The Nicola-Musso Charitable Foundation and Carol Musso Foley Commit to a Generous Donation for Cancer Care at Two Hackensack Meridian Health Hospitals
December 05, 2018
The Nicola-Musso Charitable Foundation and Carol Musso Foley Commit to a Generous Donation for Cancer Care at Two Hackensack Meridian Health Hospitals
Neptune, NJ - Hackensack Meridian Health and the Meridian Health Foundation are pleased to announce a gift of $750,000 from the Nicola-Musso Charitable Foundation of New York, N.Y. and Carol Musso Foley of New York and Spring Lake, NJ, to be used to enhance cancer care services at Hackensack Meridian Health Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian Health Ocean Medical Center.
The gift, donated in honor of Peter J. Mencel, M.D. and Atlantic Hematology Oncology Associates, who are affiliated with Ocean Medical Center and Jersey Shore University Medical Center. The gift will be allocated between two hospitals, with $500,000 going to Ocean Medical Center and $250,000 to Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Ms. Foley and her late parents, Angela and Victor Musso, have been donors to Hackensack Meridian Health for many years and have long supported Dr. Mencel, previously contributing to his cancer research projects.
“Dr. Mencel was my oncologist as I went through my cancer journey,” says Ms. Foley. “I can think of no better way to express my gratitude for his expertise, professionalism and compassion care than by making this gift in his honor. I know that these funds will enable the cancer care centers at both medical centers to continue to provide the most advanced care possible for our community.”
Ocean Medical Center completed an expansion program in 2016 as part of a larger, three-year investment of $128 million by Hackensack Meridian Health towards community-based cancer care services at six locations in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Services include a wide range of treatments such as a dedicated inpatient oncology unit, outpatient infusion center, advanced radiation oncology, cancer clinical trials, a genetics program, minimally-invasive surgery, timely access to cancer specialists and a multidisciplinary approach to care, which consists of a team of professionals dedicated to information sharing and case reviews.
“I cannot begin to express how grateful we are for the Foundation and Ms. Foley’s support of our oncology services,” says Joseph Stampe, president and chief development officer, Meridian Health Foundation. “We must constantly grow to provide the most cutting-edge treatments in the fight against cancer and with support from generous community members like Ms. Foley, our medical centers are better able to provide the highest level of personalized care that patients deserve.”
One such example of growth can be found at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where the new HOPE Tower opened in June. The Cancer Center is readily accessible on the first two levels of the tower, spanning 58,000 square feet in an environment that was designed with patients’ needs in mind. It offers diagnostics, consultation and treatment all under one roof, providing the latest technology and treatment options, while remaining focused on enhancing the human experience. Services offered in HOPE Tower include dedicated areas for infusion, radiation therapy with the most advanced TrueBeam™ linear accelerators, medical and surgical experts, counseling and supportive care and more.
“Thanks to the incredible generosity of donors such as the Nicola-Musso Charitable Foundation, Ms. Foley and her parents, we are able to continuously enhance cancer care services for our community,” says Kenneth N. Sable, M.D., MBA, FACEP, regional president, southern market, Hackensack Meridian Health. “We wish to express our sincere thanks for their magnificent gift that will enable us to continue to be at the forefront of cancer care at a time when it is most needed.”
“Cancer diagnoses continue to climb, and sadly it is the second leading cause of death in the U.S.,” says Dr. Mencel. “Thanks in part to access to the latest technology and advancements in cancer care, Ms. Foley was able to successfully survive her cancer. I am gratified that I could be there in her time of need and am deeply humbled by her incredible gift in my name. It is truly my passion to assist all my patients on their individual journeys to the most positive outcomes possible.”
To learn more about how you can support cancer care services at Hackensack Meridian Health, please visit www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/services/cancer-care.