business briefs 

Dr. Steve Silberberg, optometric physician, has been certified Diplomate, American Board of Optometry. He is one of only approximately 500 of 40,000 to achieve this status nationwide. Silberberg is the owner ofAn Eye to the Future, a practice noted for its high technology as well as its “mom and pop” personal eye care. He practices in Matawan and lives with his wife, Nina, in Manalapan.

The Little Gym, a child-focused physical development center with facilities in the Morganville area, is rolling out a new approach to physical development, learning and fun for the 2011-12 season. Shannon Daoud, owner of The Little Gym franchise in Morganville, encourages parents to register their children soon for the new season that promises to deliver “serious fun” in a positive, noncompetitive environment. The three prongs of the new curriculum are “Get Moving,” “Brain Boost” and “Citizen Kid.” In each area, children are challenged to master new physical, emotional and life skills. Details: 732-772-0060.

Stewarts Restaurant in the Marlboro Shopping Center at the corner of Route 79 and Route 520, Marlboro, will host a Labor Day Hamburger Slider Eating Contest on Sept. 5 at noon. The winner will be judged by how many sliders he or she can eat in 10 minutes. The winner will receive a $250 cash prize and have their name engraved on a champions trophy and their photo on the store’s “Mug on a Mug Wall of Fame.” Entry fee is $10. Register in advance at Stewarts or email contact information to [email protected].

The Howell Chamber of Commerce will present its second annual PAL Golf Outing from noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Battleground Country Club, Manalapan. All are welcome for a day of golfing, networking and socializing while raising money for the Howell PAL and the Howell Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation. Both organizations offer assistance to community youths. The cost is $195 per person or $780 per foursome golfing. Enjoy music and participating in a gift auction, which will feature many valuable prizes. Non-golfers can make a reservation to attend a cocktail hour and dinner. Contact the Howell Chamber of Commerce at 732-363-4114.

The Howell Chamber of Commerce will host a Lunch and Learn meeting about Internet safety from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 8 at Nonno’s Pizza, 4118 Route 9 south, Howell. All are invited for networking and for an informative presentation, “Internet Safety, What we Need to Know to Protect Our Children,” by Sabrina Ramos of Zamzu. Admission is $15 for chamber members, $25 for nonmembers. Contact the Howell Chamber of Commerce at 732-363-4114.

Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company has announced the opening of a new office in Freehold. With more than 30 years of insurance experience, Richard Romero, an exclusive agent for Allstate New Jersey, brings a wealth of knowledge to this agency at 843 Route 33, Suite 4.

“I am excited about opening my agency here in Freehold,” Romero said. “I plan to help people not only with their insurance needs, but to also play an active role through participation in local activities and initiatives. I want my agency to be an asset and a resource to my customers and my community.”

Romero is a longtime resident of Monmouth County.

The agency sells auto, property, life, and commercial insurance, as well as protection for motorcycles, boats and other recreational vehicles. In addition, the agency offers a number of retirement and investment products. The agency can be reached at 732- 462-3710.

The surgeons at Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute are participating in clinical research studies to advance the science of medicine, stay in the forefront of medical treatments, and make improvements in care that will ultimately benefit patients.

Dr. Alan Nasar and Dr. Gregg Berkowitz are conducting a study that tests the effectiveness of the Zimmer Natural Nail System, manufactured by Zimmer, on patients who have had hip surgery. The two-year study, “Prospective Post-Market Clinical Study of the Zimmer Natural Nail System Cephalomedullary Nail” will measure how patients are progressing at various post-surgical intervals.

The Zimmer Natural Nail System is a system of intramedullary nails, screws, instruments, and other associated implants that are designed to provide stable internal fixation for fractured long bones. The nails are used for specific applications to help restore the shape of the fractured bone to its natural, pre-injured state.

The Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute is an orthopedic practice at Pond View Professional Park, Freehold Township, and in Monroe Township.

Financial adviser Timothy P. O’Brien, of Howell, was elected to the Board of Directors of Raritan Bay Medical Center at the board’s annual business meeting.

O’Brien is a vice president of investments and senior portfolio manager in the Portfolio Management Program at UBS Financial Services in Manasquan.

The board serves many purposes, including overseeing the purpose, plans and policies of the medical center and establishing those overall plans and policies, supervising RBMC’s leadership team, ensuring that the medical center has sufficient resources and is compliant to rules and regulations. The board also advocates for the medical center to external stakeholders and the community at large.

Current board officers include Joseph J. Jankowski, Esq., of Morganville, chairman; Deborah Tripod of Island Heights, vice chairwoman; Michael J. Losch of Shrewsbury, treasurer; and Dennis Doll of Monroe Township, secretary.

The public is invited to a free “Lunch and Learn” Healthcare IT seminar hosted by Bits “N” Bytes America, a total technology solutions provider in Manalapan. The event will be held at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, Freehold Township, on Aug. 31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Highlights of this event include:

 EHR Basics: Understanding electronic health records, meaningful use, regulatory requirements, governmental incentives, responsibilities of the physician.

 EMR Strategy: Practice Development plan, EMR feature list, vendor selection criteria.

 Understanding EMR certifications: Strengths and limitations of CCHIT and other industry standards.

Dr. Holly Roberts, D.O, Ph.D., will be the keynote speaker. Vendor showcases and giveaways are part of the event. Register at www.bitsnbytesamerica.com/events.php.