Love, Loss and Legacy - Daniel Shifrin’s Story

Daniel Shifrin describes Roz, his beloved wife and best friend of 38 years, as a lover of life, even though she was a heavily health-compromised individual. For about 21 years, Roz used her walker to roam up and down the halls of Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center, where she exercised three days a week in its Cardiac Rehab Center. Daniel, who managed JFK’s pharmacy department for 11 years, was always by her side.

Having this personal knowledge made Daniel’s decision to entrust Roz’s care to a community of professionals he deeply respected the first step in an arduous journey that would ultimately highlight the importance of having an exceptional medical team — a team whose efforts allowed Roz to ultimately have a dignified passing in December 2020.

Gentle Care Under Difficult Circumstances

From the time she arrived at JFK, Roz received care that was both expert and profoundly compassionate. As a severe infection began overwhelming her body, the medical response was swift and comprehensive. Daniel recalls how several specialists were brought in, and how the entire Intensive Care Unit and Coronary Care Unit teams were mobilized in “Rapid Responses” to Roz’s bedside in the emergency department.

Throughout the ordeal, Daniel was treated as a knowledgeable partner in his wife’s care. The medical director communicated with him directly and honestly, promising to do everything possible while respecting Roz’s “do not resuscitate” wishes. A particularly poignant moment of compassionate care occurred when one of the nurses tending to Roz adjusted her pain medication, allowing the couple a final, brief moment of loving communication.

Ultimately, Daniel and their children were faced with the heartbreaking realization that machines and medication were all that sustained Roz. The decision to withdraw life support was made not in isolation, but with the support of the JFK medical team which had fought so hard for her. Team members helped Daniel fulfill his final promise to Roz — to ensure she could pass away comfortably, without pain and with the dignity she deserved.

“She was surrounded by her family. I loved Roz a lot. That’s why I had to let her go,” Daniel says. 

An Appreciation for Tremendous Care

Roz’s story is not just about loss, but about the profound gratitude for a healthcare team that made a peaceful end possible. Two years later, Daniel would find himself once again experiencing that profound sense of gratitude toward JFK while volunteering at the hospital’s information desk. After sensing the room suddenly appear to start spinning, Daniel fell from his chair as a result of what was later diagnosed as a stroke. A three-week hospital stay filled with physical, speech and occupational therapy sessions led to a remarkable recovery.

Daniel’s new lease on life resulted in an almost fairy tale-like story two years later when he met Cindy, the woman who would help him recover from his broken heart and help him start a new chapter. They married in 2024, and Daniel feels fortunate to have a second love with whom to share his passion for travel adventures and zest for life. 

It is also due to his profound gratitude that Daniel has chosen to create a personal legacy through his estate plan that will ultimately benefit the future of JFK — a future he hopes will brighten others’ lives the same way his life has been brightened. 

“We are so moved by Daniel’s story and deeply honored by his thoughtful generosity,” said Jacqueline M. Bartley-Oxley, J.D., vice president of community hospital development and gift planning. “His desire to give back is a powerful testament to the compassionate care our team strives to provide. We are truly honored that his legacy will brighten the future for countless patients and their families.”

To learn more about contributing a gift from your will or estate plan, visit HMHF.PlanMyLegacy.org, or you may contact Jacqueline M. Bartley-Oxley, J.D., at giftplanning@hmhn.org, 848-308-5039 or 908-461-8042 to begin the conversation. To learn how you can help patients like Daniel, visit Givehmh.org/JFKUMC.