NEWS
Saint Peter’s Healthcare System Announces 2021 Gala Honorees
May 6, 2021
Saint Peter’s Healthcare System will host its 2021 Annual Gala virtually on Thursday, May 6 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. This year’s Gala, presented by Sills Cummis & Gross P.C., will honor the following individuals for their service and dedication to Saint Peter’s, its patients and the community at-large:
2021 Bishop’s Award Honoree
Affinity Federal Credit Union
2021 Physician Appreciation Award Honorees
William R. Bernstein, MD – The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital
Robert P. Fein, MD – Astera Cancer Care
Special Recognition – Saint Peter’s Healthcare System Nursing Staff
Affinity Federal Credit Union is being honored for its commitment to the community and Saint Peter’s. Through the years, Affinity has supported a number of renovation projects including the expansion and modernization of Saint Peter’s Emergency Department and development of the Simulation Center for Interprofessional Learning. This gift was a blessing especially during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when patients requiring emergency care were apprehensive about coming into the Emergency Department for treatment. The expansion and modernization allowed for more efficiency in implementing social distancing, as well as other new safety protocols. The Simulation Center offers valuable training for doctors, nurses, medical residents, nursing students and other healthcare professionals, creating a true-to-life environment in which to observe and practice life-saving procedures. Affinity also funded Moving On from Cancer, a rehabilitative exercise program for breast cancer survivors. This group therapeutic exercise program is designed to address the physical limitations breast cancer survivors often experience after chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.
William R. Bernstein, MD, designated institutional official (DIO) and director of Medical Education, has been a pediatrician at Saint Peter’s for 28 years, providing care for children, many of whom are underserved and/or uninsured through Saint Peter's Family Health Center. Dr. Bernstein oversees three residency programs and two fellowship programs consisting of 105 physicians. Under Dr. Bernstein’s leadership, every effort was made to keep medical residents updated on the ever-changing status of incoming patients, treatment protocols and more throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. A testament to the stellar medical education program he has created are the accreditations of the Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pediatric Residency Programs by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education; the significantly high board-certification pass rates; and the number of graduating residents receiving prestigious fellowships.
Robert P. Fein, MD, of Astera Cancer Care has been a practicing oncologist-hematologist at Saint Peter’s for almost 40 years. Currently, chief of Medical Oncology and Hematology at Saint Peter’s, Dr. Fein chose this medical specialty because of its unique opportunity to help patients and their families. His practice combines vigilance and state-of-the-art cancer care with a determination to fight and win against cancer and blood disorders. It was under his leadership that Saint Peter’s oncology program expanded and received national accreditation. He was also instrumental in supporting opportunities for nursing certification, specifically in the specialty of oncology nurse certification. His advocacy and implementation of a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care is responsible for improved patient outcomes.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought many unforeseen challenges to healthcare workers, especially nurses. This was demonstrated throughout the pandemic when many nurses were re-deployed to new assignments, adjusting to new responsibilities, yet always responding to the challenges with grace and determination to care for our most critically ill patients. Even during this unprecedented time, Saint Peter’s was one of only five hospitals worldwide to have been designated as Magnet® hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center of the American Nurses Association for six consecutive terms. Magnet is the highest honor for nursing service excellence that any hospital can receive.
All proceeds from the Gala will directly benefit Saint Peter’s University Hospital. For more information, please contact Saint Peter’s Foundation at 732-745-8542 or spfoundation@saintpetersuh.com.
About Saint Peter’s University Hospital
Saint Peter’s University Hospital, a member of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, is a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen. Saint Peter’s, which received its sixth consecutive designation as a Magnet® hospital for nursing excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in 2020, is a state-designated children’s hospital and a regional perinatal center, and is a regional specialist in diabetes, gastroenterology, head and neck surgery, oncology, orthopedics, and women’s services. The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital provides families with access to a full range of pediatric specialties, including a nationally recognized Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, pediatric surgery and orthopedic surgery featuring innovative anterior scoliosis correction. The hospital offers a midwifery service and the brand-new state-of-the-art Mary V. O’Shea Birth Center. Saint Peter’s is a sponsor of residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and internal medicine, and is a major clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. Visit saintpetershcs.com or call 732-745-8600.
About Saint Peter’s Healthcare System
Saint Peter’s Healthcare System Inc., parent company of the Saint Peter’s healthcare delivery system, is comprised of Saint Peter’s University Hospital, a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital and state-designated children’s hospital and regional perinatal center; Saint Peter’s Foundation, the fundraising arm of the hospital; Saint Peter’s Health and Management Services Corp., which oversees outpatient facilities, including the CARES Surgicenter; and Saint Peter’s Physician Associates, a network of primary and specialty care physician practices. Saint Peter’s Healthcare System is sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen and is a major clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical Health and Sciences. For more information about Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, please visit saintpetershcs.com or call 732-745-8600.
2021 Bishop’s Award Honoree
Affinity Federal Credit Union
2021 Physician Appreciation Award Honorees
William R. Bernstein, MD – The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital
Robert P. Fein, MD – Astera Cancer Care
Special Recognition – Saint Peter’s Healthcare System Nursing Staff
Affinity Federal Credit Union is being honored for its commitment to the community and Saint Peter’s. Through the years, Affinity has supported a number of renovation projects including the expansion and modernization of Saint Peter’s Emergency Department and development of the Simulation Center for Interprofessional Learning. This gift was a blessing especially during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when patients requiring emergency care were apprehensive about coming into the Emergency Department for treatment. The expansion and modernization allowed for more efficiency in implementing social distancing, as well as other new safety protocols. The Simulation Center offers valuable training for doctors, nurses, medical residents, nursing students and other healthcare professionals, creating a true-to-life environment in which to observe and practice life-saving procedures. Affinity also funded Moving On from Cancer, a rehabilitative exercise program for breast cancer survivors. This group therapeutic exercise program is designed to address the physical limitations breast cancer survivors often experience after chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.
William R. Bernstein, MD, designated institutional official (DIO) and director of Medical Education, has been a pediatrician at Saint Peter’s for 28 years, providing care for children, many of whom are underserved and/or uninsured through Saint Peter's Family Health Center. Dr. Bernstein oversees three residency programs and two fellowship programs consisting of 105 physicians. Under Dr. Bernstein’s leadership, every effort was made to keep medical residents updated on the ever-changing status of incoming patients, treatment protocols and more throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. A testament to the stellar medical education program he has created are the accreditations of the Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pediatric Residency Programs by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education; the significantly high board-certification pass rates; and the number of graduating residents receiving prestigious fellowships.
Robert P. Fein, MD, of Astera Cancer Care has been a practicing oncologist-hematologist at Saint Peter’s for almost 40 years. Currently, chief of Medical Oncology and Hematology at Saint Peter’s, Dr. Fein chose this medical specialty because of its unique opportunity to help patients and their families. His practice combines vigilance and state-of-the-art cancer care with a determination to fight and win against cancer and blood disorders. It was under his leadership that Saint Peter’s oncology program expanded and received national accreditation. He was also instrumental in supporting opportunities for nursing certification, specifically in the specialty of oncology nurse certification. His advocacy and implementation of a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care is responsible for improved patient outcomes.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought many unforeseen challenges to healthcare workers, especially nurses. This was demonstrated throughout the pandemic when many nurses were re-deployed to new assignments, adjusting to new responsibilities, yet always responding to the challenges with grace and determination to care for our most critically ill patients. Even during this unprecedented time, Saint Peter’s was one of only five hospitals worldwide to have been designated as Magnet® hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center of the American Nurses Association for six consecutive terms. Magnet is the highest honor for nursing service excellence that any hospital can receive.
All proceeds from the Gala will directly benefit Saint Peter’s University Hospital. For more information, please contact Saint Peter’s Foundation at 732-745-8542 or spfoundation@saintpetersuh.com.
About Saint Peter’s University Hospital
Saint Peter’s University Hospital, a member of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, is a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen. Saint Peter’s, which received its sixth consecutive designation as a Magnet® hospital for nursing excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in 2020, is a state-designated children’s hospital and a regional perinatal center, and is a regional specialist in diabetes, gastroenterology, head and neck surgery, oncology, orthopedics, and women’s services. The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital provides families with access to a full range of pediatric specialties, including a nationally recognized Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, pediatric surgery and orthopedic surgery featuring innovative anterior scoliosis correction. The hospital offers a midwifery service and the brand-new state-of-the-art Mary V. O’Shea Birth Center. Saint Peter’s is a sponsor of residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and internal medicine, and is a major clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. Visit saintpetershcs.com or call 732-745-8600.
About Saint Peter’s Healthcare System
Saint Peter’s Healthcare System Inc., parent company of the Saint Peter’s healthcare delivery system, is comprised of Saint Peter’s University Hospital, a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital and state-designated children’s hospital and regional perinatal center; Saint Peter’s Foundation, the fundraising arm of the hospital; Saint Peter’s Health and Management Services Corp., which oversees outpatient facilities, including the CARES Surgicenter; and Saint Peter’s Physician Associates, a network of primary and specialty care physician practices. Saint Peter’s Healthcare System is sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen and is a major clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical Health and Sciences. For more information about Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, please visit saintpetershcs.com or call 732-745-8600.