Today The Childrens Hospital at Saint Peters University Hospital is one of only nine state-designated acute-care childrens hospitals.

Saint Peters was one of the first hospitals to have a separate emergency department designated just for the care of children. When it re-opened the doors last year to a renovated space that was new from the floor to the rafters, the Dorothy B. Hersh Pediatric Emergency Department became one of the largest in the state, able to accommodate more than 24,000 pediatric patient visits a year.

Comprehensive services that range from a renowned Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to the pediatric anesthesiologists charged with meeting the special sedation needs of children who need surgery, make The Childrens Hospital one of the largest and most comprehensive pediatric hospitals in the state. The hospital has 40 pediatric beds, plus eight more in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and six step-down beds for patients transitioning from the PICU to the pediatric unit in the main hospital. With 54 beds, the NICU is the largest in New Jersey.

Specialized Surgery Two of only about 14 specially trained pediatric surgeons in the state practice medicine at Saint Peters John G. Gallucci, MD, and Steven Palder, MD. Kids are not little adults, explains Dr. Gallucci. They have their own issues.

Thats why surgeons need special training in treating the young, and also why they handle a wider variety of clinical areas than their adult-surgeon counterparts. The doctors perform 700 to 900 procedures a year. The most common operations treat appendicitis, hernias and bowel obstructions, according to Dr. Gallucci. The doctors

also operate on gallbladders, perform tumor biopsies, and remove masses in the chest and abdomen, often using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques.

We do it all, Dr. Gallucci says. Thats the nature of pediatric surgery. Doctors Gallucci and Palder perform a variety of surgical procedures, from complex and delicate repairs of congenital anomalies

on micro-preemies who weigh a few hundred grams to hernia repairs on overweight teenagers.

Dr. Gallucci and I provide 24/7 availability to our patients and their families, adds Dr. Palder. Every family who comes into my office leaves with my cellphone number. Id rather have them call me for what turns out to be a small problem than not call and later wish they had.

Another unique feature of the surgery program at Saint Peters is its pediatric anesthesiology services. When we perform a procedure on a child, there is an experienced pediatric anesthesiologist in the room at all times, says James Sperrazza, MD, of Anesthesia Consultants of New Jersey, assistant chair of Anesthesiology. Saint Peters has the largest number of board-certified and fellowship-trained pediatric anesthesiolo- gists in central New Jersey and is one of the few hospitals to offer 24/7

coverage of this kind. Pediatric anesthesiologists receive an extra year of training to learn the special techniques needed to care for younger and smaller patients.

There are a lot of different considerations when caring for children, says Howard Lakritz, MD, also of Anesthesia Consultants of New Jersey and chair of Anesthesiology at Saint Peters. Positioning breathing tubes in an airway is challenging in any patient, but the tiny trachea of a 2-pound premature newborn, or even a 30-pound toddler, makes it more so.

If the tube is too high or too low, it may displace or you may ventilate only one lung, says Dr. Sperrazza. Maintaining proper oxygen levels during surgery is the most important thing anesthesiologists do, he says. Oxygen levels can drop fast in kids faster than in adultsand you need to know how to deal with that.

Medication management is also trickier in small patients. Dosages need to be much more specific and calculated, because any small variation can have a big impact, says Dr. Lakritz. And complications such as minor blood loss that would be inconsequential in adults can be devastating in a child. Adults have more reserveif something happens, they can compensate for it, he says. Children lack that ability. For them, things can take a turn for the worse much more quickly.

Bedside manner is also important. Children are, of course, often afraid of hospitals, needles and doctors. We are trained to comfort kids as well as care for them, says Dr. Sperrazza.

For more information on pediatric services provided at Saint Peters, call 732-565-KIDS (5437).

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Specialized Surgical Services for Children

A LISTING OF PROGRAMS OFFERED THIS MONTH CAN BE FOUND ON THE REVERSE SIDE.

NEED A DOCTOR? TO FIND A SAINT PETERS PHySICIAN, CALL 1-855-SP-My-DOC (1-855-776-9362).

APRIL 2015

James Sperrazza, MD

Steven Palder, MD

Howard Lakritz, MD

John G. Gallucci, MD

When your child needs a specialist

Top-quality specialty care is provided at The Childrens Hospital at Saint Peters University Hospital in a number of areas, including: adolescent medicine anesthesiology asthma/pulmonology audiology and occupational, physical and speech therapy cardiology craniofacial surgery critical care developmental/behavioral pediatrics Dorothy B. Hersh Child Protection Center endocrinology and diabetes care For KEEPS acute behavioral program gastroenterology genetic evaluation and counseling hematology/oncology immunology/allergy infectious diseases neonatology nephrology neurology and epilepsy neurosurgery orthopedics otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) pediatric surgery psychological services sports medicine and concussion urology

Alzheimers/Dementia Caregivers Support Group JULY 13, 10:00 AM 11:30 AMSaint Peters Adult Day Center

SUPPORT GROUPSAutism Family Support Group APRIL 12, 3:00 PM 5:00 PM877-886-9462

Alzheimers/Dementia Caregivers Support Group APRIL 9, 10:00 AM 11:30 AMSaint Peters Adult Day Center200 Overlook Drive, Monroe Township Rachel Kallish, CSW 609-655-6853

Bariatric Surgery Support GroupAPRIL 2, 6:00 PM 7:00 PM Lisa Lapinski, RD 732-745-8600, x8159

Bereavement Support GroupAPRIL 16, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM732-745-8565

Caregivers Support Group/MonroeAPRIL 9, 1:30 PM 3:00 PMSaint Peters Adult Day Center200 Overlook Drive, Monroe TownshipStephanie Fitzsimmons-Sexton, RN, NP609-655-2220

SHARE Support Group(for those who have suffered miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death)APRIL 9, 7:00 PM 9:00 PMIrina Mariano-Brown, MSW, LCSW 732-745-8522

DIABETES EDUCATIONChildrens Insulin Pump GroupAPRIL 13, 6:30 PM 8:30 PM 732-745-8600, x8751

Diabetes Self-Management Education HELD MONDAYS AND TUESDAYSRegistration and doctors prescription required.732-745-6667

Gestational Diabetes Self-Management ClassHELD WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAYSRegistration and a doctors prescription required. 732-745-6667

Diabetes Education Support Group/Monroe Saint Peters Physician Associates Clearbrook Commons Medical and Professional Park 294 Applegarth Road, Monroe Township Call 732-745-8600, x8105, for more information.

COMMUNITy MOBILE HEALTH SERVICES For more information about screenings and educational programs, please call 732-745-8600, x8903. Blood Pressure/Blood Sugar Screenings APRIL 1, 2:00 PM 3:30 PM DeForest B. Soaries, Jr. Residences at Somerset, Franklin Residents only.

APRIL 7, 9:30 AM 11:00 AM St. George Episcopal Church, Helmetta

APRIL 10, 11:00 AM 12:30 PM Elijahs Promise Soup Kitchen, New Brunswick

APRIL 10, 9:30 AM 10:30 AM New Brunswick Senior Center

APRIL 15, 11:00 AM 12:30 PM Edison Senior Center

APRIL 29, NOON 1:30 PM Ships I Soup Kitchen @ St. Johns, Somerville

Bone Density Screening APRIL 9, 11:30 AM 1:00 PM Manville Senior Center. Residents only.

Cholesterol Screening APRIL 11, 9:00 AM NOON Woodbridge Township Health Center

Health Fair APRIL 12, 9:30 AM 12:30 PM Immaculate Conception Church, Somerville

APRIL 18, 9:30 AM 12:30 PM St. James Church, Woodbridge

APRIL 18, 11:00 AM 1:00 PM Middlesex County Education Association PRIDE in Public Education Fair Brunswick Square Mall, Route 18, East Brunswick

Hearing Screening APRIL 8, 1:30 PM 5:30 PM Vantage Apparel, Avenel. Residents only.

APRIL 22, 10:00 AM NOON Franklin Township Senior Center

FREE COMMUNITy LECTURESLATEST TECHNOLOgY FOR CATARACT SURgERY APRIL 6, 1:00 PM Presenter: April McCullough, MD, ophthalmologist Greenbriar@Whittingham, Monroe Township Residents only.

APRIL 13, 3:00 PM Rossmoor Adult Community, Monroe Township Residents only.

CANCER SUPPORT Breast Cancer Support GroupAPRIL 6 & 20, 7:00 PM 8:30 PMGuest speaker and open discussion.Registration required.Cancer Institute of New Jersey Deborah Leif, MSW, LCSW 732-235-7011

Gynecologic Cancer Support GroupAPRIL 10, 7:00 PM 8:30 PMCancer Institute of New Jersey 732-235-6792

Latina Women with Cancer Support Group APRIL 11, 10:00 AM 1:00 PM Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center Light lunch will be served. Free, but registration requested. Sessions conducted in Spanish. Call 908-658-5400 for more information.

Living with Cancer Support GroupAPRIL 8 & 27, 7:00 PM 8:30 PMCancer Institute of New JerseyBarbara Hale, LCSW 732-235-7557

PARENT EDUCATIONFor information, fees and registration, call Parent Education at 732-745-8579, unless otherwise indicated.

Baby Care APRIL 6 & 13, 7:00 PM 9:30 PM

APRIL 26, 9:00 AM 1:00 PM

Breastfeeding ClassAPRIL 18, 9:00 AM 11:30 AM

Breastfeeding Support Group APRIL 3, 1:00 PM 2:30 PM

Marvelous MultiplesAPRIL 20 & 27, 7:00 PM 9:30 PM

New Mom Support Group APRIL 3, NOON 1:00 PM

Postnatal yoga and Exercise Class(four-week sessions)FRIDAYS, 6:00 PM 7:15 PM Registration required.

Prenatal yoga and Exercise Class(four-week sessions)WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS7:00 PM 8:30 PM Registration required.

Prepared Childbirth ClassesMONDAYS, THURSDAYS, OR ALL-DAY SESSIONS SECOND AND FOURTH WEEKENDSRegistration required.

Sibling Class APRIL 18, 12:30 PM 1:30 PM

Catholic hospital sponsored by the Diocese of Metuchen | State-designated childrens hospital and regional perinatal centerMajor clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences | Affiliate of The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia

APRIL 2015

All programs are designed for community members and are held at Saint Peters University Hospital, unless otherwise noted. For more information or to register for a program, call the contact number listed or visit saintpetershcs.com/newsandevents.

BARIATRIC WEIGHT LOSS SEMINAR THURSDAY, APRIL 27:15 PM - 9:30 PM For more information, and to register, call Lisa Lapinski, RD, at 732-745-8600, x8159.

AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION ALERT WEEk EVENT THURSDAY, APRIL 2NOON - 1:30 PM McCarrick Care Center, Somerset Community Mobile Health Services staff will provide blood sugar screenings. Call 732-745-8600, x8903.

HEALTH CARE INDUSTRy WEEk MONDAY, APRIL 611:00 AM - 3:00 PM Rutgers University College Avenue Student Center Nursing Village by Saint Peters University Hospital. Information and educational materials about the nursing profession. Community Mobile Health Services staff will provide sun damage screenings using the DermaScan machine and blood pressure and blood sugar screenings.

CICLOVIASUNDAY, APRIL 1911:00 AM - 3:00 PM A 2.8-mile throughout New Brunswick open for outdoor exercise and fun.Community Mobile Health Services staff will provide screenings at the Joyce Kilmer Firehouse.

RUTGERS DAySATURDAY, APRIL 259:00 AM - 4:00 PM New Brunswick campuses. Staff of Saint Peters Community Mobile Health Services and hospital departments will provide education and health screenings. Call 732-565-5496.

ANNUAL GALASAINT PETERS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM SATURDAY, APRIL 25 The Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center New Brunswick For details, call Saint Peters Foundation at 732-745-8542.

EMS EDUCATION SERIESTHURSDAY, APRIL 307:00 PM TOPIC: ABUSE AWARENESS Free; refreshments served. CEU credits. Call 908-238-3254 to register.

jUST FOR THE HEALTH OF ITSATURDAY, MAY 2NOON - 4:00 PM Takes place in Buccleuch Park across the street from Saint Peters University Hospital. Annual health fair and community celebration sponsored by Saint Peters Healthcare System and the City of New Brunswick. Saint Peters staff will provide free screenings and health education information. Call 732-745-8600, ext. 8551.

HIGHLAND PARkS 7TH ANNUAL 5k RUN IN THE PARkSUNDAY, MAY 39:00 AM Highland Park High School. Call 732-745-8600, x8551.

254 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 | 732-745-8600 | 800-269-7508 | www.saintpetershcs.com

Top Performer on Joint Commission Key Quality Measures 2012

This calendar is for information only. Do not rely on it to make healthcare decisions on your own; instead, talk with your healthcare provider for advice and treatment. Do not ignore medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. We do not suggest or endorse that you have any tests, use products, or use other information in this document without advice from your healthcare provider.

SAVE THE DATESHARE yOUR BAByS PHOTO ON OUR BILLBOARD

Parents of babies born at Saint Peters University Hospital can post photos of their newborn or in the case of multiple births their newborns on our digital billboard along Route 1 by using our Facebook app called Saint Peters Delivers! For more details visit http://www.facebook.com/spmybaby

MATERNITy TOURSView our interactive maternity tour, which includes pictures of our private labor and delivery suites and our modern mother/baby units, at www.saintpetershcs.com/MaternityTour and

get an idea of what you can expect when you deliver at Saint Peters. To schedule a tour, call Parent Education at 732-745-8579.

SPECIAL EVENTS