Penn Medicine Princeton Health

Penn Medicine Princeton Health is proud to be one of the first hospitals in New Jersey to launch TeamBirth, a powerful, patient-centered approach that transforms the birthing experience. Supported by the NJ Department of Health, TeamBirth creates regular “huddles” between patients and their care team to review progress, talk through preferences, and adjust plans together. A shared planning board lists everyone involved, including the patient and their support person, so goals, decisions, and next steps are always clear. The result? Birth experiences that are more collaborative, more transparent, and truly centered around families.

When Mavin Sakwa, RN, first stepped into Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, he wasn’t just starting a new job, he was stepping into a journey. A former nursing assistant and driver, Mavin joined our first-of-its-kind, 12-month hybrid nurse residency program, eager to grow and explore. “Working with nurse colleagues who are so passionate about their jobs has motivated me to join them,” Mavin said. “I’m gaining hands-on medical-surgical skills while still pursuing my interest in psychiatric nursing.” Through rotations in medical neurological oncology and Princeton House Behavioral Health’s inpatient psychiatric unit, Mavin, and all of our new nurses, gain the broad experience and confidence they need to thrive, building a strong foundation for a meaningful career in nursing.

When patients come to the Penn Medicine Princeton Health Shoulder Center, they often meet two people who make all the difference: Adrien and Nikha. Nurse practitioner Adrien Heller and nurse navigator Nikha Parma work hand in hand to make each patient’s journey as smooth and supported as possible. Adrien provides expert clinical care from assessments and pre/postoperative management to prescribing medications and monitoring recovery in close collaboration with the orthopedic surgeon. Meanwhile, Nikha is the steady guide by each patient’s side, coordinating care, providing education, and ensuring every question is answered along the way. Their teamwork helps create the kind of exceptional experience that earned the Penn Medicine Princeton Health Shoulder Center the Joint Commission Disease-Specific Certification in Shoulder Arthroplasty, a recognition of the team’s commitment to quality, safety, and patient-centered care.

When the Eatontown Outpatient team at Princeton House Behavioral Health chose their employee of the quarter, they couldn’t pick just one. Instead, they honored everyone because every therapist, nurse, front desk team member, advanced practice nurse, and psychiatrist has played a vital role in keeping care exceptional and operations seamless. When challenges arose, this crew showed what true teamwork looks like: stepping up for their patients and for each other, sharing responsibilities, staying flexible, and never compromising on compassion. Their resilience, collaboration, and heart embody what Princeton House Behavioral Health is all about. We're proud of the Eatontown Outpatient team for their extraordinary dedication to serving our community!

For Dr. Leonid Emerel, a thoracic surgeon with Penn Medicine Princeton Health, believes building trust and understanding is as important as the surgery itself. He believes in treating each patient as a whole person, taking the time to listen, explain, and guide every step of the journey. Dr. Emerel's dedication, compassion, and expertise bring comfort and confidence to the patients he treats, turning often complex care into a truly human experience. As one patient said: "Dr. Emerel's calm, friendly manner helps me feel less anxious and think more clearly about my complicated medical problems."

We recently celebrated our incredible Penn Medicine Princeton Health Pharmacy team (90 strong) who keep our patients safe with knowledge, precision, and compassion. During Pharmacy Week, our pharmacy residents planned a full week of fun: spirit days, daily games like Find the Pillbox and Guess Who, and a friendly Pharmacists vs. Technicians Pharmacy War to wrap it all up! Across Penn Medicine, we’re proud to honor the 1,500+ pharmacists, technicians, and students whose expertise ensures the highest standards of care for our patients. Thank you for all you do; for every order verified, every question answered, and every patient cared for.

Our team came together to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Penn Medicine Princeton Cancer Center, a huge milestone for the future of cancer care right here on our campus. Employees gathered to enjoy cake, apples, and cider, and to partake in games like Spin-the-Wheel featuring fun facts about the new center and a tower-building challenge that brought out everyone’s competitive side. It was a day full of laughter, learning, and pride as we marked the beginning of a new chapter, one that will bring advanced cancer care and hope even closer to home.

It was a day of celebration as Penn Medicine leaders and regional community representatives broke ground on the Penn Medicine Princeton Cancer Center—a transformative $401 million project that will deliver a full spectrum of cancer services to patients in Central New Jersey. Located on the campus of Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, the 200,000-square-foot center, scheduled to open in May 2028, will bring radiation therapy, infusion, breast imaging, and diagnostics together under one roof, simplifying the treatment journey for patients in our region. “This is a significant first step in our efforts to redefine cancer care in Central New Jersey,” said Princeton Health CEO James Demetriades. “The Penn Medicine Princeton Cancer Center will offer patients seamless access to clinical trials, personalized therapies, and coordinated care across our entire health system.” The project, which includes a recently completed 6-story parking garage and a planned imaging center, is the largest expansion of Princeton Health since the new hospital opened in 2012. The new cancer center will house more than 40 exam rooms, 30 infusion chairs, and two linear accelerators to deliver radiation therapy. The center will also feature a breast imaging center and advanced diagnostic technologies including CT, MRI, and SPECT/CT, which provides clearer images at lower radiation doses and enables physicians to both detect cancer earlier and guide treatment with greater precision.

“If you truly invest in and care about your team as people, you will succeed.” That’s the heart of Sunita Mani, PT, director of outpatient rehab at Princeton Health. When she first joined in 2012, the Plainsboro clinic was nothing more than a tiny trailer with one desk, one bike, and one treatment table. Today it’s a thriving, specialized center offering care in vestibular, golf, dance, and neuro-rehabilitation, all thanks to Sunita’s people-first vision. Because for Sunita, it goes beyond building a program. It’s about building trust, community, and creating a place where patients and providers work together to heal.

Dr. Ashley Newman, a breast surgical oncologist at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, puts people first. She knows that every breast concern comes with questions, fears, and hope, and she’s there to listen, explain, and walk beside her patients every step of the way. With kindness and compassion at the heart of her care, Dr. Newman makes sure no one faces the journey alone.