JFK University Medical Center Foundation Welcomes New Executive Director

Notable executive and fundraiser joins Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation

Hackensack Meridian Health is proud to announce that Sheri Marino, MA, CCC-SLP, has joined as executive director of Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center Foundation.

"Sheri brings a wealth of knowledge and notable fundraising experience to her new role at JFK University Medical Center Foundation," says Joyce P. Hendricks, chief development officer, network philanthropy, Hackensack Meridian Health. "I am so delighted to welcome her to the foundation, and I look forward to the wonderful things she will accomplish in benefit of the hospital's programs, team members and patients and their loved ones."

Marino has a distinguished background as a speech pathologist, previously owning and operating her own practices, and having done her internship during college at the Johnson Rehabilitation Institute at JFK University Medical Center. Most recently, she has been working to make a difference in the lives of people with autism as the executive director and business manager for Autism Healthcare Collaborative. In this role, she led all philanthropy, event planning, business and program development, financial management, marketing and had oversight of the organization's board. She developed a team of medical experts from across the U.S. and collaborated closely with the team to address the vast needs of individuals living with medically complex autism. Under Marino's leadership, the organization raised $2 million to support programs for children and families.

Prior to her work at Autism Healthcare Collaborative, Marino was the director of Pediatric Health Initiatives for Focus for Health Foundation, whose mission is to empower individuals with information to make good health care decisions for their families. In this position, she was an integral part of the rebranding of the organization to expand the vision and mission to focus broadly on chronic health issues. She assisted in the review and selection of foundation partners and grantees to carry out advocacy, education and legislative initiatives and had event planning responsibility. Marino worked closely with physicians and scientists in the field of alternative and functional medicine and has also authored articles on pediatric health issues related to genetics, epigenetics and environmental causes of chronic illness.

"I am so pleased to welcome Sheri to JFK University Medical Center Foundation and I am confident that she will be an added strength to our team," said Joseph Yewaisis, chair, JFK University Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees. "The board of trustees and I look forward to working closely with Sheri to raise critical funds that will allow us to further care for our communities and support essential services and programs at our hospital."

Marino will work closely with Yewaisis, as well as Amie Thornton, chief hospital executive, JFK University Medical Center, and other hospital administrators, to lead vital fundraising initiatives for hospital services and projects.

"I am thrilled to join JFK University Medical Center Foundation and lead its fundraising initiatives," said Marino. "JFK University Medical Center has provided exceptional care to patients and their loved ones for sixty years, and I look forward to working with the medical center's dynamic team to support them in their efforts to provide excellent, compassionate care."

To learn about how you can make a gift to JFK University Medical Center Foundation, please call 732-632-1540 or visit www.jfkmc.org/donate/.