Business Briefs

CentraState Healthcare System, Freehold Township, announced that James T. Karaman, Deborah A. Connors and Janice McAvenia have been promoted to assistant vice presidents of ambulatory services, budget reimbursement and managed care, and corporate patient financial services, respectively.

Karaman had been business operations manager the past four years. In his newly created position, he oversees the development and operation of a planned new ambulatory campus that includes a medical fitness center, and assumes administrative responsibility for rehabilitative services, Pain Management-Spine Center, Multiple Sclerosis Center, Wound Center, food services, and CentraState’s medical office building in Jackson.

Connors and McAvenia were elevated from director positions of their departments. Connors has worked at CentraState for 15 years. McAvenia joined the health system in 1994.

CentraState Medical Center and Freehold Radiology Group have teamed up to offer the first open-bore, magnetic resonance imaging system in central New Jersey, the companies announced recently.

According to a press release from CentraState, the new technology uses a high-field magnet, providing improved accuracy compared to open-sided MRI machines. Its short length and large opening for patients also offer greater comfort. Freehold Radiology Group and CentraState offer the high-tech diagnostic tool at their MRI Center, Freehold MRI Associates, on the CentraState campus. Evening and Saturday appointments are available. For more information call (732) 462-3716.

Shelly Leibowitz, president and head trainer at Shelly’s School for Dogs in Freehold, will represent the United States in the dog sport of Schutzhund.

In order to qualify, Leibowitz and his dog Zion van de Hildewaerde, a German shepherd, had to compete against 55 of the nation’s top ranking dogs and their handlers. The competition took place in Tennessee under the scrutiny of three judges from Finland, Germany and the United States, and Zion was one of only two dogs selected to be part of the World Team. Zion and Leibowitz will compete in Holland in September against dogs and their handlers from countries throughout the world. The World Team competition is considered to be the elite group for the Olympics of Schutzhund Dog Sport. Schutzhund is a rigorous sport where dogs and handlers compete for points in the areas of tracking, obedience and protection. Each of the three areas has a multitude of highly specialized task accomplishments.

Leibowitz has been training pedigree and mixed-breed dogs since 1970. His school is located on South Street in Freehold and specializes in basic and advanced dog obedience, including house breaking, chewing, jumping, bolting out the door and other behavioral problems.

Schoor DePalma, an engineering and consulting firm based in Manalapan, was recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) for Exemplary Support of Young Engineer Involvement in ASCE Activities for the 2004 membership year.

The award is presented to firms in recognition of their support of young engineers (35 years or younger) within their organizations and particularly their encouragement of young engineers to actively participate in ASCE activities. Firms must demonstrate the acknowledgment that young engineers are future leaders in the profession, help them set goals, and encourage personal development.

Professional and Business Singles Network will sponsor an information discussion and dance party July 16 at La Villa Ristorante, Hamilton Township, Mercer County. The discussion will begin at 7:15 p.m., followed by the dance party at 8:30 p.m. The cost to attend the discussion and dance is $20; to attend just the dance the fee is $15 ($12 with Pennsylvania or New York driver’s license). The topic of the discussion is “Compatibility and 40-plus Single Lifestyle.” There will be a complimentary pasta and salad buffet. Membership is not required; walk-ins will be welcome. For more information, call (888) 348-5544 or visit www.PBSNinfo.com.

Dr. Steven Tepper of Animal Health Care of Marlboro was one of 3,500 veterinary professionals who attended the 23rd annual meeting of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine at the Baltimore Convention Center recently. Specialists in cardiology, oncology, neurology and small animal medicine offered continuing education for specialists, general practitioners and nursing staff.

KaBloom of Freehold opened recently in the Mounts Corner Shopping Center, Route 537 and Wemrock Road, Freehold Township.

The 2005 edition of the New Jersey Small Business Resource Guide is now available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) New Jersey District Office.

The free 51-page guide features sections on how to start a small business; local, state and federal business regulations; how to find and secure business finance; doing business with the government; and entrepreneurial development resources.

To receive a copy, call the SBA New Jersey District Office at (973) 645-2434 or e-mail Ursula Sanders at ursula.sanders@sba.gov. The guide may also be viewed and downloaded at the Web site www.reni.net/guides. The SBA’s Web site is www.sba.gov/nj.