Meridian Health Foundation Named Top Nonprofit Organization in New Jersey For Second Consecutive Year

For the second year in a row, Hackensack Meridian – Meridian Health Foundation was recognized by NJBIZ as the top nonprofit organization in New Jersey in the publication’s annual Reader Rankings. Votes were cast by NJBIZ readers for the businesses they believed deserved to be recognized for their industry excellence and contributions in New Jersey.

Circle of Compassion Celebration Raises Necessary Funding for Hackensack Meridian Health Team Members

In lieu of its annual gala, Hackensack Meridian – Meridian Health Foundation hosted a virtual event, raising more than $600,000 for the Hackensack Meridian Health Circle of Compassion program, which provides compassionate, timely and equitable financial assistance to team members affected by a disaster or personal monetary hardship. Called the Circle of Compassion Virtual Celebration – Essential Workers, Essential Needs, the virtual event took place on Nov. 19 and featured updates from Hackensack Meridian Health leadership, moments of gratitude for frontline caregivers and special appearances by Jon Stewart and other New Jersey celebrities.

Bayshore Medical Center Foundation Virtual Oktoberfest Community Celebration Raises $100,000 at Bayshore Medical Center

The annual Hackensack Meridian Bayshore Medical Center Foundation Oktoberfest Community Celebration, held virtually on Oct. 29, raised $100,000 for the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund and construction of the future Dr. Robert H. Harris Emergency Care Center at Hackensack Meridian Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel. In lieu of the in-person celebration due to COVID-19, the foundation live-streamed a program featuring updates from Hackensack Meridian Health leadership on the Emergency Care Center project and tributes to our health care heroes who continue to fight COVID-19 on the frontlines.

Meridian Health Foundation Hosting Circle of Compassion Virtual Celebration on November 19

In lieu of its annual gala, Hackensack Meridian – Meridian Health Foundation will host a virtual program to raise funds for the Hackensack Meridian Health Circle of Compassion program, which provides compassionate, timely and equitable financial assistance to team members affected by a disaster or personal monetary hardship. Called the Circle of Compassion Virtual Celebration – Essential Workers, Essential Needs, the virtual event will take place on November 19 at 4 p.m. and can be viewed at HackensackMeridianHealth.org/MHFVirtualEvent. The celebration will feature updates from Hackensack Meridian Health leadership, stories from COVID-19 survivors, moments of gratitude for frontline caregivers, a special appearance by Jon Stewart and more.

Spirit Halloween Again Selects K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital as Recipient of Spirit of Children Annual Fundraiser

For the fifth consecutive year, Spirit Halloween has selected the Child Life program at Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital, located at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, as a recipient of its annual Spirit of Children fundraising initiative. From now until Halloween, select Spirit Halloween stores will accept in-person donations and will distribute coupons entitling customers to 10 percent off their purchase, while simultaneously donating 10 percent of their purchase to benefit patients at The Children’s Hospital.

Ocean Medical Center Team Members Awarded Forfar Nursing Scholarships

The Barbara Forfar Nursing Scholarship committee presented its 2020 scholarships on September 29 at Hackensack Meridian Ocean Medical Center to deserving recipients, Shoshana Diamond of Jackson Township and Emily Trione of Brick Township. Each recipient received a $500 scholarship to further their nursing education.

Hackensack Meridian Health Launches Circle of Compassion, a Financial Assistance Program to Benefit Health Care Heroes

Hackensack Meridian Health has launched the Circle of Compassion program, which provides compassionate, timely and equitable financial assistance to team members affected by a disaster or personal monetary hardship. Built on the existing team member financial assistance programs available through two of the network’s philanthropic entities, Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation (Colleague to Colleague Fund) and Meridian Health Foundation (When in Need Fund), the Circle of Compassion program was developed in quick response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the financial health of team members throughout Hackensack Meridian Health.

Bayshore Medical Center Foundation Hosting Virtual Oktoberfest Community Celebration on October 29

To safeguard supporters, Hackensack Meridian Bayshore Medical Center Foundation has moved its annual October fundraising event to a virtual format to be held on Friday, October 29 at 7 p.m. In lieu of the planned, in-person Oktoberfest celebration, the foundation will host a program that donors can stream live to continue to raise necessary funds for Hackensack Meridian Bayshore Medical Center that will address the growing health needs of the community. Funds raised will support both the future Dr. Robert H. Harris Emergency Care Center, as well as the medical center’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund.

The Grunin Foundation Makes $3 Million Gift to Advance PCT Programs at Hackensack Meridian Health

The Hackensack Meridian Health Meridian Health Foundation secured a $3 million gift from the Grunin Foundation to create patient care technician (PCT) preceptorship and apprenticeship programs that will provide a career ladder for team members looking to move into long-term, higher paying clinical positions such as nursing, while offering growth opportunities for team members who want to build a lifelong career as a PCT, including mentorship and leadership responsibilities. The programs will also provide employment opportunities for local community members with limited education who want to begin a career in health care.

Bayshore Medical Center Foundation Board Members Launch Fundraising Campaign in Support of Dr. Robert H. Harris Emergency Care Center

The Hackensack Meridian Health Bayshore Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees has launched a fundraising campaign to secure donations in support of the future Dr. Robert H. Harris Emergency Care Center at Hackensack Meridian Health Bayshore Medical Center, named by Mary Ellen Harris and the Golden Dome Foundation, which officially broke ground in October 2019.

Spirit Halloween Donates Nearly $72,000 to the Child Life Program at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital

For the fourth consecutive year, Spirit Halloween has provided a significant grant to Hackensack Meridian Health K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Hackensack Meridian Health Jersey Shore University Medical Center. The recent gift, provided through the Spirit of Children program, represents collections during the 2019 Halloween season, and totaled $71,870, bringing the organization’s overall donations to nearly $280,000.

University Radiology Makes Major Gift in Support of New Emergency Department at Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge

Hackensack Meridian Health Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation is pleased to announce a gift of $150,000 from University Radiology in support of the new Emergency Department currently under construction at the Old Bridge campus of Hackensack Meridian Health Raritan Bay Medical Center.

Women’s Heart Fund Launches ‘Community Conversations with the CDI’

The Women’s Heart Fund, a philanthropic arm of Hackensack Meridian Health Meridian Health Foundation, has announced that for its newest venture, the organization will sponsor ‘Community Conversations with the CDI,’ a women-focused, three-year lecture series featuring researchers from Hackensack Meridian Health’s Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI). The lectures will focus on topics relevant to community members throughout the state, including heart disease, breast and ovarian cancer, vaccines, Alzheimer’s Disease and diabetes.

Hackensack Meridian Health Receives Significant Grant Funding to Pilot HealthySteps, a Program of ZERO TO THREE, in Network’s Pediatric Primary Care Practice

HACKENSACK, NJ – January 29, 2019 – Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation is pleased to announce that Judy Aschner, M.D., chair of pediatrics and physician-in-chief of the Hackensack Meridian Health Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and clinical director, Children’s Care Transformation Services at Hackensack Meridian Health has been awarded significant grant funding to pilot HealthySteps, a program of ZERO TO THREE. With the support of collaborating funders, The Burke Foundation, The Nicholson Foundation and the Turrell Fund, the pilot will be implemented in three of the network’s pediatric primary care practices. The total amount to be funded to Hackensack Meridian Health by the three foundations is $838,489, while the total projected budget will be nearly $1.2 million, including in-kind giving and other funding provided by the collaborating funders to the HealthySteps national office at ZERO TO THREE.

Tackle Kids Cancer Receives Generous Donation from Corporate Partner Guardian Data Destruction

HACKENSACK, NJ – January 29, 2020 – Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation is pleased to announce that Tackle Kids Cancer, a philanthropic program benefitting the Children’s Cancer Institute at Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center, has received a generous donation in the amount of $7,500 from corporate supporter Guardian Data Destruction.

Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation Welcomes New Trustee

Hackensack Meridian Health Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of Jane Mueller to the Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation Board of Trustees.

Hackensack Meridian Health Foundations Recognized in the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy’s 2019 High Performers List

Hackensack Meridian Health is pleased to announce two of the network’s foundations have been included in the 2019 High Performer’s list, provided from the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP): Meridian Health Foundation (which encompasses six Hackensack Meridian Health foundations in the central and southern region, including Bayshore Medical Center Foundation, Jersey Shore University Medical Center Foundation – which also raises funds for K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital – Ocean Medical Center Foundation, Riverview Medical Center Foundation, Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation and Southern Ocean Medical Center Foundation) and Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation (which also raises funds for Carrier Clinic and oversees Palisades Medical Center Foundation).

Meridian Health Foundation’s 22nd Annual Gala Raises $1.7 Million

Hackensack Meridian Health Meridian Health Foundation is pleased to announce its 22nd Annual Gala, the Giving Heals Gala, raised nearly $1.7 million for the organization. Taking place at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Conference Center in Atlantic City on Saturday, November 23, 700 guests joined together to honor Gordon Litwin, chair of the Hackensack Meridian Health Board of Trustees, for his longtime dedication to improving health care for New Jersey residents. The signature fundraising event benefitted Hackensack Meridian Health’s central and southern region not-for-profit medical centers and community health programs.

Meridian Health Foundation Celebrates 22nd Annual Gala at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City

Hackensack Meridian Health Meridian Health Foundation is pleased to announce that its 22nd Annual Gala, honoring Gordon Litwin, Esq., chair of the Hackensack Meridian Health Board of Trustees, will take place on Saturday, November 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City.

$350,000 Gift Made to Support Pediatric Palliative Care at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital

The Hackensack Meridian Health Jersey Shore University Medical Center Foundation is pleased to announce a gift of $350,000 from the Morris and Clara Weshnak Family Foundation, administered by Barry and Carol Anne Cawley Weshnak, in support of the Pediatric Palliative Care Program at Hackensack Meridian Health K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital. The program helps children living with chronic illnesses and life-threatening medical conditions by working to improve the quality of life of these children and focusing on treatment of symptoms, pain and stress management, as well as offering comprehensive patient and family support.