Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation Raises More Than $5 Million at Annual Network Celebration
Event raised crucial funds to advance oncology care and services at John Theurer Cancer Center and throughout Hackensack Meridian Health
Edison, NJ – June 29, 2023 – Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation raised more than $5 million to support oncology care and services at Hackensack Meridian John Theurer Cancer Center and throughout the Hackensack Meridian Health network at its second annual Network Celebration, held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Saturday, June 24.
The celebratory event honored Rosemarie “Ro” J. Sorce, the first female chair of the Hackensack Meridian Health Corporation Board and friend of the network, for her extraordinary contributions, generosity and service to Hackensack Meridian Health through the years. Two-time GRAMMY? Award-winning recording artist, Academy Award-winning actress and Tony and Emmy Award-winning producer, Jennifer Hudson – also the youngest female EGOT winner in history – was the special guest performer. In addition, in true MetLife fashion, a few New York Football Giants were among the crowd.
“We are so grateful for the support for our second annual Network Celebration, which will benefit oncology care, research and services at John Theurer Cancer Center and throughout Hackensack Meridian Health,’’ said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO, Hackensack Meridian Health. “The event helps us live our mission to transform healthcare in New Jersey and beyond. I was also thrilled to honor the fantastic Ro Sorce for her years of generosity and service to our organization.”
John Theurer Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University, is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a premier cancer center in New Jersey. In less than 25 years, John Theurer Cancer Center has become one of the most rapidly growing and prominent programs nationwide, with more than 1,200 team members collaborating in a highly subspecialized and multidisciplinary environment. More people in the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area turn to John Theurer Cancer Center for cancer care each year than to any other facility in New Jersey.
“Our Network Celebration was a wonderful success, and I was so pleased to be joined by our closest network of supporters in the benefit of oncology care and services at Hackensack Meridian Health while paying tribute to Ro Sorce, our dear friend,” said Joyce P. Hendricks, president and chief development officer, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation. “Philanthropy has the transformational power to elicit positive change, especially in health care. Proceeds from our event will go far, impacting our patients, their families and friends today and in the future. We are beyond grateful to our leadership, trustees, sponsors, donors and guests for their continued support and dedication to the work that we do.”
“I was delighted to celebrate with our closest supporters and raise funds for oncology at Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation’s Network Celebration at MetLife Stadium," said Mark D. Schlesinger, M.D., chair, Department of Anesthesiology, Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center and Network Celebration event chair. "It was a memorable evening and proceeds will go far in expanding oncology care and services throughout our impressive network.”
The Network Celebration was generously supported by Title Sponsors: Jersey Mike’s, The John Theurer Cancer Center and Physicians of RCCA - Regional Cancer Care Associates and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey; Diamond Sponsors: Konica Minolta, Caryl and Jim Kourgelis, Inserra Supermarkets, Inc., Raymond James, TeamHealth and Ray Catena Motor Car; and Platinum Sponsors: Joseph M. Sanzari, Inc.; New York Football Giants, Inc.; North Jersey Brain & Spine Center, Hackensack University Medical Center Medical & Dental Staff, and Hackensack University Medical Center Executive Team and Chairs.
To learn more about Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation, visit GiveHMH.org. To donate to Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation, visit GiveHMH.org/Donate.
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. The network has 18 hospitals and more than 500 patient care locations, which include ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, long-term care and assisted living communities, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers, physician practice locations, and a fitness and wellness center. With more than 35,000 team members and 7,000 physicians, Hackensack Meridian Health is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy and committed to the health and well-being of communities throughout New Jersey.
The network’s notable distinctions include having more U.S. News-ranked hospitals than any other health system in New Jersey, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, 2022-23. Hackensack University Medical Center is nationally-ranked by U.S. News & World Report in four specialties, more than any other hospital in New Jersey. Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center, and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, are ranked #1 in the state and top 20 in the Mid-Atlantic Region by U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-23 Best Children’s Hospital Report. Additionally, their combined nephrology program ranks in the top 50 in the United States. To learn more, visit www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org.
ABOUT HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH FOUNDATION
Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3), is the philanthropic division of Hackensack Meridian Health, 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. The foundation oversees fundraising for the network’s three academic medical centers, two children’s hospitals and seven community-based medical center foundations, as well as key initiatives, programs and services offered by Hackensack Meridian Health, including nursing support, behavioral health, children’s health, Hackensack Meridian Health’s Center for Discovery & Innovation and Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.
Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation has been designated as both a High Performer Overall and Healthcare System High Performer by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) within their 2022 Report on Giving.
Visit GiveHMH.org/Donate for more information.
Pictured: Keith Banks, co-chair, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation; Debra Banks; Frank Fekete, CPA, chairman, Hackensack Meridian Health Board of Trustees; Adie Fekete; Peter Hendricks; Joyce P. Hendricks, president and chief development officer, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation; Mark D. Schlesinger, M.D., chairman, Department of Anesthesiology, Hackensack University Medical Center, events committee chair; Rosemarie Sorce, chair, Hackensack Meridian Health Hospital Corporations Board; Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO, Hackensack Meridian Health; Laura Garrett; Tatiana Cancro; Peter Cancro, CEO, Jersey Mike’s Subs; Lori Rubino; Joseph M. Sanzari, CEO, Joseph M. Sanzari, Inc.; Brittany Aiello; Vincent Aiello; Hilary DiPiero; Domenic DiPiero, co-chair, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation; Andrea Craig; and Chip Craig.
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