In his most recent role, Eugene was a mental health aide, assisting behavioral health patients. He practiced compassion, empathy and care, always tending to his patients’ needs.

But when his mother, Carmen Delia Mercado, got sick with dementia, Eugene opted to leave the job he loved in order to care for her. Later, when Carmen was admitted into hospice, Eugene got to witness Raritan Bay care from the other side. “Not only did they look after my mother, they also took care of me and my sister,” he says. “They even got us two recliners and allowed us to stay with my mom until the day she passed away. That meant so much to us.”

Eugene was so grateful that he decided to give back to Hackensack Meridian Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation. “I wanted to do something so people could continue to work and live their lives, knowing that their loved ones with dementia were taken care of,” he says. What started out as a possible planned gift, led to a gift of $25,000 to create the Eugenio “Eugene” Mercado, Jr. Patient Care Fund at Raritan Bay. The fund will provide support for patients dealing with dementia, Alzheimer's and cancer.

“It only makes sense to give back to the hospital that has given my family and me so much—life, a career and such great care,” Eugene says. 

Raritan Bay is thrilled with his gift. “Mr. Mercado's generosity will provide funding for program support and other essentials that will ensure the comfort of our patients, which is of the utmost importance,” says Melissa L. Magyar, executive director of the foundation. “We are grateful for Mr. Mercado's commitment throughout his career and now as a retired employee and donor.”

Adds William DiStanislao, interim president and chief hospital executive, at Raritan Bay: “The fact that Mr. Mercado chose to give back after a long career with us speaks volumes about the kind, generous person he is. The Eugenio ‘Eugene’ Mercado, Jr. Patient Care Fund he created will provide essential support and comfort for patients. It is gifts like this that allow us to continue to meet the needs of our patients each and every day, and for that, we are grateful.” 

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