Healthy Living
Union has its own full-service hospital, and is only minutes away from some of the finest medical facilities in the country. A variety of independent practitioners, nursing services, and healthcare providers ensure that Union residents have many choices when it comes to their health.
Union Hospital has a long and proud tradition of delivering the finest quality medical services, with an emphasis on compassionate patient care. A 201-bed community teaching hospital, Union Hospital is a major healthcare resource in the Township of Union and Union County, serving more than 65,000 people each year.
Union Hospital is an affiliate of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System, the largest and most diversified healthcare system in the state.
WELLNESS PROGRAMS AT UNION HOSPITAL
Fitness Classes – Union Hospital offers six-week Tai Chih and Line Dancing classes to the community throughout the year. Classes are held at Ehrhart Gardens, 100 Frances Ct., Union. Call (908) 851-7014 for more information.
Project Safeguard - Union Hospital provides various health screenings (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, oral cancer, etc.) by request at community health fairs and events. Some screenings require a fee. Call (908) 851-7014 for more information.
Safe Sitter - This course is offered to children ages 11 and above to teach them childcare safety skills that are applicable for babysitting and parenting. Call (908) 851-7014 for more information.
Scrubby Bear - This program teaches proper hand washing techniques to young children. Call (908) 851-7014 for more information.
Speakers’ Bureau - The Speakers’ Bureau is comprised of qualified professionals (physicians, pharmacists, nurses, healthcare technicians, counselors, experts in mental health, social workers and other healthcare professionals) from Union Hospital who are available to speak to the public on a variety of healthcare related issues. The Speakers’ Bureau is offered free of charge as a community service to local groups, organizations, schools and clubs. Call (908) 851-7014 for more information.
Support Groups - Union Hospital offers the following support groups to the community: AA, Alanon, bereavement support group, CPR, caregiver support group, obesity class and renal care support group. Call (908) 851-7014 for more information.
Tobacco Dependence Treatment Program – This smoking cessation program is offered through the Saint Barnabas Behavioral Health Network Institute for Prevention. The program is designed to: assess each participant’s tobacco dependency and readiness for change; provide behavioral therapy to help create an individual, group and family environment for change; and determine the best nicotine replacement therapy. Free assessments are given to anyone interested in starting the treatment. For more information or to arrange for a free assessment, call (973) 926-7978.
W.I.S.E. Adult Social Day Services - This program helps adults maintain their independence and improve their quality of life through programs designed to meet their special needs. A highly qualified staff of social workers, activities specialists, nurses and elder care specialists coordinate activities that stimulate and enhance participants’ mental, physical and social skills. W.I.S.E. also offers caregiver and bereavement support groups. Call (908) 687-2995 for more information.
UNION HOSPITAL’S MEDICAL SERVICES
• Anesthesiology
• Behavioral Health Network
• Cardiopulmonary Services
• Cardiovascular Department
• Dialysis, Renal
• Emergency Services Department
• Endoscopy
• Hospice Services
• Intensive Care Unit and Coronary Care Unit
• Nursing
• Nutritional Counseling
• Outpatient Testing
• Patient Satisfaction Department
• Pre-Admission Testing (PAT)
• Radiology Services
• Rehabilitation Services
• Same Day Surgery Center
• Sleep Medicine, Center for
• Social Work Services / Discharge Planning
• Surgical Services
GREETINGS FROM UNION HOSPITAL EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR KATHRYN COYNE
For more than 60 years, the staff of Union Hospital has taken pride in offering caring and compassionate services to thousands of patients. The years bring the effects of technology and information services on all industries, including healthcare. Regardless of how technologically advanced the healthcare industry becomes, there is no substitute for a caring hand and warm smile. These things will remain important to Union Hospital in 2006.
Union Hospital’s affiliation with New Jersey’s largest healthcare organization, the Saint Barnabas Health Care System, affords its patients access to the same technologically advanced equipment and procedures offered throughout the state. As a community hospital, Union Hospital holds a special place among its sister facilities. It thrives in Union as a friendly neighbor and as a reliable and caring healthcare resource. Union Hospital employees are involved as members of local organizations as well as numerous health fairs and community outreach events, and strive to have an active presence in Union.
Union Hospital was ranked in the top 25% of hospitals nationwide in 2005 for delivering timely and lifesaving treatments to patients suffering from heart attack, pneumonia and heart failure. According to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Union Hospital is also one of Union County’s top hospitals. Union residents are encouraged to choose Union Hospital for all of their medical needs in 2006, whether those needs include an emergency visit, surgery, cancer treatment, pain management, rehabilitation, sleeping disorders, X-rays, CAT scans, or long-term acute care. With Union Township’s help, Union Hospital can be around and serving Union’s residents for many more years.
Union Hospital can be counted on to remain the caring and compassionate community health provider it has been for more than 60 years.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE CENTER FOR DIGESTIVE DISEASES
Dr, Samiappan Muthusamy, MD, FACG has been serving the greater Union area for more than 25 years. He served as Chief of Gastroenterology at St. Elizabeth Hospital from 1981 to 1995. Dr. Muthusamy is dedicated to his patients, striving to bring the best healthcare to those he serves. With that in mind, his practice has substantially grown over the past several years.
As Clinical Assistant Professor at Seton Hall University and New York College of Osteopathic medicine, he was awarded “Teaching Physician of the Year.” He is a Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology.
The Center for Digestive Diseases and the Endo-Surgi Centers of Union and Old Bridge were both founded by Dr. Muthusamy, and he is the president and senior partner of both. He is dedicated to making the Center for Digestive Diseases (CDD) a state-of-the-art and comprehensive gastroenterology practice.
CDD has grown to include a total of five board-certified gastroenterologists, a nurse practitioner, and a physician assistant. In addition to its main office in Union, CDD has several satellite offices in neighboring communities, including Linden, Old Bridge, Perth Amboy, Sayreville, Edison, Plainfield, and Manalapan.
CDD recently opened new office facilities at 695 Chestnut Street in Union. The expanded office includes a Gastro Lab that provides state-of-the-art procedures such as Capsule Endoscopy. This procedure allows the doctor to see the entire small intestine through images transmitted via a vitamin-sized capsule that the patient swallows. The capsule takes images for 8 hours and helps doctors diagnose and treat causes of anemia, blood loss, diarrhea, as well as monitor some chronic conditions such as Crohns disease. Breath Testing for bacterial overgrowth, lactose intolerance, and H-Pylori is available and CDD also offers Esophageal Motility Testing and 24-hour PH monitoring. These tests give additional means to diagnose and treat a wider range of GI disorders.
All the physicians at CDD/Endo-Surgi Center are dedicated to early detection of colon cancer though timely screening with colonoscopy. Colon cancer is actually preventable. Most colon cancers start out as small polyps. If the polyps are removed, colon cancer never develops. Even if cancer is found during colonscopy, the cure rate is about 95 percent. The goal is to have a colonoscopy before any symptoms develop.
CDD board-certified gastroenterologists are specially trained to treat the entire digestive system, which includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, and liver. The organization’s goal is to provide the most comprehensive and up to date medical care to better serve patient needs.
