January 2011 - JFK Medical Center

JANUARY 2011
CONTENTS
2 Chairman’s Message
Launches
3 Foundation
Grateful Patient
Program
JFK Dedicates
Eleanor Link Post
Surgical Unit
4 JFK Lauded
for Stroke Care
Excellence
Breast Center…
5 JFK
Advanced All Digital
Mammography
6 Foundation Honors
Philanthropic Leaders
8 Events Raise
$365,000
in
10 Volunteerism
Bloom at Hartwyck
11 In the News
12 Guide to Giving
80 James Street
Edison, NJ 08820
Phone (732) 632-1540
Fax (732) 632-1542
www.jfkmc.org
An Affiliate of
Solaris Health System
$35 Million JFK Medical Center Expansion:
Emergency Pavilion Will Offer State-of-the-Art
Treatment Facilities for Patients & Community
J
FK Medical Center is proud to
announce the construction of a $35
million Emergency Pavilion which
will house an entirely new emergency room and
two additional acute care units, continuing a
tradition at JFK of expansion and renovation to
meet community needs.
“As a trusted provider of high-quality
healthcare, JFK is committed to ensuring that our
surrounding communities can continue to count on
their hospital to offer the most advanced medical
options in a modern, state-of-the-art facility,” says
Dr. Michael A. Kleiman, Chairman, Solaris Health
System Board of Directors. “This project is one
of the Board’s most exciting challenges, rooted
in our commitment and tradition of growth and
development at JFK, in order to better serve the
families throughout the region who rely on us.”
JFK Medical Center has secured $22 million
for the expansion project through debt financing,
leaving a $13 million gap to be achieved through
private and public donations. “The new JFK Patient
Care Pavilion marks the first phase in advancing
the hospital’s plans to increase capacity, as we meet
the growing health care needs of the community,”
says John McGee, President & CEO of Solaris
Health System & JFK Medical Center. “This is a
significant expansion for not only the hospital, but
our affiliated physicians and their patients as well.
We hope the community will share our enthusiasm
for this exciting project.”
The JFK Medical Center Foundation will
spearhead a capital campaign to help raise the
funds for this pivotal endeavor. “Our goal is to
continually raise the bar for the delivery of patient
care treatment, expanding on our long tradition as
one of the finest facilities in the state,” adds John
McGee. “During these difficult financial times,
community support and participation in major
expansion projects is paramount.”
“Thanks to a generous leadership gift of more
than $2,000,000 from The Auxiliary of the JFK
Medical Center Foundation the campaign is off to a
great start,” says Donna Meade, Executive Director
of the JFK Medical Center Foundation.
The construction of the three-story pavilion will
be implemented in phases, with the goal of increasing
efficiency, convenience and privacy. The development
of the new Pavilion will mean a major change for
one of JFK Medical Center’s most critical departments,
through which more than half of the hospital’s
inpatients are admitted: the emergency department.
The current JFK emergency room has two
patient-care areas (one adult and one pediatric) and
a patient access unit for observation and treatment
of less acutely ill patients. Steady population
growth and limitations of the current facility have
contributed to unprecedented emergency room
volumes. Over the past decade, JFK has witnessed
(continued on page seven)
TouchingLives
The JFK Medical
Center Foundation
Board of Directors
Officers
John G. McDonough, DMD
Chair
Steve A. Rothman
Vice-Chair
UBS Financial Services, Inc.
A. Joyce Busch
Treasurer/Secretary
Members
Paul M. Antinori, Esq.
The Medicines Company
Barbara Braynock (ex-officio)
The Auxiliary of the JFKMC
Foundation
Mary Anne Hale
Andrew Horowitz
Enclara Health
John F. Kwasnik, Esq.
Mezzacca and Kwasnik, LLC.
Michael A. Kleiman, DMD (ex-officio)
Edison-Clark Oral Surgery Assoc.
Joanne K. Machalaba
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Kenneth A. Mayer
Bernstein Investment,
Research & Management
John P. McGee (ex-officio)
Solaris Health System
Edward H. Perrone
Eagle Plans, Inc.
Praful Raja
Diagnostic Specialties, Inc.
Pryia N. Roy, Esq.
United States Department of
Homeland Security
Zlata Rudikh, Esq.
Gordon and Gordon, PC
Judith L. Spiegel
J. L. Spiegel R.E. & Sails Co.
Peter Visceglia
Federal Business Centers, Inc.
Rose M. Yelencsics
Raritan Valley Bus Service
Foundation Executives
John G. Nolan, Jr.
President
Donna M. Meade
Executive Director
2 | JANUARY 2011
A Message from
the Chairman
Dear Friends,
Sometimes a faraway event hits close to
home. Even when it occurs a continent away.
A few months ago the world watched
as 33 Chilean citizens were rescued from a
collapsed mine. It was a story that touched our hearts because it unearthed the
triumphant will to survive, along with a victory for humanity. Volunteers from
around the globe had travelled thousands of miles to donate time, equipment
and ingenuity. And 33 men lived because of it. Upon reflection, the rescue
is about far more than a perilous occupation or courageous leadership. It is
another compelling example of the profound impact of charity.
Indeed, this incident sheds light on the fundamental reason behind
philanthropy – making a difference in people’s lives, whether they reside in a
third world country or here in our own community. That’s why the JFK Medical
Center Foundation continues to thrive. Despite the challenging economic
climate and widespread financial hardship, the charitable spirit of our donors
has endured as caring individuals and organizations remain committed to
bettering the health of area residents.
In this edition of Touching Lives, we honor your steadfast support while
looking toward the future. With great enthusiasm, the Foundation unveils
plans for JFK Medical Center’s new Emergency Department – a groundbreaking
project that addresses the region’s burgeoning need and virtually redefines
standards for emergency care. You’ll also learn more about JFK’s nationally
recognized Stroke Center, recently expanded Breast Center equipped with
state-of-the-art all digital mammography and other premier programs, as well as
a few philanthropic stewards who have made our astounding progress possible.
On behalf of the JFK Medical Center Foundation, thank you for your
unwavering generosity and dedication to our hospital and the thousands of
patients we serve. We look forward to your renewed partnership in 2011 as we
revolutionize emergency services and pave the way for other landmark initiatives
that improve health care for those who live and work in our communities.
Best wishes to you and your family for a happy and healthy New Year. a
Sincerely,
John G. McDonough, DMD
Chair, JFK Medical Center Foundation
TouchingLives
Foundation Launches
Grateful Patient Program
H
ere at JFK Medical Center,
we impact lives every day.
From life-saving surgery
to a compassionate smile, there are
countless ways that our caregivers make
a difference. And just as many ways
that patients express their gratitude.
Each year, the hospital receives dozens
of letters, hand-crafted gifts and
charitable donations from families
who wish to give back to those who
have given so much to them.
That is why the JFK Medical
Center Foundation established the
Grateful Patient Program, which
allows individuals to formally
recognize the exceptional care
they received at JFK or one of our
affiliates. Whether you choose
to salute a special doctor or
nurse, an entire department, or
a clinical program that enriched
your health or that of a loved
one, your donation will also enhance experiences
for future patients – by helping us purchase new technologies, modernize our
facilities and introduce medical advances that sustain JFK’s longstanding
tradition of excellence.
The program is both flexible and personal, allowing participants to
designate a gift of any size to a specific area or to instruct the hospital to direct
the funds where they’re needed most. Furthermore, you can choose to make a
cash donation or contribute through other charitable gestures, such as gifts of
stock or real estate, endowment funds or planned giving.
If you’ve been touched by the JFK family, please consider an honorary
donation to our hospital. Your thoughtful contribution will strengthen our
hospital for future patients while honoring our valued caregivers.
JFK Dedicates
Eleanor Link Post
Surgical Unit
J
FK Medical Center
officially unveiled the Eleanor
Link Post Surgical Unit on
April 29, 2010 with a dedication and
ribbon cutting ceremony. The newly
named unit honors Eleanor Irene Higgins
Link, founder of The George Link, Jr.
Foundation and The George Link, Jr.
Charitable Trust, organizations that have
collectively donated more than $1.5
million to JFK Medical Center.
The celebration was attended by
Michael J. Catanzaro, Head Trustee of
The George Link, Jr. Charitable Trust,
his wife, Nellie, and extended family and
friends, as well as hospital executives,
including John P. McGee, President &
CEO, Solaris Health System, and Scott
Gebhard, Executive Vice President &
COO, JFK Medical Center.
Michael J. Catanzaro, Head Trustee of The
George Link, Jr. Charitable Trust, cutting the
ceremonial ribbon.
For more information about our Grateful Patient Program, please contact the JFK
Medical Center Foundation at (732) 632-1540. a
JANUARY 2011 | 3
TouchingLives
JFK Lauded for Stroke Care Excellence
Jeffrey K. Tilton, 48, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, had a little extra to celebrate
this past Thanksgiving.
B
ack in February, he was
sitting in his office, about
60 miles away from home,
when he suddenly couldn’t speak
or move the right side of his body.
Recognizing his distress – and the signs
of stroke – a colleague, Andrew Dubin,
immediately called 9-1-1. Within ten
minutes Mr. Tilton was under the
care of paramedics and rushed to JFK
Medical Center, where he received
treatment that restored his mobility,
and saved his life.
“I had no clue that something like
this would happen. It’s quite scary,”
said Mr. Tilton, who had no history of
heart or artery disease. “I’m extremely
grateful that I was helped quickly, and
that such great care was available so
close to where I work.”
Also known as a “brain attack,”
stroke afflicts more than 700,000 people
annually or one person every 45 seconds.
This life-threatening condition results
from a sudden blood vessel blockage or
rupture that disrupts blood flow - and
oxygen - to the brain. Unfortunately,
it takes only four or five minutes for the
brain to suffer permanent damage, or
eventually die, when deprived of oxygen,
which is why rapid intervention is the
key to survival and recovery. The faster
stroke is diagnosed and treated, the fewer
brain cells lost – and the greater the
chance of limiting or reversing brain
damage.
4 | JANUARY 2011
Jeff Tilton (left) happy to be back at work with his
colleague Andrew Dubin.
Thankfully, Mr. Tilton was
transported to one of the nation’s
premier providers of stroke care.
State-designated as a Comprehensive
Stroke Center, JFK Medical Center is
a seven-time recipient of the prestigious
HealthGrades Stroke Care Excellence
Award™ and is cited among the top
five percent of hospitals in the country
for this specialty. JFK also received
the American Heart Association/
American Stroke Association’s Get
With The Guidelines® Stroke Silver
Plus Performance Achievement Award
for exemplary commitment and success
in treating stroke patients, and was
named “Top Hospital for Stroke and
Neurological Disorders” by Castle
Connolly Medical Ltd., an independent
health care research firm.
“These recognitions affirm that
JFK Medical Center is committed to
providing an exceptional level of care
that has been shown in the scientific
literature to quickly and efficiently
treat stroke patients,” said Martin S.
Gizzi, M.D., Ph.D, Chairman of the
Neuroscience Institute at JFK Medical
Center.
JFK’s Stroke and Cerebrovascular
Program is staffed by a highly skilled,
multidisciplinary team of doctors,
nurses, therapists and other specialists
trained in all aspects of stroke evaluation
and treatment, including breakthrough
interventions that can prevent stroke’s
devastating consequences.
In Mr. Tilton’s case, he was
swiftly treated in JFK’s Emergency
Department with tPA, a clot-busting
drug that reversed his stroke symptoms
and prevented permanent disability.
That was followed by the surgical
insertion of a carotid artery stent to
open his blocked artery and prevent
future strokes. By that evening, he was
moving, talking, and on his way to a
full recovery.
“I’m just grateful to be back with
my family,” added Mr. Tilton. “And it’s
comforting to know that JFK is there,
in case I ever need it again.” a
For more information about JFK’s Stroke
and Cerebrovascular Program, call
(732) 321-7010.
TouchingLives
JFK Breast Center…
Advanced All Digital Mammography
B
reast cancer strikes 200,000 people each year and is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among U.S. women.
While those statistics are alarming, there is also much to celebrate. Just ask the 2.5 million U.S. breast cancer
survivors. Thanks to the life-saving benefits of advanced imaging technology and early detection, more women
than ever before are going for their annual mammograms – and beating breast cancer because of it.
JFK Medical Center has more
women in our community thinking
pink with the grand opening of its
renovated Breast Center on July 25,
2010. Accredited by the American
College of Radiology and certified by
the U.S. Food & Drug Administration,
the modernized facility provides
a complete range of diagnostic,
counseling, and support services,
including state-of-the-art digital
mammography that allows physicians
to spot even the tiniest abnormalities
and catch the disease in its earliest
stages. Additionally, the Center offers
breast ultrasound, biopsies and other
radiologic procedures, followed by
seamless access to the full resources
of JFK Medical Center, if and when
they’re needed.
So what makes JFK’s Breast Center
different than other imaging facilities?
For starters, the hospital has the
region’s first Breast Health Navigation
program, which is designed to guide
newly diagnosed women and their
families through the breast cancer
journey. “I’m here to answer questions,
share information, coordinate their
care and offer support,” explained
Breast Nurse Navigator Melissa
Scholz, RN, BHN. “I make sure each
patient’s needs are met on a holistic
level – medically, psychologically,
emotionally and spiritually – so she
can achieve optimal health.”
Furthermore, the JFK Breast
Center is a proud nine-time grant
recipient of Susan G. Komen for the
Cure ®, Central and South Jersey
Affiliate. The organization has
awarded over $300,000 toward the
Center’s community outreach and
free services for eligible women in
need. As a result, the JFK Breast
Center performed more than 14,000
mammograms in 2010, including 65
free screenings to uninsured and/or
medically underserved women.
According to Delores Koch, RT,
R, M, JFK Breast Center Manager,
more than 80 percent of new breast
cancer cases diagnosed at JFK in
2010 were detected early, when
they’re most treatable.
“There’s no vaccine or magic pill
to prevent breast cancer, so the best
weapon we have is mammography,”
she asserted. “When breast cancer is
found in its earliest stages, at Stage 0
or Stage 1, the survival rate is nearly
100 percent.” a
Left to right: Martin I. Parker, MD, Chairman
of the Radiology Dept., JFK Medical Center and
Edison Radiology Group, P.A.-Edison Imaging
Associates; Grace Malantic-Lu, MD, Lead
Interpreting Physician, Breast Center; Delores
Koch, RT R M, Manager, Breast Center;
Mayor Antonia Ricigliano, Edison Township;
Congressman Frank Pallone and John P. McGee,
President & CEO, Solaris Health System.
Save the Date
Solaris Invitational
Baltusrol Golf Club
Monday, June 13, 2011
JANUARY 2011 | 5
TouchingLivess
Foundation Honors Philanthropic Leaders
T
he JFK Medical Center Foundation saluted exceptional generosity and service at its 3rd annual Philanthropic
Awards and Donor Reception, which was held on September 30, 2010 to applaud the contributions of this year’s
distinguished honorees: C.O.A.C.H.es Care, A. Joyce Busch, and The George Link, Jr. Charitable Trust.
“It is our privilege to recognize these extraordinary individuals and organizations for their charitable stewardship and
commitment to JFK Medical Center,” remarked John G. Nolan, Jr., President, JFK Medical Center Foundation.”
Paul M. Antinori, Esq., (left) JFK Medical Center
Foundation Board of Directors, presents the Joseph N.
Masci Philanthropic Award to C.O.A.C.H.es Care
Founder & Chairman, Tom McCreesh and members
of the C.O.A.C.H.es Care Board of Directors, Tom
Lanza and Rich Little.
Joseph N. Masci
Philanthropic Award
Baseball legend Jackie Robinson once
declared that the importance of one’s
life is measured by the impact it has
on others. It is fitting, therefore, that
his heartfelt words inspire the mission
of an organization whose members’
love for sport is only exceeded by their
passion for charity. In recognition of
their remarkable dedication to children
and the JFK Medical Center family,
C.O.A.C.H.es Care was honored with
the 2010 Joseph N. Masci Philanthropic
Award.
An acronym for Coaches Offering
Assistance for Children’s Health,
C.O.A.C.H.es Care was founded in 2000
by eight youth baseball coaches who
wanted to touch the lives of children
6 | JANUARY 2011
in a more profound way. Since 2001,
the non-profit organization has gifted
$275,000 to pediatric services at JFK
Medical Center and its affiliates,
including the hospital’s Pediatric Unit,
Pediatric Emergency Department,
Pediatric Special Care Unit, Haven
Hospice Children’s Programs, JFK
Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, and
The New Jersey Neuroscience Institute.
In recognition of the organization’s
outstanding philanthropic support the
hospital recently named a rehabilitation
room, specifically designed for the
treatment of children recovering from
brain tumors, neurological injuries and
other conditions, the C.O.A.C.H.es
Care Therapeutic Learning Center.
The Mary Anne Hale
Philanthropic Award
A. Joyce Busch never imagined that a
fashion show could transform far more
than her closet. Until 1994, that is, when
she volunteered to chair such an event
for The Auxiliary of the JFK Medical
Center Foundation. The experience
sparked a newfound zeal for serving her
community hospital, and as they say, the
rest is history.
Ms. Busch is an officer on the JFK
Medical Center Foundation’s Board of
Directors as well as an active member and
former President of the JFK Auxiliary.
In appreciation of her longstanding
A. Joyce Busch accepts the Mary Anne Hale
Philanthropic Award from John P. McGee, President
& CEO, Solaris Health System.
stewardship and generosity, the 2010
Mary Anne Hale Philanthropic Award
was presented to A. Joyce Busch.
“I enjoy our efforts to improve
health care for people in our community
– whether it’s raising money for an
expensive piece of technology or the
hand-knit lap robes offered to our elderly
patients,” stated Ms. Busch. “It all
matters, and the results are as rewarding
for me as they are for the hospital.”
The Anthony M. Yelencsics
Philanthropic Award
For some, the desire to give is not merely
a life-long mission; it’s the beginning of
a legacy. Although the late Mr. and Mrs.
George Link, Jr. are no longer with us,
their philanthropic spirit continues to
thrive through the charitable deeds of
The George Link, Jr. Charitable Trust,
TouchingLives
JFK Medical Center Emergency Pavilion Expansion continued from page one
John G. McDonough, DMD, Chair, JFK Medical
Center Foundation, presents the Anthony M. Yelencsics
Philanthropic Award to Michael J. Catanzaro, Head
Trustee of The George Link, Jr. Charitable Trust.
established in 1999 under the Last Will and
Testament of Eleanor Irene Higgins Link,
who named the charity in memory of her
husband. The JFK Medical Center
Foundation honored the couple’s lasting
commitment by presenting the Trust with
this year’s Anthony M. Yelencsics
Philanthropic Award.
Since its inception, The George
Link, Jr. Charitable Trust has been
extraordinarily generous to JFK Medical
Center and its affiliates, supporting such
areas as the Children’s Neurological
Center, the Outpatient Center at Monroe,
the Family Medicine Center and the JFK
Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. True
to its mission, The Trust also assists other
charities in the tri-state region, including
health care, education, faith-based and
social service organizations.
“Mr. and Mrs. Link would be very
happy and touched by this award,” asserted
Head Trustee Michael J. Catanzaro. “I’m
privileged to accept on their behalf and to
continue honoring their wishes through the
Trust’s philanthropy.” a
emergency room visits climb to more than 60,000 patients annually, a volume
routinely treated at hospitals nearly twice the size of JFK.
“Despite progress in streamlining the current emergency room triage process to
handle the volume increases, and dramatically reducing patient wait times, there
still remains a vital need for more space in a modern patient care design,” states
Dr. Kenneth Herman, Director of JFK Emergency Services. “The new Emergency
Room will enhance the efforts we have already made in patient care and wait times.
Most importantly, the experience of being a patient in the Emergency Room will
be transformed,” adds Dr. Herman. “While being significantly larger, a new facility
will also bring patients, medical staff, and vital resources closer together, offering
proximity that will both enhance and streamline patient care and safety.”
“The space the new Emergency Room will occupy will have specialized
treatment areas or ‘pods’ to triage patients, improving patient flow, not just in the
Emergency Room but the entire hospital,” says John L. Kolaya, PE, Chairman of
the Solaris Facilities Management Committee. “The project will meet, and in many
cases exceed, the latest national standards for emergency care settings.” The new
Emergency Room will have treatment pods for adult emergency care, as well as a
‘fast-track’ area. “With more than 50 private treatment rooms, the new facility will
be one of the best ERs in all of New Jersey,” adds Mr. Kolaya.
The new facility will also offer a Pediatric Emergency Room dedicated
to children and their families, offering 16 private pediatric treatment rooms.
“Approximately one quarter of our emergency patients are children,” explains Dr.
Herman. “Children experience less stress when treated in a child-friendly, ageappropriate environment that is conducive to their very special needs.”
With so many patients coming in to JFK through the ER, the design of the
new Emergency Pavilion was developed in cooperation with numerous community
agencies, including police, fire and emergency medical services throughout the
region as well as JFK’s physicians and staff. The new Pavilion will also incorporate
an energy efficient design and a host of visitor amenities, as well as security
improvements and 60 additional parking spaces. “We’ve carefully planned the
expansion project to ensure that our capacity for compassionate and efficient
patient care is never diminished,” asserts Dr. Kleiman. “By 2013, the Emergency
Department will be complete and shine as a source of pride for JFK Medical Center,
complementing our highly talented team of health care specialists and attracting
more first-class clinicians to our hospital.”
Above the new Emergency Pavilion, two new inpatient units are planned for
the second and third floors, with each offering 22 private rooms. These state-ofthe-art patient care units are designed to enhance comfort and care of medical and
surgical patients as JFK grows to meet community demand in the years ahead.
As one of the state’s major healthcare facilities, JFK has a proud tradition of
clinical excellence in numerous medical and surgical specialties, including the
designation as the number one hospital in New Jersey for the treatment of stroke
and complex neurological disorders; a national designation in rehabilitation
medicine and traumatic brain recovery; cutting-edge technology for diagnostic
imaging and radiation therapies; and participation in the prestigious nationwide
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine elective cardiac catheterization study. a
JANUARY 2011 | 7
TouchingLives
Events Raise $365,000
T
he JFK Medical Center Foundation hosted an array of special events in 2010, and once again, our
community responded with tremendous heart and generosity. The Solaris Invitational, JFK Golf Classic
and JFK Miles for Minds 5K raised a grand total of $365,000 for JFK Medical Center and its affiliates
while uniting hundreds of donors for a deserving cause – improving health care for area residents.
Solaris Invitational
The 11th Annual Solaris Invitational Golf
Tournament swung into action on June 14,
2010 at the Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield.
With an outpouring of support from over 100
golfers, our major sponsors (Comprehensive
Pharmacy Services, Xerox Corporation,
Adickman Communications, TD Bank
and Crothall Services Group) and all of our
participants, the outing garnered $230,750 for
Solaris Health System. The proceeds will fund
technological innovations and clinical services
at JFK Medical Center.
Miles for Minds 5K
On Sunday, July 25, 2010, a sea of enthusiastic participants stepped out for
the second annual Miles for Minds 5K to benefit the nationally renowned
JFK Center for Head Injuries at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute. The
race was held on the scenic grounds of Roosevelt Park in Edison and open
to everyone, from young children to senior citizens. Orchestrated by the
Center’s recreation therapists, the family-friendly event generated over
$14,000 while heightening awareness about traumatic brain injury, which
afflicts 1.4 million Americans each year. Thanks to the nearly 400 walkers
and runners who made this event an overwhelming success!
8 | JANUARY 2011
TouchingLives
JFK 2010 SPECIAL EVENTS
JFK Golf Classic
The Foundation celebrated another successful day on the greens on September
13, 2010 at the 45th Annual JFK Golf Classic. Sponsored by CBIZ EAO Benefits
and held at the Colonia Country Club, the tournament included a round of
golf followed by a cocktail reception and dinner buffet, as well as an awards
ceremony and auction. The Golf Classic raised nearly $120,000 for the JFK
Hartwyck Nursing, Convalescent and Rehabilitation Centers, which provide
compassionate nursing home care, rehabilitation, adult medical day care and
other specialized services for hundreds of community residents. a
JANUARY 2011 | 9
TouchingLives
Volunteerism in Bloom at Hartwyck
It takes only a split second for catastrophic illness to change a family –
and a lifetime to recover.
N
o one knows this
better than Patty
Hill, whose 17-yearold son, Aaron, suffered a traumatic
brain injury during a car crash. Aaron
spent more than one-third of his young
life in the Extended Recovery Unit
(ERU) at JFK’s Center for Head Injuries,
enduring months of therapy and
progress. Unfortunately complications
led to his passing. Remarkably, his
mother still feels blessed and honors her
beloved son’s memory in a special way
that continues to heal her spirit.
“I am incredibly grateful to the
wonderful doctors and staff at JFK’s
Center for Head Injuries,” she said. “Our
lives were turned upside down after the
accident, but they gave me six-anda-half more years with Aaron. Their
relentless ability and compassion helped
Aaron respond in ways we never thought
possible, and I wanted to give something
back in return.”
That something has been a unique
and flourishing partnership between the
10 | JANUARY 2011
Center for Head Injuries and Patty Hill’s
employer, Sanofi-Aventis. Over the past
four years, Ms. Hill has spearheaded a
massive, bi-annual volunteer project as
part of the company’s “Day of Caring,”
a United Way initiative through which
businesses donate time to local, nonprofit organizations. Dozens of SanofiAventis employees opened their
hearts to the cause, volunteering over
2,000 hours to beautify the grounds at
the Center’s Hartwyck at Oak Tree
facility and create a tranquil outdoor
setting for patients and their families.
With additional support from Home
Depot, Parker Gardens, Pond
Builders and other corporate
sponsors, the project has exceeded
all expectations. What started
as a waterfall has blossomed into
a magnificent outdoor retreat,
featuring lush gardens and
landscaping, as well as a nature
trail adorned with an arbor, pergola,
seating and an abundance of decorative
turtles, which symbolize healing.
“We now have a beautiful, peaceful
place for patients and their families to
walk, relax and find serenity,” said Cheryl
Dougherty, CTRS, Rehabilitation
Supervisor at the Center for Head
Injuries, whose idea inspired the project.
“My goal was to provide a soothing oasis
for families who are suffering, and to
make their days a little bit brighter. It has
been amazing to see my vision realized
and to watch the project grow, thanks to
Patty and all of our caring volunteers.”
For two years Patty Hill enjoyed
the gardens with her son, reading,
listening to the cascading water, and
simply connecting with nature. “It
enriched Aaron’s life and made all
the difference in the world. Now I
get such pleasure in seeing others
enjoy the same experience,” she said.
“In a sense, all of these projects
happened because of him… and he
continues to touch lives in ways we
never imagined,” added Ms. Hill. “This
is kind of his legacy, and that makes me
very proud.” a
TouchingLives
In the News…
JRI Named Clinical Employer of the
Year The JFK Johnson Rehabilitation
Institute (JRI) was recently honored as
the Seton Hall University Clinical
Employer of the Year. Dr. Theresa
Bartolotta, Associate Dean of the School
of Health and Medical Science, presented
the award to JRI Vice President Anthony
Cuzzola,who accepted on behalf of the
Institute.The honor reflects a longstanding partnership between the two
institutions in such areas as speech,
physical, and occupational therapy.
Together, they have fostered an
educational environment through which
clinicians acquire the skills, knowledge
and inquisitiveness to become successful
health care practitioners.
JFK Honored as Corporate Citizen of
the Year The Woodbridge Chamber of
Commerce recently presented its most
prestigious award, Corporate Citizen of
the Year, to JFK Medical Center. The
hospital was selected for its voluntary
contributions to the community
above and beyond its normal business
operation, such as outreach programs,
support to the community at large,
health education and other programs
and services that enrich the health and
lives of area residents.
Photo courtesy All Jersey Studios.
Michael A. Kleiman, DMD, Chairman, Solaris
Health System Board of Directors, accepts the
Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce’s
Corporate Citizen of the Year Award on behalf
of JFK Medical Center from the 2009 recipient,
David Cerulo of Hess Corporation.
Left to right: Donna M. Meade, Executive
Director, JFK Medical Center Foundation;
C.O.A.C.H.es Care Board Members, Tom
Lanza and Rich Little, Founder & Chairman,
Tom McCreesh, and Board Member Tony
Cassano.
C.O.A.C.H.es Care Presents Gift
C.O.A.C.H.es Care, a non-profit
organization dedicated to serving the
needs of children, recently presented a
$30,000 check to JFK Medical Center
Foundation following the success of its
2010 golf outing fundraiser.
JFK for Life Bariatric Program JFK
Medical Center recently introduced a
unique program aimed at supporting
bariatric patients through the entire
weight loss process. One of only a few
of its kind in New Jersey, JFK for Life
offers both pre- and post-surgical care
from a team of board certified surgeons,
wellness advisors, registered dieticians,
exercise physiologists and behavior
counselors who have an unparalleled
level of experience and expertise. Our
specialists help patients understand their
weight loss options, embrace a healthier
lifestyle and optimize their surgical
results. For additional information about
JFK for Life, call (732) 343-7484.
DEB Foundation Golf Outing Raises
$5,000 The DEB Foundation was
recently established to celebrate the
joyful life of Dawn Ellen Boettke. The
Foundation’s goal is to contribute to the
fight against cancer by raising money
for research. The DEB Foundation
donated $5,000 raised at its 1st Annual
Golf Outing on Monday, August 2,
2010. The gift was designated for the
New Jersey Neuroscience Institute at
JFK Medical Center.
Left to right: Walter Reinhardt, Fred Boettke,
DEB Foundation Board Members; John Nolan,
President, JFK Medical Center Foundation; and
John Kolaya, Solaris Health System Board of
Directors.
LIVESTRONG for Cancer Survivors
JFK Medical Center partnered with
The Metuchen-Edison-Woodbridge
YMCA on an innovative new
program for cancer survivors. Entitled
LIVESTRONG, the initiative was
developed by the Lance Armstrong
Foundation to strengthen and support
individuals recovering from cancer
treatment. The project features many
sources of enrichment, including a new
Cancer Resource Center established by
JFK at the Edison Branch YMCA. a
JANUARY 2011 | 11
80 James Street | Edison | NJ | 08820
Phone (732) 632-1540 | Fax (732) 632-1542
A Guide To Giving
M
ake a gift to JFK Medical Center
Foundation and join a group
of dedicated and generous community
members who have chosen to help
guarantee the future of quality health
care at JFK Medical Center and its
affiliates.
A gift today of a fixed-dollar
amount or appreciated securities such
as stock or bonds may allow you to
take a current charitable income tax
deduction for the full market value
of the assets contributed. Gifts to
the Foundation are tax deductible as
allowed by law.
Annual Fund: Gifts support the strategic
priorities of the Medical Center and are
often unrestricted for priority use by the
Medical Center.
Matching Gifts: Provided by employers
to encourage community investment and
enable donors to double (or even triple)
their gifts.
Endowment Funds: Gifts to the
endowment are a permanent investment
in the mission and goals of JFK Medical
Center – providing long-term
financial stability, security and
growth. Gifts can be directed
to the general endowment
fund and named endowment
funds can be established with
a gift of $25,000 and above.
Planned Gifts: Are arranged
during a donor’s lifetime,
however, the benefits to JFK Medical
Center often do not accrue until the
donor or donor’s beneficiaries are
deceased. Inform us of your planned
gift and help us plan for the future.
Bequests are the most common planned
gift and are made through your will as
outright or residual gifts. By establishing
a charitable trust you can make a gift
and retain the right to receive income
payments for life. Gifts to charitable
trusts may entitle you to a current tax
deduction and allow you to avoid capital
gains tax. Life insurance may be a means
to make a much larger gift than you
thought possible. The Foundation can be
named as a beneficiary, co-beneficiary or
a successor beneficiary. The Foundation
can be named as a beneficiary,
co-beneficiary or contingent beneficiary
of your Individual Retirement Account
(IRA), Keogh Plan 401(K), 403(b) or
other qualified pension plan.
Tribute/Memorial Gifts: gifts can be
made in memory or in honor of a loved
one, family member, friend, or colleague.
At your request individuals can be
notified that a gift has been made.
To make a gift or pledge, for more
information or to schedule a tour,
call JFK Medical Center Foundation at
732-632-1540.