The Trenton Times published the following article on March 27, 2013. To read the full article, click here.

Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno tours Arc Mercer’s health center

By Jenna Pizzi/The Times of Trenton 
on March 27, 2013 at 8:10 AM

TRENTON — Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno toured the Arc Mercer’s health center yesterday, meeting some of the people who have benefited from the center’s specialized work since it opened two years ago, as well as their families and the doctors, nurses and therapists who provide them with care.

They included people like James Cheeseman, a developmentally disabled man with a psychological disorder who was recently released from an institution and is adjusting to life in a group home. Cheeseman comes to the center on New York Avenue every week to meet with his therapist and sometimes get medical care from a doctor.

The center recently expanded its potential pool of clients, opening its services to people not already involved in Arc programs. Guadagno said she was glad to see the center helping clients in a unique way and encouraged the staff to share their ideas.

“It sounds like you are going to be very busy as you expand,” Guadagno said. “And show it off to other Arcs.”

Dr. Catherine Schiano, who has a practice in East Brunswick and works at the health center twice a week, said the center’s specialized care filled a crucial niche.

“We are on a mission for very special people,” she said. “It is really different to treat some of our clients. People are on complex medications.”

One exam room in the office is specially equipped for wheelchair-bound patients, with accessible doors, an accessible scale and a low exam table. Schiano also noted that many of the center’s gynecology clients have never received those kinds of services before.

The doctor also said many of her patients are unable to get regular medical care and annual exams, and as a result suffer unusually bad medical complications that could have been treated preventively. To address that issue, the center has nurses who work with clients to ensure their care is coordinated with all their physicians, psychiatrists and therapists.

“We want to really help then try to navigate the health care process,” said David Dompier, a nurse and the center’s residential administrator.

Therapist Monica Quaste said she sees clients one-on-one in her office for therapy sessions and in group therapy to help them gain confidence. Many of the clients were teased as kids, she said, and have learned to support each another.

The kind of services Arc Mercer provides are provided in few health care centers and bring in little revenue, Schiano said.

“The majority of these patients are on Medicare and Medicaid,” Schiano said. “What reimbursements they do get here are nothing.”

Contact Jenna Pizzi at jpizzi@njtimes.com or (609) 989-5717.