Wellness Waves

Transitioning from the hospital to home can be daunting. Sometimes, there are complications and coordination of care can be challenging. Bergen New Bridge Medical Center has partnered with Dimer Health to improve health and wellness outcomes following discharge. Their collaboration blends high-quality compassionate medical care with easy-to-use technology that supports patients through their recov...

The holiday season can be a challenging time for many reasons. As joyful as the season can be, it can also be lonely or stressful. Some turn to alcohol or drugs for relief from stress, without realizing overindulging during the holidays can increase the risk of developing substance use disorders. Holiday parties can also be like navigating a minefield as alcoholic beverages are woven into traditio...

Samantha Cohen, DO, is a queer provider and brings a personal understanding of the unique challenges and experiences faced by the LGBTQ+ community. With her special interests in women’s health, gynecological care, and preventive cancer screenings, she prioritizes and addresses women's health concerns.  Learn more about Samantha Cohen, DO  

Dr. Melis Coklar discusses transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) which is a noninvasive treatment that uses a series of short magnetic pulses to stimulate underactive nerve cells in those diagnosed with depression. These focused magnetic pulses revitalize underactive areas of the brain involved in regulating mood. When these regions are underactive, depression can result. Waking up these regions...

A recently released study found that children with a highly addictive use of social media, video games, or cellphones were two to three times more likely to have thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Gianna Carrino, Manager of Adolescent Services at Bergen New Bridge, discusses addictive behaviors in children and teens, the impact of these behaviors, and what resources and support are available to add...

Vince Nicosia, LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Specialist, and Calla Myerjack, LGBTQ+ Clinical Community Liaison, discuss the work they do at the LGBTQ+ Health & Wellness Center at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center. They will share their thoughts on the importance of taking care of both the body and the mind for optimum health and wellness and how the integrated care they provide is essential to the c...

Individuals with autism often have differences from neurotypical patients related to communication, pain perception, and other treatments, highlighting the importance of autism training for hospital and emergency department staff. This can help prevent unnecessary care delays or misdiagnosis, patient anxiety, and potential sensory meltdowns. Bergen New Bridge Medical Center’s Emergency Department...

Regardless of whether you are running a marathon, biking your favorite trail or taking your first steps toward a healthier life; the same expertise used for the competitive athlete can be applied to return the individual. Sports medicine takes a team approach to address injuries and lingering conditions that impede overall health, wellness, and functionality. Although 90% of sports and exercise re...

Now more than ever, partnerships between higher education and healthcare have become essential. Higher education helps shape the next generation of healthcare workers and the healthcare industry relies on solid education and training for their employees. With the ever-changing landscape of the healthcare industry, both groups must work together to ensure that the education and training received by...

No one likes to think about the end of their or a loved one's life, but advanced planning is essential. Krishna Shah, Director of Social Services for Long Term Care at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center discusses how developing a plan provides security, making your healthcare and financial choices clear to everyone.

At least one-in-eight teenagers have misused an illicit substance in the last year, including opioids, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, and more. Fifty percent of teens said they have misused drugs at least once and more than 62% of high school seniors reported abusing alcohol. How do we stop teens from experiencing high risk substance use? And how do we treat and support those who are facing their addic...

The impact of opioid addiction and overdoses continues to be felt in New Jersey and across the country. Since 2018, tens of thousands of New Jerseyans have experienced an overdose and more than 15,000 have died of a suspected drug-related death. To combat this epidemic, New Jersey has worked to increase harm reduction efforts throughout the state including expanding the availability of naloxone th...

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women in the US and is responsible for one of out every three deaths each year. However, only 44% of women recognize that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health threat. Heart disease and stroke can affect women of any age, so it is important for women to understand their risk factors and family history. Life events like pregnancy an...

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center's new Research & Innovation Center is focused on advancing medical research with a specific emphasis on the importance of healthcare equity. The Medical Center supports the participation of representative subjects in clinical trials and data collection projects – studies must include all genders, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds to provide the most comprehe...

Diabetes has reached a crisis point in the United States. According to the CDC, cases of diabetes have risen to an estimated 37.3 million in this country. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. What can Americans do to prevent diabetes? What can those living with diabetes do to better manage their health? Good nutrition is an important tool in the prevention of this disease and...

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center offers a variety of Acute Rehabilitation Services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology to their patients and long-term care residents. The latest program being offered by the Medical Center is therapeutic intervention for those grappling with lymphedema. The overall goal of rehabilitation services at Bergen New Bridge is t...

Teens across the country are facing a mental health crisis. An estimated 49.5 percent of adolescents will experience a mental health disorder. According to a recent study, 4 in 10 U.S. high schoolers have experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness with nearly a quarter seriously considering attempting suicide. How can we help our teens who are in crisis? What treatments and support...

In a recently released survey on drug use in America, more than 20 percent of those age 12 or older said they used illicit drugs in the past year. More than nine million Americans misused opioids during that same period. The pandemic exacerbated substance use disorders in this country with overdose deaths reaching record levels. What tools do substance use disorder clinicians have to treat addicti...

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center has established a new line of services through its CareRite Now partnership with Inserra Supermarkets, bringing convenient quality healthcare directly into the communities it serves. The experienced healthcare providers staffing CareRite Now include physicians and nurse practitioners. These centers will provide sick and wellness visits, physicals, vaccinations, poi...

Black Americans have higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, obesity, asthma, cancer, and preterm birth than other groups and have a life expectancy of four years less than white Americans. Black children have a 500% higher death rate from asthma than white children. How can these disparities be addressed? How can health outcomes be improved for Black Americans? What are the contrib...

Eating disorders are one of the deadliest mental illnesses, second only to opioid overdose. Eating disorders affect at least nine percent of the population worldwide and more than 28 million Americans will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime. Since the pandemic, these numbers have only continued to rise. For those who are uninsured or underinsured, many do not have access to treatment....

Join our Chief Medical Officer as he shares the latest information on monkeypox including symptoms, risk factors, and vaccination availability; COVID-19 variants and the timeframe for an updated booster for the fall; Polio and the importance of being vaccinated and who may need a booster.

Modern Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is very safe and effective. It is a viable treatment option for patients whose medication or other treatments have failed to ease symptoms associated with some mental health issues. Today's ECT has evolved into a valuable treatment tool recognized by the National Institute of Mental Health, American Psychiatric Association, American Medical Association, and t...

Dr. Kollar talks about bariatric surgery and healthy weight management. Dr. Kollar discusses who is the ideal candidate for weight loss surgery, when is the perfect time for surgery, and the health benefits that it can provide.

Dr. Gian Varbaro discusses the Omicron COVID-19 variant: its symptoms, testing, vaccines and treatments.