Page 5 - August 4, 2021

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COMMUNITY UPDATE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19

Inspira Radiation an array of oncology specialists all under

Oncology in Vineland one roof. Inspira’s formal cancer services SBA Opens PPP Direct Forgiveness Portal
date back to 1979 when the region’s first
Earns National cancer center opened in the old Millville The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched a streamlined
Hospital. Inspira’s radiation oncology Paycheck Protection Program forgiveness application portal to allow borrowers
Accreditation program provides an array of treatments, with PPP loans of $150,000 or less to apply for forgiveness directly through the
The Department of Radiation Oncology including image-guided and intensity- SBA. On August 4, the portal will begin accepting applications from borrowers
at Inspira Medical Center Vineland has modulated radiation therapy; stereotactic that have a PPP loan with a lender that has opted into the forgiveness portal.
been awarded full three-year accredita- radiosurgery; and stereotactic body radio- The new forgiveness portal will help rush relief to over 6.5 million smallest
tion after a recent on-site survey by the therapy.
American College of Radiology (ACR). The radiation oncology team comprises of small businesses. The SBA also is starting up a PPP customer service team to
answer questions and directly assist borrowers with their forgiveness applica-
The department first earned accreditation board-certified radiation oncologists, reg- tions. Borrowers needing assistance or with questions can call 1-877-552-2692,
in the late 1990s, becoming one of the first istered radiation therapists, nationally cer- Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Lenders must opt into the program
in the state to be recognized by the ACR. tified oncology nurses, and dosimetrists. through directforgiveness.sba.gov.
The ACR is the nation’s oldest and Together, they deliver cutting-edge medi-
More than 600 banks have opted into direct forgiveness, enabling over 2.17
most widely accepted radiation oncology cal technology with compassionate sup- million borrowers to apply through the portal. This represents 30 percent of
accrediting body, with over 700 accred- port to provide a unique, holistic approach loans $150,000 or less that have not yet submitted for forgiveness.
ited sites, and 30 years of accreditation to cancer care. An on-site board-certified
experience. Patient care and treatment, medical physicist supervises treatment
patient safety, personnel qualifications, safety and accuracy. which will fight interruptions caused by Alampi Beneficial Insect Laboratory
adequacy of facility equipment, quality extreme weather and even cyber attacks. (PABIL) has received $4.2 million in
control procedures, and quality assurance The utility serves 400,000 customers funding from the Board of Public Utilities
programs are assessed during on-site sur- SJ Gas Combats Delivery in southern New Jersey including in State Facilities Initiative to receive
veys. System Interruptions Cumberland County. important upgrades to the facility that
Inspira’s Frank and Edith Scarpa South Jersey Gas introduced a $69 The new compression pump station is opened in 1985.
Regional Cancer Pavilion in Vineland million addition to its delivery system, on Franklinville Road in South Harrison The top priority will be to renovate
offers comprehensive cancer care and Township, Gloucester County. The facil- the lab’s HVAC system. Of the 33 tem-
ity protects the delivery system if inter- perature-controlled rooms, as many as 18
ruptions occur in interstate lines that had been unusable. The funds will also
Strongly Recommended: wrong direction, and new data suggests deliver natural gas to the utility or in its go toward making major repairs to the
Masks in Indoor Settings the Delta variant is more transmissible lines to its customers. HVAC system and to upgrade the green-
even among vaccinated individuals,
South Jersey Gas paid for the facility
with Increased Risk which is why we are making this strong without using public funds. house control systems.
“This is one of the few state govern-
Following last week’s announce- recommendation. “If there’s a cyber attack, the company ment labs of this type in the United States
ment by the Centers for Disease Control “Fortunately, our numbers are a frac- will have the ability to continue to serve that rears beneficial insects,” Fisher
regarding masking, Gov. Phil Murphy tion of those in many other states, most customers by elevating the pressure in said. “The lab produces environmentally
and New Jersey Department of Health of which have significantly lower vac- other parts of the system,” said Nick friendly solutions for control of invasive
Commissioner Judy Persichilli strongly cination rates. Should our numbers reach Dirocco, a company vice president. pests while saving millions of dollars by
recommended that both vaccinated and those levels, we reserve the right to take restricting the use of pesticides.”
unvaccinated residents wear masks in more drastic action, including a statewide Phillip Alampi Beneficial Some of the PABIL programs that
indoor settings when there is increased mask mandate. have helped New Jerseyans and oth-
risk. “We have crushed this virus repeat- Insect Lab Receives ers across country include the Mexican
Examples of such situations include: edly like no other state in the nation, and Funding for Upgrades Bean Beetle program, which has allowed
• Crowded indoor settings we are proud to boast among the coun- farmers and gardeners to not apply pesti-
• Indoor settings involving activities try’s highest vaccination rates. But at this New Jersey Department of cides to control the beetle since 1985; the
with close contact with others who may point, given where our metrics are now, Agriculture Secretary Douglas Fisher Mile-A-Minute program, where a weevil
not be fully vaccinated we feel the best course of action is to announced recenty that the Phillip is released to defoliate the weed that can
• Indoor settings where the vaccine strongly encourage every New Jerseyan, grow as much as six inches a day, chok-
status of other individuals in the setting is and every visitor to our state, to take per- ing out trees and other vegetation; and
unknown sonal responsibility and mask up indoors the Purple Loosestrife Program, where
• Where an individual is immunocom- when prudent.” small beetles were released to invasive
promised or at increased risk for severe “And we equally encourage every wetlands as the weed changes the wet-
disease unvaccinated resident or visitor to get lands environment essential to native
Murphy and Persichilli made the fol- vaccinated. The vaccines are proven safe wildlife.
lowing statement: and highly effective, and are the surest
“Our metrics are trending in the way we can end this pandemic.” Continued on page 7