting with someone

new, and then perhaps inviting him or her over for a

game of chess or cards.

11–16 POINTS: Second thoughts. Luckily you’re not

staring blankly at the television all the time, but you

could certainly stand more stimuli. Cognitively, try tack-

ling a crossword puzzle or a game of Scrabble. Socially,

try volunteering with a group or joining a book club.

0–10 POINTS: Brain freeze. Your mind could use a

variety of different challenges. One idea: Signing up

for an adult-education class in a subject that interests

you will exercise both parts of your brain—cognitively

through the instruction itself, and socially through

interaction with your fellow students. ■

Cognitivesection1

Social/emotionalsection 2

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other reasons, collect your old mammogram files—bethey film or digital files—and personally take them tothe new imaging center.

4Speak up about any symptoms. There are twobranches of mammography: screening and diag-

nostic. Screening is your yearly test. You zip in and out.Diagnostic mammography is a completely differentpiece of the puzzle.

If you are having specific symptoms—you feel alump, for example, or have nipple discharge—be sure totell your doctor. He or she needs to know what you’re expe-riencing in order to determine if extra tests are needed. Itmight not even be a mammogram that’s required—yourdoctor may want you to have an ultrasound exam instead.

5Don’t choose a “live read.” Some imaging centers boast that they will read your film “live”—

that is, while you wait. Patients often think this meansthey’re getting better service—but that’s often not the case.

For one thing, centers that have the time to do livereads are not very busy, experts often note—and theremay be a reason for that. Also, live reads force staff tomultitask and rush. A better system is when radiologistsare able to take a day’s worth of films and read them ina private room. This way, they’re not interrupted, theycan take their time and, if necessary, they can ask a col-league for an opinion. ■

MAMMOGRAMS ARE THE BEST tool we have for early breast cancer detec-tion, doctors say. But even when they’redone right, these studies aren’t perfect.They may miss some tumors while high-lighting other tissue irregularities thatprove harmless, and reading the results canbe a subtle skill.

How can you make sure you’re get-ting the best possible image and read?Experts offer five suggestions:

1Check the mammography center’s certifi-cate. The federal Mammogram Quality Standards

Act (MQSA) of 1992 sets minimum criteria for bothequipment and professionals’ training, and annualinspections are the basis for the certification that permitsa center to operate legally. When you’re deciding whereto have your mammogram, ask to see a facility’s FDAcertificate and make sure it’s current, or log on to theInternet and check the FDA’s website, www.fda.gov/cdrh/mammography.

2Make sure the doctors are fellowship-trained in breast imaging or spend a large

amount of time doing breast imaging. Clinicians who do only breast imaging are best, but any-one who spends at least 50 percent of his or her timereading breast film is probably well-versed. How canyou be sure your doctor has sufficient expertise? Don’tbe afraid to ask.

3Make sure the facility has a record of yourprevious mammograms. If old files aren’t avail-

able, doctors won’t know what’s new or changed—andhalf the interpretation is missed. It’s small changes overtime that raise suspicions. Without earlier films for com-parison, a doctor may spot something that actually hasbeen there for five or 10 years. That could lead to anunnecessary biopsy.

If you need to change facilities for insurance or

tips for your

MAMMOGRAMHOW TO BE SURE YOU GET

THE BEST READ

5

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HEALTH WATCH

Mamo_MSX_209_v1.jcREV 5/26/09 3:16 PM Page 44

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at Saint Peter ’sBUZZSaint Peter’s Auxiliary hosted the

“Pretty in Pink” Fashion Runway 2009

at the Doubletree Hotel in Somerset on

May 2 to benefit the hospital’s Breast

Cancer Program. Saint Peter’s staff and

physicians modeled Stein Mart fashions.

Susan McManus, M.D., breast surgeon

and head of the Breast Care Team, and

Gopal Rao Desai, M.D., chair of

Radiation Oncology, were among the

fashionable physicians on hand.

Saint Peter’s University Hospital was not

always a high-tech, 478-bed teaching hospi-

tal. In 1907 it was a 25-bed facility in the

Victorian home of a former postmaster. A

Century of Caring is a delightful history of

the hospital’s first 100 years, written by two

Saint Peter’s physicians: Nayan Kothari,

M.D., chair of the Department of Medicine,

and Palma Formica, M.D., chair of the Depart-

ment of Family Practice. Filled with old and

current photos, the

book is available in

hardcover and soft-

cover at HomeCare

America, Somerset

Village Plaza, 900

Easton Avenue,

Somerset; in Saint

Peter’s gift shop,

254 Easton

Avenue, New

Brunswick; or on-

line at www.saint

petersuh.com.

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The

A CENTURY OF CARING

Saint Peter’s teamed up with New Brunswick

Recreation for a third annual family day of

fun, “Just for the Health of It.” The affair was

held May 16 across the street from Saint

Peter’s in beautiful Buccleuch Park, and fea-

tured live bands, games, bicycle safety advice—

and New Jersey’s first mass yoga event.

Pediatric charge nurse Stephanie Singer was

one of many hospital staff who participated.

Here, a student from Greater Brunswick

Charter School attends her Teddy Bear Clinic.

‘Just for the health of it’

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Amar Bukhari, M.D.A GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITYof Medicine and Dentistry of NewJersey–New Jersey Medical School whocompleted residencies at Robert WoodJohnson Medical School in internal medi-cine and a fellowship in pulmonary andcritical care medicine, Amar Bukhari,M.D., 44, has been at Saint Peter’sUniversity Hospital since 1997. He’s chiefof pulmonary critical care and sleep medi-cine and lives in South Brunswick.

Q: Why do you work full-time in a hospitalrather than in a private practice?It lets me combine clinical care, adminis-trative work and teaching. I enjoy all three.I serve on several committees and teachmedical residents and students fromDrexel University College of Medicine—taking them from patient to patient,quizzing them and helping them adapttheir knowledge. Q: Where are you from originally?Pakistan. I came to this country at age 7.Q: What is an iftar?It’s the evening meal that breaks the dailyfast in the month of Ramadan, whenMuslims fast from dawn to sundown. Withthe help of Jerry Herauf, director of PastoralCare, we’ve established a special prayerroom at Saint Peter’s for my fellowMuslims—and everyone else—and we ded-icate a conference room to an annual iftar.Q: What do you do for fun?My wife, Atiya Aftab, and I like to take ourchildren—daughters Zahra, 12; and Alya,11; and son Imran, 8—on trips to learnabout other cultures.Q: As a lung specialist, do you ever becomefrustrated with patients who smoke?No, I see it as part of the illness, and I trydifferent approaches. A year ago, a 92-year-old woman smoker who’d driven herself toher appointment complained of shortnessof breath. I paid her five dollars for her cig-arette pack and made her promise to buy itback from me if she smoked again. She’sstill around and I still have the pack. ■

Faces of SAINT PETER’S

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Barbie Zimmerman-Bier, M.D.FAMILY AND PROFESSIONAL CON- cerns entwine for Barbie Zimmerman-Bier,M.D., 48, Saint Peter’s University Hospital’schief of Developmental and BehavioralPediatrics. A graduate of a B.A./M.D. programat Brooklyn College and the State University ofNew York Health Science Center, she com-pleted a pediatric residency at New YorkHospital–Cornell Medical Center. Then, afterher firstborn, Sam, was diagnosed with anautism-spectrum disorder, she completed a fel-lowship in developmental and behavioralpediatrics at New York Medical College.

Q: What does your work involve?I see many parents with concerns who ask me,“Is my child normal?” Much of my job is help-ing them to understand how their child isdeveloping. I also teach, and one day a week Irun an early screening program at theLakeview School of the New Jersey Institute forDevelopmental Disabilities.Q: What’s one key lesson parents need to learn?To trust their instincts. Often, they’re the bestpeople to assess their child’s progress.Q: Are autism diagnoses now more common?Yes. In New Jersey, one child in 94 now has adisorder of this kind.Q: Do we know why?Increased public awareness brings more casesto light, and we’ve broadened the diagnosticcriteria. Whether there’s also an absoluteincrease is something we’re still studying.Q: How is Sam today?At 19, he’s doing very well; he’s passed his dri-ver’s test and is preparing for college.Q: Do you have other kids?Yes, my husband—Steven Bier, M.D., a radiol-ogist—and I have twin 17-year-old sons,Solomon and Kenny, and a 10-year-old daugh-ter, Dayna. We live in East Brunswick.Q: What do you do for recreation?I love theater (In the Heights is a favorite) andsometimes I steal the kids’ iPod when I workout. I like hip-hop, also Springsteen. ■

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THE CANCER SPECIALISTS AT SAINT PETER’S REALLY WENT TO BAT FOR ME.Just like every other kid, I dreamed of becoming a ballplayer. Then, from out of left field, I got hit with leukemia. Lucky for me, the cancer specialists at Saint Peter’s University Hospital stayed right by my side through every procedure and every chemotherapy treatment.With their entire team rooting for me, I wasn’t about to quit. Today, I’m back on the field, and I’ve knocked cancer out of the park!

To learn more about Cancer Care, call 732-745-6674 (pediatric), 732-745-8600 ext. 8325 (adult) or visit saintpetersuh.com

Ryan McKee

254 EASTON AVENUE, NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ 08901 � 732.745.8600Catholic hospital sponsored by the Diocese of Metuchen � State-designated children’s hospital and regional perinatal center


able by special order, HCA has something for anyone inneed of medical help, Ferraro says. She understands thatsuch a large space filled with so many items can be daunt-

ing to many patients or families, who arealready stressed from dealing with illness or

injury, not to mention insurance hassles.That’s why customer service is of primaryimportance, as Ferraro explains. And that’swhy HCA staffers are called product consul-tants, not salespeople.

GIVEN A CHOICE BETWEEN RECUPERATINGin the hospital or recuperating at home after an illness orinjury, most people would prefer to recover in the com-fort of their own home. Hospitals, too, prefer to dis-charge patients as soon as they are able to safely manageon their own. While the cost of healthcare plays a largepart in the trend toward speedy discharge, restoring asense of normalcy and regaining independence by con-valescing at home are important to the healing process.

To provide that home-based care, families oftenneed special equipment—from hospital beds and wheel-chairs to bandages and compression stockings. SaintPeter’s Healthcare System helps families rent or buythose supplies, which are grouped under the umbrellaterm “durable medical equipment” (DME), through itsaffiliated home medical equipment and respiratoryequipment company, HomeCare America (HCA), amember of the healthcare system.

“The mission of Saint Peter’s is to provide a cul-ture of caring, a continuum of care, and we take that veryseriously,” says Patti Ferraro, general manager of HCA.The company was formed 11 years ago to serve patientswho were discharged from the hospital but still requiredsophisticated medical products and services at home.

With more than 4,000 items on hand at its 3,500-square-foot Somerset location and countless more avail-

FROM BANDAGES TO BEDS, MEDICAL

EQUIPMENT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN

PATIENTS’ RECOVERY

3 8 / J U L Y 2 0 0 9

Inside LOOK

Where better healthis in store

When you need medical devicesHomeCare America’s Somerset store is located in Somerset Village Plaza,

900 Easton Avenue, Somerset. Regular hours are Monday through Saturday,

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 732-993-1010.

HomeCare America has one overarching mission: to

provide unforgettably great service. Here, a customer

receives personal attention from Sophie Wentworth, one

of the product consultants, in the mobility “concept shop.”

InsideLook_MSX_209_v8.jc 5/26/09 3:12 PM Page 38

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“The idea is that you walk in and tell us yourdiagnosis or problem, and we help you deal with it,” shesays. “As consultants, we educate you on what productsand services we have to meet your particular needs. Weoften hear people walk away saying, ‘I didn’t even knowthat product existed!’”

With more than 100 years of combined experiencein the DME field, HCA’s product consultants knowalmost every medical product and service there is. Somealso have medical credentials: Ferraro, who has been in

the DME field for more than 20 years, is one of thenurses on staff, and a certified respiratory therapist isalso available at all times.

There are five people on staff whose only job is tostay current with the complicated regulatory issues andinsurance entanglements that surround DME. SaysFerraro: “The laws change all the time, and Medicareregulations change every three months. Something thatmight have cost X dollars in January will cost Y dollarsin June. That’s also where our expertise makes us a use-


InsideLook_MSX_209_v8.jcREV 5/29/09 10:56 AM Page 39

ilar medical supplies.The second part of HCA’s

business is home medical equip-ment. It includes the same itemsthat are available retail, but handles equipment that is pre-scribed by a doctor and billed tothe patient’s insurance company.Larger items such as beds aredelivered to the home, wheretechnicians install the equipmentand teach the customer how touse it properly and maintain it.

“We have between 800 and1,000 people using our home ser-vices at any one time,” Ferrarosays. Beginning this year, DMEhome services providers need tobe accredited by the JointCommission, which monitorshospitals and other healthcareinstitutions for safety and regula-tory compliance. Ferraro expectsHCA to obtain its accreditationthis July.

HCA’s third major business component is respi-ratory products and services. This is separated fromother equipment because state regulations require thata licensed respiratory therapist and respiratory nurse beavailable to oversee the complicated devices, due to thefact that these products are used to treat life-threateningconditions such as lung disease, congestive heart failure,severe asthma and obstructive sleep apnea.

Respiratory devices include oxygen concentrators,liquid oxygen tanks, gas cylinders, nebulizers and sleepapnea breathing devices for children and adults. Theseitems account for about 40 percent of HCA’s business,Ferraro says.

“This is a difficult business,” she adds. “The peo-ple we serve are either sick or stressed. That means wehave to be flexible, think fast and do whatever we canto help them.” Ferraro says her company has an over-arching mission: to provide unforgettably great service.“We push ourselves to be sure to follow the highest eth-ical standards and the best business practices 100 percentof the time. The Saint Peter’s motto is ‘Treating you bet-ter for life,’ and that fits into the continuum of care thatwe help provide.” ■

ful resource for our customers.”Ferraro breaks her business down into four com-

ponents. The first is retail. The store averages about4,000 walk-in customers a year who pay for goods andservices themselves, Ferraro says. When retail customerscome to HCA, a product consultant steers them towardone of six “concept shops”: • BATH SAFETY. This area includes grab bars, specialfaucets, seats, stools and other items to help ill or infirmpatients shower or bathe more safely. “We have a fullbath and shower set up, so people can try these productsout,” Ferraro says. • PATIENT ROOM. Here you’ll find beds, recliners,linens, specialty pillows, soaps, shampoos, gowns andother items for safety and comfort at home. • MOBILITY. This is where to find wheelchairs, walkers,rollators (four-wheel walkers with a seat and basket),car lifts and other things to help the patient get around.• INCONTINENCE. This “shop” contains adult diapers,plastic pants, bed coverings and other products. • ORTHOPEDICS. Customers who need crutches, braces,splints, bandages and other orthopedic items come here. • PROFESSIONAL. This is where to find thermo-meters, stethoscopes, blood pressure monitors and sim-

Inside LOOK

4 0 / J U L Y 2 0 0 9

Professional home visits are a hallmark of service at HomeCare America.

Medical professionals make home visits to ensure that their customers are

properly fitted for their prescribed medical equipment—from infant apnea

monitors to wheelchairs—and know how to use it safely and effectively.

InsideLook_MSX_209_v8.jc 5/26/09 3:13 PM Page 40

UTERINE FIBROIDS—NONCANCEROUS GROWTHSon the wall of the uterus—affect 20 to 40 percent of allwomen age 35 and older and up to 50 percent of African-American women in that age group. What causes them isnot completely known, and for many women they pro-duce no symptoms and require no treatment. But for oth-ers they can cause heavy bleeding, cramping, back pain,frequent urination and discomfort during intercourse.Until recently, the only real treatment option was remov-ing the uterus through hysterectomy. Now, however,many women can have nonsurgical treatment of theirfibroids, and relief from symptoms, through a minimallyinvasive procedure called uterine fibroid embolization.

The procedure is performed by an interventionalradiologist, who uses state-of-the art imaging and mini-mally invasive techniques to offer options for treatmentof a wide range of medical conditions, says ChristopherGribbin, M.D., co-chief of vascular and interventionalradiology at Saint Peter’s University Hospital.

To treat fibroids, Dr. Gribbin embolizes, orblocks, the flow of blood to the fibroids, effectivelykilling them. Prior to the procedure, he obtains an MRI(magnetic resonance imaging scan) to find the exactlocation of the fibroids. On the day of the procedure, thewoman is placed under mild sedation and is given alocal anesthetic to her groin area, where Dr. Gribbinmakes a small pinpoint-size nick in the skin to access anartery. Then, using sophisticated X-ray equipment, heinserts a guiding catheter—a very small tube—into theartery and advances it carefully into each of the mainblood vessels that feed the uterus, located on either side.

He then threads a special tiny catheter through theguiding catheter. This second catheter holds tiny plasticbeads “made of the same material as contact lenses,” ashe explains. “We inject them into the blood vessel at theedge of the uterus and the blood carries them to thefibroid. They lodge there and block the flow of blood.The fibroids literally starve to death.”

The procedure takes about an hour and requires aone-night stay in the hospital. “There may be significantcramping afterward,” says Dr. Gribbin. But total recov-ery usually takes only five to seven days, compared withabout six weeks for a hysterectomy, he says.

Women generally see their symptoms relievedwithin a month or two, and sometimes sooner,Dr. Gribbin says. The success rate is about 90 percent,and there are few risks associated with the procedure,which usually does not prevent women from becom-ing pregnant.

Many, but not all, women are eligible for fibroidembolization, which is an underutilized treatment, Dr.Gribbin says. The technique was introduced in 1995,but has only become well known over the past five yearsor so, he says. “The overarching message is patientchoice. Interventional radiologists offer patients theleast invasive and most advanced treatment options, butpatients may not always be aware of their options.Women and their gynecologists need to know about thisprocedure and what interventional radiologists can do,”he adds. “It isn’t right for everyone, but it is right for anawful lot of women.” ■

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Tech

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SPECIALISTS NOW TREAT

UTERINE FIBROID TUMORS

WITHOUT SURGERY

Embolization is a better choice than hysterectomy for many women who

are bothered by uterine fibroids, says interventional radiologist Christopher

Gribbin, M.D.

An alternative to hysterectomy

DDIIDD YYOOUU KKNNOOWW??

Hysterectomies are performed more than once a minute in

the U.S., most of them to treat uterine fibroids—and many

aren’t necessary.

Source: National Uterine Fibroids Foundation

Tech_MSX_209_v4.jcREV 5/26/09 4:22 PM Page 41

NOT TOO MANY YEARS AGO, IT WAS CONSID-ered the summertime norm to lie in the sun for hours, get-ting as brown as possible. Today we know that’s flirtingwith skin cancer. But while most of us havechanged our sunning habits at least a bit, thedisease remains a threat.

“I see 30 or 40 cases of skin cancereach month,” says Jeremy Rothfleisch,M.D., a dermatologist affiliated with SaintPeter’s University Hospital. It’s the mostcommon cancer, but three sensible steps canhelp you avoid it:

1 KNOW THE DANGERS. It’s not just a badburn that poses a hazard—it’s tanning too. “The

bottom line is, the more sun you get, the worse it is foryou,” says Dr. Rothfleisch.

That said, a burn is more dangerous than a tan, anda burn in childhood or adolescence increases your skin-cancer risk more than a burn later on. Skin cancer playsfavorites too. Generally, the fairer-skinned you are, thehigher the danger you face,and having naturally blondhair means you’re at two tofour times the average risk ofmelanoma, the most seriouskind of skin cancer. You’realso at greater risk if a familymember has been diagnosedwith skin cancer.

While tanning booths

are sometimes touted as a safe alternative to sunning, Dr.Rothfleisch says to beware. Several studies have shown thatpeople who go regularly to tanning booths had a 75 per-cent greater-than-average likelihood of developingmelanoma before age 35. And though it’s true that sun-light, real or artificial, provides vitamin D, most of us getenough D just from casual exposure to sunshine.

“I’m not saying you have to be indoors all the time,”says the dermatologist. “You can’t live your life in a bubble.But when I take my young children to the beach, we wearshirts and use an SPF 70 to 85 sunblock.”

2 USE PROTECTION. The lotions and sprays sold for useagainst sunburn filter out ultraviolet B rays, sunlight’s

principal cancer-causing agent. It’s best to apply them 20 to25 minutes before you go into the sun, says Dr. Rothfleisch.And reapply thoroughly every two hours—more often if yougo swimming—because the moisture from perspiration orimmersion reduces sunscreen’s effectiveness.

If you select a sunscreen that combats ultraviolet Arays as well as B, you’ll be protected not only from skin

cancer but from the wrinkling and drying that causeskin to age prematurely.

3 CHECK YOUR SKIN. Melanoma, themost dangerous kind of skin cancer,

accounts for just 4 percent of cases, but 79percent of skin-cancer deaths—it claimssome 7,800 lives in the U.S. each year. But

because melanoma is on the skin, you cansee it develop almost from the beginning—if

you can recognize it—so there’s a better chancefor early intervention and a cure than with many

cancers. That’s why your skin is an important part of yourregular physical exam with your doctor. And between exams,be vigilant, watching for any change in a mole or growth.

“For an easy-to-remember guide, think ‘ABCDE,’”says Dr. Rothfleisch. “If a mole changes in asymmetry, bor-der, color or diameter, or if it evolves, show it to your doc-tor or a dermatologist promptly.” ■

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Save yourSKIN

YOU CAN REDUCE THE

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Sun protection factor—the “SPF” rating you find on sunscreen—technically refers to duration,

not intensity. But studies have shown it’s a good indicator of strength too. Multiply the time

it takes your skin to burn in bright sunlight (30 minutes is typical) by the SPF number to find

out how long you can safely remain in the sun—theoretically. But remember that SPF mea-

sures only the sunscreen’s effect in blocking ultraviolet B rays, not the A rays that can make

you wrinkled before your time.

SUNSCREEN: WHAT THE NUMBERS MEAN

Skin cancer isresponsible for

nearly 11,000 deathsin the U.S. each year.

Source: American Cancer Society

Seasonal_MSX_209_v2.jc 5/26/09 3:04 PM Page 42

Middlesex UP CLOSE

WHAT ARIE BEHAR OFSouth Brunswick remembersmost about his wife, Amy, hesays, is her “sensational smile.”She was wonderful to comehome to, he recalls, no matterhow hard the day had been.

“I feel cheated,” he goeson. “My daughters feel cheated.It was not fair.”

It certainly wasn’t fairthat Amy Feiman Behar died ofbreast cancer in 2007 at age 49.A bright, spirited and endlesslygenerous Brown University gradwho worked as an office man-ager for an IT consulting firmin Princeton, she left behindArie, her Israeli-born husband,and daughters Maya, now 24,and Leah, 22. And her threesurvivors searched for a way tobring meaning to their terriblyunjust loss.

“We wanted to do some-thing, but we didn’t know what,” says Behar, 52, whoowns a commercial real estate management company.“Finally we settled on an initiative that would keep hermemory alive—and help prevent someone else from suf-fering the same fate.”

The result is the Amy Foundation, established inOctober 2008. Its mission is to raise enough money to payfor one breast-cancer screening mammogram every day atSaint Peter’s University Hospital for women who—forfinancial reasons—might otherwise be unable to bescreened. Prospective participants must be 40 or older,meet income eligibility requirements and not be coveredunder any insurance plan, including Medicaid. At presstime, the newly minted foundation had raised more than$150,000, enough to allow 166 women to be screened.That, says Behar, is the best way to ensure that no otherfamily has to lose a loved one as he did.

“Early detection is the key to healing from breastcancer,” says Behar. “And I say ‘healing’ instead of ‘cure’

for a reason. People are alreadyspending a lot of money to find acure, but my feeling is that thatwill be too late for many women—the ones who are already behindthe eight ball. So we decided toconcentrate on early detection.Finding the cancer early, before itspreads, is the best way, medicallyand economically, to help thesewomen heal.”

The Amy Foundation spon-sors several regular fundraisingevents, notably an annual bike ridethrough Somerset and Middlesexcounties, which was held for thesecond time this year on May 31.

Ironically, though, its causedoesn’t precisely fit its namesake:Amy Behar did not perish for lackof mammography screenings.Because she had a family history ofbreast cancer—both her motherand grandmother had the disease—Amy was screened every year,

Behar says. But she was diagnosed in 2000, before today’shigh-powered MRI (magnetic resonance image) screen-ings. “By the time they found the cancer, it was too late,” hesays. With today’s equipment it’s possible that she couldhave been saved, but no one knows for sure.

As it was, Amy Behar underwent several opera-tions, radiation and chemotherapy, but doctors couldn’tprevent the cancer from spreading to her bones. She diedseven weeks before her 25th wedding anniversary, nineweeks before Maya graduated from Vassar College and20 weeks before her 50th birthday.

Still, the foundation (www.theamyfoundation.org)is a fitting tribute to his wife, says Behar. Amy was anindefatigable volunteer who always had time for a goodcause—or a good friend—and she would undoubtedlyapprove. “I believe that healthcare is a basic need ofeveryone,” Behar declares. “No woman should diebecause she can’t afford insurance.”

You fight unfairness, after all, where you can. ■

In Amy’s nameA WIDOWER IS DETERMINED TO HELP OTHER WOMEN BEAT THE DISEASE THAT TOOK HIS WIFE

b y D a v i d L e v i n e


UpClose_MSX_209_FINALrev 5/27/09 9:21 AM Page 44

CHALK IT UP TO AN EAGERNESS TO PLEASE. A member of the summer squash family, zucchini is one ofthe most prolific plants around. Indeed, zucchini left onthe vine can grow to several feet in length, but the fruit ismost tender when pluckedyoung (about 6 to 8 inches long)with firm, shiny skin. With aplentiful supply in summermonths, it’s a good thing recipesfor zucchini abound, fromcasseroles to quiches to pastadishes to that beloved bread.And no need to feel guilty aboutoverindulging—at just 20 calories per cup, the squash arean excellent source of vitamin C. Still, if your garden yieldstoo big a bounty, don’t fret: You can refrigerate zucchini forup to five days ... or simply share with friends. ■

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Glorious Food

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8 small zucchini (about7 inches long and 11⁄4 to11⁄2 inches wide)

Kosher salt

21⁄2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

6 ounces fresh sausage,such as lamb or mildpork sausage

1 cup minced onion

Freshly ground blackpepper

1 cup finely chopped,

peeled and seededtomatoes

1 tablespoon mincedgarlic

1 tablespoon freshlychopped basil leaves

1 teaspoon freshlychopped thyme leaves

1⁄4 cup fine dry breadcrumbs, divided

1⁄4 cup grated Gruyere

1⁄4 cup finely gratedParmesan

Provençal-style stuffed zucchiniSERVES 4–8

• Lay the zucchini down on a flat work surface

and, using a sharp knife, cut the top 1⁄4 of each

squash off lengthwise.

• Using a small melon baller or paring knife,

remove the inner flesh from the zucchini to form a

small boat shape, leaving a shell on the sides and

bottom approximately 1⁄4-inch thick. Cut the trim-

mings into 1⁄4-inch dice and reserve separately.

• Lightly salt the inside of each zucchini and set

aside, cut sides down, on paper towels to drain.

• In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive

oil. When hot, add the sausage and sauté until

golden, using a spoon to break it into small

pieces, about 6 minutes.

• Add the onion and cook until soft, 3 to 4 minutes.

• Add the chopped zucchini, season lightly with

salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until squash is

soft and lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes.

• Add the tomatoes and garlic and cook, stirring,

for 2 minutes.

• Add the basil, thyme and 21⁄2 tablespoons of

the breadcrumbs. Season to taste, with addi-

tional salt and pepper if necessary, and set aside

to cool.

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease

a baking dish with 1⁄2 tablespoon of olive oil.

• Pat the insides of the zucchini with paper tow-

els and rub the outsides of the zucchini with the

remaining olive oil.

• Spoon the mostly cooled filling into the zucchini.

Sprinkle with the cheeses, then top with the

remaining bread crumbs.

• Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown and

crispy on top.

A BOUNTIFUL SUMMER STAPLE, ZUCCHINI

IS A SAVORY WARM-WEATHER TREAT

Miracle GROWERS

While considered a

vegetable in the culinary

world, zucchini is technically

a fruit—the swollen ovary

of the zucchini blossom. Source: University of Illinois Extension

Fast fact

Food_MSX_208_v1.jcREV 5/26/09 3:02 PM

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DUBBING ITSELF A BISTRO AND LOUNGE,Novitá lives in that sweet spot between sophisticated andcasual. Chic but not stuffy, the sleek Metuchen restaurantis full of quiet elegance, with large windows, plenty of openspace and warm, wooden tones that glowunder low lighting. That style extends tothe menu, which—true to the eatery’sname (it means “innovation” in Italian)—features modern twists on mostly Italianfare with a few surprises along the way.

One revelation we thoroughlyenjoyed was the salmon rollatini appe-tizer. A special that evening, it featuredhouse-cured smoked salmon wrappedaround a generous portion of goatcheese. The creaminess was a nice bal-ance for the thankfully not-too-saltysalmon, with its perfect, buttery texture.

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A side salad of upland cress—not to be con-fused with the more bitter watercress—topped with pistachios provided a nice cleanand crunchy palate cleanser between bites.Unfortunately, the dish made our secondstarter—gulf shrimp served over arugula,artichokes and roasted red peppers—seem alittle lackluster in comparison. The grilledshrimp were charred perfectly, but theirflavor did not mesh well with the roastedpeppers, which were a bit too potent forthis dish.

Now, when a server declares anentrée her favorite on the menu, we tend tobe a bit skeptical—especially when it’s oneof the more expensive meals offered, andwhen it’s a dish we often find prepared notto our liking. But our waitress was spot-onwith the diver scallops gratin. The hugemollusks, served over whipped potatoeswith sweet peas and pearl onions, weremoist and tender, perfectly seared with acaramelized crust. A black truffle creamsauce tied all the ingredients together, anda side of sautéed broccoli rabe added acrunchy green complement.

Sweet peas appeared again in theduck risotto, a hearty entrée to be sure, butone without the overbearing richness thatoften mars the dish. Tender duck confit and

woodsy forest mushrooms—both in generous portions—were folded into the creamy Arborio rice, which was fin-ished with a veal demi glace.

Desserts here don’t disap-point either. A moist bread puddingwas studded with chunks of choco-late, then drizzled with even morechocolate—talk about comfort on aplate! The dark chocolate cake waseven more of a delight. The dense,fudgy decadence was offset by alarge scoop of hazelnut gelato andfinished with a raspberry coulis.

It’s just such fresh takes onthe familiar that make Novitá asuccess. Add in that attention todetail, and you’ve got a local gem. ■

4 6 / J U L Y 2 0 0 9

b y A m a n d a P r o s tMiddlesex GOURMET

Bistro bliss

Nov i tá25 New Street, Metuchen;

732-549-5306; www.novitanj.com

Hours

Monday through Thursday,

noon–10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday,

noon–11 p.m.

What you should know

• Entrées range from $18 to $34

• Tasting menu available

• All major credit cards accepted

• Open Sundays for private parties

• Jazz Thursday and Friday nights

Gourmet_MSX_209_v3.jcREV 5/26/09 3:08 PM Page 46

PLANTATION SHUTTERS and BLINDS LLC

Craftsmanship • Functionality • Design

To schedule your FREE consultation,

contact us at (866) 215-4265(732) 229-3630

www.MBShutters.com

Well-dressed floors, pages 16–19

Tibetano, line available at SchwartzDesign Showroom, Metuchen, 732-205-0291; Marc Phillips, New York, 212-752-4275; www.tibetano.com

The Rug Company, line available at TheRug Company, New York, 212-274-0444;www.therugcompany.info

ABC Carpet & Home, line available atABC Carpet & Home, SouthHackensack, 201-641-3400, New York,212-473-3000; www.abchome.com

Amy Helfand, 718-643-9577;www.amyhelfand.com

Alicia D. Keshishian, 707-775-3494;www.adkcarpets.com

Graviti Zone Rugs, +34 652 797 765;www.gravitizonerugs.com

Odegard, line available at Odegard,New York, 212-545-0069; www.odegardinc.com

Rug Art, line available at Holland andSherry, New York, 212-355-6241;www.rug-art.net ■

Photo credits, QUIZ: What’s yourdesign era? pages 12–15

Lamps: A, Akemi table lamp fromUttermost; B, Walnut and Nickel DecoDome table lamp from Lamps Plus; C,Countess Retro Medley Giclee tablelamp from Lamps Plus; D, Eclipse tablelamp from Stonegate Designs

Couches: A, Cromwell sofa from EdwardFerrell; B, Robert Scott CA, from Inside ArtDeco: A Pictorial Tour of Deco InteriorsFrom Their Origins to Today by Lucy D.Rosenfield, Schiffer Publishing (October30, 2005); C, Retro Marshmellow sofafrom Vintage Looks; D, CH103 sofa byHans J. Wegner from Suite New York

Side tables: A, Impero table from LewisMittman; B, Cosmo table from LewisMittman; C, Carrello Trolley by Azucenafrom Suite New York; D, Formstelle wait-ress table from Suite New York

Chairs: A, Arosa dining arm chair fromLewis Mittman; B, Art Deco dining chairfrom Inside Art Deco: A Pictorial Tour ofDeco Interiors From Their Origins toToday by Lucy D. Rosenfield, SchifferPublishing (October 30, 2005); C, ArneJacobsen Egg chair from Suite NewYork; D, Edit side chair by PhilippeCramer for Bernhardt Design

Pendant lights: A, Sterling crystal chan-delier from Schonbek; B, Deco invertedpendant from Meyda Tiffany; C,Classique pendant from StonegateDesigns; D, Caboche Collection suspen-sion lamp by Patricia Urquiola and ElianaGerotto from Suite New York

Mirrors: A, antique gold-crackle tradi-tional mirror from Bellacor; B, black andwhite mirror from Midnight Mirrors; C,Sunburst mirror from Baker Furniture; D,Cut-Twig wall mirror from West Elm ■

Shopping GUIDE


usan Bautista, 8, enjoys

a sweet treat with family

friend Dennis Echavarria

at Fajji’s Ice Cream in

Perth Amboy.

Scoop troupeS

faces of MIDDLESEXC

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Faces_MSX_209_v5.jc 5/28/09 9:45 AM Page 48

Art is an investment that rewards the heart and the mind.

TOLL-FREE: 1-888-800-3933 • LOCAL: 732-328-2255

www.kingswoodart.com

F E A T U R I N G W O R K B Y D O Z E N S O F F I N E A R T I S T S


Middlesex Health & Life's July 2009 issue

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Transcript of Middlesex Health & Life's July 2009 issue