Cynthia de Luise, PA, Ph.D.Senior Epidemiologist, Pfizer Pharmaceutical“Despite it being one of the most important diseases of this century, COPD is universally underdiagnosed throughout the world, with only about ½ of all cases being identified. The prevalence of COPD nearly triples in persons in the 7th decade as compared to people in their 40’s. Since there is presently no cure, the only way to address COPD is through prevention (not smoking), early diagnosis, quitting smoking, and aggressive treatment of symptoms and concurrent diseases.”Cynthia (Cindy) de Luise has been employed for over 6 years as an epidemiologist in drug safety at Pfizer Inc. Prior to working as an epidemiologist, Cindy spent about 8 years in clinical medicine as a physician assistant at Cabrini Medical Center in NYC. Her clinical work involved considerable exposure to geriatric care. Cindy’s areas of expertise are respiratory and infectious disease epidemiology.

Victor L. Marchione, M.D., F.C.C.P.Internal & Pulmonary Medicine“Regardless of one’s age, it is never too late to stop smoking.”Victor Louis Marchione, M.D., F.C.C.P. is a native of Hoboken, NJ, with 25 years of service to the New York – Metropolitan area as a Board Certified Pulmonologist. He is a former medical director of a large multi-specialty medical group with research interests in tobacco cessation and early detection of lung carcinoma. As the founder and Medical Director of the “I Quit Smoking Program” at Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, NJ, Dr. Marchione invites all smokers to join smoking cessation efforts.

Vikki Hazelwood, Ph.D.Industry Professor, Biomedical EngineeringStevens Institute of Technology“Biomedical technologies are essential components of the overall healthcare delivery system for detecting, preventing, and treating disease and injury.”Dr. Vikki Hazelwood has held executive positions in sales and business development for several medical device companies focused on drug delivery technology and surgical techniques for orthopedics and interventional cardiology. She received her doctorate in Biomedical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology. Her research emphasis is in Sports Medicine and Translational Research, focusing on the development of efficacious medical devices and physiologic methods which improve public health, especially obesity prevention and pain management.

Manny Pena-PerichManager of Professional & Community RelationsCompassionate Care Hospice"Hospice affords the patient and their caregivers a core interdisciplinary team of nurses and professionals who focus on the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual comfort in the final stages of a life-threatening illness. It is very gratifying to assist a patient and their caregivers in allowing hospice the privilege to complete a spiritual journey."Manny Pena-Perich is Manager of Professional and Community Relations for Hudson & Bergen Counties for Compassionate Care Hospice. Manny has an extensive background in healthcare, including Director of Patient Services and Rehabilitation for the American Cancer Society, and Patient Relations Coordinator for Hospice of New Jersey. Manny serves on two palliative care committees for the Liberty Healthcare System.

Roundtable Coordinator: Dr. S. Vincent GrassoRoundtable Moderator: Patrick Berzinski

Enhancing the Delivery of Healthcare Services to an Aging

U.S. Population

Stevens Roundtable:Health, Technology & Society

July 11, 2007

The impact of the roundtable was powerful in its complete coverage of its topic. Panelists discussed the delivery of healthcare from the inception of ideas for new medical techniques, equipment and drugs by researchers (including undergrad students working on advanced projects), through service provision by a variety of professionals in different settings, to hospice care. I was especially impressed by the expertise and dedication of Messrs. Irizarry and Ramos who presented on the role of public agencies and government and by the exciting contributions which medical informatics can bring to the continuum of healthcare.

— Dr. Silvio Laccetti

According to a 2004 National Institute of Health statistic, approximately 50% of all seniors living within the U.S. suffer from heart disease, a physician’s diagnosis of arthritis, and chronic joint symptoms.

S. Vincent Grasso, D.O.Surgeon & Family Physician, North Bergen, NJMedical Informaticist & Business Analyst, TIMAAdjunct Professor, Stevens Institute of Technology“I am personally and professionally committed to improving healthcare delivery to seniors: clinically as a physician and technically as an informaticist.”Dr. S. Vincent Grasso was born, raised, and educated in Hudson County, New Jersey. He is a graduate of North Bergen High School (1981), St. Peter’s College (1985), Des Moines University (1991), and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine General Surgery Manhattan Program (1997). His Postdoctoral Fellowship in Advanced Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Surgery was completed at the Yale University School of Medicine in 1999. While at Yale, he worked with the NASA Yale Commercial Space Center for Medical Informatics and Technology Applications, CSCMITA, as a NASA Program Manager to perform research within the discipline of Medical Informatics. He has delivered healthcare internationally via his not for profit company AYUDAMOS since 1991. Dr. Grasso is a physician in private practice in Hudson County, NJ, and was recently married to Christina De Croce Grasso.

Christopher F. IrizarryPresident/CEO North Hudson Community Action Corp.Commissioner of Parks, Public Property, and Recreation, Union City, NJ“High-quality health care should be afforded to all. Regardless of age, color, race, religion, creed, or immigration status, everyone should have the ability to access health care. We have a responsibility to assure that everyone living in our great nation has the ability to see a doctor so that we remain a healthy community. There should be no limit on investment for a healthy society.”Mr. Irizarry received a Bachelor’s Degree from Rutgers University in the Administration of Justice in 1993 and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 1998. In 2002, Mr. Irizarry was elected in Union City as a Commissioner and is currently the Commissioner of Parks, Public Property, and Recreation. In March of 2006, Mr. Irizarry was appointed as President/CEO of North Hudson Community Action Corporation, where he oversees both the Community Action Program as well as the Federally Qualified Health Center. Mr. Irizarry was married in 2003 to his wife Keila.

Patrick A. BerzinskiDirector of University CommunicationsStevens Institute of Technology“The delivery of healthcare poses an ever-expanding challenge to the entire healthcare community, especially as a larger segment of America’s population grows older. The time for discussion is now, as the first wave of the Baby Boom Generation settles into retirement.”Patrick A. Berzinski has worked in a variety of media during a career spanning more than 20 years. His principal medium is the written word, and his literary and expository writing have been the vehicles that have led him to work in radio, video, web, public and media relations, and networking for business development. Since 2000, his work has been primarily in institutional communications for Stevens Institute of Technology where he currently serves as director of university communications.

The annualized rate of fall injury episodes for non-institutionalized adults aged 65 years and over in 2003–2006 was 51 episodes per 1,000 population. Rates of fall injuries increased with age, and were higher for women compared with men.

Ruben Ramos, Jr.Councilman at Large, Hoboken, NJ1997 Democratic Nominee, NJ State Assembly, 33rd District“As a Hoboken councilman and cancer survivor, health care has always been a very personal issue to me. As Assemblyman, I will continue to make comprehensive health care for our growing senior population throughout Hudson County a top priority.”For the past decade, Ruben Ramos Jr. has represented his fellow citizens on the Hoboken City Council. He received his BA in Political Science in 1995 from Fairleigh Dickinson University and is now a middle school Social Studies teacher at Public School 15 in Paterson. Ruben is a cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease in 1999. After a rigorous chemotherapy treatment at Sloan Kettering Hospital, he was diagnosed cancer-free in 2000. Ruben is happily married to Norma P. Ramos, and is the proud father of their two daughters, Isabel and Gail. In June 2007, Ruben Ramos Jr. became the Democratic nominee for the New Jersey State Assembly in the 33rd Legislative District.

Ed DavisAdministrator, Harborage at Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen, NJ“As the health care needs of the older population increase, systems have to evolve to meet the need in the community first.”Ed has worked his entire career in Long Term Care. He has been the Administrator of the Harborage at Palisades Medical Center for the past 15 years, where he was responsible for the licensing and opening of the 245-bed nursing home and specialty needs provider located in North Bergen, New Jersey. Prior to the Harborage, he worked as the start-up Administrator for a private nursing home chain, opening up new facilities in New Jersey and Maryland. Ed is a licensed Nursing Home Administrator and received his B.S. from Salem College, West Virginia.

Silvio Laccetti, Ph.D.Professor of Social SciencesStevens Institute of Technology“The impact of the Roundtable was powerful in its complete coverage of its topic. Panelists discussed the delivery of healthcare from the inception of ideas for new medical techniques, equipment and drugs by researchers (including undergrad students working on advanced projects) through service provision by a variety of professionals in different settings, to hospice care. I was especially impressed by the expertise and dedication of Messrs. Irizarry and Ramos who presented on the role of public agencies and government and by the exciting contributions which medical informatics can bring to the continuum of healthcare.”Dr. Laccetti has been a long-time Professor of Humanities at Stevens. He has authored a book about Drug Abuse Education and Community Outreach Programs, edited two books on New Jersey public policy issues and is now a national columnist covering various national issues. He has thrice been honored as “Teacher of the Year” at Stevens.