(Courtesy of Saint Peter’s University Hospital) Saint Peter’s University Hospital, a member of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, is committed to providing expert and compassionate care to all patients, regardless of religious affiliation. Acknowledging the hospital’s proximity to several Orthodox Jewish communities, a patient navigator has been hired at Saint Peter’s to help patients practice their religion without interruption during their own hospitalization or that of a loved one.
“We understand and respect each and every patient’s religious and cultural needs,” says Leslie D. Hirsch, FACHE, President and CEO of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System. “Through the establishment of a patient navigator, we can minister to our Jewish constituents, ensuring their ability to practice their faith for as long as they are in our care.”
Rena Goldsmith Klein is the patient navigator in the Department of Medicine, charged with providing support to patients and families during stays. She provides a unique service to patients of the Jewish faith, acting as a liaison between Saint Peter’s and the greater Jewish community. Goldsmith Klein assists with the scheduling of appointments, providing educational materials and offering connections to community resources, such as nearby kosher restaurants, specialty grocery stores and local synagogues.
“As a community hospital, Saint Peter’s is committed to inclusivity,” said Klein. “My goal is to offer comfort and healing to those patients who strongly identify with their Jewish faith, allowing them to find refuge and support in the rituals and traditions of our heritage. This is especially important as they navigate the challenges of a personal or family illness.”
Other services available at Saint Peter’s include the Bikur Cholim Hospitality Center which is located on the fourth floor of the hospital, just off the main elevator. The Center offers kosher food, snacks and coffee, as well as religious books and Jewish publications. The term “Bikur Cholim,” means visiting the sick, but also refers to the Jewish mitzvah or commandment to visit and assist those who are sick. It is considered an act of selflessness and loving-kindness to engage in Bikur Cholim. The tradition of Bikur Cholim dates back many centuries with the earliest Bikur Cholim Society on record dating to the early Middle Ages.
Additional services for those of the Jewish faith include electric candles for Sabbath observance available through Pastoral Care; inpatient kosher menu offerings; kosher Keurig coffee machine for outpatients, located in the Endoscopy Suite on the 2nd floor of the main hospital; kosher food options in the hospital cafeteria, located on the first floor of the main hospital; and sleeping accommodations at Rutgers University Chabad House, located at 170 College Avenue.
During Rosh Hashanah, shofar blowing can be arranged to take place in patient rooms. During the festival of Sukkot, the hospital annually builds a sukkah onsite. Jewish chaplains are available for in-room visitation and family consultation through the hospital’s Pastoral Care Department, reachable at extension 8565.
Klein has a bachelor of arts in psychology from Barnard College and a master of arts in public health from Columbia University in New York City. She is passionate about her role as an advocate for patient needs. To reach her, or to learn more about patient navigator services, email [email protected] or call (732) 745-8600, ext. 5756 or (732) 236-4617.
