Dr. Collins’ Passion for Patients and Performance
Here for Good.
Dr. Gerald Collins, podiatrist, has been a cornerstone of Virtua for 16 years, helping grow his practice from a single specialist to a team of 13. While his surgical work in foot and ankle reconstruction is his main passion, his greatest satisfaction comes from seeing his patients thrive during their post-operative visits. Outside the hospital, Dr. Collins balances a busy family life coaching his kids' sports teams and plays guitar and sings in a 20-year-old Irish band. Whether in the operating room or on stage, Dr. Collins' commitment to his craft—and his community—shines through.
info_outline
A Colleague’s Journey from Martial Arts Master to Supply Chain Sensei
Here for Good.
Khatib Abdelaziz, director of supply chain, applies the discipline of martial arts to the complex world of healthcare logistics. In just two years, he has used his engineering and manufacturing background to streamline the delivery of critical supplies, ensuring they reach colleagues by the next morning or within hours for urgent needs. Now, he's spearheading a major automation upgrade, inspired by the efficiency of Amazon, that will double the warehouse's storage capacity and significantly improve forecasting—a crucial lesson from the pandemic. Khatib’s leadership style, shaped by his...
info_outline
A Slam Dunk for Safety
Here for Good.
This month, Kevin Darby celebrates his sweet sixteenth year at Virtua, a journey that began in patient transport and has since seen him rise to Lieutenant of Security for Virtua Marlton and Berlin. Kevin champions an integrated approach to campus safety, highlighting the successful implementations of the weapons screening and personal panic alarm systems, as well as collaboration with local law enforcement. Kevin also stresses the vital role of colleagues actively practicing "when you see something, say something." A former college basketball player at Rowan, Kevin modestly describes himself...
info_outline
Providing Care for our Care Providers
Here for Good.
For 16 years, Claire Smitley, manager of absence management, has guided colleagues through life's pivotal moments—from maternity leave to unexpected illnesses. She finds immense reward in being a listening ear, helping people understand their pay and benefits during time off. Beyond Virtua, Claire co-launched "Young Lives," a mentoring program providing support and practical resources to teen parents. Whether at work, volunteering, or even on DIY projects, Claire is committed to caring for those around her.
info_outline
Medicine & Music: A Surgeon’s Harmony
Here for Good.
Dr. Howard Winter was practically raised in the world of healthcare, with vivid memories of nights spent in the hospital's on-call room alongside his father, an obstetrician. This early immersion clearly shaped his path. Today, as VP of surgical practice and outcomes, he's committed to ensuring top-tier surgical care across our hospitals. But Dr. Winter's passions extend beyond medicine; he also finds joy and a sense of "world peace" singing in a choir, embracing the harmony of blended voices.
info_outline
Bridging Gaps in South Jersey and Beyond
Here for Good.
Celebrating 25 years with Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes, Rose shares her journey from family liaison to an interpreter for the early intervention program. In this role, Rose bridges communication gaps so that clinicians and our youngest patients can fully understand each other. But there is more to Rose than what’s on her Virtua ID. She and her husband have opened their home and hearts to more than 40 foster children from other countries who have been separated from their families. She highlighted the joy of introducing them to new experiences and encouraging others to consider fostering...
info_outline
Matilda Adams Lights the Way
Here for Good.
Step into the world of Matilda Adams, a true luminary at Virtua. As director of the Virtua Samson Cancer Center - Moorestown, Matilda leads and inspires by example, fostering team connections and championing intentional listening to better serve patients. Matilda's dedication also extends globally. Originally from Ghana, she teaches nurses there about peritoneal dialysis, driven by a desire to "see people live their best life." A proud "Virtua lifer," she believes every action can positively impact colleagues and patients, especially in guiding patients through darkness and helping them "turn...
info_outline
Thank You for Your Service
Here for Good.
Following our recent observance of Memorial Day, we continue to honor our veterans for their service. This special episode of "Here for Good: Inside Edition" shines a light on three veteran colleagues who share their powerful experiences in the armed services and discuss their roles at Virtua. Jeanette Conrad-McKee shares how her military background shaped her career as a nurse leader. Izabelle Labrador, still actively serving in the New Jersey National Guard, works as a patient experience navigator in the emergency department. And Randy Forte, a full-time paramedic, recounts how his...
info_outline
From Helping Hands to a Forever Family
Here for Good.
For Jamie Hubble, a physical therapist in the Virtua early intervention program, working with children aged zero to three isn't just a job—it's a calling. In this role, she visits families in their homes, empowering parents with strategies to help their little ones learn to crawl, walk, and explore their world. But one little girl, Penny, captured not just Jamie's professional expertise, but her heart. Penny's diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) presented unique challenges. Undeterred, Jamie and her husband, Kyle, embarked on a mission to find alternative ways to support...
info_outline
The Passion, Purpose, and Perseverance of Dr. Angela Bess
Here for Good.
Dr. Angela Bess, OB-GYN, is a force for change—delivering access, advocacy, and hope to a community that needs it most. In this episode, she shares what it means for patients to finally receive long-overdue care—and how she’s confronting the maternal health crisis head-on with urgency and heart. But Dr. Bess’s impact extends far beyond the clinic. When she’s not advocating for women’s health—locally and globally, she chases adventure, from running marathons and completing triathlons to reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
info_outlineMeet Virtua’s Own Network Maestro
At Virtua Health, we often call our colleagues rock stars. But Tim Segado, network engineer, takes that one step further.
In addition to making sure our network runs in perfect harmony, Tim spends his free time engineering harmonious tunes. He writes and produces music under the name "Miles Before Sleep" and currently has an EP available on your favorite streaming platforms.