Dr. Presenza with Connie Klahn, Lead MRI Technologist at Cooper

Preparing to go for a MRI appointment can be an intimidating and frightening experience for any patient, especially young children. For a normally active and vibrant child, trying to get them to lie motionless for a prolonged period of time in a sometimes small, dark and enclosed area can be a daunting task for both the parents and the radiologist. Now, the Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper is the only hospital in South Jersey offering an in-suite entertainment system that distracts the patient while having the study performed, achieving optimal results.

The ESys Patient Entertainment System from Invivo provides an in-room, high definition, audio and visual presentation for the enjoyment of the patient during a routine MRI exam. Easily compatible with any MRI technology and placed at either end of the bore, patients can view the screen at any angle using coil mirrors. The system comes equipped with stereo headphones and a conversation microphone and patients can watch DVDs or listen to music on an MP3 player.

“With this new, high-definition multi-media entertainment system, the Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper will continue to be at the forefront of medical technology, offering the best quality of care for our pediatric patients,” said Michael H. Goodman, MD, Chief of the Department of Pediatrics. “As the patient is busy enjoying a movie or listening to music, the radiologist will be able to complete the exam, in many cases without sedation. This system will improve the overall experience for our patients.”

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Today, it is estimated that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined.

As the incidence of autism continues to increase, The Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper is teaming up with Autism Speaks to promote Autism Awareness Month by illuminating the hospital blue. During April 1 and April 2, blue lighting will be seen in front of Cooper’s Pavilion in support of individuals with autism and their families.

“Cooper is proud to be a part of such an important cause,” said Michael H. Goodman, MD, Chief, Department of Pediatrics. “By illuminating the hospital blue on the evening of April 1 and April 2, we hope to join the thousands of others involved in shining a light on autism as a growing health concern.”

The Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper provides comprehensive pediatric services for children and adolescents with autism. Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders including Asperger’s Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Many parents and professionals refer to this group as Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Pediatric Autism Program located at Cooper Neurological Institute (CNI) is a multidisciplinary treatment and research center designed for the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

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Harsh Grewal, MD, FACS, FAAP

The Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper has appointed Harsh Grewal, MD, FACS, FAAP, as Head, Division of Pediatric Surgery within the Department of Surgery.

Dr. Grewal joins Cooper from Temple University School of Medicine where he served as the Chief, Section of Pediatric Surgery and Professor of Surgery. During his time at Temple, Dr. Grewal also served as the Medical Director of Pediatric Trauma, Director of the Surgical Skills Laboratory, attending surgeon at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, and staff consultant for Shriner’s Hospital for Children.

“Dr. Grewal brings with him a wealth of clinical, research and academic expertise in pediatric surgery, and is renowned for his exceptional leadership ability,” said Jeffrey P. Carpenter, MD, Chief, Department of Surgery and Vice President, Perioperative Services at Cooper. “We’re pleased that he has joined Cooper and look forward to working with him as we expand our pediatric surgical services.”

Dr. Grewal received his undergraduate and graduate medical degrees from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. He completed his residency in general surgery at the New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, and his fellowship in pediatric surgery at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark. He is board certified in general surgery and pediatric surgery.

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Richard Selznick, PhD, Director of the Cooper Learning Center at the Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper

As students file into Jace Dutweiler’s Flex Time technology period at Logan Elementary School in Logan Township, New Jersey, they grab kits of Legos and begin to build elaborate projects. Inspired by concepts in The Shut-Down Learner: Helping Your Academically Discouraged Child, by Richard Selznick, PhD, Director of the Cooper Learning Center at the Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper, for 30 minutes each day this “special” period allows students to show personal gifts that may not show in the regular classroom.

Since the release of Dr. Selznick’s book in 2009, schools like Logan Elementary have been inspired to create programs that encourage students to learn through the use of hands-on tasks and visually-based activities. Flex Time, a program developed by Logan principal Bob Fisicaro, gives children a chance to express creativity through a number of different course modules or “cohorts”. The school completely revamped its curriculum as a result of the inspiration from Dr. Selznick’s book.

“When I wrote The Shut-Down Learner, I was primarily aiming to help parents gain perspective on their struggling children,” says Dr. Selznick. “Never in my wildest imagination would I have thought that a school district would revamp its curriculum based on concepts from my book.”

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Campbell’s Soup has launched a $10 million initiative that will target reducing childhood obesity in Camden children over the next 10 years.

Michael Goodman, MD, Chief of Pediatrics at the Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper, remarked at the event announcing the initiative that “39.8% of Camden’s children (ages 3-19) are considered obese based on Body Mass Index (BMI), compared to 29% nationally. The Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper shares in Campbell’s vision of educating and supporting families in the community in making healthier choices.”

6ABC was among the several media outlets who covered the press event at Campbell’s Soup where Dr. Goodman spoke. Click below to view their report.

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