A Gift to Strengthen Emergency Care at Palisades Medical Center

Jeff and Noelle Welz have a long history of public service in northern Hudson County. Now the Weehawken couple has made a substantial investment in the community’s future, providing a generous gift toward the expansion of the Emergency Department at Palisades Medical Center.

The medical center in North Bergen broke ground in October 2024 on the $50 million project that will double the size of the Emergency Department on the Hudson River waterfront.

“There has been so much growth along the waterfront. North Hudson is booming. It’s a very diverse community and it’s important that the hospital caters to everyone,” says Jeff, who has had a 50-year career in public service, serving as executive director of the North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue and, before that, on the police and fire departments in Weehawken, where he also served as director of public safety. 

Jeff started his career of public service when he served four years in the U.S. Navy, during which time he joined Weehawken’s newly formed ambulance squad. After leaving the Navy, he became a Weehawken Police Officer and later a Weehawken Firefighter. He moved up the ranks and became director of Public Safety in 1998. At that time, he was also selected to be a director for the newly formed North Hudson Regional Fire Department.

Jeff remains president of the township’s volunteer ambulance corps and has spent plenty of time transporting patients to the Palisades Emergency Department. Noelle also spent time in the Emergency Department – as a patient when she broke her arm in a fall more than two decades ago. She retired from her day job as a secretary for the Weehawken schools and now volunteers as vice president of the Weehawken Public Library board and on the Weehawken Zoning Board of Adjustment.

The couple has marveled at the growth of Palisades as it evolved from a smaller community hospital into a high-performing medical center. Jeff said the donation fit in with his and Noelle’s focus on community service.

The expansion will provide a total of 50 treatment bays in 22,000 square feet and is expected to be completed in 2026.

“Every day, our Emergency Department delivers exceptional care to those in critical need. With our planned expansion, we'll amplify that impact, reaching more people, more quickly, with even higher levels of life-saving care,” says Lisa Iachetti, BSN, RN, president and chief hospital executive, Palisades Medical Center. “This transformative growth is supported by the generosity of donors like Jeff and Noelle, whose vision secures a healthier future for generations to come.”

We thank Jeff and Noelle for their continued generosity and know their gift will impact the care of the community. Make a gift today in support of Palisades Medical Center at GiveHMH.org/PMC, or contact Nicholas Mederos at nicholas.mederos@hmhn.org.