WE ARE AtlantiCare

AtlantiCare STAFF, PATIENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS SHARE THEIR STORIES

Every other month, we feature AtlantiCare patients and staff who have become partners in health and wellness. Click on a link below to learn more:

2007 | more stories

• November 2007: "Together, we're speaking up about healthcare"
  featuring AtlantiCare Senior Pilot members Al and Lorraine Altieri
• July 2007: "AtlantiCare's Access Center Connected me with a better
  way of life"
  featuring AtlantiCare Access Center Referral Nurse June Appleget with caller Barbara Kirch
• May 2007: "Together We Keep Diabetes in Check"
  featuring AtlantiCare physician Zia Salam, MD, FACE with patient Judith Bennett
• March 2007: "Together We Made the Future Twice as Bright"
  featuring AtlantiCare physician Jennifer Tioseca, MD, and the Zamora family
• January 2007: "Together We Overcame Heart Disease"
  AtlantiCare physician Rashmikant Desai, MD, and patient Dawn Sink

TOGETHER, WE'RE SPEAKING UP ABOUT HEALTHCARE

Al and Lorraine Altieri share their thoughts about the healthcare needs of seniors

Smithville’s Al Altieri is a born performer. The retired music teacher spent 35 summers leading his own big band at a famous Catskill Mountains resort. These days, he and his wife Lorraine are helping lead discussions about healthcare-related issues. The Altieris and other local seniors meet monthly to share their comments and concerns with AtlantiCare personnel — as well as learn from experts about everything from heart health to joint replacement. For example, at a recent meeting Al mentioned that he was considering arthroscopic knee surgery and wanted to know more about it. He was pleasantly surprised when AtlantiCare sent information about the procedure that enabled him to make a more informed decision. “We’re new to the area, so we’ve learned a lot about AtlantiCare through these meetings,“ said Lorraine. “The information exchange is invaluable.” Her
husband added, “We’re pleased that AtlantiCare thought enough to organize this program. They’re very interested in what our group has to say.”

ATLANTICARE'S ACCESS CENTER CONNECTED ME WITH A BETTER WAY OF LIFE

Access center caller Barbara Kirch with AtlantiCare Referral Nurse
June Appleget, RN

Crippling arthritis pain had plagued Barbara Kirch for years. And the medications she took for it had done little to help her mobility. But then Barbara read about the pain-controlling value of exercise and wanted to learn more. She called AtlantiCare’s Access Center line and spoke with June Appleget, R.N. A 26-year AtlantiCare employee, June spends much of her day helping callers find new physicians or specialists. But she and the Access Center staff are also there to help people connect with “everything AtlantiCare.” For example, you can call to quickly and easily sign up for a health lecture, screening or class. Barbara registered for an arthritis exercise class held at AtlantiCare’s LifeCenter.

Now in her second year, she credits regular exercise with getting her off pain medication and expanding her group of friends. Barbara has also called the Access Center numerous times when she has had questions about health insurance–related issues. She stated, “The Access Center is a marvelous, free resource that every community member should take advantage of.”

TOGETHER WE KEEP DIABETES IN CHECK

AtlantiCare physician Zia Salam, MD, FACE and patient Judith Bennett

With a family history of diabetes, Judith Bennett had always taken good care of herself. But she knew something was wrong ten years ago when she felt a lump on her neck. Judith soon found herself in the office of AtlantiCare Endocrinologist Dr. Zia Salam. Unlike other family members who ignored their diabetes-related symptoms, Judith was unwilling to take chances with her health.

Dr. Salam feels that the “leader” of any successful diabetes treatment team is actually the patient. Judith was bound and determined to gain the upper hand. That’s why Dr. Salam considered her such an excellent candidate for insulin pump therapy. Many people with diabetes suffer the physical consequences of being on a blood sugar “roller coaster ride” every day. Pump therapy delivers insulin in preprogrammed doses and minimizes blood sugar irregularities that often result from several-times-a-day needle sticks. Today, Judith is an active and involved grandmother who works full-time. She has her thyroid, cholesterol, feet, eyes and kidneys checked periodically and sees Dr. Salam on a regular basis. “It’s what you do to look after yourself that really matters,” says Judith.

TOGETHER WE MADE THE FUTURE TWICE AS BRIGHT

AtlantiCare physician Jennifer Tioseca, MD, and the Zamora family

Few parents-to-be expect problems when their children are born. But Terri and Robert Zamora were prepared for anything. Restricted to bed rest when she was less than three months pregnant with twins, Terri was told she would have to make it to 28 weeks if the babies were to have a good chance of survival. A day short of that minimum goal, Terri’s water broke. Newborns Jase and Joey Zamora weighed a little over two pounds each. They couldn’t maintain their body temperature, breathe properly or nurse.

The twins spent 43 days in southeastern New Jersey’s only neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). There, they received round-the-clock care from AtlantiCare’s NICU team and neonatologists from Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, including Dr. Jennifer Tioseco. Terri says that the medical team always kept her family “in the loop” during those critical days and encouraged her to hold the babies during every visit. Dr. Tioseco stated that a relatively small percentage of newborns ever need AtlantiCare’s NICU services—but 100% of parents are comforted knowing we offer such an advanced level of care.

TOGETHER WE OVERCAME HEART DISEASE

AtlantiCare physician Rashmikant Desai, MD, and patient Dawn Sink

Like many women, Dawn Sink is a born nurturer, devoted to taking care of her kids—but not so attentive to her own health needs. When she finally made time to see her doctor, he asked if “anything had changed” since her last exam. Dawn casually mentioned that she thought her recent indigestion was probably heartburn. Knowing her family history, her physician performed an EKG, and then consulted with cardiologist Dr. Rashmikant Desai.

Dr. Desai conducted a number of other heart tests, including a cardiac catheterization, which provided information about the pumping ability of the heart. Based on the results of her cardiac catheterization and after consulting with AtlantiCare cardiac surgeons, 42-year-old Dawn underwent bypass surgery to clear blockages. Two and a half years later, a happy and healthy Dawn is grateful she had that warning sign—and a team of physicians who knew what it could mean. She also appreciated AtlantiCare’s personalized, team approach throughout the entire process. Dawn’s message to women is to listen to your bodies and speak up if you suspect something’s wrong. True nurturing starts with you.