Newswise — Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center recently graduated its third class of soldiers who are participating in Operation Hackensack S.M.A.R.T. (Strategic Medical Asset Readiness Training).
The program, a partnership with the United States Army, focuses on high-quality, individualized specialty medical training for service members to improve their knowledge, skillsets and increase soldier readiness. The program began in June of 2017 at Hackensack University Medical Center, the first health care institution in the nation to implement this initiative with the US Army Reserve.
“We are honored and privileged to support our military by providing high-quality, one-on-one medical training to our soldiers, ensuring they have the critical skillsets they need to maintain readiness,” said Ihor Sawczuk, M.D., FACS, president of Hackensack University Medical Center and the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. “We look forward to welcoming other soldiers for upcoming training sessions at Hackensack University Medical Center for this extraordinary program.”
Operation Hackensack S.M.A.R.T. integrates interactive observation training specific to the jobs soldiers perform in their military capacity. The soldiers partnered with their civilian counterparts at Hackensack University Medical Center for 14 days of immersion training utilizing cutting-edge technology, at no additional cost to the government.
During the recent session, 14 soldiers from across the country representing the following branches of the military: Army, Army Reserve, Air Force, NJ National Guard, and Coast Guard received training in the laboratory, administration, operating room, radiology and with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) crews.
“I cannot thank Hackensack University Medical Center enough for hosting our military members, allowing them to participate in the S.M.A.R.T. program,” said CDR James Corbett, chief of Logistics, Coast Guard Sector New York. “Several of my staff members relayed what a profound impact this experience had on them and how it will greatly assist them as medical professionals both in and outside of the Coast Guard. I was personally touched by Hackensack University Medical Center's commitment to supporting our troops. The fact that the medical center maintains an Honor Guard is a true testament to its commitment to the Armed Forces.”
The focus of the S.M.A.R.T. program is to provide critical knowledge sharing between military and civilian medical professionals about best practices, techniques and procedures to ensure military service members are trained to use the most current technology in today’s rapidly changing health care landscape.
“Hackensack University Medical Center continues to seek out opportunities to support our service members and military veterans,” said Jason A. Kreitner, FACHE, vice president, senior operations officer, Hackensack University Medical Center. “For a third time, this unique partnership enabled us to support our servicemen and women who are on the frontlines defending our country in a meaningful way, giving them the skills and training they need to effectively fulfill their duty when they are called to serve.”
About Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center, a 781-bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, NJ, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state. Founded in 1888 as the county’s first hospital, it is now part of one of the largest networks in the state comprised of 33,000 team members and more than 6,500 physicians. Hackensack University Medical Center was listed as one of the top two hospitals in New Jersey in U.S. News & World Report’s 2018-19 Best Hospital rankings. It was also named one of the top five New York Metro Area hospitals. Hackensack University Medical Center is one of only five major academic medical centers in the nation to receive Healthgrades America’s 50 Best Hospitals Award for five or more years in a row. Becker’s Hospital Review recognized Hackensack University Medical Center as one of the 100 Great Hospitals in America 2018. The medical center is one of the top 25 green hospitals in the country according to Practice Greenhealth, and received 25 Gold Seals of Approval™ by The Joint Commission – more than any other hospital in the country. It was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet® recognized hospital for nursing excellence; receiving its fifth consecutive designation in 2014. Hackensack University Medical Center has created an entire campus of award-winning care, including: the John Theurer Cancer Center; the Heart & Vascular Hospital; and the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, which houses the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital, which was designed with The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center and listed on the Green Guide’s list of Top 10 Green Hospitals in the U.S. Hackensack University Medical Center is the Hometown Hospital of the New York Giants and the New York Red Bulls and is Official Medical Services Provider to The Northern Trust PGA Golf Tournament. It remains committed to its community through fundraising and community events especially the Tackle Kids Cancer Campaign providing much needed research at the Children’s Cancer Institute housed at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. To learn more, visit www.HackensackUMC.org.
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