Jeremy Vickers brought with him the idea of Medford Leas becoming a Home Care Agency for residents who might want some care in their homes. As a result, a Home Health Care program was initiated in 2012 under newly hired Mary Ann Flatley, MSN, RN, who was appointed Director, Residential Health and Wellness Services. The five certified nurse assistants working in the Outpatient Department became certified Home Health Aides, along with existing Companions who were interested in becoming certified. The program was officially launched in early 2012.
The OPTIONS program, headed by Mary Ann Flatley, was also started in 2012 to meet the varying needs for care of residents in their homes. Companions would be utilized in the program for non-medical help. OPTIONS nursing services in the home start after Medicare coverage ends.
Lisa Heinkel, MHA, RN, CALA, was promoted to Director of Health Services and is also the Administrator of Assisted Living, working closely with the Medical Director and Director of Nursing, the post she previously held. She also oversees Social Services, Resident Services, Medical Records, Rehab Services and Therapeutic Recreation and Nursing. In addition, she has heavy responsibility for risk management, and was involved in planning of the Estaugh Redevelopment unit.
In June of 2012, Tender Touch Rehabilitation Services became the new physical therapy service under Manager Dexter Hebron. In 2018, a new therapy company, Select Rehabilitation, took over under managers Bhavani “Bonnie” Korvi and, for a time, Nicole Diekow. Bonnie deals with rehab needs of patient recovery in Woolman and is supported by six therapists working on both campuses.
In 2013, Dr. Andrea (Andie) Iannuzzelli, new Medical Director, brought a strong background in internal medicine and nephrology. With a view to the future when the Health Center would be redesigned, she announced its renaming as the Wellness Center, with its primary aim prevention. The Wellness Center would cover all health services, including Options and Outpatient Apartment Care, and be accessible all in the same place. She also took charge of the Fitness and Aquatics Center, which remained in its separate location.
Jeremy Vickers also introduced a program to assist residents when they have had an illness or a procedure that results in a change in their physical or mental status. The purpose is to make sure residents receive the level of care needed to support healing and safety.
In a new position, created in 2013, Joanne Gartenmeyer, RN, became Healthcare Admissions Liaison, assisting residents before, during and after hospital admissions, enhancing communication, keeping up-to-date records, and maintaining uninterrupted delivery of care between the Wellness Center, the John Woolman unit and area hospitals. She provides up-to-date information about nursing, health care laws, technology and insurance.
Dr. James D’Amico came to Medford Leas in 2015. He graduated from Wagner College on Staten Island, earned a masters degree in cell biology from Rutgers in 1991 and finished a residency in 1998 at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), now Rowan University. Before coming to Medford Leas he had been working in private practice in internal medicine, geriatrics, rehab, long-term care and hospice. Dr. D’Amico was first assigned to patient care in Woolman and eventually rose to become Medical Director after Dr. Iannuzzelli stepped down in 2019. As head of the Coronavirus Task Force throughout 2020, he provided frequent memos about COVID-19 and steps Medford Leas was taking to protect residents from the virus.
Terry Fazio, DPN, APN, a board-certified Geriatric Advanced Practice Nurse for 20 years, joined the Wellness Center in 2017. She has a strong clinical background and has worked in a variety of settings, including long-term care facilities, subacute rehabilitation centers, hospitals and in private practice. She was also an adjunct faculty member at Helene Fuld School of Nursing and taught clinical and lab skills to nursing students.
She earned her Associate Degree in Nursing at Helene Fuld School of Nursing, and her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Nursing at Rutgers, Newark, NJ. She also earned an MBA in Healthcare Administration at Eastern University and in 2016 completed her Doctrine of Nursing Practice at Thomas Jefferson University.
Dr. Jeff Ranalli joined the Wellness Center at Medford Leas in 2019. He received a BS in biology from Penn State University and then attended Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he graduated in 1994. This was followed by internship and residency at Cooper Medical School, now part of Rowan University, from 1996 to 1998. He spent 14 years in private practice at Sicklerville Internal Medicine and then eight years with the Kennedy Health System in Stratford, NJ.
Appreciation to Suzanne Frank for her considerable medical coverage in Medford Leas Life.