The Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation Holds its 25th Annual Recognition Gala at Rockefeller Center   

The Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation Holds its 25th Annual Recognition Gala at Rockefeller Center

October 24, 2018

The Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation hosted its 25th Annual Recognition Gala on an autumn evening at New York's Rockefeller Center, celebrating a shared mission to transform health care and serve as a leader of positive change.

Honorees included influential builders and shapers, who lead by example in supporting the good health and well-being of others: Deirdre and Don Imus, Joseph M. Sanzari, Helena Theurer, and Mark D. Schlesinger, M.D. The event raised $3,300,000 to benefit outstanding research and surgical excellence at Hackensack University Medical Center.

"I want to congratulate the Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation team for a stellar event," said Robert C. Garrett, co-CEO, Hackensack Meridian Health. "I am grateful for the generosity of our sponsors and guests on behalf of our patients, programs, and initiatives."

More than 1,200 guests gathered for a meaningful and entertaining evening, featuring: The Chris Norton Big Band; Sydnee Winters, a performer whose credits include Hamilton and Jesus Christ Superstar; the Latin All-Star Salsa Troupe; the strains of blues and cabaret tunes, and The Bumbys, a unique performance artist experience.

"I am inspired by the commitment of our generous supporters and motivated by our team's significant achievements," said Helen A. Cunning, north regional president, Foundation chief development officer, Hackensack Meridian Health. "I look forward to the good work we will continue to do together in service of our patients, their families, and our community."

The 25th Annual Recognition Gala Committee was chaired by Dr. Schlesinger, chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at Hackensack University Medical Center, who has overseen the event for 25 years.

"I want to offer my sincere thanks to our donors for their steadfast support," said Lawrence R. Inserra Jr., chair of the Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees. "I am deeply appreciative of our talented team at the Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation for creating such a memorable event."

Established in 1980 as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation raises funds that support the diverse programs and services at the medical center. The Foundation accepts contributions in the form of: direct cash gifts and pledges, matching corporate gifts, planned gifts and naming opportunities. For more information on upcoming events or ways to donate, please call 551-996-3720 or visit www.HackensackUMCFoundation.org.

Photo: The Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation hosted its 25th Annual Recognition Gala at New York's Rockefeller Center. (Pictured from left to right: Thomas Salazer, M.D., president, Medical/Dental Staff, Hackensack University Medical Center, and Elizabeth Salazer; Joseph Simunovich, co-chair, Hackensack Meridian Health Board of Trustees, and Pam Simunovich; Robert C. Garrett, co-CEO, Hackensack Meridian Health, and Laura Garrett; Ihor S. Sawczuk, M.D., north regional president, Hackensack Meridian Health, and Alex Sawczuk; Mark D. Sparta, president, Hackensack University Medical Center, and Colleen Sparta; Mark D. Schlesinger, M.D., chair, Department of Anesthesiology, Hackensack University Medical Center and chair, Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation Special Events Committee, and Mobeen Nawaz; Helen A. Cunning, north regional president, Foundation chief development officer, Hackensack Meridian Health, and Bill Coughlin; Inez Inserra and Larry Inserra, chair, Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees; Maureen Lloyd and John K. Lloyd, co-CEO, Hackensack Meridian Health, Anne Luzzatto and Gordon Litwin, co-chair, Hackensack Meridian Health Board of Trustees.

ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH

Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care.

Hackensack Meridian Health comprises 16 hospitals from Bergen to Ocean counties, which includes three academic medical centers – Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, JFK Medical Center in Edison; two children's hospitals - Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital in Hackensack, K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in Neptune; nine community hospitals - Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair, Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge, and Pascack Valley Medical Center in Westwood; and two rehabilitation hospitals - JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in Edison and Shore Rehabilitation Institute in Brick.

Additionally, the network has more than 450 patient care locations throughout the state which include ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, long-term care and assisted living communities, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, fitness and wellness centers, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers and physician practice locations. Hackensack Meridian Health has 33,000 team members, and 6,500 physicians and is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy, committed to the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

The network's notable distinctions include having one of only five major academic medical centers in the nation to receive Healthgrades America's 50 Best Hospitals Award for five or more consecutive years, four hospitals among the top 10 in New Jersey by U.S. News and World Report. Other honors include consistently achieving Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, recipient of the John M. Eisenberg Award for Patient Safety and Quality from The Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum, a six-time recipient of Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For," one of the "20 Best Workplaces in Health Care" in the nation, and the number one "Best Place to Work for Women." The network was also named to Becker's Healthcare's "150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare/2018" list.

Hackensack Meridian Health partnered with Seton Hall University to launch the first private medical school in New Jersey – Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University - in more than 50 years to address a growing shortage of physicians and dramatic changes in health care delivery. Additionally, the network partnered with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer to find more cures for cancer faster while ensuring that patients have access to the highest quality, most individualized cancer care when and where they need it. Hackensack Meridian Health and Carrier Clinic, New Jersey's oldest and most respected behavioral health provider, signed a definitive agreement to merge.

Hackensack Meridian Health is a member of AllSpire Health Partners, an interstate consortium of leading health systems, to focus on the sharing of best practices in clinical care and achieving efficiencies.

For additional information, please visit www.HackensackMeridianHealth.org.

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