Department of Urology at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center Receives Largest Gift from Grateful Patient

Grateful patient donates generous gift to benefit education and innovative urologic research

The Department of Urology at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center recently received its largest single donation of $147,000 from grateful patient Dorothy "Dottie" Purcell.

Since 2017, Dottie has given nearly $350,000 to the Department of Urology. Her generous contributions have been used to support the Urology Fellowship Fund and important research that will shape tomorrow's advancements in clinical care. Dottie's most recent donation will advance urologic research and fund a newly named one-year fellowship, entitled The Dottie Purcell Endourology Fellowship, which combines clinical and research activities in endourology, laparoscopy and robotic surgery. It is the first accredited fellowship of its kind in New Jersey – and one of the first in the United States.

Under the leadership of Ihor Sawczuk, M.D., FACS, regional president, Northern Market, chief research officer, Hackensack Meridian Health, and Ravi Munver, M.D., FACS, professor and vice chair, director, Endourology Fellowship Program, Department of Urology, Hackensack University Medical Center, the Department of Urology at Hackensack University Medical Center established the first endourology fellowship training program in New Jersey in 2004. The fellowship program, accredited by the Endourological Society Inc., has trained 12 outstanding endourologists that have become leaders in academic medical centers or community practice. Honors received by urologists in the department include listing in Castle Connolly America's Top Doctors, Castle Connolly New York Metro Area Top Doctors, Best Doctors in America, New York Magazine Best Doctors, New Jersey's Top Doctors, America's Top Urologists and numerous others. The Department of Urology's achievements have resulted in its ranking of #1 in New Jersey and top 100 in the nation in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospital rankings for 2020-2021.

After Dottie's initial treatment in 2015 and a few years of follow-up, she was so grateful for the care she received – and fascinated by the innovative technology and treatment approaches used – that she began looking for a way to give back. Inspired by the exceptional patient care she received from Michael Stifelman, M.D. and his team, she knew that making a gift to benefit research and education at the Department of Urology at Hackensack University Medical Center was the best way to show her appreciation.

"I come from a philanthropic family that stressed giving back, and my giving responds to local needs and things I can relate to," said Dottie. "I wholeheartedly continue to believe in Dr. Stifelman and his team, and I am greatly passionate about the work they do. I've seen what they've done for me, and what they continue to do for the field of urology, especially in research and education."

"The Department of Urology at Hackensack University Medical Center has a renowned reputation for elevating the standard of health care in New Jersey and beyond, and we are so moved by Dottie's generosity," said Michael Stifelman, M.D., chair, Department of Urology, director, Robotic Surgery, Hackensack University Medical Center, professor and chairman of urology, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. "Her support will allow us to remain committed to the advancement of education and research in urology and endourology, so that we can train our urologists and push the boundaries of minimally invasive urologic surgery to reach new heights of research and innovation."

"Educating the next generation of physicians is a major priority for the Department of Urology," said Dr. Munver. "We are incredibly grateful for Dottie's continuous show of support. It means the world to us that she believes in the life-changing care we provide to our patients and the clinical training we offer to our physicians."

For more information about the Department of Urology at Hackensack University Medical Center, please click here to read about its accomplishments in the Year in Review or contact Courtney Klein, director of development, Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation at 201-250-2986 or at Courtney.Klein@hmhn.org. To support the Department of Urology, please click here.