A Conversation with Joseph Simunovich,
Chairman of the HUMC Foundation Board of Trustees and Devoted Supporter
Joseph Simunovich recently began his fourth year as chairman of Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Voted by the Greater New York Hospital Association as 2009 Trustee of the Year, Mr. Simunovich, vice chairman of the board of directors of United Water New Jersey-New York, and United Water’s parent board, volunteers in numerous public and private capacities, including serving three years as chairman of the HUMC Board of Governors, where he helped lead fundraising efforts for the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’s and Children’s Pavilion, The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital, The Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital and the Mark Messier Skyway for Tomorrow’s Children.
As foundation board chairman, Mr. Simunovich played a major role in the Beyond Extraordinary Campaign, raising funds to construct the John Theurer Cancer Center, which opens in November 2010. Mr. Simunovich is now leading a new fundraising campaign, A BEAT BEYOND, to construct the state-of-the-art Heart & Vascular Hospital at HUMC. This “hospital within a hospital” will integrate preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services for all types of cardiac and vascular diseases. He is also a member of the HUMC Board of Governors and serves as vice chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hillcrest Health Service System Inc., the parent company of HUMC.
Mr. Simunovich discusses his connection to HUMC and his pride to be involved with such an outstanding medical center.
Q. Your volunteer commitments to HUMC, as well as your financial support, date back to 1991. How did you get started?
A. At the time, I had several friends involved with the medical center, and they were convinced it was one of the absolute best hospitals in the country in terms of facilities and quality patient care. They were right - HUMC was becoming an extraordinary healthcare facility with a vision of growth and excellence. I joined the board and devoted myself to contributing to HUMC’s mission to lead the pursuit of excellence in healthcare. We have, in good measure, realized this goal and earned a national reputation as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals. This designation recognizes hospitals that have demonstrated superior clinical quality. HUMC is one of only 27 hospitals nationally named to the list four years in a row, and the only healthcare facility in New Jersey, New York and New England to accomplish this. It’s a great accomplishment and one that has given me, and continues to give me, a great deal of personal satisfaction and pride.
Q. The nation has been in a serious economic downturn and yet a record $97 million has been raised during your tenure as chairman. How has HUMC attracted such support?
A. The success is largely due to the excellent leadership and high standards of the board members and executive staff at HUMC, led by Robert C. Garrett, the HUMC president and chief executive officer and his excellent team; Robert L. Torre, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the HUMC Foundation and his staff; and members of the Board of Governors, Board of Trustees, and the Hillcrest Board. Together, with an exceptional medical and nursing staff, they work diligently to meet the goals of the medical center. We are also extremely fortunate to have outstanding support from our employees.
Q.What initiatives are you most proud of?
A. The most important initiative for HUMC is always the next one. As we draw near to the completion of the John Theurer Cancer Center and begin the construction of the Heart & Vascular Hospital, I am really excited about the TOUCHDOWN FUND: SCORE FOR KIDS, CARDIAC AND CANCER. The Touchdown Fund officially “kicked-off” with an on-field announcement at Giants Stadium this past October. This exclusive charitable partnership, a first of its kind for the New York Giants, raises funds for the HUMC Foundation and creates a great synergy between two champions, the New York Football Giants and Hackensack University Medical Center.
It is also important to acknowledge the contribution and fine work of my longtime friend and our past chairman of the Board of Governors, J. Fletcher Creamer, Jr. Fletch has led this institution with determination and grace during some difficult times and HUMC has emerged stronger for his efforts.
Q. What do people in the community tell you about HUMC?
A. The marvelous thing for me is that within the community there is a real sense of allegiance and a general feeling of pride in HUMC. We share an understanding that this is a unique place. There’s almost never a day that I do not see or hear from someone who tells me about the excellent care and quality services they’ve received here.
Q. Who are the most important people in your life?
A. My wife Pam, of course, and our two children, daughter, Tracy, married to Stephen Martinez, and their four terrific sons, Stephen, Christopher, Andrew and Kevin; and son, Joseph, married to Elizabeth.
Q. Anything further you’d like to add?
A. I am looking forward to working with my close friend, Joseph M. Sanzari, as he begins his term as chairman of the Board of Governors. His leadership and exceptional service to HUMC and our community will result in an outstanding record of achievement.
And finally, I would like to say something about all those who volunteer their time and efforts on behalf of the medical center. We are always on the lookout for quality board members and recently initiated a Board Recruitment Program. Our aim is to attract not only those who wish to be involved, but identify those with diverse talents and energy who can make a serious commitment to the medical center and bring us to the next level. HUMC has grown at all levels — facilities, admissions, quality patient care, outstanding doctors, board members and an executive staff that has provided visionary leadership. In 1995, HUMC was the first New Jersey Hospital to have been awarded the Magnet Designation for Nursing Excellence and has since received consecutive re-designations for Nursing Excellence.
“ The marvelous thing for me is that within the community, there is a real sense of allegiance and a general feeling of pride in HUMC. We share an understanding that this is a unique place. There’s almost never a day that I do not see or hear from someone who tells me about the excellent care and quality services they’ve received here.”
— Joseph Simunovich, chairman of the HUMC Foundation Board of Trustees