Standing: Denise Schiedell, Great Looks 4 Less & Terri Petry, MCW Seated: Santa Claus & Veronica Pirone, MCW

Happy Holidays!

Even as I write this note in late October, the excitement of the season is stirring.  My family has already confirmed our Thanksgiving arrangements. Who is making what and where dinner will be served. It’s not usually a big production except this year we are traveling south to spend Thanksgiving with the Southern half of the family. Continue reading Publisher’s Note, MCW Nov/Dec

Judith Kottick, LCSW

*All names have been changed to protect the privacy of the families who were interviewed.

Robin still remembers when it dawned on her, after three unsuccessful IVF cycles, that having a child to carry on her family name was not to be.  Even now, from the perspective of being the loving mom of a seven year old daughter and a four year old son through egg donation who are “the greatest kids ever,” Robin recalls the crushing disappointment of that moment. Continue reading Adoption or Egg Donation? Making the Decision

Nora de Cárdenas, J.D.

Mental impairments caused by Alzheimer’s Disease and other aging-related dementias can be so hard on both families and sufferers.  Memories and shared experiences are what make us who we are and to watch that slowly slip away to the grips of Alzheimer’s and dementia is extremely painful. November is “National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month” and in honor of that, I would like to share a wonderful way to connect with your elderly loved ones: “Arts Therapy.” Continue reading Art & Music: Breaking Through the Barriers of Alzheimer’s Disease©

Carolyn Havens Niemann, MSN, CNM

Congratulations!  You’ve had your baby.  The initial visitors and well-wishers have come and gone, and now you find yourself, six weeks later, with the all-clear from your midwife or doctor to go ahead and resume intercourse.  While you may be filled with relief to hear this news, you may be just as apprehensive. Continue reading Sex After the Baby Comes: A New Mothers Guide

Karen Winterfield-Dodds, D.M.D.

There are small things we can do daily to improve our overall health.  Eat a balanced diet, exercise, and floss your teeth.  Yes, flossing can have a great impact on your overall health. Continue reading Flossing Can Have A Great Impact On Your Overall Health

Dr. David S. Leder, Medical Director

The specialty of women’s health care has experienced tremendous growth ever since the medical community began recognizing that women have different health care needs than men.  This trend is expected to continue as the population’s life expectancy increases and the need for comprehensive health care for women beyond the reproductive years intensifies.  As women’s health centers spring up around the country, the subspecialty of women’s imaging is destined to grow.   The radiologist will play a critical role as the primary provider of women’s imaging services. Continue reading Quakerbridge Radiology Plays Leading Role in Fast-Growing Women’s Health Care Field

Jennine Lutz, OD

The top two reasons why most people discontinue their contacts are discomfort and dryness.  There are many ways to increase contact lens comfort.  Some of these options include: Continue reading Contact Lenses – Have You Given Up on Them?

Dr. Sharon Gertzman

It always amazes me when simple, everyday activities lead to amazing medical breakthroughs. The ingredient Resveratrol has been in the news quite a bit in reference to anti-aging properties. This ingredient is a plant polyphenol that is found in the skin of grapes. One of its characteristics is that it improves the appearance of skin, smoothing out existing wrinkles and preventing new ones. Continue reading Wrinkle Eraser!

Colleen O'Brien

It’s that time of year again!  The fall season is upon us and the holidays are fast approaching.  This tends to be the busiest time of year for most of us. Between the holiday shopping and the parties, we find limited time for ourselves.  If you are like the majority of people, once the dust settles from the end-of-the-year whirlwind, you will be making a New Year’s resolution.  Many goals may be related to improving your health, losing weight or enhancing your overall fitness.  Here are some simple strategies to help you turn your resolutions into a reality once and for all. Continue reading Make Your Resolution A Reality!

Article provided by Cooper University Hospital

Flu activity is now widespread in 46 states. A flu vaccine is the single best way to protect against influenza illness. This season, there are two vaccines – one for the seasonal flu and one to protect against the H1N1 influenza virus (sometimes called “swine flu”).

The H1N1 vaccine is already, or will soon be, available and it will continue to be available throughout the influenza season, into December, January, and beyond. This is because the timing and duration of flu activity can vary.

If you or members of your family are in the following target groups, you should be vaccinated against H1N1:

• Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated.
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus.
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients.
• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age.
• Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in children and they are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread.
• Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population.
• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza. Current studies indicate that the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups. However, once vaccine demand among younger age groups has been met, programs and providers should offer vaccination to people 65 or older.

The most readily available clinics are being offered by county health departments. You can find dates, locations and times on your county’s web site or by calling their office. Or you can call the New Jersey H1N1 Hotline, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 1-866-321-9571, for locations close to you.