Southern Ocean Medical Center Designated NICHE Site Acknowledging Commitment to Older Adult Patients

Online, January 12, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Southern Ocean Medical Center has been designated a NICHE site for the second year in a row. NICHE stands for Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders and the program is run by the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, New York University College of Nursing.

"We have worked hard to achieve this prestigious designation which is given to hospitals that demonstrate dedication to improving the quality of care we provide to geriatric patients," says Barbara Stanek, RN, MPA, NE-BC program coordinator for NICHE at Southern Ocean.

"Our nurses are caring every day for geriatric patients who often have multiple health challenges," says Stanek. The value their geriatric expertise now brings to each patient is invaluable and I applaud the initiative these nurses have taken to become experts in geriatric care."

Southern Ocean is proud of its most recent nurses who have earned their national geriatric certification: Peg Solon, RN-BC, PCCN; Debbie Grisham, RN-BC; Nina Ligor, RN-BC, PCCN; Hillary Reiser, RN-BC, PCCN; Cindy McCarthy, RN-BC, PCCN, and Debbie Topoleski, RN-BC.

During the first year of Southern Ocean's NICHE designation the nurses benefitted from many educational programs designed to better care for geriatric patients. Among these were programs focused on sensitivity, diabetes, and dementia. Also nurses from other Meridian hospitals shared share their successful geriatric care initiatives during national geriatric month. In addition special education was provided to support Southern Ocean's geriatric fracture program.

"It was a very productive year for us as we raised the bar in our geriatric care," says Stanek. "And as we moved through these educational layers I want to acknowledge the support and expertise of Dr. William Power, Jr. who serves as our geriatric physician advisor.

"At Southern Ocean we treat a large number of geriatric patients every day. The focus and energy being put into enhancing the geriatric experience is very meaningful and has great benefit to our community," says Stanek.

About Southern Ocean Medical Center
Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin is a member of the Meridian Health family, which includes Jersey Shore University Medical Center and K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in Neptune, Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, and most recently, Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel.

Southern Ocean Medical Center is home to a wide range of clinical services and programs specializing in cardiovascular and stroke care, maternity and women's health, orthopedics and joint health, bariatric surgery, and wellness and prevention programs.

Part of Meridian Cancer Care, Southern Ocean Medical Center provides comprehensive cancer services, including radiation oncology, surgery, and clinical trials, and is connected to specialized programs and services throughout Meridian Health. For more information, visit SouthernOceanMedicalCenter.com.

Contact:
Joyce McFadden, Vice President Marketing - Public Relations
609-978-3108
[email protected]