Thomas Shanahan, chief hospital executive, Raritan Bay Medical Center, William DiStanislao, vice president, Operations, Raritan Bay Medical Center, gather with students from Middlesex County Vocational Technical School. *Photo Submitted

Press Release 2/18/20

PERTH AMBOY – Culinary students from Middlesex County Vocational Technical School Perth Amboy Campus held a luncheon with Hackensack Meridian Raritan Bay Medical Center’s Integrative Medicine department. The students showcased what they’ve learned over the past year in regards to the value of organic produce and preparing nutritional meals.  

“It’s great to see how much the high school students have learned from our Learning Garden,” said Thomas Shanahan, chief hospital executive, Raritan Bay Medical Center. “The luncheon created an opportunity for discussions about potential employment and volunteer opportunities for the students in Food & Nutrition as well as other departments within the hospital.”

The Learning Garden program, now in its sixth year, focuses on educating the community and Raritan Bay Medical Center team members about the benefits of organic container gardening and the nutritional and medicinal value of fresh produce. Raritan Bay Medical Center medical staff and select community partners fund the garden. Nina Regevik, M.D., ABIHM, Sara Quiles of Integrative Medicine, Raritan Bay Medical Center and Master Gardener Connie Elek provide education through Learning Garden programs.  

For more information about Raritan Bay Medical Center, please visit www.rbmc.org.