News/Events

Physician Appreciation Awards

SPUH Gala 2019 Honoring Dr Kett ERAS.

Peri-Operative Nursing Physician Partnership Award

Dr. Assumpta Yau was presented the Peri-Operative Nursing Physician Partnership Award May 2019. Pictured left to right: Mr. Leslie D. Hirsch Interim CEO President, Dr. Assumpta Yau and Ms. Linda Carroll Chief Nursing Officer.

Physician of the Month

Congratulations to Dr. Howard Lakritz being named "Physician of the Month" at St. Peters University Hospital receiving the Making a Difference award! His Making a Difference contributions include introduction of the Bloodless Medicine program, introduction of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery program, and many quality initiatives benefiting our patients. Dr. Lakritz is one of many ACNJ honored by St. Peters University Hospital. Adorning the walls of the main floor of the hospital are posters of Dr. Attila Kett, Dr. Scott Siegel and Dr. Lakritz highlighting their contributions to patient centric care.

Kindred Spirit Award

ACNJ was honored to be the recipient of the Kindred Spirit Award by Carrier Clinic on November 7, 2015 at the Princeton Marriott at Forrestal. We believe that compassionate care, treatments that provide hope, research, and support without fear of stigma are the rights of every individual, regardless of diagnosis. Pictured left to right is Donald Parker, CEO Carrier Clinic and Dr. Richard Colavita, President of ACNJ.

ACNJ Receives Bishop's Award

ACNJ was humbled and proud to accept the Bishop's Award by the Diocese of Metuchen presented by Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski at the annual Gala on March 29, 2014. Presentation (left) of the award by Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski to Dr. Howard Lakritz, Chairman, Department of Anesthesia, St. Peters Hospital with Dr. Richard Colavita, President of ACNJ and Mr. Ronald Rak, President and CEO of St. Peters University Hospital. Acceptance speech by (L-R) Dr. Howard Lakritz with Bishop Bootkoski and Dr. Richard Colavita. Members of Anesthesia Consultants of New Jersey with Bishop Bootkoski and Mr. Ronald Rak. Front Row: (L-R) Dr. Assumpta Yau, Dr. Denise Mackler, Dr. Howard Lakritz, Dr. Richard Colavita, Bishop Bootkoski, Mr. Ronald Rak, Dr. Asok Desai, and Dr. Ajay Nath. Back Row: (L-R) Ms. Laura Tarlow, Executive Director, ACNJ, Dr. James Ku, Dr. Attila Kett, Dr. Mikhail Rondel, and Dr. Warren Land

New Jersey's Favorite Kid's Docs

Congratulations to Dr. James Sperrazza for his recognition as "New Jersey's Favorite Kid's Docs" by New Jersey Family magazine. He was among 672 pediatricians and specialists chosen by the readers. New Jersey Family, December 2013

RWJ Barnabas Health Somerset

Surgical Services Department renovations. An $11 million renovation project to expand services, improve efficiency and enhance the patient experience. The project includes the relocation of the Same Day Unit, renovation of the Endoscopy Suite, and construction of new waiting rooms and patient holding areas. Read here for more information on the renovations. Home News Tribune, April 9, 2017

St. Peters University Hospital

Bloodless Medicine and Surgery at St. Peters University Hospital. To meet the religious, medical and personal beliefs of patients who opt not to have transfusions, Saint Peter's University Hospital has launched a bloodless medicine program. Read more. Courier News, January 21, 2014

Listen to the interview of Dr. Howard Lakritz by Bert Baron of WCTC 1450 AM on April 9, 2014

The Bloodless Alternative. Article explains the program at Saint Peter's University Hospital. Central Jersey Health & Life, Summer 2014

A Speedier Recovery After C-Sections

Saint Peter's utilizes new model of care for women after csections..

The average hospital stay among women after a cesarean section is about four days. A new initiative at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick aims to reduce that to two.

In November 2016, the hospital implemented the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) model to accelerate recovery time for c-section patients. The program is targeted at women undergoing elective c-sections (including repeat c-sections). Through an app called SeamlessMD, doctors engage patients with reminders, tasks, education and daily milestone tracking. Women begin using the app at least four weeks before their scheduled delivery and continue using it when they return home... Read more (PDF)

Better Health Update

Children require special care whenever they undergo surgery.

This is where the pediatric anesthesiologist is important. The pediatric anesthesiologist is trained to handle smaller, more vulnerable patients – not just during the actual procedure, but often during the time prior to surgery, when parents and their children need reassurance the most. To explain it all is Scott Siegel, M.D. of ACNJ, a pediatric anesthesiologist at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital. Listen here.

Ambulatory Care SurgiCenter Performing Rare Orthopedic Procedures

University Center for Ambulatory Surgery has been performing outpatient total joint replacements for more than 18 months and have had phenomenal success. They have successfully performed anterior hip replacements, total knee replacements and unicompartmental knee replacements. Read more. Beckers ASC Review, April 4, 2014

ACNJ's Dr. Dean Giacobbe presents his findings during a webinar at world renowned Andrew's Institute in Pensacola, Florida in May 2014. To view video, click here.

Better Health Update

Children require special care whenever they undergo surgery.

This is where the pediatric anesthesiologist is important. The pediatric anesthesiologist is trained to handle smaller, more vulnerable patients – not just during the actual procedure, but often during the time prior to surgery, when parents and their children need reassurance the most. To explain it all is Scott Siegel, M.D. of ACNJ, a pediatric anesthesiologist at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital. Listen here.

Ambulatory Care SurgiCenter Performing Rare Orthopedic Procedures

University Center for Ambulatory Surgery has been performing outpatient total joint replacements for more than 18 months and have had phenomenal success. They have successfully performed anterior hip replacements, total knee replacements and unicompartmental knee replacements. Read more. Beckers ASC Review, April 4, 2014

ACNJ's Dr. Dean Giacobbe presents his findings during a webinar at world renowned Andrew's Institute in Pensacola, Florida in May 2014. To view video, click here.

Dr. Giacobbe co-authored the article "5 Ways to Control PostOp Pain" with the Center's Dr. David Harwood and Dr. Stephen Kayiaros. Supplement to Outpatient Surgery Magazine, January 2016

ACNJ In The Community

ACNJ was proud to sponsor the 9th Annual Steeplechase Distance Run/Walk on September 24, 2017 held in Hillsborough, New Jersey. Physicians and staff participated in the event. Pictured back row (l-r): Wasim Agha, Toki Compress, Cinthia Sierra, Jennifer Ramsarran, Eileen Buckley, Kristen Grausso, Marilynn Monroe, Lynette Hutcheson, Annmarie Santos. Front row (l-r): Selvia Barsom, Kathleen Pallein, Melissa Mota, Jenny Colon.

ACNJ continues our commitment in serving the world's population to improve quality of life. In October 2017, Dr. Richard Colavita (Vice President, Board of Trustees) participated in Healing The Children Foundation's trip to Guayaquil, Ecuador. 65 children with complex urological problems were seen in the clinic and 27 children received anesthesia and surgery. Click here and here. "There is so much more to do, and we plan to go back there year after year to continue our work," said Dr. Colavita.

ACNJ believes giving back to the community is no longer defined by a specific location. We not only serve the citizens of a specific town, county and state, but serve the citizens of the world as well. Our commitment is our overall involvement in activities that improve the quality of people's lives. In January 2013, Dr. Richard Colavita and Dr. Sherif Sonbol particpated in Healing The Children Foundation and lent their expertise to the children of Esmeraldas, Ecuador.