Celebrating the Legacy of a 'Moose' of a Man

A plaque "With Gratitude to Arlene Morrison and in Celebration of Jim ‘Moose’ Morrison” was unveiled at the Armellino Family Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Hackensack Meridian Southern Ocean Medical Center on September 19. Jim, a long-time resident of Barnegat Light, passed away in 2010 and left behind a legacy of love, family, laughter and community service. 

The ceremony was opened by Southern Ocean Medical Center Foundation chair emeritus, Tom Dolan, who spoke of Jim’s legacy. “Jim was an incredible person and extremely dedicated to his community and to Southern Ocean Medical Center,” said Tom. “It is such an honor to be able to celebrate his legacy in this meaningful way, and to do so on this special day - what would have been Jim’s 80th birthday.”

Jim’s wife, Arlene, surrounded by their daughters, Michelle and Danielle, along with other family members, friends, hospital team members and board members, celebrated Jim by dedicating this plaque in his honor.

"Jim, Moose, filled every room with his laughter, intelligence, warmth and genuine love for people and for life,” said Arlene. “He was a man of integrity and humility, and his motto, ‘Onward Through The Fog’ was simple but powerful. Whatever life brings, go forward, do your best and help others because the gifts we were given are only ours to share. On what would be Jim's 80th birthday, I continue to go "Onward Through The Fog" with love in my heart and deep gratitude to see this beautiful plaque at the Cardiac Cath Lab in celebration of Jim's life; a life so fully lived deserves to be forever remembered. We were blessed to share a wonderful life together and I am grateful to the Foundation to be able to honor Jim in this way.”

In February 2025, the New Jersey Department of Health licensed Southern Ocean Medical Center to provide elective angioplasty for patients in addition to emergent angioplasty. A minimally invasive procedure, angioplasty opens blocked arteries. 

“The selfless dedication to community exhibited by Jim and Arlene Morrison through the years represents the very heart of what it means to serve others,” notes William Schreiber, MBA, MSN, RN-BC, president and chief hospital executive of Southern Ocean Medical Center. “This tribute to Jim is more than a plaque on a wall; it is a lasting symbol of the powerful bond between our hospital and the community we serve. It will serve as daily inspiration to our team members and patients, reminding us of the incredible impact that a life dedicated to kindness and service can have. For that, we are profoundly grateful to Arlene and the Morrison family.”

Arlene has continued to go "Onward Through the Fog,” by dedicating herself to family, friends, her church, the Barnegat Light community and her partner, Chuck Sulkowski. She also joined the Southern Ocean Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees in 2024 and has made significant contributions, including hosting events and fundraisers.

To learn how you can support Southern Ocean Medical Center, visit GiveHMH.org/SouthernOcean.