Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation Welcomes New Development Leaders   

Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation Welcomes New Development Leaders

Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation is proud to announce that Rachel Simoneau has joined as vice president of development overseeing Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation and Hackensack Meridian Palisades Medical Center Foundation, and Eduardo Plata has joined as director of development at Palisades Medical Center Foundation.  

“There is so much positive growth and expansion happening at Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation and I am delighted to welcome Rachel and Eduardo to our foundation family,” says Joyce P. Hendricks, president and chief development officer, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation. “Their individual expertise in fundraising will surely benefit our medical centers, patients and local communities in northern New Jersey, and I cannot wait to see what they accomplish.”

Most recently, Simoneau served as the major gifts fundraiser at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, one of the top hospitals in the country, affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine, also recognized as one of the best medical schools in the country. After her tenure with BJC HealthCare System, Simoneau was director of development at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center, which serves more than 80,000 participants with 200 programs. Prior to her service in St. Louis, Simoneau served with distinction as director of development and communications at the Jeffrey Modell Foundation in New York City, a global leader in funding research diagnosis and treatment related to primary immunodeficiency disorders, including providing physician and patient support.  

“It is an honor to join Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation and lead fundraising for Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation and Palisades Medical Center Foundation,” said Simoneau. “I am thrilled to return to my roots here in New Jersey and work closely with hospital leadership at Hackensack University Medical Center and Palisades Medical Center, as well as our foundations’ board of trustees, dedicated donors and local communities. I know that with their support, we can continue to positively impact our communities to the benefit of our patients and their families.”

Prior to joining Palisades Medical Center Foundation, Plata was executive director of The Out Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, empowering and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community by facilitating their participation in health and wellness programs. He was also the acting executive director and office manager for the National Foundation for Facial Reconstruction (DBA My Face), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with facial differences. 

“What an opportunity it has been to join Palisades Medical Center Foundation,” says Plata. “I have truly enjoyed my time with the foundation thus far, working closely with our community, board of trustees and hospital leadership. With their continued dedication to our mission, I am confident that we will be able to achieve so much.”

Simoneau is leading fundraising for Hackensack Meridian John Theurer Cancer Center and all service lines at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center. Plata will further promote and build a culture of philanthropy, raise much-needed philanthropic support and build a grateful patient pipeline of donors at Hackensack Meridian Palisades Medical Center. 

To learn about how you can make a gift to Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation or Palisades Medical Center Foundation, please visit Give.HackensackMeridianHealth.org/GiveNow

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