Holmdel Women Show Support for Meridian's Healthy Heart Programs

Some Holmdel women are part of an energized group that is making women's heart health a priority.

They are leaders of the Women's Philanthropic Fund, and they raise money for specific heart programs, services and technology at Meridian Health, which includes Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, and four other medical centers.

At its annual luncheon held Friday at the Navesink County Club in Middletown, the board's leadership passed from a founding member, Heidi Maggs, to Patty Micale. Both are from Holmdel.

Under Maggs' leadership over $150,000 has been raised by WPF over the past three years, said David L. Flood, the president of the Meridian Health Affiliated Foundations. 

Maggs said she was most proud of helping make the mobile AngioScreen service a reality at community health fairs, nursing facilities and active adult communities. "We can bring it right to senior centers, so they don't have to go to a scary hospital," she said.

Doreen DeMarco of Holmdel helped organize the sumptuous buffet luncheon, which featured heart healthy cooking from Chef John and Riverview Medical Center Registered Dietician Amanda Skahan. DeMarco's Catering of Matawan sponsored the gift bags which contained perfume from Brooks Brothers, and loads of information.

Sleep expert Carol Ash, D.O., was the keynote speaker. Ash is an internist with a specialty in pulmonary care and sleep medicine working in Bayshore Community Hospital and Riverview. She said 30 percent of Americans can't sleep at night. Those that do are getting, on average, two hours less than Americans did in the 1950s and 60s. She talked about the connection between sleep and obesity, specific ways to calm a racing mind at bedtime, and mentioned the Meridian sleep treatment centers. She will appear on a Dr. Oz broadcast on May 4.

In attendance was supporter Tara Demyanovich of Holmdel, who was proffered a bouquet of calla lilies for serving on the lunch committee. Fern Esposito of Holmdel, a longtime member of the Bayshore Community Hospital Foundation Board, was present, as was Monmouth County Freeholder Serena DiMaso of Holmdel, who is the Secretary of the Meridian Health Foundation Board and Chair of the Bayshore Community board. Carrie Boardwick of Holmdel was there too. She is the Director of Philanthropy Operations.

The 15-member board is always looking for more supporters, who get to attend a women's luncheon in the spring, and a fundraiser in the fall. The next one will be Oct. 29 at Restaurant Nicholas. Contact the Meridian Foundation Office at (732) 751-5127.

You can see the mobile AngioScreen at the Meridian Fitness and Wellness Center at Hazlet on July 10, from 1:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There is a special price of $74.95. Pre-registration is required at 1-800 DOCTORS or 1-800-560-9990. The screening by a Registered Nurse includes carotid artery ultrasound, peak systolic velocity, ankle brachial index, blood pressure, heart rhythm and more. Participants are given a report to give to their medical doctor.