Hackensack Meridian Health

Jersey Shore University Medical Center is first in the state to receive the prestigious Global Health Accreditation for Medical Travel Services! Patients from all over the world and all 50 states have traveled to the Center for Treatment of Paralysis and Reconstructive Nerve Surgery for highly specialized procedures. Congratulations to the team! Read more: https://lnkd.in/evzfeunm #reconstructivenervesurgery #paralysis #neurology

As Candace greets you, you feel you're somehow old friends. "I just try to treat everyone how I'd like to be treated; I want to make them feel good and welcome," says Candace, guest ambassador and medical receptionist at the Hackensack Meridian Health Wellness Center in Eatontown, NJ. It's common to hear things like, "How are you doing, my friend?" or "How's the baby?" as Candace checks patients in and guides them to each office for their appointment. "A lot of the patients I know by name, since I've seen them so much, you just get to know everybody," Candace adds. "I love the people, I love my job, I just love greeting and getting to know everybody that walks in here." With a variety of specialties in the wellness center, including breast surgery, Candace is often the first person a patient will see after finding out they have breast cancer. One particular memory Candace recounts is of a woman coming in for her first appointment - she was scared and overwhelmed and cried in Candace's arms before going in. "When you find out you have cancer, it's a scary thing," she says. "Sometimes they just need somebody to hold their hand." Starting at HMH as a patient care technician at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in 2016, Candace also worked in the COVID Vaccination Village at Jersey Shore and aspires to return to school to become a surgical nurse. "Surgical nursing is my goal. I want that so badly, and I don't care how old I am!" she says. "It's all so rewarding, and I love it." #PeopleofHMH

Eight years ago, patient care technician Myrna and her daughter Megan stepped through the doors of Ocean University Medical Center together. It was Bring Your Child to Work Day, an event that would inspire a dream in Megan. Now, that dream has come to life. The mother-daughter duo are now colleagues, as Megan joined the Ocean University Medical Center family in her mother's footsteps. As Megan stepped foot in OUMC once more, she did so as a patient observer, in the same colored scrubs as her mom. Myrna, who works nights, waited past the end of her day to see her daughter. “I felt like it was her first day of school all over again,” Myrna said. “I wanted to wait for her so I could show her all around. I wanted to make sure she had lunch and she was comfortable. I was telling everyone that my daughter was going to start working here — I was just so happy.” It was equally important for Megan to share this moment with her mom, who has had a huge influence on her. “I’ve been watching my mom work in the health care field all my life, so I decided to take a chance myself. I even remember coming to Bring Your Kid to Work Day and wearing a white coat. My mom has always been my inspiration.” Even though they work opposite shifts, they still find ways to stay connected. “We basically pass each other on the parkway in the mornings,” said Megan. “Since she comes home right after I leave and I come home before she leaves, we pack each other lunch. It’s really nice.” They've always been close, but Megan feels their insights into each other's work has made them even more so. “I have so much more respect for her,” said Megan. “It feels really cool to work with your mom, and it’s brought us even closer. It makes me really proud of her.” To Myrna, this has been a dream come true. “Ever since she was young, she has always been by my side,” said Myrna. “I can’t believe she works with me now. I am so happy and so proud of her.” Although Megan never had plans to become a nurse, working as a patient observer and stepping inside her mom’s world has given her a new purpose. “Once I got here, I now have plans to either become a travel nurse, labor and delivery nurse or maybe even an Emergency Department nurse,” said Megan. “Helping others makes me feel good and more confident in myself.” Myrna couldn’t be happier. “I always wanted her to become a nurse,” said Myrna. “But no matter what she wants to do, I will support her. I am just so happy she’s here with me in the medical field. She’s my baby.”

We are proud to announce a unique and exciting international partnership 🍀 Our network is joining Choose New Jersey, Inc. in looking for the best ideas on either side of the Atlantic, beginning in Ireland. Through HMH Emerge, Ireland-based health startups will have an unparalleled opportunity to make their innovations reality — providing companies with the chance for growth and opportunity on a global stage. Learn more about this program: https://lnkd.in/eEduHeWU #innovation #startup#healthcare

Congratulations to Daniel Varga, our chief physician executive and president of physician services! Dr. Varga has been recognized as one of Becker's Healthcare chief medical officers to know, an award that spotlights leaders who champion patient safety, rigorous standards and team mentality. As a member of our network family, Dr. Varga oversees our physicians, our care transformation services and medical management. We are grateful to have his vision and compassionate leadership on our team. Read the full list: https://lnkd.in/g6g6EU5f #chiefmedicalofficer #cmo #physician

We asked our researchers and physicians what development in cancer research excites them the most - here’s what they said! #ASCO24

May marks Mental Health Awareness Month! We believe it's more important now than ever to end the stigma and open up about mental health — so all month long, we lit our hospitals green to commemorate this cause. #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthawarenessmonth

We are proud to announce that for the second year in a row we have been named Fair360's #1 hospital and health system in the nation for diversity! We have also been recognized among the top 18 companies across industries for executive fairness councils. Our commitment to care means more than medicine: We work to ensure that our team members, patients and neighbors are treated as who they are, and remain dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion. This honor, given annually, employs data to recognize national excellence in workplace fairness, hiring practices, supplier diversity and philanthropy — all important areas for our network. We're grateful for this recognition. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ehuj5ydm #diversity #dei #philanthropy