Community Medical Center Receives CIANJ ‘Champion of Good Works’ Award for Play Pocket Trail at Jakes Branch County Park

Community Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, was recently honored by the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ) as a “Champion of Good Works” for helping children through its community work on the Play Pocket Trail at Jakes Branch County Park in Beachwood.

Representatives from RWJBarnabas Health and Community Medical Center accepted the award at CIANJ’s Fourth Annual Chairman’s Reception honoring “Companies that Care.” Held at Nanina’s in the Park in Belleville, the event was attended by 260 business executives.

In an effort to help keep children physically active and healthy, RWJBarnabas Health and Community Medical Center partnered with Ocean County Freeholders, Ocean Parks and Recreation Department, the National Recreation and Park Association and CBS EcoMedia to construct a fitness-themed Play Pocket Trail at Jakes Branch. The first of its kind in New Jersey, the Play Trail - which opened at Jakes Branch in July of 2016 - offers children and their families a trail experience that integrates play, physical activity, education and socialization. Over 50 staff members from RWJBarnabas Health and Community Medical Center volunteered to trim trails and brush and lay mulch in preparation for equipment and surfacing installation.

“We’re excited to be recognized by CIANJ for our involvement with the Play Pocket Trail,” said Michael Mimoso, MHSA, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Community Medical Center. “This partnership is a great example of how we’re committed to caring for people outside of our hospitals’ four walls and encouraging healthy living in our community. The Play Trail has been very well received by families. It is our hope that once children experience how exercise can be fun, they will be more likely to continue it throughout their lives.”

Featuring six nature-themed interactive stations, the Play Trail includes the “Tilted Spinning Leaf Seat,” the “Caterpillar Crawl-Through” and the “Three-Cell Honeycomb,” all of which help to foster a sense of discovery, an appreciation of the environment and a sense of community. The trail is designed to keep children moving from station-to-station as they experience physical activity as a fun way to exercise.

CIANJ is a statewide business advocacy organization, representing more than 950 corporate members from every industry sector. The organization asked the business community to share stories of its philanthropy. The March issue of COMMERCE Magazine featured stories about the 39 companies, including manufacturers, retailers, hospitals, banks and colleges and universities which were recognized as “Champions of Good Works.”

PHOTO: Andrew Silverstein, chairman of the CIANJ Board, presents CIANJ’s “Champion of Good Works” Award to Michael Mimoso, MHSA, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Community Medical Center. Community Medical Center was recognized for its community work on the Play Pocket Trail at Jakes Branch County Park in Beachwood.

About Community Medical Center

Community Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, offers a comprehensive array of services including sophisticated neurology and neurosurgery services with a neuro-interventional lab with a bi-plane, and a Level 3 Epilepsy program for children and adults. Our cardiac care features three cardiac catheterization labs and elective and emergency angioplasty programs for patients with heart disease. Patients have access to advanced cancer care including one of the most sophisticated linear accelerators used for radiation therapy and a CyberKnife for treating inoperable tumors. Surgical services include two daVinci robotic surgical platforms, and the hospital’s commitment to technology is evidenced by access to advanced imaging equipment not typically found in a community hospital. As a trusted provider of maternal and children’s services, a Level 2 special care nursery with onsite neonatologists for newborns requiring special care, a dedicated pediatric unit and a pediatrician in the Emergency Department are provided.

Community Medical Center’s cancer program has been accredited by the Commission on Cancer of The American College of Surgeons since 1986 and is the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award, one of only two cancer programs in New Jersey to earn this designation, and also offers an accredited Breast Center. The Joint Commission has awarded the hospital their Gold Seal of Approval for the care of Stroke, Acute Coronary Syndrome, Heart Failure and Total Joint Replacement – Hip and Knee and our Cardiac Rehabilitation program.