Pictured left to right are: Stephanie Ream CVT; Victoria Vella RN; Maria Bernardo, MD, Adrienne Mayernik; John Caplan, MD; Krystine Agtuca RN; Kathy Forman CVT.
As a part of its systemwide February observance of American Heart Month, all RWJBarnabas Health hospitals recognized the lifesaving care provided by its Heart and Vascular care teams with local patient reunion celebrations.
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, recently hosted its reunion with patient Adrienne Mayernik of Hamilton Township. The event was a celebration of the incredible bond that exists between a patient, their loved ones and the providers, nurses, ancillary staff, and team members at the hospital, and demonstrated how teamwork positively influences patient outcomes.
Pictured left to right are Stephanie Pratico, Adrienne's Niece; Adrienne Mayernik; and Michael Pratico, Jr., Adrienne's Nephew.
Adrienne had experienced a non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and received life-saving treatment, including emergent stent placement followed by a pacemaker. Following the procedure, Adrienne has participated in the hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, a medically supervised lifestyle and exercise program for patients who have cardiovascular disease or are recovering from heart surgery or a cardiac procedure that can help reduce the risk of future heart problems. This reunion provided Adrienne with the opportunity to acknowledge and personally thank her providers, Marie H. Bernardo, MD, interventional cardiologist, and John L. Caplan, MD, electrophysiologist, RWJUH Hamilton, members of Hamilton Cardiology Associates (HCA), and recognize the high-quality care, dedication and commitment of the team at RWJUH Hamilton, a community hospital and health system resource for her and her entire family for many years.
Pictured are members of RWJUH Hamilton Board of Trustees; Senior Leadership; Lisa Breza, Chief Administrative Officer, RWJUH Hamilton; Adrienne Mayernik; Lauren Burke, VP, Heart & Vascular Quality, RWJBarnabas Health; Robert Carlucci, VP Operations, Heart & Vascular Service Line, RWJBarnabas Health; John Caplan, MD; Conor Barrett, Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer for Heart and Vascular Services, RWJBarnabas Health; and Connie Moceri, Admin, Director Patient Care, Cardiovascular Services and Healthy Lives Hamilton, RWJUH Hamilton.
Key speakers included Connie Moceri, MSN, RN, AGNP-C, Administrative Director Patient Care-Cardiovascular Services & Healthy Lives Hamilton Program; Lisa Breza, RN, MSN, NEA-BC, Chief Administrative Officer, RWJUH Hamilton, Drs. Bernardo and Caplan; Adrienne and her niece, Stephanie Pratico; and Conor Barrett, MD, MBA, Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer, Heart and Vascular Services, RWJBarnabas Health. Drs. Bernardo and Caplan spoke about Adrienne’s treatment and also recognized Deena Ghusson, echocardiography technologist, and Krystyne Agtuca, RN, cardiac cath lab nurse, for playing key roles in diagnosing, alerting Dr. Bernardo, and supporting Adrienne.
“Adrienne, your perseverance inspires us all and your journey reminds us why we do what we do,” said Lisa Breza, RN, MSN, NEA-BC, Chief Administrative Officer, RWJUH Hamilton. “To our medical staff, cardiologists, nurses, rehab team, Adrienne’s care team, and members from Hamilton Cardiologists, your partnership, commitment, expertise and compassion make stories of survival and renewal like Adrienne’s possible. I personally want to say thank you, and most importantly, celebrate each and every one of you here today.”
Both Adrienne and Stephanie expressed immense gratitude to the heart and vascular team as well as the environmental services and dietary teams who contributed to her care during her stay at the hospital. “I am incredibly thankful to the entire cardiac team and also cardiac rehab, who have been so instrumental in my recovery,” said Adrienne. “I have deep gratitude for everyone involved.”
RWJUH Hamilton’s Cardiac Rehab team played an integral role in Adrienne’s recovery. Stephanie very emotionally recounted how her family believed there was a possibility Adrienne wasn’t going to be able to stand on her own or walk again. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving my family another year with Adrienne,” she said. “And thank you to the rehab team for their planning, support and guidance which has allowed Adrienne to be here today with the assistance of only a walker.”
RWJUH Hamilton’s patient reunion serves as a touching reminder of the collaborative efforts that go into the diagnosis, care, treatment, recovery and the lasting impact of compassionate health care.
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Learn more at rwjbh.org/hamilton.