Dawn Zimmer, Mayor of Hoboken; Lisa Bove-Marchese, RN Hoboken UMC Maternal Fetal Nurse Manager; Dr. David L. Principe, Double-Boarded Perinatologist, Hoboken UMC Medical Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine; Dr. Raul Aguilar, Hoboken UMC Chief of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Spiros Hatiras, Hoboken UMC CEO at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Expectant moms and babies have long enjoyed excellent, comprehensive care from the Center for Fetal Medicine at Hoboken University Medical Center. Now, in addition to expert care, they are guaranteed an even more convenient and comfortable experience, courtesy of a new and expanded Center for Maternal Fetal Medicine unveiled by hospital officials at a ribbon cutting ceremony today.

Located on the first floor of Hoboken UMC to provide easier access, the new Center features a spacious suite featuring private treatment rooms, and the latest in diagnostic screening equipment including Hudson County’s first 4D ultrasound and sonograms that contain viewing monitors so patients can view a procedure or screening in real time.

“We were one of the first hospitals to offer Maternal Fetal Medicine services in Hudson County,” said Hoboken UMC CEO Spiros Hatiras. “The area’s best obstetricians consistently refer routine and high-risk pregnancies to Hoboken UMC because we have the highly-qualified medical staff and state-of-the-art care. With the addition of this beautiful new treatment suite and investment in new technology, doctors and their patients can feel confident that the absolute best care is right in the neighborhood.”

The Center for Maternal Fetal Medicine is equipped to manage high-risk pregnancies ranging from multiple births to conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, as well as provide all the diagnostic testing obstetricians typically recommend during routine pregnancies. Dr. David Principe, a double-board certified perinatologist and recognized leader in maternal fetal care, heads the Center that is staffed by perinatal nurses, sonographers and other maternal fetal specialists.

“When pregnancies are more complicated there’s an added layer of stress if expectant moms have to travel for appointments and screenings,” said Dr. Principe. “We’re able to eliminate some of the strain with a better location and new treatment suite. Women can receive the care they need in their own community.”

The Center for Maternal Fetal Medicine performs 11,000 procedures and screenings a year. Services include consultations, pre-pregnancy testing, genetic ultrasound, non-stress testing, 3D and 4D ultrasound, amniocentesis, on-site genetic counseling, education and support services and more. Hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 pm. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For further information, call (201) 418-1234.

About David L. Principe, MD, FACOG

David L. Principe, MD, FACOG, began the Center for Maternal Fetal Medicine at Hoboken University Medical Center in 2000. In practice for more than 10 years, Dr. Principe completed residencies at St. Vincent’s Medical Center of Richmond, Staten Island and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson, N.J., and fellowships at Yale University School of Medicine and the University of Chicago & Medical Center. Dr. Principe has also been active in research, participated in community health initiatives, published in medical journals, and has held several teaching positions.

 The City of Hoboken, in collaboration with the pedestrian and bicycle community advocacy group Sweet Streets and the Quality of Life Coalition, is proud to announce our acceptance into a competitive pedestrian safety, bicycle planning and traffic calming program offered by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.  The program, which involves pairing a professional transportation consulting firm with the City, will allow us to study and develop an implementation plan for some of the most critical safety issues affecting Hoboken residents. The scope of the study and dollar amount of the award will be determined in the coming weeks, as the City and volunteer community members participate in discussions with the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
                “This is an excellent example of how community input can support the government in pursuing funding and resources critical to the improvement of quality of life issues,” Transportation and Parking Director Ian Sacs said, “such as pedestrian safety, traffic calming and bicycling conditions. In the coming months, the community will have many opportunities to provide input and participate in the development of a comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle plan using the master plan as a guide.”
                Once the scope of the project is finalized, Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Director Sacs, along with Sweet Streets and the Quality of Life Coalition, will move swiftly to collect public feedback on the direction of this project.

NJ DOT Award Letter

Application for Enrollment in New Jersey’s Local Bicycle/Pedestrian Planning Assistance Program

After further analysis of Sinatra Field, Hoboken’s structural engineer determined that the field is presently not safe for public use. The field will remain closed for the fall season, and will not be usable until final repairs have been completed. 

The safety of our community must always come first, and unfortunately, engineers have located additional structural damage after the first assessment. This is extremely disappointing for our active community.  

As I have stated, this unfortunate situation has resulted from possible construction and design flaws, as well as the neglect of previous Administrations to address an erosion problem due to wood-boring shipworms. 

Fortunately, our community has come together to develop interim measures. I want to thank Schools Superintendent Peter Carter, his Administrators, and the School Board for continuing to provide us with access to the high school field. We also thank Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner for offering us use of the Weehawken Township field, as well as Stevens Institute of Technology for providing access to their athletic facilities. 

We have spoken to County, State and Federal representatives to explore funding commitments to remedy this situation, which is estimated to cost millions of dollars. I am committed to securing as much funding as possible and exploring all public and private venues so repairs can be completed as soon as possible.

I do feel for the families and active residents affected by this closure, but we must deal with the situation we have been presented with in a responsible, cost-effective way that will provide a long-term solution to this problem. We are doing everything possible to move this project forward and get our community back on the soccer field and waterfront walkway.

In the interim, I would like to reassure the public that the creation and preservation of open space will continue to be a priority of my Administration, even as we work to resolve the Sinatra Park issue.

I want to thank the City Council for moving forward on the 1600 Park/Hoboken Cove project and  the southwest park at the last meeting.  My administration has also reached out to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to ensure remediation of a brown field site in the northwest section of our City.                                   

Additionally, as your City Council member, I have been instrumental in obtaining a grant from the New Jersey Traffic & Planning Authority to study traffic patterns on Paterson Plank Road to alleviate rush hour congestion in the southwest district.

In the northwest section, the City is meeting with representatives of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to development an environmental remediation plan to clean former industrial properties for use as recreational purposes. This Administration is seeking funding sources for the acquisition and remediation of sites.

I promise you that I will leave no stone unturned in the ongoing effort to identify and secure funding opportunities to preserve and acquire open space in our community. I will continue to keep you updated with developments related to Sinatra Park, as well as open space initiatives.

Mayor Dawn Zimmer is pleased to announce that the North Hudson Sewerage Authority (NHSA) has agreed to the City’s request to explore the implementation of sensor monitoring technology.  “I want to thank NHSA Chairman Wolff and Executive Director Pocci for agreeing that the City of Hoboken can implement sensor monitoring technology to determine the most cost-effective solution for our City’s flooding problem,” she said.  “This represents an important step in the City’s ongoing fight against flooding,” she added.   Legally, NHSA retains rights over Hoboken’s sewerage system, and implementing new technology would require agreement by NHSA. Over the last year, Acting Mayor Zimmer has advocated strongly for the City to fully analyze the 4-pump plan to ensure the most cost-effective long term solution to solve Hoboken’s flooding. 

“EmNet’s technology will enable us to fully analyze our flood events so we can use this data to assess and prioritize the 4-pump plan proposed by North Hudson Sewerage Authority,” she explained.  The Southeastern pump, which costs $14 million, will be funded by a NJ State Revolving Loan Program, and a grant received by NHSA.  The other 3 pumps, costing approximately $30 million, are expected to be paid for by the City of Hoboken. 

“We must protect taxpayers, and solve the major infrastructure problems our City faces.  Implementing EmNet’s technology will enable us to ensure that we only spend what’s need to solve our serious flooding problem,” Zimmer commented. 

 ”I am working closely with NHSA to move forward quickly with the most important southeast pump, but before I commit millions of taxpayer money for the additional 3 pumps, I hope to work with my Council colleagues and the State Fiscal Monitor to pursue all funding options for this innovative technology,” Acting Mayor Zimmer explained.

More information on EmNet’s CSOnet technology is available at: www.heliosware.com/cso.html

The Hoboken University Medical Center (HUMC) released its Audited Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.  The Financial Statements make clear that the hospital continues to face serious financial difficulties.  The Hospital incurred a loss from operations in 2008 in the amount of $22.3 million, leaving it with net assets at the end of 2008 of $13,435,124.  This is down from net assets of $35,138,364 at the end of 2007.For 147 years HUMC, formerly known as Saint Mary Hospital, has been the anchor for health care in Hoboken, as well as surrounding communities.  It is an essential hospital for access to care for Hoboken’s diverse population of 40,000 residents including many seniors, as well as the health care safety-net for many young children, pregnant women, and people living with HIV/AIDS.  The recently opened emergency room provides state of the art emergency services for Hoboken residents and surrounding communities.  It also provides a facility to increase admissions to the hospital, a key to the hospital’s long-term financial viability.   

As part of the original acquisition, Hoboken has guaranteed $52 million of the Hospital’s debt.  Given our own fiscal problems, we are not in a financial position to guarantee additional debt or to provide operating subsidies. But within those limitations, I am fully committed to doing everything within my power to help the Hospital Board find a way to navigate through these difficult times.

The Hospital has recently applied to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services for a critical Health Care Stabilization Grant.  I coordinated with State Senator Brian Stack and Assemblyman Ruben Ramos, Jr., for their strong letters in support of the application.   I also personally spoke to Commissioner Heather Howard to express my highest level of support for the application on behalf of the City of Hoboken. HUMC is well positioned to receive this grant which will greatly assist the hospital with its short term needs.

I want to thank my City Council colleagues for their quick action last Wednesday in approving my appointment of Tejal Desai to the Hospital Board.  Her strong financial background will be of significant help as we move forward to face the extremely difficult challenges ahead.

You can also click on the attached PDF’s for more information.

HUMC_grant_cover_memo.pdf

HeatherHowardCommissioner.pdf

LOR_08_Final.pdf

hmha_full_2008_report.pdf

Full_Synopsis_hoboken_2008.pdf

Here is an update regarding the H1N1 Flu. You can view the Press release here.Please be advised the  New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services has opened a toll-free  telephone line for the general public to call in regard to H1N1 Influenza and Vaccine.  The telephone line will be operational Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The number is 1-866-321-9571.

Today, Mayor Dawn Zimmer announced the City of Hoboken has received $460,531.00 from the New Jersey Department of Transportation for various street improvements throughout the community.  “I want to thank Governor Corzine for his announcement regarding the Fiscal Year 2010 Municipal Aid Program for street improvements in Hoboken,” Mayor Zimmer said. “This aid will assist us in our ongoing efforts to improve the transportation needs in our community.”The funding, part of the State’s nearly $104 million Municipal Aid Grant Program, will allow the City of Hoboken and towns across New Jersey to put people to work addressing critical infrastructure needs.
 
“NJDOT Municipal Aid provides direct property tax relief while improving quality of life and stimulating economic growth,” Governor Jon S. Corzine said. “These grants will help create jobs and improve our local transportation systems without increasing the local tax burden. That’s especially important in these tough economic times.”
 
One of the primary goals of Governor Corzine’s first-in-the-nation Economic Stimulus Plan was to put people to work on critical infrastructure projects, such as projects on the 29,000 miles of roads maintained by municipal governments. These grants provide funding to municipalities that otherwise would devote local tax revenue to road improvements.
 
“The entire scheduled street paving for this year has been completed and we want to thank the public for their cooperation during this process,” Mayor Zimmer said.  “We will work with the City’s Engineer and the community to prioritize the streets to be paved next year using this stimulus grant.”
 
The street paving project in Hoboken is slated to continue in the summer of next year

As a result of the structural damage of the piers at Sinatra Park, all recreational soccer games scheduled set forth can be found on the Hoboken Youth Soccer League website: www.hobokenyouthsoccer.com.

Mayor Dawn Zimmer and the City of Hoboken would like to especially thank Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner for his assistance in allowing games to be moved to our neighboring community.

In addition, we are continuing to work with the City’s engineers to determine whether or not the soccer field may be declared safe for use by the public.  This determination will be made after careful consultation with the City’s engineering representatives.  Updates on the potential re-opening of the soccer field will be posted on the City website.

Mayor Dawn Zimmer took a front-seat spin in an environmental friendly Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) which someday may replace the City’s aging gasoline-powered fleet of vehicles.NEVs are about 30 percent less expensive to operate than conventional vehicles, generate zero emissions and reduce fuel costs by up to 90 percent. Joining the Mayor in the back seat were Director of Health and Human Services John Pope (foreground) and Acting Director of Transportation and Parking Ian Sacs.