Fall 2009 Newsletter
Successful Fundraising Efforts Carry on the Tradition of Excellence
As we reflect on past accomplishments, we also look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead. The Foundation is proud of the success of its fundraising efforts which have enabled Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) to grow and expand into the highly visible world-class institution that exists today. Here are some of our achievements as well as our current endeavors:
With the generous support of our benefactors the Foundation went from an annual fundraising total of $4 million to $27 million in 10 short years. Even though there was a sharp downturn in the economy in 2008, we were able to raise $25 million in support of the medical center and its programs. This year we are cautiously optimistic that we will again surpass expectations as we approach the final quarter of 2009. That is extraordinary and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to all of our supporters who have helped us to accomplish our goals.
For the past 5 years, the Foundation’s goal has been to strengthen HUMC’s relationships with the New Jersey Delegation and key members of Congress with jurisdiction over health care and emergency preparedness. Since 2006, the Department of Defense has provided $12.8 million for HUMC to build a Regional Mobile Rapid Response Prototype that includes a Mobile Emergency Trauma Unit, a mobile command unit, a biological response vehicle and a Mobile Surgical Suite (MSS, under development with an expected completion date in October 2009), and we have already been notified of an additional $2 million which has been approved for 2010 by the House of Representatives.
The appropriations have allowed us to greatly expand the medical center’s role in emergency response and disaster preparedness at the local and regional level and to develop a resource that will have major implications for disaster response beyond New Jersey to the entire country. The development of the prototype has also demonstrated the importance of strong public and private collaborations for a well coordinated emergency response. Given the regional and national significance of HUMC’s innovative program, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has engaged in discussions with HUMC and the Chemical Biological and Radiological Technology Alliance (CBRTA) about future growth and support of this program through 2011.
The BioDefense Mobile Response Program is a mobile, forward deployable, medical capacity that can respond to bio-terrorist incidents and other mass casualty incidents resulting from weapons of mass destruction, natural and technological disasters to provide treatment, prevent casualties, and diagnose disease. The mobile unit also acts as an alternate site of care to alleviate emergency room surge capacity issues during a biological incident which is an important additional benefit of the program. The prototype, ultimately, plays a key role in minimizing the negative effect of any mass casualty event on human lives.
The program, based on a modular concept, is rapidly adaptable to numerous situations. By using a modular concept, the program has a great deal of flexibility in responding to incidents both in its ability to scale up or down as needs dictate, but also to respond simultaneously to several disparate and widely spaced incidents The program uses a mid-size vehicle platform that can move readily through densely populated urban areas and debris filled areas with great ease and agility.
On April 15, 2008 HUMC held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new and expanded John Theurer Cancer Center. This 155,000 square foot, five level, state-of-the-art treatment and research facility will include many amenities for patient convenience including an adjacent 960-car garage with an above ground walkway. It is designed to enhance cancer care and research and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2010. The Foundation’s fundraising goal for this project is $75 million and I am pleased to advise you that we are halfway there.
The Foundation is embarking on a new fundraising project for the formation of a Heart and Vascular Hospital which will be housed within the Patient Pavilion at HUMC. The objective is to follow the already proven plan used for the Children's Hospital and the Cancer Center by housing all aspects of cardiology care under one roof.
This world-class facility will integrate all necessary services to prevent, diagnose, and treat patients with cardiovascular disease - strokes, aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, blocked arteries, irregular heartbeats, and heart failure with a special focus on breakthrough research and management. When completed, the new hospital will offer innovations in cardiothoracic surgery, interventional procedures, imaging, electrophysiology, and endovascular procedures. Construction is well underway and Phase I of the project will be completed in 18 months. This project will give the award winning Cardiology Program at HUMC the recognition that it deserves in an extremely competitive market.
This summer, Joseph Simunovich, chairman of the HUMC Foundation Board of Trustees; Robert L. Torre, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Foundation; Robert C. Garrett, acting president and chief executive officer of HUMC; and Jeffrey R. Boscamp, M.D., Marvin I. Gottlieb, M.D. chair in pediatrics and the physician-in-chief of the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital were pleased to accept a $500,000 gift from Stanley Matthews, founder, and Sam S. Matthews, Esq., president of the Greek Children’s Fund Organization. For over 25 years the Greek Children’s Fund has been a friend to pediatric patients and their families at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The Greek Children’s Fund, which has distributed millions of dollars to those struggling with life-threatening illnesses, decided to expand their outreach this year to include the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at HUMC. We are honored and pleased to have their friendship and support.
As one of the finest healthcare facilities in the nation, Hackensack University Medical Center is well prepared to move forward with its ongoing tradition of excellence. At the same time, we are always mindful of the generous support and commitment that helped to build this great institution. Gifts from grateful patients, committed colleagues and thoughtful friends have played an important role in establishing the margin of excellence that makes a difference every day in the lives of those we serve. We are indebted to each and every one of you and we look forward to a continuing relationship with you on behalf of Hackensack University Medical Center.
Sincerely,
Robert L. Torre
Executive Vice President & C.O.O.
Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation