Monmouth Medical Center e-Newsletter

March 2012

News from The Children's Hospital at Monmouth

'LEONARDO' the Robot Shows Off His Surgery Skills at Monmouth Mall 


"LEONARDO," Monmouth Medical Center's surgical robot, spent the weekend at Monmouth Mall March 24 and 25 to demonstrate his robotic surgery skills. Visitors like 7-year-old Ethan Casciano of Rumson, shown here with his mother, Lori, talking to, from left, pediatric urologist Thomas Vates III, M.D., and urologist Pierre Mendoza, M.D., medical co-director of MMC's Institute for Robotic Surgery, had the opportunity to stop by and play with Leonardo. Demonstration participants could see how today's top doctors are performing minimally invasive robotic surgery by manipulating the robot and testing their gaming, dexterity and concentration skills using objects like clay figures, rings and other props.

 

 

Robotic technology allows surgeons to perform complex surgical procedures through very small incisions resulting in faster recovery, less pain and scaring and a faster return to normal activities. If you'd like an opportunity to meet and test drive Leonardo, stop by the Monmouth University Health Fair on Thursday, April 26, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monmouth Medical Center representatives will be in attendance to answer questions from the public. This free program will be held at Monmouth University's Student Center, located at 400 Cedar Avenue and Route 71 in West Long Branch.

 

 

To learn more about the Institute for Robotic Surgery at Monmouth Medical Center, or for a referral to a pediatric robotic surgeon, call 1-888-724-7123.

 

 

New 2012 Childhood & Adolescent Immunization Schedules Released

Dr. Margaret FisherMeg Fisher, M.D., medical director of The Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center and a pediatric infectious disease specialist, explains the newest immunization guidelines.

 

The new 2012 Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedules have recently been released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

 

The schedule outlines immunizations for newborns up to age 6, children ages 7 to 18, and a "catch-up schedule" for children and adolescents who fall more than one month behind the scheduled timeline. The 2012 guidelines contain significant changes to the recommendations, especially in terms of a pediatrician's role in vaccinating parents and other family members in order to protect infants under 6 months.

 

"The influenza vaccine, for example, is not effective in children under 6 months of age. The only way we can protect them is to be sure that everyone around them is immunized against influenza," said Meg Fisher, M.D., pediatric infectious disease specialist and medical director of the Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center, a Barnabas Health facility. 

 

Click here to read more.

 

 

 

 

Did You Know?

 

SafeKidsLogo

The Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center leads Monmouth County's first and only chapter of the Safe Kids International Campaign - an initiative to prevent injuries

and save young lives.

 

The county-based chapter is among more than 500 grassroots

partnerships throughout the world associated with

Safe Kids, the first nonprofit organization dedicated solely

to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury or

accidents - the No. 1 killer of children 14 and under. In

addition to The Children's Hospital at Monmouth, the Safe

Kids Monmouth County Chapter also partners with the Long

Branch Police Department, Long Branch Public School

System, Long Branch Department of Recreation and the

Coastal Monmouth Alliance for the Prevention of Substance

Abuse.

 

Click here to learn more.

Quick Links 

April Community Health Education Programs

 

 

MOTHER-TO-MOTHER SUPPORT GROUP

 

Mondays, April 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

 

Once your baby arrives, join other new mothers to talk about what you are experiencing. Discussions will be led by a registered nurse on topics including infant behavior, feeding, sleeping patterns and crying, as well as recovering from childbirth. Newborns up to age 6 months and fathers are welcome. The program will be held at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue, Long Branch. Registration is required by calling 732-923-6990. Free. 

 

 

PEDIATRIC PRE-OPERATIVE TOURS

 

Thursdays, April 5, 12, 19 & 26 from 3 to 4 p.m.

 

Take advantage of tours for all pediatric patients having a surgical procedure in the Cranmer Ambulatory Surgery Center at Monmouth Medical Center. Tours are designed to reduce anxiety by giving children a hands-on experience with real medical equipment and visitation to areas they will encounter on the day of surgery. Meet in the playroom of the Cranmer Ambulatory Surgery Center at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue in Long Branch. Registration is required by Tuesday for each Thursday tour; call 732-923-6525 to register. Free.


MOMS OF MULTIPLES SUPPORT GROUP

 

Wednesday, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

 

Join the only Moms of Multiples Support Group in the area. Led by a registered nurse and a mother of multiples herself, topics will include feeding and caring for more than one baby, sleep patterns and behaviors, getting out of the house, relationship changes and more. Meet and network with other new moms whose situations are similar to your own. Babies are welcome. This program will be held at Monmouth Medical Center, located at 300 Second Avenue, Long Branch. Registration is required by calling 732-923-6990. Free.

 

 


 

 

SAFE SITTER

 

Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

Presented by certified Safe Sitter instructors, this program teaches 11- to 13-year-olds to be responsible, creative babysitters with special emphasis on how to handle emergencies. This program will be held at Monmouth Medical Center located at 300 Second Ave. in Long Branch. Registration is required by calling 1-888-724-7123, prompt #4. $50 per child.