SOCH Announces Grand Opening of the Tracy Armellino Telemetry Unit

$1 Million Gift Helps Make New Inpatient Unit a Reality

On February 28, Southern Ocean County Hospital officially dedicated the Tracy Armellino Telemetry Unit, adding 32 additional beds to the Hospital, and creating a lasting tribute to the memory of Tracy Armellino, who was treated here last summer.

Michael and Patricia Armellino demonstrated their heart felt gratitude by making an extraordinary gift of 1million dollars to The SOCH Foundation in memory of their daughter.

“The opening of the Tracy Armellino Telemetry Unit is the beginning of yet another remarkable chapter in the history of Southern Ocean County Hospital,” said SOCH President and CEO Joseph P. Coyle. “Through their generosity, The Armellino family will help us to provide the very best of care to our residents for years to come.”

Indeed, the new inpatient unit is equipped with the latest advances in medical technology. Designed specifically for cardiac patients, the Tracy Armellino Telemetry Unit features a centralized nurses’ station where each patient’s heart rhythm is continuously observed, via wireless computerized telemetry monitors, at all times by specially trained staff. The new unit also has two beds that are designated for use by patients who are on dialysis.

“I couldn’t think of a more appropriate way to show our appreciation for the exceptional care that our daughter received at SOCH,” said Mr. Armellino, “The doctors and nurses were skilled and professional. We will always remember their compassion and care.”

Mr. Armellino has witnessed, first-hand, how much the area has grown. A resident of northern New Jersey, he and his family have spent their summers on Long Beach Island since 1970. He turned to the Hospital throughout the years if his children got sick, and demonstrated his support in the mid-1980’s by making a donation towards a new nurses’ station. However, it was within the past three years that Mr. Armellino, a retired partner of Goldman Sachs, truly learned how important it was to have an exceptional community hospital available for summer and year-round residents alike.

“In addition to the exceptional care given to Tracy, two other close family members were treated recently in the Hospital’s Critical Care Unit,” said Mr. Armellino. “There were three separate times when we unexpectedly needed SOCH, and SOCH performed wonderfully! It just makes sense for people in the community, whether seasonal or year-round residents, to provide financial support for such a vital and outstanding public service.”

The volunteer members of SOCH’s four Auxiliaries couldn’t agree more. Together, the Boosters Auxiliary, the Holly Auxiliary, the Laurel Auxiliary and the SOCH Auxiliary raised funds to furnish and provide medical equipment for the new unit. The Tracy Armellino Telemetry Unit was also made possible thanks to generous contributions from the OceanFirst Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Peter and Debby Goldman, who serve on the Hospital’s Board of Trustees, and the generosity of hundreds of southern Ocean County residents.

“Advance planning to add a fourth floor as future space for additional beds was a bold but wise move when the Mancini Pavilion opened in 2002,” said Mr. Coyle. “The population of southern Ocean County is growing by 2.5 percent each year, and these numbers are reflected in the demand for health care services. Last year alone our admissions grew by two percent, our outpatient visits increased by over eight percent and our Emergency Department visits increased by nearly seven percent. Now, this 14,000 square foot unit will help us meet the ongoing healthcare needs of one of the fastest growing counties in New Jersey.”

To learn about giving opportunities, please contact the SOCH Foundation at 609-978-3082. For more information about Southern Ocean County Hospital, call SOCHConnect at 609-978-3400.

Date posted: 06/28/07 @ 3:22 pm

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