Peg O’Halloran, North Brunswick, has joined the Barbara E. Cheung Memorial Hospice at Roosevelt Care Center Campus, Edison, as the hospice’s first full-time chaplain. A former religious sister of mercy, she is a member of the hospice pastoral care team for the visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey. She will deliver spiritual services to patients and families, counsel residents and families according to the individual’s beliefs, and coordinate spiritual services programming with the interdisciplinary team that makes up the hospice staff. O’Halloran received a bachelor’s degree in religious studies at Georgian Court College, Lakewood, and graduate credits in pastoral studies at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University, Chicago.
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Middlesex County Inc. (NCADD), East Brunswick, celebrated its 25th anniversary recently at a gala at the Hilton Woodbridge. The event featured MC Brenda Blackmon of Channel 9’s News at 10. The Rev. Deforest “Buster” Soaries of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens received “outstanding community leader” recognition. PNC Bank received an “outstanding corporate partner” honor for providing NCADD with resources for various events during the past several years. Keynote speaker was folk singer Judy Collins who spoke about her personal recovery and the suicide of her son following a relapse to his addiction.
The American Red Cross of Central New Jersey Disaster Preparedness Network will present “Influenza Pandemic: Learn the Facts, Know the Risks, Be Ready!” June 29 from 8-10:30 a.m. at The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Route 1 and College Road, Princeton. Speaker John Dowd, health educator risk communicator from the Middlesex County Public Health Department, will address “Avian Influenza: Facing New Global Challenges.” Paul Carden and Kathleen Pearson, both of the American Red Cross of Central New Jersey, will discuss “Considerations for Individuals & Business Preparedness.” Cost is $25, which includes a continental breakfast. To register, call Hugh at (609) 951-2107 or visit www.njredcross.org.