Former Rutgers football player reunites with hospital caregivers 8 years after paralyzing injury
October 20, 2018
Eric LeGrand, the former Rutgers football player who suffered a paralyzing spinal cord injury on the field, returned to Hackensack University Medical Center where he was first treated after his accident. He met with the medical team responsible for saving his life. Robert C. Garrett, co-CEO, FACHE, of Hackensack Meridian Health, along with Mark D. Sparta, FACHE, president of Hackensack University Medical Center and Ihor S. Sawczuk, M.D., FACS, regional president, Northern Market, Hackensack Meridian Health and Roy Vingan, M.D., vice chair, Department of Neurosurgery, Hackensack University Medical Center, met with Eric. During the reunion, Eric recounted the darkest days of his injury, which he also calls his best days. Eric has spent the past eight years inspiring others to overcome seeming insurmountable odds. He speaks to young people and advocates for others with spinal cord injuries. (Note: This event was also featured on: WCBS 880, WCBSAM, News 12 New Jersey,Asbury Park Press, Fios 1 News,WMBC-TV. The Record, MyCentralJersey.com, and Daily Record .)